Emily van Egmond in action against Canberra United today at Canberra's Deakin Football Stadium. Picture: Getty Images
IT was an unhappy return to the nation’s capital today for Jets W-League midfielder Emily van Egmond after she was sent off in her side’s 1-0 loss to Canberra United.
The Matildas representative received her second yellow card for a challenge on Jennifer Bisset in the 60th minute at the Deakin Football Stadium.
Van Egmond formerly played with Canberra from 2009 to 2011.
The defending W-League champions scored the match-winning goal in the 35th minute through a slice of individual class.
Defender Nicole Sykes beat several defenders for speed then slotted the ball past Jets goalkeeper Eliza Campbell from a tight angle to score her maiden W-League goal.
Campbell again produced a brave performance with several impressive saves to limit the damage. The result has created a seven-point gap between the seventh-placed Jets and sixth-placed Canberra and it effectively ends any slim chance Newcastle had of reaching the semi-finals.
With four matches remaining, the Jets are nine points or three wins outside the top four.
In other matches today, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC drew 1-1, Brisbane drew 2-2 with competition leaders Perth and Western Sydney Wanderers flogged cellar-dwellers Adelaide 4-0.