syd_round2prevAlthough a little undermanned, Sydney FC fired off a very loud warning shot to the rest of the competition with a 4 - 2 win over Brisbane in their grand final replay.

Meanwhile the Melbourne Victory's season was on ice but this week its a real baptism of fire was they get their season underway.

Melbourne kick off their Season Three campaign this Saturday as they look to make the finals for the first time.  With new coach Vicki Linton at the helm, there have been a raft of changes to the Victory with new faces pulling on the navy blue.  The defence for the Victory has remained relatively stable over the past two season with local Rita Mankowska one of the few new arrivals.

For the Victory it will be the attack that we will be watching as it has undergone several personnel changes.  The vibrant and goal scoring midfielder Kendall Fletcher comes into the centre with ex-Perth Glory's Ella Mastrantonio.  Up front their is a mix of youth and experience with the seasoned Jodie Taylor and the up and coming Ashley Brown and Caitlin Friend also in support.  Lead up games have been good but this is the real challenge; the defending champions.

With their fast paced, highly offensive game, the Sky Blues looked great in their match against the best defence in the last two season. In her traditional role up front, Kyah Simon and strike partner Leena Khamis, caused havoc with their skill and pace seeing them in behind the back four time and again. Leading from the front, captain Heather Garriock was excellent as she controlled proceedings along with Kylie Ledbrook and Renee Rollason. Defensively the Sky Blues were also well disciplined and structured as Danielle Brogan and Caitlin Foord forced the Roar into attempts from distance and long balls.

Midfielder Samantha Spackman returns to the familiar Sky Blues shirt that she pulled on five times in Season One before departing to the Central Coast Mariners.  Although still without Servet Uzunlar and Sarah Walsh, on form Sydney looks difficult to stop in this encounter.

Contests between these two sides are always close with Sydney holding a slender 1 - 0 advantage head to head. The last time these two sides played, a late own goal from Melbourne cost them victory as the sides drew 1 - 1.

Saturday, 13 November 2010

Latrobe City Stadium, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 7.00pm

Referee: Catherine Hoffman

Assistant referees: Liz Hyland and Danielle Anderson

Fourth official: James Nicolopoulos

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 2. Rita MANKOWSKA, 3. Marlies OOSTDAM, 6. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 7. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Stephanie CATLEY, 10. Jodie TAYLOR, 11. Kendall FLETCHER, 12. Amy JACKSON, 13. Ashley BROWN, 15. Deanna NICESKI, 17. Caitlin FRIEND, 19. Enza BARILLA, 20. Brianna DAVEY (GK)

Ins: Rita MANKOWSKA (from Heidelberg United/National Training Centre), Snez VELJANOVSKA (from Canberra United), Ella MASTRANTONIO (from Perth Glory), Jodie TAYLOR (from Ottawa Fury, USA), Kendall FLETCHER (from Central Coast), Amy JACKSON (from Altona City SC/National Training Centre), Ashley BROWN (from North Caulfield JFC / National Training Centre), Brianna DAVEY (from Brighton SC / National Training Centre)

Unavailable: Nil

Sydney FC squad: 1. Dimi POULOS (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Danielle BROGAN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Renee ROLLASON, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Lydia VANDENBERGH, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O’NEILL, 17. Kyah SIMON, 18. Samantha SPACKMAN, 19. Leena KHAMIS, 20. Erin HERD (gk).

*one to be omitted*

In: Samantha SPACKMAN

Unavailable: Servet UZUNLAR (overseas – two weeks)