Western United is out for consecutive wins for the first time this Ninja A-League Women season when it travels to face Canberra United on Saturday. Read our Match Preview, presented by Red Bull Australia.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Women Round 10
Canberra United vs Western United
Saturday, 11 January
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEDT
McKellar Park, Canberra
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10 Play, and on Paramount+
Western United Team News
Kat Smith could be set to welcome back Sara Eggesvik with the Philippines midfielder named in the extended squad having missed the past three games with a quad injury.
Adriana Taranto and Sandra Ibarguen will be eager for more minutes after making her returns from injury last week, while Claudia Mihocic impressed in her first start for the Club and will be out for a repeat performance..
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Emily ROACH, 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
Last time out
It was an excellent performance last time out from Western United, securing a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets thanks to a Kahli Johnson brace.
That was the perfect response after a heavy defeat the week before, and Smith will now be hoping her side can back that up with another positive display this weekend.
Previous Meetings
Western United has a strong record against Canberra United with two wins, a draw and a defeat in the previous two meetings.
The last match between the two sides was a thrilling one, seeing United lead 3-0 after 14 minutes. Hannah Keane went on to complete a hat-trick in that game, to this day the only treble in the Club’s history in the competition.
Key Matchup: Melissa Taranto vs Emma Robers
This clash will see a meeting of familiar foes in midfield with former Western United midfielder Emma Robers coming up against Melissa Taranto.
Not only were the pair teammates for two seasons in Green and Black, but the connection goes even further to trophy-laden seasons at Calder United in NPLW Victoria.
Taranto is one of six Western United outfield players to feature in every match so far, bringing her customary energy and tenacity to midfield each time she steps out on the park.
Likewise, Robers has been a regular for Canberra and scored her first goal for the club last week to secure a big win against Brisbane Roar.
Knowing each other very well, Taranto and Robers will be looking to gain control of the midfield and give their respective teams the best chance for victory.
Western United Player to Watch: Kahli Johnson
Just about everything Kahli Johnson touches is turning to gold at the moment, with the 20-year-old emerging as one of the competition’s leading attackers.
With six goals to her name, United’s No.10 sits in third place in the golden boot standings and has almost single-handedly won games for the Green and Black this season.
As she continues to learn and develop, the youngster is growing into a deadly finisher and an excellent creator, whether she is playing centrally or out wide.
With four goals in her last three matches, Johnson will be one to watch as she hopes to leave the capital with more goals and three points in her suitcase.
