<\/p>\n
Canberra United have agonisingly missed out on an A-League Women finals spot to Melbourne Victory on goal difference despite a 3-3 comeback draw against Melbourne City.<\/p>\n
United had to beat City to leapfrog fourth-placed Melbourne Victory into the finals places and for much of the night, appeared set for defeat courtesy of a Holly McNamara masterclass.<\/p>\n
Matildas young gun McNamara delivered assists for Hannah Wilkinson and Rhianna Pollicina in the 12th and 34th minutes before rounding out her night with a chipped goal in the 59th before being substituted.<\/p>\n
But Vesna Milivojevic had a hand in Grace Jale’s opener in the 14th minute, scored herself in the 80th then lashed home a belter in the 88th to make for a heart-stopping finish.<\/p>\n
Victory finished fourth on 29 points with a goal difference of +7, just two goals ahead of a heartbroken Canberra (29 points, +5), who missed out despite a run of eight unbeaten games.<\/p>\n
“I reiterated that I was very, very proud of them and I couldn’t fault anyone’s work rate today. Everyone worked hard,” coach Njegosh Popovich told reporters, paying tribute to retiring Canberra great Ellie Brush.<\/p>\n
“Just disappointed we don’t get a result.<\/p>\n
“But there’s bigger things in life that are more important, I guess than football. They won’t know that at this present time but they’ll all be better for it and I think they’ll all be stronger players moving forward.<\/p>\n
“They’re still young and they’ve got a long way to go.”<\/p>\n
City (30 points) sealed third place and will face Victory in an elimination final after the international break.<\/p>\n
“We want to go out to win and we help out our neighbours,” Vidosic said.<\/p>\n
“So it sets up a good game – a derby for a semi.”<\/p>\n
Premiers Sydney FC will host second-placed Western United in their semi-final.<\/p>\n
McNamara’s star turn caps off a remarkable return from last year’s ACL tear, with the winger about to join the Matildas in England for two friendlies.<\/p>\n
“She’s jumping on a flight tonight at 2.30 in the morning, going to London,” City coach Dario Vidosic said.<\/p>\n
“She was probably one I considered (substituting) at halftime but then she said ‘don’t take me off.’ So we had to come to an agreement.<\/p>\n
“She’s been excellent. She’s probably given us more than whatever anyone could hope for, for someone that’s been out for that long.”<\/p>\n
A-LEAGUE WOMEN FINALS<\/p>\n
Semi-final: Sydney FC (1) v Western United (2)<\/p>\n
Elimination final: Melbourne City (3) v Melbourne Victory (4)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n