Melbourne City advanced to the Ninja A-League final

Melbourne City advanced to the Ninja A-League final after a 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory in the second leg semi final match. Thanks to this triumph, City won the two legged tie 2-0 and confirmed their dominance this season.

The match was played at a high tempo from the very beginning. Melbourne Victory, who had to overturn the deficit from the first game, pushed forward from the opening minutes. Kennedy White and Alana Jančevski tested goalkeeper Malena Mieres several times, but City’s defence withstood the pressure from their rivals.

The key moment of the match came in the 34th minute. Just 17 year old Shelby McMahon produced a brilliant strike from distance. The City midfielder connected perfectly with a half volley from outside the penalty area, giving the Victory goalkeeper no chance. The goal not only decided the result of the match, but practically sealed qualification as well.

After the break, Melbourne Victory tried to get back into the game. Courtney Newbon saved her team after a dangerous shot from Aideen Keane, while Ella O’Grady and Nickoletta Flannery also created chances later on. However, the impressive Malena Mieres was almost flawless between the posts.

There was no shortage of emotions in the closing stages of the match. Aideen Keane, who had earlier suffered an ankle injury, was unable to continue after another challenge with Kayla Morrison. Moments later, Jančevski came close twice to scoring a goal that would bring Victory back into the contest, but she was denied first by Mieres and then by the crossbar.

Melbourne City, who finished the regular season at the top of the table, will now play the Ninja A-League grand final in front of their home fans. They will learn their opponents after the second leg clash between Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar.

Without a doubt, the heroine of the semi final was Shelby McMahon. The young midfielder once again showed enormous talent and proved that she could become one of the biggest stars of Australian women’s football in the coming years.