Adelaide United Women defender Matilda McNamara admits playing Perth Glory Women for the second time in less than a week tonight will be a unique experience having met just five days earlier.
The Reds secured its first points of the Westfield W-League 2020/21 season last Saturday after a 1-0 win in front of more than 1,000 fans at Marden Sports Complex.
McNamara said the team was extremely delighted to swiftly bounce back from its dramatic opening round 4-3 defeat to Canberra United Women.
“I think we were super happy to have won, especially after losing last week and also just to get points early in the season,” McNamara said, as Emily Condon’s 80th minute penalty proved the difference.
“That was a struggle for us last season, so we’re really, really happy to have gotten a result.”
United will be aiming for more of the same when the two sides meet again only this time at Dorrien Gardens in Perth for the Round 4 clash.
Border restrictions across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a number of fixture revisions and postponements.
“It’s definitely strange to play them so close together,” she said.
“But I think there’s some positives from the game, so building on those and also a couple of things that we need to work on.
“It’s kind of a good chance to implement those straight away while it’s still fresh in our mind.”
While it was a narrow victory on paper, Adelaide dominated the majority of the contest particularly after half-time.
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The Reds responded to Head Coach Adrian Stenta’s tactical adjustments at the break with the centre-back believing the team has plenty of room for improvement.
“I think definitely in the second-half we were finding our strikers and trying to get the ball forward and really putting their defence under pressure,” she said.
“So it’s just the final things in that front third and I think we can definitely score some more goals.”
Although Stenta’s side were at times wasteful in attack, the 22-year-old was thrilled with the clean sheet as she played alongside Dutch defender Maruschka Waldus for the first time.
“I think we were definitely super pleased to get the clean sheet, especially conceding so many late goals in our first game,” she said.
“That was a really big focus for us and definitely myself and Maruschka (Waldus) getting to play a game together and we’re starting to gel together well which is really good for us and I think we’re only going to get stronger going forward.”
McNamara was hopeful they could build on their defensive partnership, hailing the 28-year-old’s experience.
“It’s been super amazing getting to play next to her,” she continued.
“… She brings a lot of maturity to the team and I think it really showed in our performance to be able to keep the clean sheet against a good Perth side.
“We were really happy with that and I’m looking forward to getting more games with her and I think it’s something that will make me a better player.”
Next match details:
Game date: Thursday, 14 January vs Perth Glory Women
Westfield W-League 2020/21 – Round 4
Kick-off 7.35pm ACDT
Venue: Dorrien Gardens
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
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