Emma Burke 
Melbourne City celebrating following their win over PFC Nasaf. Photo supplied by Melbourne City FC
A late goal to Chinaza Uchendu has secured a semi-final berth for Melbourne City in the Asian Women’s Champions League, as they defeated Uzbekistan side PFC Nasaf 2-1 at the Home of the Matildas.
Leticia McKenna played a pin-point cross to find Bryleeh Henry at the far post, her cut back looking for Shelby McMahon was intercepted by Nasaf’s Maftuna Shoyimova, but only into the path of Holly McNamara.
McNamara’s first shot on goal was denied by the face of defender Laylo Tilovova, but the returning ball was headed home by the striker, giving Melbourne City a 1-0 lead.
The lead was short lived for City as Nasaf found their equaliser only minutes later.
A poor clearance by City’s keeper Malena Mieres put the ball into the path of Zarina Mamatkarimova who’s lifted shot cleared Mieres who was off her line and the rest of City’s defence.
Not long after the second half began, City were forced into a personnel change, taking off their scorer in McNamara and replacing her with Danella Butrus.
McNamara was hit directly in the back of the head from close range by Nasaf’s keeper Maftuna Jonimqulova’s clearance kick, which saw her drop to the ground on impact.
Aideen Keane went on an incredible solo run through the middle of the park, using a deft touch to work the ball around a defender but her shot hit the crossbar and rattled the woodwork.
It was Nigerian international Chinaza Uchendu who made the difference, scoring in the final minute of regular time to win the game and send City to the semi-finals of the Asian Women’s Champions League.
A cross into the box was unable to be cleared, allowing Uchendu the time and space to lift the ball over her own head before firing on goal through a crowd of defenders.
Uchendu then ran over to celebrate with the rest of the City bench, her goal coming after having received a red card in City’s last A-League Women fixture against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
While City have a Semi-finals match in Asia to look forward to, they also have their final game of the regular season, where they will travel to face the Newcastle Jets.