Casey Dumont had a couple of big saves to help Victory get the win over Canberra United. (Image: @gomvfc - Twitter)
With Melbourne Victory having to change their starting line-up due to injuries and illness, they were looking to make it four wins in a row, whilst Canberra United was looking to find consistency in their season.
Victory came out of the first half with full dominance, setting their authority in attack and dominating possession.
The likes of Kayla Ann Morrison, Jessika Nash, and Natalie Tathem were made to work in Canberra’s attack.
United lifted their energy and had multiple chances to score, but crucial mistakes contributed their inability to score.
Canberra steadied steadily, picking up the clearance and tackle stat from defence and running into attack with seven total shots on goal going into the halftime break.
Victory’s Alex Chidiac scored the first goal of the game after receiving a pass from Paige Zois to convert in front of goal, slotting the ball with her left boot, giving the home side a 1-0 lead at halftime.
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Coming out of the halftime break, both teams lifted their physicality and intensity. Whilst the pressure got to Victory from defence, United lifted and continued to fight to find an equaliser.
Both sides had stars of their own that lifted, with Ann Morrison being explosive and giving Victory energy in attack, whilst Hayley Taylor-Young used her speed to apply pressure in the defensive end, helping get the ball out of United’s defensive end.
Having a strong first half, Michelle Heyman continued to be a threat in attack for Canberra, getting her teammates involved and providing the run down the field.
When the game was on the line, Casey Dumont stepped up with some crucial stops and stops in the defensive box.
With Canberra’s attacking end threatening to score, Dumont used her skills and came out to stop the visitors from scoring and composed Melbourne’s defensive end, to seal.
The win sees Melbourne Victory inside the top four. They next face Perth Glory in Round Nine on January 6 at AAMI Park.
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