Canberra United looking to continue their excellent start | Credit: Getty Images Canberra United looking to continue their excellent start | Credit: Getty Images

The participants of two of the unexpected results last round meet as Canberra United host the Western Sydney Wanderers in the Match of the Round.

Western Sydney Wanderers’ Catherine Cannuli scored an injury time goal against Adelaide United, escaping a surprise loss and earning a point in their 1-1 draw at Marconi Stadium.

While Canberra United turned the tables on the impressive Brisbane Roar who had knocked them flying from the top four in the final round of season 5 with a 5-0 thumping.

In this season 6 opening round it was Canberra who were unflappable, putting 3 stinging goals past this season’s favourites, and arguably the world’s best goal keeper Nadine Angerer, to win 3-0. 

Canberra United surprised everyone but themselves with their convincing win over the highly fancied Roar. Matildas’ goalkeeper Lydia Williams slot right back in to the Canberra United line up with crucial saves, Ashleigh Sykes was incisive down the left flank and through the midfield, and the buzz around the team is how well the defence knitted together to deny the Roar any goals.

US import Lori Lindsey settled into midfield with an opening goal, and compatriot Stephanie Ochs, who cuts an imposing figure running at the defence with the pacy Michelle Heyman as decoy, will be looking to notch her first goal in the league. Heyman is back to looking extremely strong and, with two goals last week against Angerer, her confidence is soaring. 

The Wanderers were expected to win over three time wooden spooners Adelaide, but struggled to find attacking spark in the first half with the absences of  Heather Garriock and Kyah Simon up front obvious.

Canberra’s key striker Michelle Heyman is walking tall after pegging two neat goals past the world class  Angerer in the opening round. Heyman’s presence, the strong support from Ochs, Lindsey and Ashleigh Sykes, and the disciplined midfield and defensive line will make Canberra United a tough unit to break down this week.

Catherine Cannuli pulled her team out of strife in round one and she will again be influential in this weekend’s game. Matildas flanker Teigen Allen will also be dangerous, and United will remember her goal against them last year when she cracked a lightning shot into the bottom corner from 20 metres out. 

The Wanderers were strong in possession in round one and will look to control the ball again.  Matildas vice captain Emily Van Egmond will be key to this as will the returning Servet Uzunlar.  Defensively the Wanderers will be looking to neutralize United's attacking threats with former United defender Caitlin Cooper to prove a key, while the defensive cover work of Tori Huster could prove integral.

The last time these teams met in Round 11 of season 5, officials had their noses in the rule books and their eyes on the weather channel. A heat delay and then lightning saw the match cancelled before halftime.  Western Sydney return to Canberra four days later and cop a 5-0 hiding from the locals who were busting for a big result in order to stay in contention for the finals.

With the Wanderers’ being United’s closest neighbours, and the emergence of a healthy, friendly rivalry in season 5, this match up is developing into one of the must-see fixtures of the W-League.

Head to Head: Played 2, Canberra 1, Draw 1

Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers

Sunday 17 November 2013

McKellar Park, Canberra

Local kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Kate Jacewicz

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** 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: Lydia WILLIAMS, Catherine BROWN, Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, Kendall FLETCHER, Grace FIELD, Caitlin MUNOZ, Ellie BRUSH, Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Sally ROJAHN, Nicole SYKES, Ashleigh SYKES, Lori LINDSEY, Holly HOUSTN, Jennifer BISSET, Trudy BURKE, Stephanie OCHS (three to be omitted)

Ins: Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Holly Houston (both return from injury), Grace Field (promoted) 

Unavailable: Sally Shipard (injured – two weeks)

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: Caitlin Cooper, Shawna Gordon, Emily Van Egmond, Rachael Soutar, Tori Huster, Jenna Kingsley, Servet Uzunlar, Michelle Carney, Jessica Seaman, Catherine Cannuli, Teigen Allen, Linda O’Neill, Helen Petinos, Jordan Baker, Georgia Rowntree (GK), Dimi Poulos (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Servet Uzunlar (returns from injury) 

Unavailable: Mackenzie Arnold (GK) (leg – indefinite), Heather Garriock (injury – indefinite), Alanna Kennedy (back – two weeks), Kyah Simon (knee – season)