W-League: New Year's Day Matches

Its bad luck for the girls who play on New Year's Day. Their New Year's Eve will need to be quite subdued because the results of these two games could well be season changing.

The non-televised match sees Newcastle Jets meet Melbourne Victory at Wanderers Oval. Both these teams are playing reasonable football and they both equally need this result to stay in the race for the fourth semi-final position. Newcastle have had a few good results this season, in particular their win against Sydney FC. They look to be gelling well as a team and the coach seems to have been doing a good job.

They do process some strike weapons and these girls can change a game, namely Sasha McDonell, Kara Mowbray and the up and coming Young Matilda Tara Andrews. As for defence Newcastle have the likes of Thea Slayer and Gemma Simon. While Melbourne Victory are a young team they certainly have the ability to roll with the more experienced teams, especially now with Australian Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri back leading the side from between the sticks. They do also process some of their own weapons in the form of UK import Jodie Taylor and Caitlin Friend backed up with the likes of US import Kendall Flectcher and Ella Mastrantonio.

But the big one, which will currently determine first and second place and in more likely hood the season Championship, is the ABC’s televised game on Saturday 3pm, Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar at Campbelltown Stadium. This should be a cracker with all the hallmarks of a great game. These two teams played the very first round where Sydney touched up Brisbane Roar 4-2, but some water has passed under the bridge since and the Roar are looking good, especially having just beaten third placed Canberra.

Both these sides have quality all over the park; Brisbane have the likes of goal scorers Tameka Butt and Lana Harch and have recently signed up world quality strikers Lisa DeVanna and Kennya Cordner. Backed up with quality midfielders the likes of Clare Polkinghorne and Aivi Luik, Brisbane look strong. Sydney though has shown the light this year. They have a very sharp pointy end with Leena Khamis, Kyah Simon and Catherine Canulli. But they are not a one trick pony, with Coach Allen Stajcic making some master moves in position changing. Forward Caitlin Foord and Midfieldier Lydia Vandenbergh playing as wing defenders gives the Sydney team real width across the pitch.

Look forward to a great New Years Day match!