The Liberty A-League season is just three days away and to build the hype, we take a look at three key match ups you will see this weekend.
Cortnee Vine vs Danika Matos
Cortnee Vine set the World Cup alight with her dramatic penalty that sealed a semi final berth for the Australians against France. Now she is back in the Liberty A-League and she will be terrorising defenders with her speed and athleticism.
And the task of stopping her will belong to Danika Matos who started for the Red and Black at left back in the previous meeting between the two last season at Allianz Stadium. Vine on this occasion cut inside Matos and slotted the ball into the top corner and if Matos wants to get a positive result for her side, she will have to be on her game from minute one.
Expect Vine to use her pace down the line and take on Matos one on one which she so often does to defenders. The hard part is working out whether she will go down the line or cut inside. Expect this to be an on-going battle.
Taylor Ray vs Amy Harrison
Taylor Ray will be itching to hit the ground running this season after missing out the entirety of last with an ACL injury that she picked up in Matildas camp. Known for her defensive tenacity in the middle of the park, she will be marking the Wanderers’ attacking midfielder which should be Amy Harrison.
Amy Harrison joined the Wanderers last season from the Eredivisie Women where she made 44 appearances with powerhouse PSV Eindhoven. Last season she scored three goals and the former Sydney FC player will be looking to get one over her past team-mates on Saturday night.
She will have a hard task doing that this weekend though with Taylor Ray looking to make up for lost time having suffered the ACL set-back for the third time in her career. This will be an on-going battle throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Nat Tobin vs Sophie Harding
Captain Nat Tobin is back for her 11th season in Sky Blue and the central defender will have a tough task on her hands in this game with Sophie Harding a speedy character.
Harding is a 24 year old who has made over 40 league appearances across the Jets and Wanderers and enjoyed a good campaign last season under Kat Smith. When the Wanderers’ form began to turn at the back half of the season, it is no surprise that Harding found the net too.
However, Nat Tobin is experienced and calm under pressure and will have to show her strength and leadership against the speedy Harding if she wants to get anything out of the game. Nat is no stranger to the big occasion too, scoring in last season’s Grand Final.
This will be one to keep an eye on throughout the match, especially as the Wanderers soak up a lot of pressure and look to hit Sydney on the counter attack.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Liberty A-League Round One
Saturday 14th October 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:45pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
