Summary
Two dramatic matches of football, in the W-League and the A-League, for fans who made it out to McKellar Park in the nation’s capital and in Gosford what a feast of action they witnessed.
Canberra United hugely unfortunate not to get something out of a game in which they pushed a star-studded Melbourne City team all the way. No less than seven Matildas on show for the big-money team from the south, but it was the mixture of youth and foreign talent that almost won it for Heather Garriock’s side. An added-time penalty the decider there.
In the A-League it was a drought-ending win and clean sheet for a Mariners’ side that’s season was threatening to slide away after some heavy defeats. Great spirit and tenacity shown by the home side to condemn the foreign stars of Alessandro Diamanti and Panagiotis Kone’s Western United to back-to-back losses. They rode their luck at times, but with tough VAR calls against them earlier in the season it does all come out in the wash.
Great drama, great spectacle. Thanks for your company today!
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Full-time: Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Western United
Diamanti thumps a volley goalwards, and again it cannons off the body of a man in yellow.
And there’s the whistle! A rare win in Gosford for the Mariners, and a first clean sheet in almost two years!
Back-to-back losses for Western United. Some temper between Berisha and his coach as well. Is there trouble in paradise brewing inside Mark Rudan’s close-knit family?
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90 +1 min: Four minutes added on is the word from the sideline, and just a few seconds into this it’s Josh Risdon that rises for a far post header that flashes past Birighitti’s post.
Durante now tangles with Silvera, and they’ll be in no hurry to take this freekick, the Mariners.
89 min: It breaks nicely to Connor Pain - another former Mariner now in green and black - and he thumps a shot goalwards, but it strikes Gallifuoco in the midrift.
Oh my. A replay suggests that’s come of the arm as well, and there’s a movement towards the ball. They are well and truly riding their luck now, the Mariners! The VAR’s popped out for a dart, apparently.
86 min: Western United earn a corner, and they play a combination that almost bears fruit. It falls to Diamanti outside the box, but he can’t connect cleanly with his non-preferred right boot! It flashes past the post, they’re still trying to ratchet up the pressure, Western United. Five or so minutes left to conjure something.
83 min: Oh no. We have a very nervy pause, as a cross from the new man Pierias appears to hit the hand of Gordon, just inside the box. It’s definitely ball to hand, but in the lottery that is the present IFAB handball rules in combination with the non-stop chuckles factory that is VAR, WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
The home fans are sitting on nails - but a huge cheer tells you, referee Alex King has said play on.
80 min: So, a huge last ten minutes to this one. Our match commentary team have just dropped the stat that Central Coast haven’t had a clean sheet in 37 A-League matches. Which necessarily makes this a terrifying last 10, as they hold a slender 1-0 heading onto the home straight.
The youngster Miller comes off with cramp, and it’s Captain Elbows, Matt Simon who comes on to make a nuisance of himself up front for the Mariners. Not a bad idea, it gives them an attacking outlet, and he’s got more than enough experience to know how to hold it up and give his side some breathing room.
73 min: Durante collects Silvera, again with Mariners on the transition, and he follows Calver into the book. A final sub for the home side - it’s Kim who makes way, a fine first starting showing from the experienced Korean, still making his way back from a long injury lay-off. The diminutive Josh Nisbet fills his boots.
Rudan rolls his last dice (after MacDonald, Burgess on earlier) - as Dylan Pierias prepares to come on for the visitors.
71 min: Wow. Nothing says “growing in confidence” like Jack Clisby belting a 25m effort goalwards, and it’s another superb save, this time from Kurto. Gee, we’ve seen some top-notch goalkeeping today.
And you just sense there could be more goals in this one today - but for whom?
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67 min: As this goes on Central Coast are increasingly growing into this contest - what a great final stanza we have ahead of us.
Fox Sports has just shown the live ladder - should Mariners win, they could remarkably leap into the top six! Plenty of teams down in the mire, and we’ve still got a twist or turn left in this one, you’d imagine.
