Week 13 of the Ninja A-League Women was nothing short of exciting, featuring thrilling matches and surprising results. The standout clash of the weekend was the Big Blue, where Melbourne Victory hosted arch-rivals Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
The match ended 2-0 in favor of Melbourne Victory, securing their second position on the table and leaving Sydney FC struggling at second from bottom. A stunning free-kick from Alana Jančevski set the tone early on, her 25-yard strike leaving goalkeeper Briana Edwards with little chance. Despite some desperate attempts from Sydney, including Caley Tallon-Henniker almost leveling the score right before halftime, they could not find the net.
Victory sealed their victory with Rachel Lowe’s assist leading to Holly Furphy’s debut goal, capping off a resilient performance. It’s another pivotal win for the Victory, who remain just two points behind the league leaders, Melbourne City.
Melbourne City also enjoyed success this round, maintaining their unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. The only goal of the match came from Holly McNamara, who capitalized on Mariana Speckmaier's excellent pressing and assist. Although City dominated the game, they could have extended their lead but squandered opportunities. Nevertheless, the team's strong defensive showing kept the Wanderers at bay, solidifying their top spot.
Elsewhere, Adelaide United drew 1-1 with Western United. Erin Healy opened the scoring with a phenomenal long-range shot, but Catherine Zimmerman equalized for Western just after the hour mark. Both teams showed moments of promise, but with no additional goals, they were left sharing the spoils.
Newcastle Jets and Canberra United played out a rollercoaster match, resulting in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Lara Gooch and Sofia Christopherson both made headlines, with Gooch scoring for the Jets and Christopherson finding the back of the net for United.
The match featured some defensive lapses from both sides, culminating in Newcastle’s Josie Allan and Sheridan Gallagher each getting on the scoresheet. Despite Gallagher’s red card late on for two yellow cards, neither team could find the decisive goal.
Central Coast Mariners took advantage of their home ground and achieved victory against Wellington Phoenix with a 1-0 scoreline, thanks to Tiana Fuller’s explosive long-range strike. A strong performance from goalkeeper Carolina Vilão secured the match for the Mariners, allowing them to leapfrog Wellington on the table.
Meanwhile, Perth Glory edged Brisbane Roar 3-2, with Caitlin Doeglas stealing the show by scoring twice. The Roar, who started off strong, saw their early lead erased by Doeglas’s clever play, culminating in her second goal coming from Brisbane’s mistake.
Looking forward, the next matches promise intriguing matchups. One of the highlights includes Western United facing off against Western Sydney Wanderers, who seek revenge after their previous humiliations this season. The Wanderers achieved their only win against United earlier on, but with their recent lack of form, predictions lean heavily toward Western United.
Sydney FC will take on Adelaide United, and the home advantage is certainly on the side of Sydney; they have never dropped points to Adelaide at home. With Adelaide striving for placement among the top three, the stakes are high, especially for the struggling Sydney FC.
Fans should also tune in for the F3 Derby between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets. Both teams are eager for points, with the Mariners hoping to maintain their chase for the finals spots. The Jets, on the other hand, are yet to find their footing, making this match pivotal for their season.
Another enticing fixture will see Canberra United hosting Perth Glory. Both teams head off from contrasting recent performances; Canberra seeks to build on their efforts from the last week, whereas Perth will aim to redeem themselves after previous losses.
The weekend will culminate with the highly anticipated Melbourne Derby, where undefeated Melbourne City will face off against their closest rivals, Melbourne Victory. With only two points separating the two, this match could have significant repercussions for the title race. Melbourne City is on track for another historic season, but Victory looks to upset their momentum.
What’s clear is this season of A-League Women is heating up, building momentum as teams strive for glory at both ends of the table. The next round promises action and intensity, so fans should make sure they're tuned in!