Western Sydney Wanderers W-League coach Stephen Roche has named his squad ahead of this week’s match against an in-form Melbourne Victory side.
Western Sydney Wanderers W-League coach Stephen Roche has named his squad ahead of this week-s match against an in-form Melbourne Victory side.
The Wanderers are hoping to bounce back from their narrow loss against Brisbane Roar last week, with Roche confident that the squad can secure a position in the finals if they maintain focus and build on what they have been working on at training.
“Unfortunately, we were a bit slow to start against Brisbane Roar- we need to improve our mental preparation and focus ahead of this match,” he says. “But the positives are that we probably still had the majority of the game – we were not outplayed.”
It is a close race to the finals, and while competition leaders Perth Glory are edging ahead of the pack, only four points are separating Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar, Canberra United and the Western Sydney Wanderers on the ladder.
“We still have our destiny in our own hands, but if we lose this weekend it will be taken away from us- then we will have to hope results go our way,” he says. “This really is a grand final for the squad.”
The match will be played at Wembley Park, Melbourne at 2.00pm (local time).
Squad: 1. Elizabeth DURACK (gk), 2. Samantha SPACKMAN, 3, Alexandra HUYNH, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Olivia KENNEDY, 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 8. Vanessa HART, 9. Sarah WALSH, 10. Servet UZUNLAR, 11. Louise FORS, 12. Jessica SEAMAN, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Trudy Camilleri, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O’NEILL, 17. Alisha BASS, 18. Candace Sciberras, 20. Thora HELGADOTTIR (gk), (*3 to be omitted)
Ins: Rachael Soutar, Alisha Bass, Candace Sciberras (all promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Jenna Kingsley (knee – season)
