A dramatic interruption in the A-League Women’s match between Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix on Saturday saw a playful canine pitch invader steal the spotlight, but Canberra ultimately triumphed 1-0, securing their second consecutive win.
The game’s pivotal moment came early when Michelle Heyman scored in the 11th minute, marking her 100th goal for the club. However, the match was briefly halted when Phoenix captain Annalie Longo’s dog bolted onto the field, much to the amusement of the crowd. As the dog dashed around, players scrambled to corral it, but it evaded capture for nearly a minute, drawing laughs and a spirited rendition of the Baha Men classic Who Let the Dogs Out? from the crowd. Eventually, Longo managed to retrieve her pet, and the match resumed after a brief delay.
Despite the disruption, Canberra bounced back and clinched the victory, moving up to second on the ladder. However, the win came at a cost. Canberra midfielder Aideen Keane, who had been an influential presence in the first half, was forced off the field in tears following a suspected hamstring injury sustained during a shot attempt. She may be sidelined for an extended period as a result.
Wellington also faces concerns over the fitness of goalkeeper Carolina Vilao, who suffered a knee clash with an opponent just before Keane’s injury. Vilao continued to play through the pain but was replaced at halftime by Aimee Danieli.
Canberra’s dominance was evident as they easily broke down Wellington’s defense, with Maja Markovski providing a clever assist for Heyman’s goal. Despite a strong second-half response from the Phoenix, who fired off 19 shots compared to Canberra’s eight, they could not find the back of the net, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
As both teams look ahead, Canberra’s victory keeps them in the upper echelon of the league, while Wellington will hope for a swift recovery for their key players.
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