Western United will welcome Jaclyn Sawicki and Tyla Jay Vlajnic back from international duty for its crunch Liberty A-League Women match against Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Sawicki and Vlajnic both arrived from Europe in the early hours of the morning on matchday last week, so sat out the side’s 4-2 win over Canberra United.
The pair will be hoping to make an immediate impact when they return to the side with the Green and Black chasing an important three points against Sydney.
Sawicki has continued to thrive in a more advanced role under Kat Smith and will be eager to carry on that form, while Vlajnic will look to install her usual quality in both defence and attack down the left flank.
Overall, Smith has named an unchanged 20-player extended squad and will continue to make tough decisions at the selection table.
The depth of Smith’s squad was on show last week with Emma Robers performing well in midfield in what was her first start since January.
Over a year since her last start in the competition, Aimee Medwin shone to further her return from injury while Julia Sardo made an impact off the bench.
Catherine Zimmerman added further firepower to Smith’s squad with her debut last week and looked sharp as soon as she came on. The American will be eager for more minutes and will no doubt be chasing a first goal in Western United colours.
Alana Cerne and Grace Maher continue to be ever-presents at the back for Western United but were joined by a new face last week as Kathrine Larsen made her first appearance since signing for the Club.
That trio will be hoping to fortify its understanding with one another in the hope of keeping Sydney’s explosive attack at bay.
On the absentee front, Smith is reporting a fully fit squad apart from Raquel Deralas who remains a long-term absentee. The forward has recently added running and ball work to her rehabilitation program as she takes steps in her recovery from back surgery.
The only other player not able to be called upon for this clash is former Sydney FC youngster Kahli Johnson, who is representing United at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup with the Young Matildas.
Leah Blayney’s side has enjoyed a positive start to the tournament with two wins from two group stage matches, with Johnson making an impact as a substitute in the opener against South Korea.
Full Western United extended squad
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 31. Kathrine LARSEN, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN
Ins: 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI (returns from international duty), 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC (returns from international duty)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Kahli JOHNSON (international duty), 17. Raquel DERALAS (injured)
Match Details
Liberty A-League Women Round 19
Sydney FC vs Western United
Saturday, 9 March
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEDT
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10 Play, and on Paramount+
