Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic isn't happy his team has to start their W-League championship defence with back-to-back road trips.
City got their 2020-21 campaign started with a hard-fought point in a 0-0 draw against Brisbane in Redcliffe on Tuesday, in a match that was rescheduled in the wake of Sydney's COVID-19 outbreak.
The Sky Blues next travel to the nation's capital to face Canberra United on Sunday and Vidosic believes organisers haven't shown his team enough respect with the scheduling.
"We didn't get a lucky draw. We are champions, we have to play two games away," Vidosic said.
"No-one asked us anything about what do you guys need.
"So it was a little bit tough on us, but it is what it is. We'll try our best."
City faced the Roar without any of their starting XI from last season's grand final and were under the pump for much of the match.
Only Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah, in her City debut, prevented the Roar from claiming victory, making a number of crucial saves throughout the match.
Matildas defender Emma Checker is still recovering from the foot fracture which ended her stint in France, and Vidosic says the 24-year-old is unlikely to be available until mid-January.
Another key player, midfielder Alex Chidiac, has only just returned to Australia from Spain and remains in hotel quarantine.
It leaves Vidosic with limited options for the Canberra match but Japanese attacking midfielder Chinatsu Kira may be available after completing her own quarantine period.
"She just came out from quarantine yesterday (Monday)," Vidosic said.
"We'll see if she can help us in Canberra."
