Western United will look to make up for defeat in the previous meeting when it travels to face Newcastle Jets in the Liberty A-League Women on Sunday.
Match Details
Liberty A-League Women Round 15
Newcastle Jets vs Western United
Sunday, 26 February
Kick-off: 4:00pm AEDT
Broadcst: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10Play, and on Paramount+
Team News
Western United will make this trip without star defender Aimee Medwin after she unfortunately suffered an ACL injury during the week.
Jaclyn Sawicki and Tyla Jay Vlajnic have arrived back from international duty and will hope to feature as much as possible having played a number of matches and travelled long distances throughout the week.
Fresh from extending her contract with United into next season, golden boot leader Hannah Keane will be out to find the scoresheet again and help her side to an important three points.
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 3. Silver Bell MORRIS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 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
Last time out
Western United scored a priceless victory over rivals Melbourne City last time out, claiming a 2-1 win at AAMI Park.
READ MORE: ALW Match Report: Western United 2-1 Melbourne City
Having lost the previous two matches and heading into half-time trailing 1-0, United staged a fantastic second-half comeback with Keane and Sydney Cummings securing the three points.
The Opponent
Newcastle have undergone a period of transition in the Liberty A-League with Gary van Egmond coming in as head coach at the beginning of February.
The Jets have slipped to second last on the table but remain mathematically in the hunt for a finals spot in what is continually an incredibly tight competition.
United would need look no further than two weeks ago when studying Newcastle’s talent as the Jets scored a 2-0 win over the lead leaders. Mark Torcaso will be eager to ensure an improved performance from his side in order to get the win.
Key Matchup: Melissa Taranto vs Murphy Agnew
United was largely unable to match Newcastle’s energy throughout the previous encounter and the midfield battle will be vital for the team to ensure a better display.
Melissa Taranto has repeatedly stood up against some of the competition’s best midfielders including Brisbane Roar’s Katrina Gorry and Sarah Hunter of Sydney FC.
United’s No.16 will come up against another major talent in Newcastle’s American midfielder Murphy Agnew on Sunday and will need to once again be at the top of her game.
Taranto and the rest of United’s midfield will be out to stifle Agnew’s threat and give the Green and Black a strong chance of claiming all three points.
Player to Watch: Danielle Steer
Since joining the team in the new year, Danielle Steer has added extra potency to Western United’s attack and will hope to continue having an impact on the side this week.
One of Steer’s biggest threats has been her pace and athleticism in behind opposition defences and put Melbourne City under significant pressure last time out before impressing in Monday’s friendly against the Young Matildas.
The Canadian will hope to add to her first senior goal – which she scored against Canberra United last month – and set herself up for a promising end to the campaign.
Words from Mark Torcaso
On looking to bounce back from defeat against the Jets last time out
“That was three points that we lost, we didn’t play well enough. We just want to get things right. If we get thing right and we play to the way that we know we can play, we will win the game.
If we go into this game similar to how we did last time, then Newcastle is a good side and they have to be respected by Gary as a coach.”
On the success of players going on international duty
“We strongly encourage any player if they’re eligible to play for a country. Having them go away and play on the international stage is only going to bring them back with lots more experience.
“We’re looking forward to seeing them back, and hopefully they jump in and they’re ready to rock for the weekend.”
