‘One-off’ goal seals spot in Champions League final for Melbourne City

A wonder strike from 17-year-old Shelby McMahon in the 94th minute has made the difference for Melbourne City, defeating Incheon Red Angels 1-0 in the Asian Women’s Champions League semi-final at Wuhan Stadium.

McMahon’s goal seemed to shock her more than anyone else on the ground, with the strike putting Melbourne City into the final of the first ever Asian Women’s Champions League. 

“It was definitely the best goal I’ve scored. I don’t usually shoot from back there and it was a bit of a one-off but I’ll definitely take it,” McMahon said.

Despite being heavily impacted by the heat, with temperatures at kick-off sitting at 32 degrees Celsius and humidity at a charming 76 per cent, the match still featured heavy amounts of running from both sides, right up until the last second of the game. 

Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara was cleared to play after having received a concussion and a fractured nose in her side’s semi-final loss to Central Coast Mariners, and Venezuelan international Mariana Speckmaier also made her return to the starting XI, returning City to full striking power.

The game opened at full force with both sides having major chances at scoring. Incheon through Yuka Toriumi whose shot was saved by City Keeper Malena Mieres, and City through Leticia McKenna who rattled the crossbar. 

Neither team were able to find a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes, regardless of how many chances came their way.

Head Coach Michael Matricciani was forced into his first change at half-time, bringing on the would-be game-winner McMahon for Laura Hughes in midfield, who had been battling illness earlier in the week.

City managed to hold on to their clean sheet late in the second half when Rebekah Stott had her pocket picked by Haruhi Sazuki who attempted to chip the keeper, but luckily her delivery floated over the goal.

Just when it looked like the game would be sent into extra time, substitute Lourdes Bosch had her attacking run dismantled and the loose ball fell to Leticia McKenna who played in McMahon to strike with power from outside the box, beating Kim Min-Jeong in goal.

City will face Wuhan Jiangda at Wuhan Stadium on May 24 at 10pm AEST, where both sides will be competing for a share of $2 Million AUD in prize money, and the chance to make history as the first ever champions of Asia.

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