COACHESCOMMENTS
Good afternoon and welcome back to McKellar Park for the final regular season home match of the League campaign. We extend a welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Wellington Phoenix who have made the long trip over from New Zealand for this vitally important fixture. With two matches left to play our destiny is in our own hands and we can make sure of a top-six finish and a place in the finals if we secure successive victories today, and on the road against Western Sydney Wanderers nest weekend. It’s a remarkable achievement for this group to be in the position we find ourselves in considering the truncated start to the year. Moulding the disparate group that we put together into a cohesive unit was a huge task, but everyone in the club, both on the pitch and behind the scenes have worked tirelessly to help put us in a position where we are not far off securing finals football. I’d like to extend my thanks to all my staff, and those within the operations department, for their support this season. We haven't achieved our goals just yet, and we are determined to make sur that we take full advantage of the place we now occupy ,and secure a top six finish. After that, finals football is anyone’s guess! Enoy the game and thanks for your support!
Antoni Jagarinec, Head Coach
CLUB HONOURS BOARD
PREMIERS (3)
2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17
CHAMPIONS (2) 2011/12, 2014
SEENINGREEN:ASHLEIGHSYKES
Goal machine Ashleigh Sykes enjoyed a productive career in the green of Canberra United, playing 123 times and bagging forty-four goals in a trophyladen stint with the club from the National Capital. Having made the switch from Dubbo, where she played at the Dubbo Devils with twin sister Nicole who also signed for United at the same time, Sykes scored in the 2012 Grand Final win over Brisbane Roar and twice in the 2015 success over Perth Glory, a game in which she was named Player of the Match. Having scored four against India in the AFC U19 Women’s Qualifying Championships in 2008, she went on to be capped at full international level nineteen times, scoring five goals, and playing in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup making her debut against the USA.
PLAYERPROFILE
Date of Birth: 15/12/1991
Place of Birth: Dubbo, NSW
Position: Forward
Clubs: Dubbo Devils, Canberra United, AS Harima Albion, Portland Thorns
International Honours: Australia (19 caps, 5 goals)
Canberra United Apps: 123
Canberra United Goals: 44
VISITINGTODAY:WELLINGTONPHOENIX
This may only be their fourth ever season in the A-League Women’s, but the Wellington Phoenix have been showing an upwards trajectory each year. Claiming the dreaded wooden spoon in their first three seasons, the ‘Nix performed well above their weight last time out, missing out on a place in the finals by a measly five points. A welcome addition to the competition in the 2021/22 edition, the Phoenix are popular visitors and wonderful hosts. The club achieved their first ever win in the competition in February 2022 when they defeated Canberra United 3-0 at Viking Park, sparking riotous scenes of celebrations amongst their small group of followers, as well as players and officials alike. Some big names have left the club, namely Macey Fraser and Mariana Speckmaier, but they have brought in Portuguese goalkeeper Carolina Vilao whilst former Canberra player Grace Jale has returned to the club, to bolster the squad. Further adding to their steady improvement, nine Wellington players were included in the Women’s U-20 World Cup squad. A sign of things to come, perhaps?
DIDYOUKNOW?
Wellington spent their first season playing out of WIN Stadium in Wollongong due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The side’s first ever result was a scoreless draw against the Wanderers.
They had nine players in the 2024 Women’s U-20 FIFA World Cup squad. Impressive.
CLUB HONOURS BOARD
PREMIERS (0)
None
CHAMPIONS (0)
None
THERIVALRYIN100WORDS
The Clash of the Capitals. Seeing as we have only played each other a total of five times there really isn’t much of a rivalry to talk about. We have beaten them twice and they have beaten us three times, including their first ever A-League victory, although we never like to talk about those games. Ever. With both clubs residing in their respective nation’s capital city, there is an obvious dislike of each other. Whilst there are many similarities between our capitals, our trophy cabinet contains silverware. On the plus side, we embrace our differences and are best friends. Maybe.
CLASSICIMAGE
ONETOWATCH
OLIVIAFERGUSSON
The Phoenix secured the services of English forward Olivia Fergusson ahead of the season, a top draw signing for the club. Fergusson played for Bristol City and Yeovil Town in the Women’s Super League in England, as well as playing for Celtic in the Scottish Women’s Premier League. The 29-year-old scored six goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League North last season – England’s third tier. Fergusson has represented England at U17 level for her playing six times and scoring one goal. She also represented her country at the U23 level during a double header of friendlies vs Norway and during the 2018 Nordic Cup in Sweden.
MATCHACTION:WESTERNUNITED
Canberra United were defeated by the odd-goal in seven in a thrilling match against Western United in Tarneit, the second defeat in seven days in Victoria for the team from the National Capital. Despite leading three times in the contest, Canberra ultimately fell shot thanks to an 89th minute own goal, later credited to goalkeeper Sally James.