62 min: Hello. Besart Berisha looks up, and it’s his number up on the subsitutes board and he’s absolutely steaming. He fires a thousand-yard-stare at the touchline and Mark Rudan locks the jaw. No handshake - could there be trouble in paradise? No doubt they’ll be all smiles later if Western can grab some points late on, but if they don’t, watch this space.
When Mum says it’s bedtime but you’re not ready to go to bed #CCMvWUN pic.twitter.com/BnXBowPHhR
— Destruction In The Box (@DITBPod) November 24, 2019
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57 min: It breaks for Western and they look to fly in transition, but Stensness hauls down Appiah-Kubi and earns a booking for the cynical foul.
He’s been a terrific acquisition, the Kiwi youth-international. He was brought through the Phoenix academy with huge wraps on him, but it’s the Mariners that pinched him for his first season in the A-League.
55 min: Sam Silvera opts for a shot from just outside the box, but it’s right into the breadbasket of Kurto who claims it comfortably.
They’ve won a corner now - this is a better patch for the Mariners. Can they craft a second and really put the cat among the pigeons?
51 min: A fair slice of fortune in that goal, but when you’re at the bottom of the table, sometimes you’re due a lucky break.
And at the other end - it’s a huge miss from Besart Berisha! Appiah-Kubi does well down the right - he lifts a cross to pick out his striker, but it’s marginally behind the A-League’s all-time top goalscorer, and his jabbed effort spins just over the crossbar!
Has Birighitti put a charm on this Mariners’ goal? How are they not level, United?!
Goal! Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Western United (Calver og)
48 min: Oh wow. They’ve been stomped all over for about 15 minutes at the back end of that half, but it’s the Mariners that take an unlikely lead!
It’s a cross into the heart of defence that’s headed clear, and Gallifuoco hits a first-time volley from deep, that spins viciously off the heel of Aaron Calver and completely wrong-foots his own ‘keeper, Kurto!
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Second half!
So, a chance for both sides to revisit the tactics boards, and your humble scribe to grab a quick coffee and some rice porridge. No expense spared at Guardian Towers.
But we’re back in action at Gosford, and it’s Western United looking to drive from the back, through Aaron Calver.
Half-time: Central Coast Mariners 0-0 Western United
They do survive, unscathed, the home side. Coach Alen Stajcic will be happy with not conceding, but you have to say it was fingers in the dam-wall territory near the end. They need something extra in the second half - what can the 2015 World Cup coach find to inspire his side?
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44 min: Oh wow. It’s Diamanti and Kone combining again. He’s starting to completely run the show out there, the Italian. It’s another terrific chipped pass, and he picks out the Greek international entirely unmarked, but he blazes over the crossbar! Big let off for the Mariners.
39 min: Oh my! That’s spectacular football all round! Diamanti with a sumptuous freekick from just outside the box, but the save from Birighitti was top draw. How’d he keep that out?
I called him in Guardian’s pre-season previews as “worth at least five to 10 points” for the Mariners - I think he’s earned those already, across just seven rounds. Great signing.
(That said, the rest of the team still have to earn some points; so maybe worth 10-20 goals might have been a better shout?)
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36 min: A nice cameo of Western United’s two vastly experience marquee midfielders. Diamanti with a terrific first time pass out to Pain, who crosses back in for Kone, who sizes up a curling finish that only just flashes wide of Birighitti’s post. Quality contributions from two vastly experienced players.
33 min: Berisha looks to twist and turn in the box, but the Kosovan international can’t get a clean shot away with Kye Rowles in close attendance. He’s really come along in recent years, the Olyroo. And he starts today ahead of Dylan Fox and Ruon Tongyik in the heart of defence.
And a yellow card for Josh Risdon who scythes down the promising youngster Sammy Silvera on a rare Mariners foray forward.
