COACHESCOMMENTS
Good a ernoon and welcome to McKellar Park for Round 14 of the 2024/25 Ninja A-League. We extend our welcome to the players, officials, and supporters of our opponents today, Perth Glory. We have had many classic encounters against Perth, including our famous Grand Final win in 2014, and we look forward to what is sure to be another great match of football between the two founda on clubs. Last weekend, we travelled up to the Hunter Valley to take on the Newcastle Jets and came away with a draw in a bruising match. We sit just out of the top six, only one point off, and with Perth one place below us on the ladder, this weekend is a great opportunity to put some distance between us and the chasing pack. Last me we played them this season, we came away with a share of the points at Unite Round, with Mary Stanic-Floody equalising with a stunning longrange goal. As is o en the case in this fixture, expect plenty of entertainment in a hard-fought match, and hopefully three points for Canberra.
Antoni Jagarinec, Head Coach
CLUB HONOURS BOARD
PREMIERS (3) 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17
CHAMPIONS (2) 2011/12, 2014
SEENINGREEN:STEPHANIEOCHS
Stephanie Ochs may have only spent three seasons in Canberra United colours, but she certainly made a slash in that time, becoming a favourite with the McKellar Park faithful with her incisive forays down the flanks, and attack-minded tendency. Blesses with excellent pace, the ability to take on defenders, and deliver a magnificent ball into the danger-zone, Ochs was an all-action front-runner during her thirty-nine games, racking up a dozen goals. A member of the United Grand Final winning team of 20015, the American was capped at under-23 level for her country, shining at a Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain, in 2013 where she was crowned as the competition’s Most Valuable Player. After leaving Canberra she returned home and played for North Carolina Courage.
PLAYERPROFILE
Date of Birth: 04/10/1983
Place of Birth: Canberra, ACT
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Clubs: Canberra Eclipse, Boston Renegades, Canberra
United, Belconnen United
International Honours: Australia (57 caps, 13 goals)
Canberra United Apps: 83
Canberra United Goals: 21
VISITINGTODAY:PERTHGLORY
Only a mere 3088 kilometres away from Canberra, you find Perth Glory in their one-of-a-kind purple kit. Despite having been somewhat of a ‘bogey’ side for Canberra in recent years, fans will best remember the 2014 Grand Final, when Canberra beat Perth in their own backyard to be crowned champions. A glorious sunny afternoon capped by goals from Stephanie Ochs and Ashleigh Sykes (twice). Perth had finished top of the table that season, a feat they are yet to repeat. Indeed, but for a trio of second-placed showings either side of that Grand Final, Glory have struggled for finals football. They have a good record when they get there though, reaching three showdowns from only four attempts at post-season football. They have had some big-name players pull on that purple jersey, but none would be bigger than that of Matildas star and captain, Sam Kerr. Kerr, now at Chelsea, was a Bonafide Glory legend and replacing her has been tough. Despite losing some key players, the side has recruited well under new coach Stephen Peters and no one relishes the long journey interstate to Western Australia. No doubt that they could shock a few people this season.
DIDYOUKNOW?
Perth have made the Grand Final three of the four times that they have made the finals series but have lost on all three occasions.
The side plays out of the Sam Kerr Football Centre, named after their former striker.
They are involved in the games with the two biggest scorelines, losing 11-0 to Sydney in 2011 and beating the Wanderers 10-1 in 2014.
THERIVALRYIN100WORDS
This rivalry is one that stretches back to the beginning. In fact, it’s been just over ten years since we met Perth in a Grand Final out West, with Canberra running out 3-1 winners on 21 December 2014. Canberra’s biggest ever win was back in 2017, a 7-2 win over Perth. In the 29 times that the two sides have met, Canberra has won 14 times, Perth has won four times, with 11 draws between the two. 118 goals have been scored in this fixture, with Canberra responsible for 71 of those. As is typical of this fixture, expect goals.
CLASSICIMAGE
ONETOWATCH
ONYINYECHIZOGG
Onyinyechi Zogg signed on with the club at the beginning of this season, strengthening their defence. Born in Switzerland, Zogg has played for Swiss clubs Young Boys, FC Zürich, FC Bethlehem and Servette FC, and has represented clubs in France (ASJ Soyaux) and Germany (Turbine Potsdam). Zogg made four appearances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for FC Zürich from 2019-2020 and in 2021, made her international debut for Nigeria. Coach Stephen Peters described Zogg as a really technical and athletic defender who has performed at the very highest level in Europe. Such is the belief that that the Glory staff have in the qualities of Zogg, that she was named as co-captain, along with Isobel Dalton.
MATCHACTION:SYDNEYFC
Canberra United travelled to Leichhardt Oval for a midweek clash, as part of the A-Leagues ‘Summer of Football’ campaign. A er a slow start, Canberra were down by two goals at the break, before a thunder storm hit the ground, forcing players off the field. With lightning strikers leading to a power outage, the game was officially abandoned in the 54th minute.
While there was s ll over half an hour, plus added me, to play, the APL determined that the result would stand and awarded Sydney a 2-0 win. Despite the scoreline, that match was evenly poised in the stats, with United on the verge of making a late comeback. While it was a disappoin ng outcome, the team had li le me to rest, as they had to play the Wanderers just days later, for what would be the third game in just seven days.
