AFC Women's Champions League
Australia’s Melbourne City FC and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC of Vietnam laid down markers on Matchday One, leaving the Philippines’ Stallion Laguna and Lion City Sailors of Singapore to make up ground.
The Matchday One results mean victories for Melbourne City and Ho Chi Minh City will confirm their quarter-final spots, ensuring Sunday’s ties will be intense affairs.
Stallion Laguna (PHI) v Melbourne City FC (AUS)
Venue: Thong Nhat Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City)
Kick-off: Sunday, 15:00 (UTC+7:00)
Stallion held off Ho Chi Minh City in a solid first half defensive display but eventually succumbed to a Huynh Nhu free-kick in the 58th minute on opening day.
The Philippine side will have their work cut out for them when they take on last season’s runners’ up Melbourne City, who opened with a five-star performance against Sailors.
Head coach Ernest Nierras will look to inspire his side against a resolute Australian side with Stallion keeper Olivia McDaniel having to be at the top of her game.
#AWCL | Group A: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 5-0 Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)
For Melbourne City, it will be a case of needing to do more of the same after their five-star performance against Sailors, with Holly McNamara leading with a brace.
While head coach Michael Matricciani is not expected to do much tinkering to his lineup, he may give opportunities to younger players to shine after 18-year-old Danella Butrus scored on her debut.
Also stepping up her game was Alexia Apostolakis, who scored a thumping curler against Sailors, and with Rebekah Stott anchoring the defence, Melbourne City look unstoppable.
Lion CIty Sailors FC (SGP) v Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE)
Venue: Thong Nhat Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City)
Kick-off: Sunday, 19:00 (UTC+7:00)
Sailors head coach Yeong Sheau Shyan will be looking to plug their leaky defence when they face Ho Chi Minh, following their heavy defeat to Melbourne City.
New signings Rivka Ramji, Hikaru Shibusawa and Wang Jiaxin were handed their debuts and Yeong will be hoping that her charges can step up against the Vietnamese side.
Despite the steep learning curve, Sailors will be determined to produce an improved performance and register their first points on the board.
#AWCL | Group A: Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE) 1-0 Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)
Ho Chi Minh City registered 16 shots on goal against Stallion, 10 of which came from outside the box, and the Vietnamese side will be aiming to improve their finishing on Sunday.
Head coach Nguyen Hong Pham was rewarded after his second half tinkering paved the way for Nhu to step up with the winner from a set-piece situation.
However, Nguyen will want his side to produce a balanced performance and a win against the Sailors will set them up nicely for their Matchday 3 clash against Melbourne City.
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