Western United is back under Friday night lights at Ironbark Fields, taking on Central Coast Mariners in Round 2 of the 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women season. Read our Match Preview, presented by Red Bull Australia.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Women Round 2
Western United vs Central Coast Mariners
Friday, 8 November
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEDT
Ironbark Fields, Tarneit
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10 Play, and on Paramount+
Western United Team News
Western United will have a huge boost in midfield with Sara Eggesvik in contention to make her Green and Black debut.
The Philippines international missed out on last week’s season opener after arriving late from international duty.
The likes of Melissa Taranto and Sandra Ibarguen will be eager to fight their way into the starting XI after coming off the bench last week.
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Emily ROACH, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
Previous Meetings
With the Mariners returning to the Ninja A-League last season, United remains unbeaten through the only two meetings between the two sides.
The first match came in Hobart and resulted in a 2-1 win for United with goals from Jaclyn Sawicki and Hannah Keane.
Kat Smith’s side then travelled to Gosford on the final day of the season where a first-ever professional goal from Kiara De Domizio earned a 1-1 draw, a result that wrapped up a third-placed finish.
Key Matchup: Kahli Johnson vs Jessika Nash
Kahli Johnson got her season off to the perfect start last week and will be at the centre of a vital battle in United’s attacking third.
With a goal and an assist in Round 1, Johnson has set herself up to take another step forward in 2024/25 after becoming a regular with United last season.
Johnson will come up against her Young Matildas teammate Jessika Nash in a clash of two of Australia’s top young talents.
Fresh from competing at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup together over the off-season, Johnson and Nash will line up on separate sides on Friday night and United’s No.10 will be eager to win the battle, find the back of the net again and help guide her side to another three points.
Western United Player to Watch: Sara Eggesvik
Western United fans have had to wait an extra week to watch Eggesvik run out in the Green and Black and all eyes will be on the new star midfielder on Friday.
The 27-year-old will bring her FIFA Women’s World Cup experience to Ironbark Fields and the Green and Black army will be eager to see her dominating the middle of the pitch.
Her athleticism, engine and quality on the ball will catch the eye and Eggesvik will be hoping she can turn a positive performance into a big win for her team.
