A youthful Melbourne Victory held Jiangsu Suning to a 1-1 draw at the AFC Women’s Club Championship on Thursday.
Summary
Grace Maher gave Victory the lead at Yongin Citizen Athletic Park Stadium with an early header.
However, Tang Jiali equalised for Chinese champion Jiangsu before Victory held on for its first point in its second game in the competition.
Alana Jancevski and Paige Zois, both 16, made their Victory debuts, while Polly Doran (18), Maher and Melina Ayres (20) and Emma Robers (21) started.
Victory scored its first goal of the AFC Women’s Club Championship through Maher in the 11th minute.
Ayres’ corner found the midfielder at the near post, Maher heading in off the underside of the crossbar.
However, Jiangsu responded immediately through Tang, who equalised with a low strike from just outside the area.
Victory goalkeeper Melissa Maizels was forced into a couple of decent saves midway through the first half as Jiangsu started to take control.
Maizels kept Victory on level terms with three minutes remaining in the half, making a superb low save with her feet to deny Yang Li.
Victory was pushed back to begin the second half, although it was well-organised, denying Jiangsu any real space.
Maizels did deny Tang again in the 74th minute, while Victory also went close to finding a winner.
A Maher free-kick from 30 yards was parried by Peng Shimeng, who smothered the follow-up at Jenna McCormick’s feet.
There was a final chance for Jiangsu in additional time, but Maizels brilliantly denied Tabitha Chawinga with her feet to earn Victory its point.
Result
AFC Women’s Club Championship 2019 Match Day 2
Jiangsu Suning 1 (Tang Jiali 12′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Grace Maher 11′)
Next up
Victory wraps up its AFC Women’s Club Championship campaign against Nippon TV Beleza on Saturday.
