Brisbane Roar Women will take confidence into their match against defending Champions Melbourne City at A.J. Kelly Park on Sunday, 4 December on the back of last week’s win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Both Westfield W-League sides currently sit in the top three heading into the round four blockbuster clash in Brisbane.
The two teams have played out a number of tight encounters and Roar’s Tameka Butt (below) does not expect Sunday’s match to be any different.
“Each time against City we’ve always played our way and taken it to them,” Butt said.
“They are close and really competitive games, we’re definitely ready for the battle this Sunday.
“We will take it to them 100%, we know how they play and they know how we play” she said.
The Roar has come the closest to defeating City when they pushed them all the way to a shootout in last season’s semi-final.
Brisbane have only improved since that game and under the guidance of head coach Melissa Andreatta have found a combination that appears to be working across the park.
After capitalising and taking their chances in last Saturday’s 2-0 win against the Wanderers, Butt believes her side can continue to improve.
“I think the next step for us as a group is to focus on improving our consistency with the ball and keeping it at our feet a bit longer,” Butt said.
“We have great combination plays and we obviously work really hard defensively so it’s just about consistency in possession for us now.”
It will be a battle of the goalkeepers when Matilda stars Lydia Williams and Mackenzie Arnold (above) take centre stage. The pair have two clean sheets so far this season and have been influential in their respective sides’ strong starts.
The Roar will need to be wary of not only the individual talent within the City squad, but the way they have come together as a team to become the dominant side they have.
“You definitely take a look at the individual players and how they work together as a team, what combinations work well for them and how we can stop that,” Butt said.
“That might break down their attack and allow us to have more possession.”
After Sunday’s match against Melbourne City, the Roar Women will be part of a Westfield W-League/Hyundai A-League double header against Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, 11 December.
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Nina FRAUSING-PEDERSEN, 3.Amy CHAPMAN, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Brooke SPENCE, 6.Angela BEARD, 7.Sunny FRANCO, 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Maili FORBES, 12.Allira TOBY, 13.Tameka BUTT, 14.Summer O’BRIEN, 15.Abbey LLOYD, 17.Emily GIELNIK, 18.Maddy EVANS, 20.Georgina WORTH (gk) **one to be omitted**
Ins: 15.Abbey LLOYD (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9.Cortnee VINE (fractured fibula – 4 weeks)
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Teigen ALLEN, 3.Lauren BARNES, 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Aivi LUIK, 7.Steph CATLEY (c), 10.Jessica FISHLOCK, 11.Erika TYMRAK, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Beverly YANEZ, 17.Marianna TABAIN, 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 30.Kelsey QUINN (gk)
Ins: 3.Lauren BARNES (return from injury), 16.Beverly YANEZ (new signing)
Outs: 12.Olivia ELLIS (omitted), 18.Jacynta GALABADAARACHCHI (omitted)
Unavailable: 9.Larissa CRUMMER (ankle – four weeks)
Referee: Kate Jacewicz Assistant Referee 1: Avrol Beecham Assistant Referee 2: Danielle Potticary Fourth Official: Rachel Mitchenson
