This was the first game to be played in the Women's National Soccer League in Canberra this season. Adrian Santrac, the Matildas' coach was watching the game in the stands at the Belconnen Soccer Centre and he must have been most un-impressed by the lack-lustre soccer served up in the first half.
Admittedly the Canberra Eclipse were missing influential Matildas in Sacha Wainwright and Gill Foster; however, there were nine other current Internationals on both sides in the field. In fact virtually every other player in this game was either an ex-International or an identified Young Matilda.
And the portents had been so good: there was so much talent on display, the weather was fine and the Belconnen pitch was, as usual, perfect for flowing football. Maybe the two sides brought too much respect for each other to the game.
In the event it was the Queensland Sting which got on top early. Belinda Downey had an early opportunity but her shot from the left went onto the side netting. Amy Beattie, in goal for the Canberra Eclipse, was fortunate that Downey could not quite reach a ball dropped by Beattie and in the 6th minute Jessica Mitchell completely missed a golden opportunity in front of goal to put the Sting ahead.
Mitchell, Dawney and Sarah Walsh were giving the Eclipse defence a merry dance particularly on the right flank. Rhian Davies and Amy Taylor at the heart of the Eclipse defence had their hands full coping with the speedy Queensland forwards. Apart from a couple of free kicks and a couple of half chances the Eclipse never looked like troubling keeper Belinda Kitching in the first half. The Sting's midfield was too experienced, fast and skilful for the young Eclipse players and Queensland continually exploited the flanks to set up their profligate strikers.
In the 18th minute Kate McShea shot over the bar and 10 minutes later Walsh missed another opportunity when Beattie again dropped the ball. Dawney wasted another good chance after half an hour but a minute later the Sting deservedly took the lead. Walsh delivered a long ball from the right which was misjudged by Nicole Somi - the ball fell to Dawney who this time neatly lobbed Beattie.
This goal spurred the Eclipse and Amy Wilson sent over a lovely pass to the energetic Ellie Brush who beat the Queensland defence to the ball but pushed it just wide.
At half-time Canberra's coach Airton Andrioli made a significant change. Young Matilda Caitlin Munoz was moved from the left back position to striker where she was able to present a much greater threat to the Sting. Also Katrina Staniforth was added to the defence which gave it more steel, and Canberra began to play with much more assurance. In the 12th minute Wilson's header was well saved by Kitchin.
Mike Mulvey, Sting's coach now introduced Bryony Duus and Lana Harch into the game, but Canberra still pressed and Brush won a free kick on the edge of the Sting penalty area which was wasted. Wilson was pushed up front and she had a great battle for possession with Sarah Garven, but Queensland had a chance with Duus.
On the 24th minute Munoz went close before Harch nearly increased the Sting lead. The final 15 minutes were hectic and it seemed that Canberra had done enough to earn a draw and right at the death if Munoz had been able to control the ball in front of goal or Emily Parker's header had been slightly more on target. But Queensland hung on to take the points.
