Adelaide United faces no tougher task in a bid to return to the winner’s list when the Lady Reds meet champion Canberra United at McKellar Park on Saturday.
Adelaide United faces no tougher task in a bid to return to the winner-s list when the Lady Reds meet champion Canberra United at McKellar Park on Saturday.
The Lady Reds were defeated 2-1 by Perth Glory last week after taking the lead minutes before the break, only to concede the equaliser in first-half stoppage time.
The Glory went on to score the winner in the 88th minute and Adelaide United coach Dave Edmondson admitted the hosts were deserved of all three points and even a chance for the title.
“The result a bit disappointing but our performance probably didn-t warrant a point really,” he said.
“In terms of the goals, it is disappointing to concede at anytime but particularly the first goal. It was literally seconds before half time. If we had gone in 1-0 up at half time, it could have made things very different.”
“I really think Glory will be a top four side this season and they have a chance at the title. They have recruited very well with their goalkeeper Carly Telford and the four or five of Matildas they have in their squad.”
Canberra United enjoyed an emphatic 5-0 win over Newcastle Jets last week after sharing the points in a goalless draw with Brisbane Roar in the opening round of the season.
Canberra look to be at full strength while a couple of notable absentees from the Lady Reds line-up makes the trip to the nation-s capital even tougher.
Jess Waterhouse has been selected for Australia U16 duties while hat-trick hero Sara McLaughlin is still sidelined with an ankle injury.
Marijana Racjic and Laura Johns are also not part of the travelling party.
Edmondson conceded the prospect of facing a full-strength Canberra side is an enormous task.
“Especially with the players we have missing, the trip to Canberra is probably the most difficult we will face this season,” he said.
“But, we have worked on a few different things this week specifically for Canberra and we are going there to give a good account of ourselves.”
Catch the game on a live web stream via www.2xxfm.org.au. Simply hit the blue “tune in now” button in the bottom right.
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Saturday 3 November 2012
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 4pm
Canberra United squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Sally SHIPARD, 16. Catherine BROWN, 17. Ariane HINGST, 18. Samantha WOOD, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Trudy BURKE (gk)
* five to be omitted
Ins: Sally Shipard (returns from injury)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None
Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Alex NATOLI, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Cassandra TSOUMBRIS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Jenna MCCORMICK, 11. Grace HENRY, 12. Elise WHORLOW, 13. Ann MAYO, 14. Lorena MAGGIO, 15. Emma CHECKER, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Holly PATTERSON, 20. Kelly BARLTROP
Ins: 10. Jenna MCCORMICK, 12. Elise WHORLOW, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (all promoted)
Outs: 9. Marijana RAJCIC (family commitments), 16. Jess WATERHOUSE (Australia U-16), 17. Laura JOHNS (hamstring – 1 week)
Unavailable: Jessie WHAREPOURI (school exams), Sarah McLaughlin (ankle – 1 week)
