{"id":6428,"date":"2026-05-07T05:16:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T05:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/6428\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T05:16:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T05:16:11","slug":"victory-targeting-turnaround-in-semi-final-second-leg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/6428\/","title":{"rendered":"Victory targeting turnaround in Semi-Final second leg"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melbourne Victory Women face Melbourne City in their Ninja A-League Final Series Semi-Final (Leg 2) at ctrl:cyber Pitch on Saturday, May 9, kick-off 2pm AEST.<\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s hosts carry a narrow advantage into the second leg, having edged the first 90 minutes by one goal<\/a> as part of a Finals double-header at AAMI Park last Saturday.<\/p>\n

Victory, therefore, need a win by two clear goals at the end of regulation or extra-time. Penalties are in play if the aggregate score is level after 120 minutes.<\/p>\n

The winner will progress to the Grand Final, where they will face either Wellington Phoenix or Brisbane Roar, with the latter holding a 2-1 lead travelling to New Zealand.<\/p>\n

The Girls in Blue<\/p>\n

Jeff Hopkins\u2019 Melbourne Victory remain firmly in the Finals Series fight after a battling Leg 1 was decided by a single first-half goal, shortly after Victory medallist Rachel Lowe<\/a> had hit the crossbar when attempting a spectacular volley.<\/p>\n

The contest was as tightly contested as the two regular-season meetings, which ended 2-1 to Melbourne City and then finished goalless at The Home of the Matildas.<\/p>\n

They now travel to South East Melbourne, knowing that the Premiers are within striking distance, in a do-or-die clash, the like of which went the Club\u2019s way in April 2023. Three years ago, the Girls in Blue prevailed on penalties to topple their crosstown rivals at the Semi-Final stage.<\/p>\n

Victory\u2019s present-day chances are boosted by a clean bill of health for all but one of their A-League Women\u2019s squad, with full-back Zoe McMeeken the only forecast absentee.<\/p>\n

Sienna Saveska, recharged with minutes for the NPLW side, and Nicki Flannery, who completed a half hour off the bench in the first leg, are both ready for action if called upon by the Head Coach.<\/p>\n

Semi-Final (Leg 2) Squad:\u00a01. Courtney NEWBON,\u00a03. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 5. Sofia SAKALIS,\u00a06. Taylor RAY,\u00a07. Ella O\u2019GRADY, 8. Sienna SAVESKA,\u00a09. Holly FURPHY,\u00a010. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON,\u00a023. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA, 30. Payton WOODWARD,\u00a066. Alana JANCEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER<\/p>\n

Ins: N\/A<\/p>\n

Outs:\u00a0N\/A<\/p>\n

Unavailable:\u00a019. Zoe MCMEEKEN (injured)<\/p>\n

Melbourne City<\/p>\n

Melbourne City boast the headstart heading to Casey Fields, but recent history suggests this Semi-Final is not a foregone conclusion, and the visitors will be hoping to expose any Leg 2 jitters, reopening wounds from last season.<\/p>\n

12 months ago, Michael Matricciani\u2019s side were expected to end Central Coast Mariners\u2019 Championship hopes, only to lose Lourdes Bosch to a red card and then the game 0-1 on home soil.<\/p>\n

Ill-discipline could play a decisive factor once more, and they will have to do without the contributions of midfielder Chinaza Uchendu. The Nigerian is serving a four-game suspension, keeping her out of the 2025\/26 season\u2019s finale.<\/p>\n

City finished the regular season top of the ladder, winning 12 of their 20 matches, ending the campaign and entering Finals on a seven-game unbeaten run.<\/p>\n

Last time out<\/p>\n

Leticia McKenna\u2019s free kick on the stroke of half-time split the sides at AAMI Park in Leg 1 last Saturday evening.<\/p>\n

Melbourne City\u2019s midfielder was able to squeeze her set-piece effort through Melbourne Victory\u2019s defences in the 45th minute.<\/p>\n

The hosts pushed for a reply in the second half, with attacker Holly Furphy notably firing two shots on target not long after the restart, but City managed to hold strong and keep Victory scoreless in the first leg.<\/p>\n

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