Western United will aim to clinch a place in the Liberty A-League Women Finals Series in the Club’s inaugural season when it takes on Brisbane Roar in Round 17.
Match Details
Liberty A-League Women Round 17
Brisbane Roar vs Western United
Saturday, 11 March
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEDT
Perry Park, Brisbane
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10Play, and on Paramount+
Team News
Mark Torcaso has named an identical 18-player extended squad to the one he named last week with everyone fit and available after last week’s meeting with Sydney FC.
The likes of Hannah Keane and Sydney Cummings will be out to continue their run of starting every match while Tiana Jaber will be eying a first start in Green and Black after debuting last week.
Kahli Johnson remains away on international duty, while Stacey Papadopoulos is continuing to work through her injury recovery and could return to the pitch soon.
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 3. Silver Bell MORRIS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 11. Emma ROBERS, 13. Danielle STEER, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Aleksandra SINCLAIR, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Sydney CUMMINGS, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 23. Angie BEARD, 24. Julia SARDO, 25. Tiana JABER
Last time out
Western United fell to a fourth defeat of the season last time out, going down 3-0 against in a top of the table clash against Sydney FC.
READ MORE: ALW Match Report: Sydney FC 3-0 Western United
After a competitive first half, Sydney were able to take control after the interval to win the match and United will be out to make amends against Brisbane.
The Opponent
Brisbane Roar have everything to play for in their season as they sit just six points out of the finals with four matches remaining.
A side boasting Matildas stars Katrina Gorry and Larissa Crummer, Brisbane have largely battled inconsistent form throughout the campaign, failing to win consecutive games since December.
United was able to defeat Brisbane 2-0 in Hobart in January and will hope for a similar result from this fixture to confirm a finals place and remain in the mix for the Premier’s Plate.
Key Matchup: Hillary Beall vs Shea Connors
Fresh from being crowned the Liberty A-League Player of the Month for the second straight time, Hillary Beall will eager to prove her quality once more against a dangerous Brisbane attack.
Beall sits just one clean sheet off leader Jada Whyman but will have her work cut out if she is to square the ledger with Brisbane’s Shea Connors in strong goal-scoring form.
Having not scored in the first nine matches, Connors has found the net three times in the last five outings and, together with Crummer, will be looking to pressurise United’s defence from the outset.
Beall and her defence will need to be in top form to keep a clean sheet and give the Green and Black the best possible chance of collecting three points.
Player to Watch: Tyla Jay Vlajnic
Tyla Jay Vlajnic has relished a more advanced position this season, operating on the left-wing and getting amongst the action in the final third.
With just one Liberty A-League goal to her name prior to this campaign, United’s No.19 has scored four times in this season alone, including in the last meeting against Brisbane.
Vlajnic was dangerous throughout that game and will hope to put in a similar performance as she continues her purple patch in front of goal.
Words from Mark Torcaso
On the prospect of locking in finals football in the Club’s inaugural season
“We haven’t put any real emphasis on that at all. I’ve been a bit of a broken record, it’s each week at a time for us and each training sessions at a time.
“But, that would be an amazing milestone for us in our first season to get into the finals and to play in the new format with the extended season. It’d be an amazing opportunity, but it’s totally about focusing on the three points.”
On the competitive nature of the Liberty A-League
“They’re a very well organised side. They’ve got a very talented team too, you’ve got a couple of Matildas in there and a couple of internationals that can be quite damaging.
“We don’t take any team lightly; every team is hard for us. We’re definitely ready to give it our best against Brisbane, we’re not taking them lightly and we’ll aim to put on the best show possible.”
