Melbourne City secure double glory with A-League Women’s Grand Final triumph | OneFootball

Melbourne City are crowned champions of Australia once again after overcoming Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women’s Grand Final.

City, who also secured a third straight Premiers Plate this season, were powered to a first Championship since 2020 by Holly McNamara’s first half brace. 

The Premiers saw huge appeals for a fourth minute penalty waved away by the referee. Bryleeh Henry looked to have rounded Nix goalkeeper Victoria Esson on the edge of the box. The Football Ferns shot-stopper reached back to try and tip the ball away. As the two players tangled, the City contingent’s calls for a spot-kick fell on deaf ears.

Wellington’s first look on goal came through Lucía León. Brooke Nunn intercepted the ball in midfield and drove forward. León was there in support, but her shot from a narrow angle flew high over the bar.

Leticia McKenna’s free-kick hit the bar on the half hour as City continued to ramp up the pressure on the Wellington goal. They thought they’d broken the deadlock with ten minutes of the first half left, but McNamara’s glancing header was ruled out for offside.

However, the Matildas’ striker wouldn’t have to wait long for her goal. Her shot from the corner of the box looped in over Esson. Remarkably, it was her first goal since February. And she wouldn’t have to wait long for a second either. About two minutes, in fact.

Shelby McMahon’s through ball was inch perfect and McNamara tore through the Wellington offside trap to slam home past Esson.

Melbourne City win A-League Women’s Grand Final

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Five minutes into the second half, City all but put the game to bed when they added a third.

Wellington couldn’t clear their lines and when Leah Davidson won the ball back inside the Nix half, she combined with Karly Roestbakken who played Leticia McKenna. She took aim from 20 yards and unleashed a pile driver that left Esson clutching at thin air.

Bev Preistman’s side had been blown away. They found a way onto the scoreboard three minutes later through Makala Woods. The American was on hand to tap home when Mieres could only parry Mackenzie Anthony’s header back into play.

All of a sudden, Wellington had momentum. Woods was denied a second just three minutes later as her header was beaten away by Mieres. It was unconventional from the Spaniard, but effective.

With Wellington desperately searching for another goal to set up a grandstand finish, Macey Fraser clipped the top of the bar with a free-kick.

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Mackenzie Anthony headed over in added time as City held firm to repel a Nix side who fell at the final hurdle in a historic season that saw them make the Finals for the first time.

The final whistle confirmed City’s first Championship in six years as they wrapped up the domestic double.

Michael Matricciani’s side will be looking to add the AFC Champions League to that. They take on Tokyo Verdy Beleza in Wednesday’s semi-final for a place in Saturday’s final.

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