Week 15 of the Ninja A-League was headlined by the Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium. Elsewhere, Melbourne City travelled to Adelaide as they looked to extend their lead at the top of the table.
However, City were unsuccessful in their pursuit and the Premiers race is now wide open once again. Their midweek clash with Wester Sydney Wanderers also ended in defeat, allowing Brisbane Roar to move within one point of the leaders.
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Here’s what happened around the league in the latest round of results.
Brisbane Roar 2-2 Central Coast Mariners
Annalise Rasmussen bagged a brace for the Mariners in what proved to be her final goals for the club before departing for Juventus.
Ashlyn Miller put the hosts ahead with nine minutes played. Bente Jansen’s through ball was perfectly weighted and Miller rolled the ball under Annalee Grove.
Rasmussen leveled from the spot five minutes later when she was fouled, sending Chloe Lincoln the wrong way.
In the second half, Daisy Brown restored the Roar lead with an audacious 35-yard effort with Grove off her line. That lead lasted barely three minutes as Rasmussen’s 11th goal of the campaign ensured the spoils were shared.
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Brisbane Roar returned to winning ways in their midweek clash with Sydney FC, winning 3-1 on the road. The three points takes them to within one of Melbourne City at the top.
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Adelaide United 2-1 Melbourne City
Adelaide’s first win over Melbourne City in five years kept them in the running for the Premiers Plate.
Fiona Worts gave the Reds the ideal start with a deft finish that looped over Malena Meires. Ella Tonkin then headed home Emily Condon’s corner early in the second half to double the host’s advantage.
Leticia McKenna’s driven shot flew past Ilona Melegh to halve the deficit with 65 minutes gone. Tonkin was the hero at the other end to superbly block Holly McNamara’s goal-bound effort as City tried in vain to restore parity.
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It was only Adelaide’s second win over City in their history as the Melbourne side’s lead at the top was cut. The leaders faced a further blow in their midweek meeting with Western Sydney. The loss means there is now just one point between them and Brisbane Roar.
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Sydney FC 2-3 Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers claimed their first Sydney Derby win since 2019 in what proved to be the final match in charge for Sky Blues boss Ange Jurić.
Riley Tanner struck early for the hosts, capping an incisive move through the heart of the Wanderers midfield.
On the stroke of half-time, Amy Chessari’s first Ninja A-League goal brought the sides level. It was well worth the wait — a sensational finish from the edge of the box leaving Tiahna Robertson with no chance.
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Alyssa Ng-Saad put Western Sydney ahead from close range when Sydney failed to deal with a corner. Cong Yuan’s towering header from Talia Younis’s corner gave the visitors daylight before Amber Luchtmeijer’s smart finish set up a grandstand finish. Geoff Abrahams’ side held on to take a huge win.
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Canberra United 3-1 Melbourne Victory
A second half goal-scoring spree saw Canberra move up to third.
Both sides had chances in the first half, but neither could make the breakthrough. Victory were reduced to ten on the half-hour when Claudia Bunge was shown a straight red for hauling down Michelle Heyman.
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Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was Victory who struck first thanks to Kennedy White’s brilliant finish into the top corner.
Sasha Grove pulled the hosts level with 62 minutes gone after Josie Aulicino had struck the post with her effort. Two minutes later, Mary Stanić-Floody put Canberra ahead with a wonderful 20-yard strike. Tegan Bertolissio’s header 15 minutes from time sealed the win for the home side.
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Newcastle Jets 1-5 Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix put the rest of the league on notice as they demolished the Jets in Newcastle. A 24-minute first half blitz did the damage as the Nix scored four without reply.
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Pia Vlok opened the scoring with 10 minutes gone with a crisp strike from the edge of the box. The 17-year-old soon had a second with another finish from 20 yards out.
Emma Pijnenburg added a third after 20 minutes. Georgia Ritchie in the Jets goal won’t want to see it again as Pijnenburg’s effort squirmed through her grasp.
Worse was to come for Newcastle as the Phoenix added a fourth through Ellie Walker as the home side completely collapsed.
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They steadied the ship, but Vlok completed her hat-trick in fine style as she outwitted Tash Prior and Charlotte Lancaster before cutting onto her left foot and firing home.
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Melina Ayers struck with 15 minutes left but it was barely a consolation as Wellington now sit third on the ladder, two points adrift of leaders Melbourne City.
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Ninja A-League round-up: Melbourne City extend their lead as Wellington Phoenix move to second
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