06-10-can-per-prev

Canberra United play host to Perth Glory on Sunday at McKellar Park with both teams on a high after recording victories last weekend.

For Canberra, it was a convincing return to the winners’ circle against Adelaide United after losses to Melbourne and Adelaide.

While Perth staged a second half comeback to pinch the game from Newcastle Jets 3-2 after being down by two goals early in the first half.

Most pleasing for Perth coach Jamie Harnwell was the spirit Glory showed to claw back the win, although we can expect Perth to start the game with more hunger and tenacity so as not to let the game get away from them in the early stages. Harnwell credited Elisa D’Ovidio, playing out of position at right back with inspiring her team mates last week.

While we have not seen a lot of Perth this season in televised matches, their names are hauntingly familiar and their core group has a lot of experience at W-League level.

Rosie Sutton, D’Ovidio and Marianna Tabain all featured for Perth in their strong season last year, and Matildas’ captain Kate Gill has returned from injury at the right end of the season.

Sasha Andrews returns to the backline for Perth this week after missing four matches with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Perth farewelled fellow Canadian striker Christina Julien who finished her guest spell and is already in Germany seeking Bundesliga opportunities.

Long term Perth Glory player Ella Mastrantonio has been seeing less and less game time this year and has been released by the club this week to ‘seek other opportunities’.

While Harnwell thinks his side can still earn enough points to make the top four, Canberra are chasing full points from each of their remaining matches in an attempt to claim a home final.

With Matildas and Canberra United goal keeper Lydia Williams unavailable for this match, Perth will seek any opportunity in their attacking third to test out Trudy Burke.

Canberra’s performance analyst Jocelyn Mara, regularly seen climbing ladders to attach cameras to light poles at McKellar Park this season, returns to the Canberra United squad this week as the back up goalkeeper.

Despite the early hope from Sally Shipard that she will return to the field this week, it appears that her knees are not quite ready, but with Canberra playing three home matches in the space of a week, there’s still a possibility we will see Shipard this season.

Against Perth, Canberra will look to exploit their speed and use the edges of the park to create space which worked so well against Adelaide.

With Heyman, Ochs and Lindsey combining more regularly as the season progresses, Perth will be wary of shots from anywhere, especially with the power of Kendall Fletcher and Caitlin Munoz lurking around the 18 yard box, and last week’s most valuable player, Ashleigh Sykes, in career best form.

Their last encounter saw Canberra United win 2-0 on Perth's home turf with Ashleigh Sykes and Stephanie Ochs doing the damage.  If the Glory are to push for the Top Four, they will need to topple their hosts this weekend.

Head to Head: Played 9, Canberra 6, Perth 0, Draw 3

Canberra United v Perth Glory

Sunday 26 January 2014

McKellar Park, Canberra

Local kick-off: 3pm

** Catch all the action Live* at 3.00pm on ABC1. Or catch up from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Thursday (*live in AEDT states) 

Canberra United squad: Trudy BOURKE (gk), Catherine BROWN, Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, Kendall FLETCHER, Grace FIELD, Caitlin MUNOZ, Ellie BRUSH (c), Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Nicole SYKES, Ashleigh SYKES, Lori LINDSEY, Jennifer BISSET, Jocelyn MARA (gk), Stephanie OCHS (one to be omitted)

Ins: Jennifer Bisset, Jocelyn Mara (both promoted), Grace Field

Outs: Lydia Williams (personal commitments), Sally Rojahn (omitted)

Unavailable: Sally Shipard (knee – one week)

Perth Glory squad: 1. Chantel JONES (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Cecilie SANDVEJ, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 15. Jess DILLON, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Amy KNIGHTS, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 28. Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (gk), 22. Emily HENDERSON (one to be omitted)

Ins: Sarah Carroll, Sasha Andrews (both return from injury), Emily Henderson (promoted)

Outs: Ella Mastrantonio (released), Christina Julien (end of contract)

Unavailable: Aivi Luik (hamstring – season), Kat Jukic (hip – season), Collette McCallum (knee – season), Kathleen Waycott (hip – season)