Regenschlacht Down Under: W-League-Spiel in Canberra abgebrochen

Bei ansprechendem Wetter (35 Grad Celsius und Sonne) wurden im Belconnen Soccer Centre die Vorbereitungen für das Frauen-Ligaspiel der australischen W-League zwischen den Tabellennachbarn Canberra United und Western Sydney Wanderers getroffen. Wenig später zogen indes dunkle Wolken auf, nach den extremen Temperaturen der vergangenen Tage kam es zur heftigen Entladung. Im Laufe des Spiels wurde der Regen immer starker. In der 34. Minute musste eine Zwangspause eingelegt werden. Nach 25 Minuten Wartezeit dann schließlich die Entscheidung: Das Spiel musste abgebrochen werden!

Bei ansprechendem Wetter (35 Grad Celsius und Sonne) wurden im Belconnen Soccer Centre die Vorbereitungen für das Frauen-Ligaspiel der australischen W-League zwischen den Tabellennachbarn Canberra United und Western Sydney Wanderers getroffen. Wenig später zogen indes dunkle Wolken auf, nach den extremen Temperaturen der vergangenen Tage kam es zur heftigen Entladung. Im Laufe des Spiels wurde der Regen immer starker. In der 34. Minute musste eine Zwangspause eingelegt werden. Nach 25 Minuten Wartezeit dann schließlich die Entscheidung: Das Spiel musste abgebrochen werden!

Folgend ein ausführlicher englischsprachiger Bericht von Glenn Dawson, der für turus.net vor Ort in Australien regelmäßig über zahlreiche Sportveranstaltungen im Großraum Canberra schreibt:

Saturday afternoon was supposed to see a 2pm kickoff between Canberra United and the newest franchise in the W-League, the Western Sydney Wanderers. Both teams desperate for 3 points, which due to 4th place Sydney FC losing would see United overtake FC into 4th or alternatively, a WSW win would move them to 5th and with a win against Sydney FC the following week would guarantee them a playoff spot.  

However as the scheduled kickoff approached the 500+ strong crowd were informed that due the high temperatures (35 degrees at kickoff and a forecasted 40 by the end of the game), the game was rescheduled to the later time of 7pm that night. Not a move that delighted many in the crowd, especially those who had travelled down from Sydney, but one that was obviously made for the welfare of the players, officials, ball kids and other staff and spectators.  

It was really 4 seasons in one day, as the rescheduled kickoff approached, with the fans who made the trip back to McKellar being told that the game was to be delayed by a further 15 minutes, and then again another 15 minutes, as there was an electrical storm approaching. Finally after a delay of 5.5 hours from the scheduled kickoff, the match began under dark clouds and with lightning still flickering in the distance. 

Barely five minutes after kickoff, the heavens decided to erupt and doused the field with a heavy downpour of rain for 15 minutes before easing and sporadically returning over the next half hour. Wet weather football was the order of play, and both teams played with caution with few chances at either end.  

Canberra had the first meaningful attack in the 9th minute, however Jennifer Bisset’s shot was hit weakly and wide after receiving the ball after a long run by Hayley Raso down the left hand flank into the box. Shortly after Western Sydney had a golden chance to take the lead. Catherine Cannuli gave a brilliant pass to Sarah Walsh on the run and with only the keeper to beat pushed it wide from 6 yards out. 

Canberra’s best chance came in the 17th minute after German import Ariane Hingst chipped the ball perfectly over the Wanderer’s defense for a flying Caitlyn Munoz who was seemingly brought down in the box after receiving the ball. If the crowd reaction was anything to go by, it should definitely have been a penalty and a card for the Wanderers defender! In what was almost the final play of the game, a full stretch diving save to the left by the Canberra keeper Mackenzie Arnold, prevented a wonderful swerving shot from Linda O’Neill putting the guests ahead. 

With the increasing amount and closeness of the lightning strikes in the area, referee Rebecca Durcau ordered the players from the field in the 34th minute unfortunately not to return.  After a wait of 25 minutes, the spectators were again told to head home, as the match would not be going ahead due to advice given from the authorities. A rematch would be set for Tuesday evening at the same venue to finally get a result in the match that took 8 and a half hours for only 34 minutes and 18 seconds of actual game time. 

With temperatures expected during the day on Tuesday to exceed those that caused a postponement of Saturday’s game, hopefully a complete 90 minutes will be able to be played, even if frequent drink breaks are taken, in this important battle for the final place in the final series.

Fotos: Glenn Dawson

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