City, Canberra firing in ALW as Sydney struggle

ROUND TWO OF THE A-LEAGUE WOMEN COMPETITION AT A GLANCE:

THEY SAID IT: "I don't know what it is. She gets no protection out there. She gets absolutely smashed, like hit off the ball. It's very disappointing." - Victory coach Jeff Hopkins wasn't happy with star midfielder Alex Chidiac's treatment in their derby loss to Melbourne City.

WOMAN OF THE WEEK: City recruit Mariana Speckmaier is in a rich vein of form and scored two excellent goals, including the winner, in a 3-2 derby win over Victory. The Venezuelan striker appears the perfect player to lead a dynamic City attack.

TALKING POINT: Can Adelaide mount a resurgence this season? Having Fiona Worts back in red has done wonders for Adelaide's attack. The Englishwoman has three goals in two games, including scoring in Sunday's win over Western Sydney.

STAT ATTACK: If Brisbane fans had a nickel for every time Chelsea Blissett scored the only goal in a round two match against Sydney, they would have two - which is not a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice. A year on from clinching a 1-0 victory in the same fixture, Blissett scored for Roar just before the main break as the ball ricocheted frenetically before deflecting off Sydney's Hana Lowry to go into the net.

BEAT THAT: Canberra and Wellington's match was interrupted by a welcomed pitch invader - Annalie Longo's dog. The Phoenix captain's pet overtook Porirua Park, perhaps in a bid to lift the hosts, before United went on to secure the 1-0 win. In Sydney, Adelaide's Emily Condon opened the scoring deep in added time before the main break with a stunning goal directly from a corner kick. Western Sydney argued goalkeeper Sham Khamis had been fouled but Condon's goal stood the challenge.

UNDER PRESSURE: Things haven't started well for Sydney FC. A shock loss to Brisbane means the reigning champions have two losses from their opening two games after an off-season of change. Can they turn things around?

UP NEXT: Sydney will be looking to get back to their winning ways when they host rivals Western Sydney on Saturday. Melbourne City and Central Coast will also play on the Saturday before Canberra and Adelaide. Brisbane kick off the round on Friday against Perth, while Wellington travel to take on Newcastle and Melbourne City face Western United.