Adelaide United Women have succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Canberra United at McKellar Park on Sunday.
Isabel Hodgson cancelled out Laura Hughes’ opener on the stroke of half-time.
But goals from Leena Khamis and Simone Charley ensured the hosts would snap a four-game losing streak.
Ivan Karlović made two changes to the side that lost to Newcastle Jets Women a fortnight ago with Lais Araujo returning from suspension and Isabel Hodgson starting on the wing with Mallory Weber out injured.
Canberra began brightly with Elise Thorsnes creating a havoc down the left flank. The Norwegian fired a pair of shots, one that deflected out for a corner and then hit a volley over the bar.
The Reds struggled to get out of their own half but in their first meaningful incursion forward Isabel Hodgson put wide a one-on-one opportunity after Emily Condon’s through ball.
Another attempt from Thorsnes was thwarted before Leena Khamis’s strike was acrobatically saved by Sarah Willacy.
But in the 34th minute, the hosts struck when Hughes bent her shot into the corner despite Willacy getting her glove on it.
Adelaide responded on the brink of the interval following an exquisite defence-splitting pass from Chelsie Dawber to release Isabel Hodgson and she clinically converted into the bottom corner.
Karlović’s side were also on the back foot for much of the second-half but again were dangerous in transition.
Willacy denied Thorness for the second time on 51 minutes and then moments later saw another effort deflect past the upright.
Dawber threatened after a brilliant individual but Sham Khamis was equal to it.
Canberra then hit the lead on 68 minutes through Leena Khamis’s first-time finish on the turn and 12 minutes later the advantage was doubled by Charley having earlier assisted.
The American rose highest to meet Thorsnes’ cross and guide her header into the net to secure all three points.
Key moments:
31’ | SAVE! Khamis fires a powerful shot from distance and Willacy tips her effort over the crossbar.
34’ | GOAL: Hughes controls the partially cleared ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and curls her shot into the corner with Willacy getting a fingertip to it.
45’ | GOAL! Dawber dribbles forward and threads a lovely weighted pass for Isabel Hodgson and she slides her finish into the bottom corner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132921742001
68’ | GOAL: Leena Khamis lets Charley’s pass run past her and unleashes a first-time finish beyond Willacy.
80′ | GOAL: Charley’s towering header from Thorsnes’ left-footed cross creeps into the bottom corner.
Match details:
Sunday, 16 February 2020
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Season – Round 12
Canberra United Women 3 (Hughes 34’ L. Khamis 68’ Charley 80’)
Adelaide United Women 1 (I. Hodgson 45’)
Venue: McKellar Park