30 min: It’s a lot of passing without too much purpose at this stage. Both sides guilty of “patience” at the back, which can often be a synonym for either a lack of ambition or a dearth of courage in picking out a more attacking option. Western United happy to counter, as is their way under Rudan, but as the home side the onus is on the Mariners to show a little more.
25 min: Good covering defence from the Scotsman Ziggy Gordon, moved to the centre from his customary right back role. He concedes the corner and it’s an important clearance from Birighitti, before on the follow up it’s Andrew Durante.. cleared off the line!
He scored his first goal in over 10,000 minutes of A-League action a week or so back - and he so very nearly had a second there, the veteran!
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20 min: A break in play as Appiah-Kubi receives treatment for an accidental elbow from the veteran Korean Kim. No malice, he had eyes for the ball, but it’s ruffled a few feathers out there. The flying Auckland-born winger was of course a former Mariner. But then with five A-League clubs in his back catalogue he’s played at a few stadiums.
16 min: Now it’s Diamanti with the long raking ball, and he earns his side a corner as Clisby is forced to clear for the Mariners. What can they fashion from the set piece, the visitors?
Mariners defend, but they turn the ball over cheaply, and Connor Pain almost finds Appiah-Kubi in the box. A half-scare for home fans.
12 min: Mariners allowed the ball at the back, before Gordon goes long for Oar. The skipper looks for a clever chip, and he has Kurto scrambling; but it loops harmlessly over the bar.
8 min: It’s the visitors with it at the back - a classic “feeling out” opening to this one, and a first look at Lewis Miller down CCM’s right who’s handed a first start to the season as part of a Stajcic backline reschuffle.
4 min: It’s a clever chip over the top from the United skipper Diamanti, who almost finds Appiah-Kubi. He’s preferred today to Scott McDonald the former Phoenix flyer. Can he make the most of his start?
Kick-off! A-League: Central Coast v Western United
1 min: A first early take for Birighitti after Jertec’s shot is deflected with all the sting taken off it. A really big test of Alen Stajcic and his team today. After Wellington’s win yesterday they’re now bottom. He’s rung the changes a bit, the former Matildas boss. Will his new XI respond?
Here’s how we line up for CCM v Western United:
Here's how we lineup for tonight's clash with @wufcofficial! Eunsun Kim and Lewis Miller make their @ALeague starting debuts. #CCMFC #CCMvWUN pic.twitter.com/EcuA7b5beo
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 24, 2019
And Western United:
Our line up is in to face the Mariners. #WUFC #ForTheWest #CCMvWUN pic.twitter.com/HzlNIotxby
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) November 24, 2019
Late drama in the W-League, therefore. I’d love to forensically relive a lot of that second half - a really great game of football, and a terrific advert for the women’s game in Australia.
But! Time marches on, and we’re off to Central Coast where it’s A-League action as the Mariners about to host Mark Rudan’s Western United.
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Full-time: Canberra United 1-2 Melbourne City
What a cruel game football is! They couldn’t have done more here today, Canberra United. And with the very last passage of the game, it’s City that have pinched it. Van Egmond was hugely fortunate to sneak that penalty home after the heroics of Khamis in goals looking to deny it. And they’ve spared their blushes, the star-studded City lineup. They grab their first win of the season, and take four points from six, while a brave United side slump to their first loss of 2019/20.
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Penalty! Canberra United 1-2 Melbourne City (van Egmond)
Oh my - Sham Khamis picks the right side and gets a hand on it - but only pushes into the post, and it bounces back into her net! How cruelly unlucky, she couldn’t have done more there!
90 + 2 min: Oh my. They’ve hardly mounted a shot in anger this second half, but a brilliant combination between Carpenter and Catley creates the chance centrally, and there’s a player pulled down!
No hesitation, it’s a penalty!