BUSINESSUNITEDSQUAD
Canberra United extend its thanks to our 2024/25 Business United Squad members. To join our club contact: ceo@capitalfootball.com.au
LASTTIMEWEMETHERE
Sunday 4 November 2023
Canberra United 2 (Clough 16’, Milivojevic 45’ (p)) Perth Glory 3 (Rigby 12’, Jale 39’, Sakalis 50’ (p))
A 2229-strong crowd at McKellar Park oversaw a difficult first home match for Canberra United, falling 3-2 to early league leaders Perth Glory. Glory’s barrage of corner kicks in the opening exchanges eventually saw them take the lead from a set piece, finding the lead through a 12th minute Natasha Rigby header. The intensifying pressure applied by United eventually saw the Glory defence come undone, with a Stanic-Floody corner finding the flying Cannon Clough, to score her first goal for the club just four minutes. With both sides level the momentum began to swing the way of Canberra, however it was former United star Grace Jale that found the back of the net just six minutes before the break, finishing coolly against her old side after being set up by the ever-lively Millie Farrow. A swift response from the home side however would ensure that spoils would be shared heading into half time, after a cool-headed Milivojevic penalty was slotted home to restore the level contest, following the foul on Maria Rojas. A promising start to the second half by United was cancelled out after referee Isabella Libri was called into action again, pointing to the spot following a foul on Sofia Sakalis. It was Sakalis herself that converted the penalty, despite Lincoln’s best efforts, powering the shot into the top left corner to put the away side in front for the second occasion on 51 minutes.
MATCHACTION:WESTERNSYDNEY
Playing their third game in seven days, Canberra United welcomed Western Sydney Wanderers to McKellar Park for Round 12. Whilst the Wanderers had been struggling for form, they proved a tough opponent for United, as is o en the case when these two sides meet. A goal right on half- me was the only score in the match, with United in firm control.
With Michelle Heyman a late withdrawal from the matchday squad, Maja Markovski was thrust into the star ng elven at the last minute and came close to the perfect start, narrowly missing a spectacular volley. Sofia Christopherson con nued her run of form, with her header sneaking in via the front post off a corner. As the game con nued United con nued to create chances, Ruby Nathan fired over the bar a er good work from Markovski, however the Wanderers went close to grabbing a leveller moments later. Canberra con nued to defend well throughout the late exchanges of the match as the Wanderers grew more dangerous, managing the game well to shut down any glimpses from their opponents.
HOWTHEYSTAND:2024/25
FIXTURES&RESULTS
R1: Brisbane Roar (h) W 3-2 (Markovski 15’, 56’, Stanic-Floody 31’)
R2: Wellington Phoenix (a) W 1-0 (Heyman 11’)
R3: Adelaide United (h) L 0-2
R4: Perth Glory (h) D 1-1 (Stanic-Floody 69’)
R5: Central Coast Mariners (a) L 1-2 (Markovski 38’)
R6: Melbourne City (a) L 2-4 (Heyman 12’, 89’)
DEC 21, R7: Melbourne Victory (h) L 0-2
DEC 29, R8: Newcastle Jets (h) D 0-0
JAN 4, R10: Brisbane Roar (a) W 1-2 (Robers 81’ Heyman 88’)
JAN 11, R11: Western United (h) W 2-1 (Mihocic (OG) 21’, Christopherson 50’)
JAN 15, R9: Sydney FC (a) - L 0-2
JAN 18, R12: Western Sydney (h) W 1-0 (Khamis (OG) 45’)
JAN 25, R13: Newcastle Jets (a) D 2-2 (Wilson (OG) 24’, Heyman 29’)
FEB 1, R14: Perth Glory (h)
FEB 8, R15: Central Coast Mariners (h)
FEB 15, R16: Adelaide United (a)
MAR 1, R17: Melbourne City (h)
MAR 9, R18: Melbourne Victory (a)
MAR 14, R19: Western United (a)
MAR 23, R20: Sydney FC (h)
MAR 29, R21: Perth Glory (a)
APR 13, R22: Wellington Phoenix (h)
APR 20, R23: Western Sydney Wanderers (a)
GOALSCORERS
5: Michelle HEYMAN
3: Maja MARKOVSKI
2: Mary STANIC-FLOODY
1: Emma ROBERS, Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON
ONTHESTAGETODAY
1. Sally JAMES
2. Alex MCKENZIE
3. Elizabeth ANTON
4. Holly MURRAY
5. Madison AYSON
6. Ivana GALIC
7. Jynaya DOS SANTOS
8. Tianah MIRO
9. Ruby NATHAN
CANBERRAUNITED
PERTHGLORY
1. Casey DUMONT
2. Mischa ANDERSON
5. Grace JOHNSTON
6. Tijan MCKENNA
7. Megan WYNNE
8. Georgia CASSIDY
9. Gabby HOLLAR
10. Susan PHONSONGKHAM
11. Natalie TATHAM
13. Naomi CHINNAMA
10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY
11. Emma ROBERS
12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG
13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON
17. Maja MARKOVSKI
18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC
19. Jaya BOWMAN
20. Lillian SKELLY
21. Aideen KEANE
23. Michelle HEYMAN
24. Georgia RITCHIE
25. Darcey MALONE
28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO
32. Bethany GORDON
Head Coach: Antoni JAGARINEC
14. Miku SUNAGA
16. Isabella WALLHEAD
18. Isabella FOLETTA
19. Sarah O’DONOGHUE
20. Ella ABDUL-MASSIH
21. Miranda TEMPLEMAN
22. Ischia BROOKING
23. Isobel DALTON
25. Ella LINCOLN
26. Tanika LALA
27. Charli WAINWRIGHT
29. Onyinyechi ZOGG
30. Jessica SKINNER
44. Kelli BROWN
Head Coach: Stephen PETERS
TODAY’SOFFICIALS
REFEREE: Georgia GHIRARDELLO
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Alexis JOHNSON, Vicki CLARKE
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Delfina SHAKESPEAR