In a thrilling encounter at Coopers Stadium, Melbourne Victory secured a 3-1 victory over Adelaide United in the first leg of the Ninja A-League Women Semi-Final on May 4, 2025. This win puts Victory in a strong position as they head into the return leg next week.
The match started with both teams displaying nerves, leading to a cautious opening phase. However, it was Melbourne Victory who struck first, with Emily Gielnik finding the net in the 38th minute. Gielnik's goal came from a brilliant long ball by Courtney Newbon, who set her up perfectly for a powerful shot into the side netting.
Just two minutes later, Erin Healy responded for Adelaide United, equalizing with a well-placed shot after capitalizing on a defensive lapse. The first half ended in a tense 1-1 stalemate, with both teams creating opportunities but unable to find the back of the net again before the break.
The second half saw a flurry of action as both teams pushed for dominance. Melbourne Victory made a tactical substitution, bringing on Holly Furphy, who added energy to the attack. The breakthrough for Victory came in the 77th minute when Claudia Bunge scored from an Alana Murphy corner, heading the ball past the Adelaide goalkeeper, Claudia Jenkins.
Victory sealed their win with another goal from Bunge just 10 minutes later, again utilizing a corner kick, this time delivered by Alex Chidiac. Bunge directed her header off the crossbar and into the net, marking a memorable performance with two goals and solidifying Victory's advantage.
With an attendance of 4,372, the atmosphere was electric as fans witnessed a high-stakes match between two fierce rivals. The victory places Melbourne Victory in a favorable position as they prepare to host Adelaide United in the second leg at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 1:45 PM ACST.
As the two teams gear up for the decisive match, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win for Melbourne Victory would secure their spot in the Ninja A-League Women 2025 Grand Final, marking their first appearance in the championship since 2022, should they advance. Meanwhile, Adelaide United will be looking to overturn the two-goal deficit and secure their first-ever Grand Final appearance.
The upcoming match promises to be an exciting showdown, with both teams eager to claim their place in the finals. The Ninja A-League Women Grand Final is scheduled for either Saturday, May 17, or Sunday, May 18, 2025, depending on the outcomes of the semi-final matches.
Fans can look forward to the return leg being broadcast live across various platforms including Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+. For supporters in New Zealand, the match will be available on Sky Sport and streamed on Sky Sport Now.
Ticket sales for the second leg are set to commence with member pre-sales starting on May 6, 2025, at 2:30 PM ACST for Melbourne Victory vs. Adelaide United. General public tickets will be available from May 7, 2025. Meanwhile, Melbourne City will also host Central Coast Mariners on May 11, 2025, following their 2-2 draw in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
The excitement around the Ninja A-League Women Finals Series continues to build as teams vie for the coveted championship title. With Melbourne Victory holding a solid lead and the prospect of a dramatic comeback from Adelaide United, fans are in for a treat as the finals approach.
As the teams prepare for the crucial second leg, all eyes will be on the Home of the Matildas, where history could be made. Will Melbourne Victory secure their place in the Grand Final, or can Adelaide United pull off a stunning upset? Only time will tell as the action unfolds.