89 min: Brilliantly defended by Rebekah Stott, as Stengel receives a long ball into the box and looks to twist and turn, but the experienced Kiwi CB steps in and clears, eventually. That could have been the winner, if it wasn’t for Stott’s tenacity.
84 min: As we get closer to the final whistle it’s Canberra finishing the stronger. You have to say, has it been too long a year for some of these Matildas? Players of the known quality of van Egmond look like they’re trotting round in about third gear there, while some of these new faces and younger teammates are really lighting up this contest.
79 min: Ooph. The intent from this Canberra side is hugely impressive. The foreign brigade of Camila, Stengel and Charley are pinning the ears and really going for this. And it’s the Brazilian who lashes as fierce shot from distance - but it just rises and fails to test Williams.
75 min: Double change for Canberra, as Horsey and Crofts come on, and the youngster Hughes and the veteran Khamis make way.
And speaking of Horsey - I’m trusting you sports fans have seen what’s being dubbed as “the greatest sports interview of all time” from earlier this week. Joe Marler, ladies and gentlemen.
70 min: Post! This game has just exploded to life. It’s Charley who jinks inside her defender, drops the shoulder and fires an effort past the outstretched arm of Williams - but it clatters back off the inside of the post.
We were goalless for almost an hour, but could have had three in ten minutes! Brilliant football, great move from Charley.
Goal! Canberra United 1-1 Melbourne City (Mijatović)
66 min: Well, we didn’t have to wait long to find out! It’s a superb slide ball pass from the Japanese veteran Kinga that finds the Serbian Mijatović after a slick one-two. A clever touch to round Khamis and then tucked into the back of the net! That was a high-class combination and finish. Can they go on from this?
Milica Mijatovic scoring the 1-1 equalizer at 67'!
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) November 24, 2019
🎥@FOXFOOTBALL #CBRvMCY #WLeague pic.twitter.com/hqjuoADlt0
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63 min: And all of a sudden, questions are being posed to this star-studded City line up. With Sydney FC already winning their first two games of this sprint of a season, they can’t afford to fall five points behind after just two games.
What can they muster now after going behind - and who can be the X-factor to drag them back into this contest? No shortage of individual talent, that’s for sure.
Goal! Canberra United 1-0 Melbourne City (Stengel)
59 min: And there’s the breakthrough! It’s another mazy dribble from Charley, before it breaks for Camila. It’s a phenomenal strike from distance from the Brazilian, but it comes back off the post! It’s Katie Stengel, the former Jet, who is first on the spot following up, and they’ve tucked one home, to the delight of their fans. Game on!
58 min: Carpenter chases a lost cause and almost wins a corner. You do worry sometimes about the metres she gets through at such a young age. There was of course huge concern a few years back about Matildas picking up injuries due to cumulative NWSL, W-League and international duty.
53 min: Oh my! If that had gone in, it could have been goal of the season! That was a tremendous run from Simone Charley - she’s run through about six players, jinking straight through the heart of the City defence - and when you think who’s in this side, that’s some effort.
It’s a trailing leg of a covering defender that prevents a clean shot at the end. What a shame - that was terrific to watch.
48 min: Huge save! It is Dobson who fires in a tantalising cross - and it’s Emily van Egmond who makes the near post run, but it’s saved at close range by Khamis. She might not have known too much about that, but she was immensely brave and stood strong to keep her side in it.
Second half!
45 min: So an early change - as Simon makes way for Rhali Dobson. She was hugely impressive at times with the Jets, and was on the fringes of the Matildas’ squad at once stage, Dobson - let’s hope she can have an impact here.
Half-time: Canberra United 0-0 Melbourne City
And there’s the whistle! Not overbounding with goalmouth action, but far from a snore draw. Heather Garriock and Rado Vidosic with plenty to ponder at the break. City have controlled a fair bit of possession, but they’ve not fashioned too much apart from a few set pieces and that early attack on Khamis’ goal. While at the other end, former United stalwart Lydia Williams has hardly had a touch. You sense that that could change in the second half though, with the pace of Charley always a danger for the home side.
