It’s home sweet home for our Wander Women as they host Adelaide in their home opener for the season on Sunday.
They will hope to get a win on the board in front of their loyal fans after they surrendered a two goal lead in their opening match of the season against Newcastle.
On a hot afternoon in the Hunter, it was Western Sydney who were on fire to begin with, scoring twice in the opening 27 minutes through star player Sophie Harding and returning young gun Sienna Saveska.
A fortuitous goal on the stroke of half-time brought the Jets back into the clash, and a Lauren Allen goal in the 61st minute levelled the scores and forced the sides to share the points.
There was lots to like about the Wanderers performance in round one, especially going forward.
Whilst they didn’t have the majority of the ball or chances in the first half, they were extremely clinical when they did have possession in the final third.
They were especially effective when on the counter attack as they utilised the speed and power of Harding, and their high press forced Newcastle into a host of mistakes in the opening period.
The midfield duo of Saveska and Ena Harada also showed significant promise, with the latter being an efficient and calm presence in the middle of the park.
New number one goalkeeper Sham Khamis also made a couple of key stops to deny the home side, particularly in the second half when they had the momentum.
Coach Robbie Hooker will be disappointed in how his team let their lead slip away and lost their intensity as the second half wore on; it was in difficult conditions meaning a high press can get less effective and fluent, but the Wanderers will be looking for a complete performance over the 90 minutes on Sunday at Wanderers Football Park.
They will fancy themselves against an Adelaide side that finished bottom last season, including a humbling 8-0 loss at home to Newcastle in their last game of the season.
They won just four games all season and conceded 56 goals, having a goal difference of -35.
In a hugely frustrating stat for the Wanderers, they gave Adelaide two of those wins in tight contests, reflecting their curious struggle against sides lower down the ladder compared to successes against teams finishing in the finals.
The first game at Wanderers Football Park ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the Reds thanks to an early penalty, whilst in the return game at Coopers Stadium, they came from behind with two quick second half goals to win 2-1.
Adelaide have also been boosted by the return of former star player Fiona Worts, who is back after a season at our crosstown rivals.
They have also signed one time Matildas international Matilda McNamara, rejoining her hometown club after a stint in Denmark.
They put in a competitive performance last weekend in a rivalry game against the Melbourne Victory, taking the lead thanks to a sixth minute goal from Worts.
Two goals from Emily Gielnik put the Victory ahead, before Worts levelled the score; it ended in heartbreak for Adelaide as a 92nd minute goal condemned them to defeat.
History is also on Adelaide’s side, with the Wanderers last beating the Reds way back in 2019, but they will view this match at home as the perfect time to break the hoodoo and get a first win of the season on the board.
Match Details
Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United
Sunday 10 November, 3:00pm
Wanderers Football Park
