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Vics Take Care of Determined Beijing

Victoria's select Women's Senior Squad took on the Beijing Women's squad at 3pm on sunday at South Melbourne's Bob Jane Stadium.

In front of 1000 spectators, the squads took the field to compete and raise money for the victims of the recent earthquakes in China.

After going down in the opener 2-0 on Thursday night, the squad re-grouped well to record a 2-1 victory.

After good initial pressure, Victoria broke through on 4 minutes, when Victoria Balemenos latched onto a well-timed through pass from Ursula Hughson, the ball being won back by Louisa Bisby in the centre of the park.

The squad could have gone further ahead when an early through ball and well-timed run saw Annabelle Gibney close in on goal only to be foiled by the opposing goal-keepers legs. Beijing then responded with a well placed free-kick over the wall after a dangerous run ended with a Chinese player being up-ended in front of the penatly box, to level at 1-1 on 20 minutes.

In the 88th minute, and with light fading, Brooke Spence powered a header back toward the Chinese goal from the half-way line and this was latched on to by Deanna Niceski, who clipped the ball beyond the advancing goal-keeper.

With further pressure, Victoria looked likely to add further goals, but at the end of the game, the squad can be happy to have come away with a well-deserved win.

Head Coach Matt Shepherd thanked the players for their efforts during the game. "This was a great team effort. The girls stuck to the plan to ground out this result. Victoria should feel very proud of this squad, which was thrown together and was taking on one of China's strongest women's professional teams. With more training, this squad will continue to improve and it was pleasing to see younger NTC level players like Ursula Hughson, Amelia McLean and Alex Gummer performing well in these games."

Victoria's women's squad will now begin preparations for its September tour to China, ahead of the Women's National League competition.

Victorian Squad

Nicole Paul
Sarah Groenewald
Maika Ruyter-Hooley
Meghan Archer
Brooke Spence
Ursula Hughson
Annabelle Gibney
Louisa Bisby
Victoria Balomenos
Evgenia Avram
Stacey Day

Substitutes
Alex Gummer
Nabilla Sabilla
Amelia McLean
Deanna Niceski
Gulcan Koca

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