43 min: It’s all huff no puff so far from City, as they mount another raid on the United box - but they can’t quite find the final pass. Terrific defending from Kurtz.
And a bit of passion as Simon and Camila come together. Do you reckon there’s some history there? The Matildas and Brazil aren’t exactly best bed-fellows at international level. A bit of niggle out there, for sure.
36 min: A good foray by Charley, now down Canberra’s right. She twists and turns Catley, before the City defence eventually clears. Great to see the veteran Leena Khamis - so synonymous with the sky blue of Sydney FC - now in the green of Canberra, alongside her sister Sham. She’ll bring much needed experience to this side - a good balance for coach Heather Garriock.
32 min: They are three times champions in their short four-season history, City - really changing the women’s game when they came into the competition. But it should be noted outside that blinding first season they haven’t won a premiership, finishing 4th, 4th, and 5th since then. Some pressure on coach Rado Vidosic perhaps this year, after the shock of missing the finals last campaign - they can’t afford a repeat of that this year.
27 min: Some feisty tackles as Charley flies in on Carpenter, but the teenager gets the better of it and launches another transitional raid, finding Simon once again down the right. It bobbles for Aivi Luik centrally, but the Canberra defence scrambles well and clears.
22 min: Big chance for City! It starts with Carpenter who pick’s Camila’s pocket and charges forward before sliding a pass wide to Kyah Simon. The Matildas’ teammates combine nicely, before Simon picks out a teammate far post, but the final shot is driven wide! Was it Mijatović on the end of it? I believe so.
And a yellow card for the veteran Kinga, who slides in aggressively on Hughes.
15 min: So 0-0 after an early feeling out period. Just the early goal-action threatening Canberra’s line, but it’s the home side looking to launch something through their Brazilian international Camila. It’s another former United star, Kinga that steps in to break up the attack though - what a player she’s been for the competition, credit Canberra for bringing her to Australia in the first place.
Interesting to see the Serbian Milica Mijatović in City’s ranks. It’s a powerhouse football nation of the men’s game, but we’re yet to see their female players ruffling the world stage. Could she be a trailblazer? First season in the W-League, let’s hope she has an impact and entices more of her countrywomen down under.
The skipper Steph Catley looks to swing in a freekick for City, but it evades teammates to the relief of home fans.
10 min: A nervy settling period for the young home side.
Age is as they say just a number mind, when you have players like Karly Roestbakken and Ellie Carpenter out there. Both teenagers - but both with a World Cup under their belts (and an Olympic campaign, in Carpenter’s case) so hugely experienced players despite their tender age. Carpenter did of course have a few seasons with Canberra as well, but she’s now in the sky blue of City.
W-League: Canberra v Melbourne City - kick-off!
1 min: With a Matildas’ studded lineup no surprises it’s the “silvertails” of the women’s game that are the team to beat once again this season (despite silverware evading City last campaign).
Early corners for City as Japanese import Yuri Kinga draws a fine save from Shan Khamis in the Canberra goals.
Emily van Egmond also tries her hand from distance - fresh from scoring against her old club Newcastle last weekend - but she thumps her effort into the wall.
Afternoon all! My regards to you and yours from wherever you’re following our coverage today.
Let’s leap straight in, because my spies at McKellar Park in the nation’s capital tell me we’re already underway in the W-League. Let’s follow that one with some live updates asap.
Preamble
W-League and the A-League take centre stage as the old powers and new powers go head to head. Canberra United - once the benchmark of the women’s game - take on the big spending Melbourne City. While in the men’s game, early-day competition frontrunners Central Coast are now the whipping boys - looking to climb off the bottom of the table with a win over new kids on the block, Mark Rudan’s Western United.
As always with Sportwatch there will be plenty more from elsewhere - shoot us an email or text if there’s some sporting action from around Australia you’d like to hear about.
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