Melbourne City are through to the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Champions League after Chinaza Uchendu’s sensational late strike helped Melbourne City defeat Uzbek side PFC Nasaf 2-1 at the Home of the Matildas.
In a first half where clear-cut chances were few and far between it was Melbourne City who took the lead in the 38th minute; Matildas striker Holly McNamara heading home from close range after her initial shot was blocked on the line.
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However, whilst Wellington were dominating the ball it was the Wanderers who snatched the lead in the 42nd minute when Zarina Mamatkarimova pounced on the loose ball before sending a delicate lob over the advanced City keeper Malena Mieres to make it 1-1.
ACL action aside, news of City’s Ninja A-League Premiership win filtered through to the ground at half-time following Wellington Phoenix’s 1-0 home loss to the Wanderers, however that was then followed by some bad news.
Less than 10minutes into the second half goalscorer Holly McNamara was subbed off with a head knock after she copped a ball to the back of the head from a goal kick. The Matildas striker had previously taken a blow to the face as she scored the opening goal in the first half was ultimately replaced by Danella Butrus as a concussion substitute.
City had a glorious chance to bag the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute as the in-form Aideen Keane raced through on goal but slammed her effort off the underside of the bar in what was a huge let-off for Nasaf.
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Butrus then sent a rasping volley towards goal in the 84th minute but while her effort was brilliantly saved by Nasaf keeper Maftuna Jonimqulova, City finally scored the game’s third goal in the 90th minute.
Capitalising on a series of failed Nasaf clearances, substitute Chinaza Uchendu produced a moment of magic; flicking the ball over her head inside the box before rifling a shot past the keeper and into the net to spark scenes of jubilation at the Home of the Matildas.
The result means City move through to the semi-finals of the competition for the second year running, having been defeated on penalties in last year’s final.
