We keep you up to date with all the team news for your Westfield W-League team as the race to the finals heats up.
Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 5 January 2013
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 2pm
Catch the action live streaming online from 2pm AEDT and nationally on ABC1 from 5pm
With only two matches of the regular season remaining champions Canberra are facing the real prospect of missing the finals. Last season-s undefeated campaign has fast become a distant memory and United face another stern test this weekend when Western Sydney Wanderers visit the nation-s capital.
Canberra-s hopes can potentially remain mathematically alive even with defeat against the Wanderers, although in reality they probably need to collect maximum points in their final home match. The champions have received a timely boost with yet another highly credentialed import joining the Westfield W-League in the shape of former USA U-17 captain Kristen Mewis. The attacking midfielder will help offset the loss of Sally Shipard to a season-ending knee injury and the return of Nikki Washington back to the United States.
Western Sydney Wanderers sit in sixth, two points and one place below Canberra. Like their opponents a draw may suffice for another week, but a win is in essential in practical terms. The Wanderers are at full strength for the encounter, having received a morale boost by the recent appearance of USA superstar Megan Rapinoe at training. The Wanderers, however, must bounce back from consecutive hard-fought defeats in recent weeks.
Canberra United squad: Canberra United: 1. Mackenzie Arnold, 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, 16. Catherine Brown, 17. Ariane Hingst, 18. Samantha Wood, 19. Jennifer Bisset, 20. Trudy Burke, 23. Kristen Mewis (* five to be omitted)
In: 23. Kristen Mewis (USA)
Out: Nikki Washington (USA)
Unavailable: Sally Shipard (knee – season)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Elizabeth DURACK (gk), 2. Samantha SPACKMAN, 3, Alexandra HUYNH, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Olivia KENNEDY, 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 8. Vanessa HART, 9. Sarah WALSH, 10. Servet UZUNLAR, 11. Louise FORS, 12. Jessica SEAMAN, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Trudy Camilleri, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O’NEILL, 17. Alisha BASS, 18. Candace Sciberras, 20. Thora HELGADOTTIR (gk), (* three to be omitted)
Ins: Rachael Soutar, Alisha Bass, Candace Sciberras (all promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Jenna Kingsley (knee – season)
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Saturday 5 January 2013
Cromer Park, Sydney
Local kick-off: 3pm
Always a highlight of the Westfield W-League fixture list, this penultimate round fixture takes on even more resonance than usual this time. Brisbane Roar can push for first with victory, while defeat could leave them in a dogfight for fourth going into the final round. Conversely fourth-placed Sydney FC have little margin for error as they seek to ward off the challenge of Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers for a finals berth.
The Roar-s ever-increasing momentum has delighted debutant coach Belinda Wilson, who says her crop of players that have recovered from long-term injury are also improving with each passing week. Both sides have a full squad to choose from for this encounter in Sydney-s northern beaches. The previous encounter saw Sydney claim all three points in impressive fashion in Brisbane, but there is no favourite here as the pair shape up for a fixture that always produces drama.
Sydney FC squad: 1. Sian MCLAREN (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Elizabeth RALSTON, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Meg McLAUGHLIN, 6. Natalie TOBIN, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 8. Amy HARRISON, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Annalie LONGO, 12. Chloe LOGARZO, 13. Larissa CRUMMER, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Hannah BROMLEY, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 17. Kyah SIMON (C), 18. Brittany WHITFIELD, 19. Emma KETE, 20. Sham KHAMIS (gk), 22. Lillie FENLON – BILLSON (* six to be omitted)
Ins: 5. Meg McLAUGHLIN, 6. Natalie TOBIN, 8. Amy HARRISON, 15. Hannah BROMLEY, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 18. Brittany WHITFIELD (all promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Hoshimi KISHI (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Ashley SPINA, 7. Erika ELZE, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Emma PITTMAN, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 16. Sachiko TATSUOKA, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kate STEWART (gk), 19. Katrina GORRY, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (*five to be omitted)
Ins: 9. Emma PITTMAN, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (all promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Saturday 5 January 2013
Wembley Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 4pm
Melbourne Victory will look to maintain their impressive form built up prior to the Christmas break, despite the loss of influential midfielder Jessica Fishlock who has returned to England after her contract came to an end. The Victory know a first-ever home semi-final is in their grasp, with the match against Adelaide followed by a final round meeting with Newcastle Jets.
Adelaide seem to have found their second wind late in the season, helped in part by the arrival of experienced forward Kristy Moore. A good win over Newcastle in December lifted them off the bottom and is a sign of their resilience despite a horror mid-season run. The notoriously tight Victory defence will be tested out by Moore, and powerful striker Marijana Rajcic who returns from suspension.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2. Danielle JOHNSON, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 6. Petra LARSSON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 10. Jessica McDONALD, 11.Caitlin FRIEND, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Cindy LAY, 19. Rachel ALONSO, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (gk), 23. Jessica HUMBLE (*three to be omitted)
In: 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 19. Rachel Alonso (all promoted)
Outs: Jessica Fishlock (UK)
Unavailable: Ashley BROWN (knee – season), Louisa BISBY (knee – season), Jackie Vogt (knee – season)
Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Alex NATOLI, 4. Jessie WHAREPOURI, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 11. Grace HENRY, 12. Elise WHORLOW, 13. Ann MAYO, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Jess WATERHOUSE, 18. Georgia MACRI, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk), 23. Kristy MOORE (* two to be omitted)
Ins: Marijana Rajcic (returns from suspension), Elise Whorlow, Grace Henry (both promoted)
Outs: Lorena Maggio,
Unavailable: None
Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets
Saturday 5 January 2013
Intiga Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 4pm
Just over 12 months ago Perth Glory suffered a record-breaking defeat, and now they are on the cusp of winning the premiership. Sitting equal with Brisbane Roar means the Glory cannot mathematically finalise top spot this weekend, although they can confirm a maiden finals berth. The Glory have made an impressive addition to the squad this week with the signing of experienced American goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have lost two of their three American imports to injury with Angela Salem and Tiffany Boshers both ruled out for the gruelling trip west. The Jets were comprehensively outplayed in their last match just before Christmas by Sydney FC and an away visit to the league leaders will not be any easier.
Perth Glory squad: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 7. Aivi LUIK, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Collette MCCALLUM (C), 15. Elizabeth MILNE, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 20. Zoe PALANDRI (gk), 40. Kaitlyn SAVAGE (gk) (* three to be omitted)
Ins: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 19. Shawn BILLAM (all promoted), 40. Kaitlyn SAVAGE (signed from Florida University).
Outs: 30. Maja BLASCH (end of agreement), 11. Lisa DE VANNA (suspended)
Unavailable: Kirri Bolton (hip – indefinite), Carly Telford (hand – season)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza CAMPBELL, 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Hayley CRAWFORD, 4. Gemma PEARCE, 5. Tori HUSTER, 7. Angela SALEM, 8. Madeline SEARL, 9. Tara ANDREWS, 10. Emily VAN EGMOND, 13. Bronte BATES, 15. Alisha FOOTE, 16. Stacey DAY, 17. Mikaela HOWELL, 20. Alannah ROSEWOOD, 21. Jasmin COURTENAY
Ins: Mikaela HOWELL, Bronte BATES (both promoted)
Outs: Samarra SCHMITZER, Grace MCINTYRE (both omitted), Angela SALEM, Tiffany BOSHERS (both injured)
Unavailable: Kate HENSMAN, Michaela HATZIRODOS (both injured)
