3 minute read
A snapshot of round 21 of the A-League Women season, when Sydney FC closed in on the premiers plate and Adelaide went closer to claiming the wooden spoon.
ROUND 21 OF THE A-LEAGUE WOMEN COMPETITION AT A GLANCE
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Melina Ayres came back to haunt Melbourne Victory in the most dramatic of fashion. The former Victory star joined the Jets this season and came off the bench on Saturday with her side trailing 2-1. Ayres scored the equaliser then let rip with a wonderful long-range strike to deliver the winner.
KEY STAT: FOUR. Sydney FC took a huge step towards a fourth consecutive premiers' plate with a 3-0 win over Adelaide that lifted them to the top of the table with a game in hand.
BEAT THAT: It is hard to do, so Brisbane Roar midfielder Kijah Stephenson's chip over Perth goalkeeper Morgan Aquino to score in a 2-0 win on Sunday will take some beating. Stephenson intercepted an errant back pass and with class and skill made the difficult look ridiculously easy.
TALKING POINT: The premiers plate has slipped away from Western United and with star striker Hannah Keane suffering a horror leg injury on Saturday night in the 3-1 loss to the Wanderers, challenging for silverware just got a whole lot harder. Chloe Logarzo (hip) is unlikely to be seen again this season either.
UNDER PRESSURE: Melbourne Victory are in very real danger of missing finals. They are level with Western Sydney on points and three points clear of Newcastle but have to play - and at least draw with - Sydney FC last, while the Jets face battling Adelaide and the Wanderers play Wellington. With wins valued over goal difference this season, and Victory and the Jets both on nine (and Western Sydney on 10), Jeff Hopkins' side could drop out of the six altogether.
WHAT'S NEXT: Sydney FC travel to Canberra on Wednesday for a postponed clash before the final round kicks off. Thursday night it's fourth hosting third when Western United travel to Central Coast. On Good Friday last-placed Adelaide host Newcastle with the Jets still in the finals race, just. In-form Western Sydney host Wellington and Brisbane welcome Canberra, both on Saturday. On Sunday, the last day of the regular season, Sydney welcome Melbourne Victory and Perth are at home to Melbourne City.
