Melbourne City flawless in AFC Women’s Champions League group stage | OneFootball

Melbourne City’s quest for continental glory is off to an ideal start as they breezed through the group stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League.

Having lost on penalties to Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda last season, City are hoping to go one better this season and transfer their domestic form onto the continental scene.

With each group being played in a central location, City travelled to Vietnam for a trio of November group stage matches. Their Group A opponents included Stallion Laguna (Philippines), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), and hosts, Ho Chi Minh City FC.

A five-star opening statement

Matchday one saw the reigning A-League Women Premiers take on Lion City. Two first-half penalties from Holly McNamara put the Australians firmly in control at the break.

Alexia Apostolakis added a brilliant third ten minutes after the restart. Just three minutes later, Danella Butrus marked her maiden start with a goal before Caitlin Karic rounded off the win to make it 5-0.

Hitting lucky number seven

Three days later, City took on Filipino side Stallion Laguna in another commanding performance, running out 7-0 winners.

First-half goals from Aideen Keane and Leah Davidson put the game to bed early. Then, Leticia McKenna grabbed a quick brace before the break to make the lead even more comfortable.

In the second half, Deven Jackson netted two goals for City. Those sandwiched a second goal in as many starts for Butrus to complete the rout.

Securing the home quarter-final

A match against host team Ho Chi Minh City rounded out the group stage, and City wasted no time asserting their authority. McNamara put them ahead inside a minute. Then, Apostolakis grabbed her second of the group stage before Shelby McMahon netted a third five minutes before the break.

That victory secured the only 100% record of the group phase. Crucially, it means Michael Matricciani’s side will host a home quarter-final in March as one of the seeded sides.

Who will Melbourne City face next?

The other seeded teams (and home sides for the quarter-finals) are defending champions Wuhan, Tokyo Verdy Beleza and Naegohyang of North Korea.

The unseeded pot includes Ho Chi Minh City, Stallion Laguna, Nasaf of Uzbekistan and South Korean side Suwon.

Because City already played Ho Chi Minh City and Stallion Laguna in the group stage, they are unable to face them in the quarter-finals. That leaves a one-legged tie against either Nasaf or Suwon awaiting them when the draw is made in January.

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