2008–09 Canberra United FC (W-League) season
| 2008–09 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Kate Lundy |
| Manager | Robbie Hooker |
| W-League | 3rd |
| Finals | Runner-up |
| Top goalscorer | Caitlin Munoz (4 Goals) |
The 2008–09 season is Canberra United's first season of football (soccer) in Australia, and competed in the 2008–09 W-League season.
Season
The first announcement of the club came in July 2008, coinciding with the establishment of the new W-League. The formation of the new club presented a unique situation in the league, that it was not associated with an established A-League side. In August, Canberra appointed Matildas assistant coach Robbie Hooker as coach for the inaugural season, and ACT Senator Kate Lundy as club chair.[1][2] United also announced its first key signing in local Canberran and Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams. Hooker made a number of key signings in the first registration window, also securing Caitlin Munoz, Amy Chapman, Grace Gill-McGrath, Hayley Crawford, Rhian Davies, Thea Slatyer for the inaugural season. The squad was further expanded in the lead up to the first round, signing on a number of players from the ACT and Southern NSW, and also signing Sasha McDonnell and Kara Mowbray from Queensland. The final squad presented significant strength on paper, boasting eight full internationals and a further four Young Matildas.
United started the season steadily, alternating losses and wins in the opening rounds - including a win over eventual Premiers Queensland Roar. Scoring came with some difficulty for the side, with four goals in their opening first five matches. Influencing this record was an injury to striker Caitlin Munoz in Round 1, keeping her sidelined for a number of weeks. Munoz's return to the side in Round 6 immediately lifted the scoring rate, contributing four goals in the last five rounds. Despite early losses, Canberra were unbeaten in the last seven rounds of the competition, achieving a third placed finish with a record of four wins, four draws and two losses. Canberra's strength throughout the season has been in defence, drawn from a number of experienced players. In front of a dependable Williams in goal, a defensive backline led by Thea Slatyer and captain Ellie Brush frustrated opposition and ensured the second-best defensive record in the competition, bettered only by Premiers Queensland.
United won their away semi-final against Newcastle Jets,[3] and progressed to the inaugural final, where they were defeated by Queensland Roar.
Fixtures
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queensland Roar (C) | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 7 | +20 | 25 | Qualification to Finals series |
| 2 | Newcastle Jets | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 17 | |
| 3 | Canberra United | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 16 | |
| 4 | Sydney FC | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 14 | |
| 5 | Melbourne Victory | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 12 | |
| 6 | Central Coast Mariners | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 20 | −5 | 12 | |
| 7 | Perth Glory | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 24 | −10 | 11 | |
| 8 | Adelaide United | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 28 | −15 | 7 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Players
Short-term signings
| Player | Team | Start Date | End Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ellie Raymond
|
ACTAS | 29 October 2008 | 6 November 2008 | Cover for Ashleigh Sykes while on international duty[13] |
| Sophie Kochinos
|
ACTAS | 29 October 2008 | 6 November 2008 | Cover for Christine Walters while on international duty[13] |
| Michaela Day
|
Belwest Foxes | 29 October 2008 | 6 November 2008 | Cover for Bronwyn Studman while on international duty[13] |
References
- ^ "Canberra United appoint Chair and Head Coach". Capital Football. Archived from the original on 9 October 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
- ^ Sherwood, M (28 July 2008). "Canberras best players on national stage". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
- ^ Smith, P (10 January 2009). "Canberra into Westfield W-League final". A-League.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ "Match Report: Canberra Shot Down By Jets". Canberra United FC. 26 October 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ^ "Match Report: Canberra claims gutsy win". W-League. 1 November 2008. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
- ^ "Match Report: Canberra Suffers Case of Deja-Vu". Canberra United FC. 9 November 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
- ^ "Match Report: Canberra United Victorious in Melbourne". Canberra United FC. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
- ^ "Match Report: Canberra United Claims First Point at Home". Canberra United FC. 22 November 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
- ^ "Glory girls denied by late burst". Perth Glory FC. 29 November 2008. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
- ^ Smith, P (6 December 2008). "Canberra and Sydney share the spoils". A-League. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
- ^ MERRYN SHERWOOD (21 December 2008). "Chapman kicks a late winner". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 22 December 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Match Report:Canberra Extend Unbeaten Streak to Seven". Canberra United FC. 27 December 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- ^ a b c Gottaas, C (29 October 2008). "Canberra United gets a top up". Canberra United FC. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2008.