‘We’re where we deserve to be’: Hopkins displeased as City take lead in ALW Semi-finals
Emma Burke 
Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory in action in Leg 1 of their A-League Women Semi-final match-up. Photo: Marcus Robertson/Round Ball Australia
Melbourne City have secured themselves a 1-0 lead over cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory in the first game of their A-League Women Semi-finals tie at AAMI Park.
It was City’s most recently capped Matilda in Leticia McKenna who made the difference, scoring the game’s lone goal.
McKenna’s free kick was looking for the head of City captain Rebekah Stott, and although the ball missed Stott completely, it was still on target and Victory keeper Courtney Newbon’s incorrect judgement of its direction saw the ball go straight into the net.
Across the 90 minutes Victory only recorded three shots, one of which came as a first-time volley from Rachel Lowe that was narrowly deflected up into the bar by City keeper Malena Mieres, who had another solid appearance between the sticks.
“To be honest I didn’t see the ball [come] out [from] Rachel Lowe, I didn’t see it so I just had to react, it’s my job,” Mieres said at the conclusion of the game.
City head coach Michael Matricciani had only praise for his starting keeper, emphasising her quality after what was initially a tough start for the Spanish keeper.
“Coming into the City style, we demand a lot from our goalkeeper… so it took time… since then she’s been outstanding for us,” he said.
Melbourne Victory now find themselves on the back foot after what was a dominant display over Canberra United in their 3-1 Elimination Final win.
While Victory coach Jeff Hopkins was displeased with his sides’ performance, he acknowledged that their second half display showed that they still have something left to give.
“We’re where we deserve to be,” he said regarding the final score.
“We won’t play like that again this season… we know what we’ve got to do next week.”
The win for City kicks off a positive start to their finals campaign, who are looking to lift the Championship trophy after a six-year long drought.
The two sides will face off again next weekend to determine who will go through to the Grand Final with City going into the game with the lead on aggregate, with their opponents to be either Brisbane Roar or Wellington Phoenix.