Earlier in the match, Canberra had taken the lead through ace goal-getter Michelle Heyman, only for Western United to hit back after the break and equaliser. Madison Ayson restored the visitprs lead with a well-placed header, only for Western United to make it 2-2 with a brilliant goal from Catherine Zimmerman. Canberra went back in front barely minutes later as Mary Stanic-Floody, off the bench, scored a stunner as the game swung back-and-forth. There was to be no points for Canberra though as Western levelled again and won it with a highly fortuitous goal as the clock ticked over into ninety minutes.
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 24 March 2024
Canberra United 1 (Heyman 78’) Wellington Phoenix 0 A goal from Michelle Heyman settled the Clash of the Capitals in favour of Canberra United as the hosts defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0 on a warm afternoon at McKellar Park in front of an appreciate crowd of 1,341. With Phoenix seeing their finals aspirations fade with Western Sydney Wanderers win the night before, and United determined to haul themselves off the foot of the table, a cagey opening to the contest ensued, the visitors’ Emma Main having the best opening inside the first fifteen minutes but failing to get on the end of a teasing free-kick. Vesna Milivojevic looked to break the deadlock as the half drew to a close, but her long-range strike drifted wide of Rylee Foster’s goal, before Flannery snuck in behind the Wellington defence but was unable to control her shot which flashed wide of the near post. Both teams made changes in a bid to influence the result, Njegosh Popovich sending on Holly Murray and Madelyn Whittall into the fray and United fashioned a chance with fourteen minutes to play as Christopherson broke through but fired straight at Foster. United finally broke the deadlock with twelve minutes remaining as Heyman netted her fifteenth goal of the season, and 97th for United. Flannery made it, breaking down the left flank and sending over a magnificent cross which the prolific Heyman met with a glancing header that flashed across Foster into the top corner. That was the difference as Canberra secured an important win.
MATCHACTION:SYDNEYFC
A goal twelve minutes from me from Mackenzie Hawkesby was enough for Sydney FC to claim a narrow 1-0 win over Canberra Unsuited at McKellar Park In front of a bumper crowd of 2,194, den ng home hopes of finals football in the process. United started the brighter of the two sides and struck the crossbar a er ten minutes , a summa on of their luck.
The introduction of Sofia Christopherson in the 56th minute brought up her fiftieth appearance in green, however Sydney started to threaten, and Sally James made a world class save from Shea Connors, the offside flag raised, not that the United custodian would have known at the time. Both teams looked to the bench for inspiration as Jagarinec sent on Jynaya Dos Santos and Alex McKenzie, the latter in an unfamiliar forward position, in an attempt to make the breakthrough. It was Sydney who did just that though with twelve minutes remaining. Indiana Dos Santos burst away from the United defence and unselfishly squared for Hawkesby who finished with unerring accuracy, first time, past James.
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’)
R7: Melbourne Victory (h) L 0-2
R8: Newcastle Jets (h) D 0-0
R10: Brisbane Roar (a) W 2-1 (Robers 81, Heyman 88’)
R11: Western United (h) W 2-1 (Mihocic (21’ (og), Christopherson 50’)
R9: Sydney FC (a) L 0-2
R12: Western Sydney Wanderers (h) W 1-0 (Khamis 45’ (og))
R13: Newcastle Jets (a) W 2-1 (Christopherson 24’, Heyman 29’)
R14: Perth Glory (h) W 1-0 (Anton 56’)
R15: Central Coast Mariners (h) D 1-1 (Heyman 46’)
R16: Adelaide United (a) D 1-1 (Malone 44’)
R17: Melbourne City (h) D 1-1 (Keane 80’)
R18: Melbourne Victory (a) L 0-2
R19: Western United (a) L 3-4 (Gordon 12’, Ayson 53’, Stanic-Floody 65’)
R20: Sydney FC (h) L 0-1
R21: Perth Glory (a) W 2-1 (Heyman 16’, Stanic-Floody 20’ (p))
APR 13, R22: Wellington Phoenix (h)
APR 20, R23: Western Sydney Wanderers (a)
GOALSCORERS
7: Michelle HEYMAN, 4: Mary STANIC-FLOODY
3: Maja MARKOVSKI
2: Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, Own GOALS
1: Elizabeth ANTON, Madison AYSON, Bethany GORDON, Aideen KEANE, Darcey MALONE, Emma ROBERS
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
2. Zoe MCMEEKAN
3. Tiana JABER
4. Mackenzie BARRY
5. Imane CHEVEL
6. Maya MCCUTCHEON
7. Grace JALE
9. Olivia FERGUSSON
10. Alyssa WHINHAM
11. Manaia ELLIOTT
12. Ella MCMILLAN
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
13. Brooke NEARY
14. Mebae TANAKA
15. Daisy BRAZENDALE
16. Annalie LONGO
17. Ela JEREZ
18. Ella MCCANN
19. Olivia INGHAM
20. Emma MAIN
21. Lara WALL
22. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI
23. Rebecca LAKE
39. Carolina VILAO
Head Coach: Paul TEMPLE
TODAY’S OFFICIALS
The Match Officials were unavailable at the time of going to print. Please listen to the PA Announcements at the ground today for confirmation of the Match Officials.