Leena Khamis adds to all-time tally, leading Canberra United to victory

Rest assured, the duo have delivered on Heather Garriock's promise to be more dangerous in front of goal this season.

W-League veteran Khamis led Canberra to a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United at Marden Sports Complex on Sunday, consolidating their position in the league's top four.

Injuries, smoke haze and a late concession threatened to bring down the visitors in the tough round-six clash, but Canberra again showed the strength of their character and fought to the final whistle.

"It's a massive win on the road and I'm just super proud of the girls," Garriock said.

"Our defence was outstanding. Jessie Rasschaert - wow - and Kaleigh Kurtz was outstanding. She had to overcome adversity with a nose [injury] and came off several times.

"It just goes to show our character and our leaders stepped up. We knew how important these three-points were; first and foremost to keep in the top four and secondly, to have an enjoyable Christmas lunch."

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It took just nine minutes for Canberra to break the deadlock when Khamis scored her first goal in lime green.

The 33-year-old forward struck the ball past Adelaide keeper Sarah Willacy from outside the box after a neat through-ball from Price.

Khamis is the seventh-highest all-time goal scorer in the league, with a total of 41.

"I'm really happy to score my first goal for Canberra, but more importantly we got the three points," Khamis said.

"We had to overcome adversity a few times and went down to 10 players, at one point we lost two players in Simone [Charley] and Kurtz.

"We switched on and readjusted as a team, I think we did that well. I'm just so happy we won."

Kurtz came off twice with a bloody nose and Charley suffered cramps, leaving Canberra with 10 players on the field in crucial moments of the game.

Adelaide immediately took advantage and Chelsie Dawber broke in behind, striking the past Sham Khamis towards goal in the 31^st minute.

But Price came to the rescue and cleared the line, denying the hosts the chance of an equaliser.

Canberra came out firing in the second-half with more sustained possession and had two near misses in the opening eight minutes.

Khamis had narrowly missed a chance to double her score while Charley was dangerous in attack, but it was 17-year-old forward Taylor-Young standing tall when she came off the bench late in the game.

The Canberran buried the ball in the back of the net off a corner in the 78^th minute, scoring her maiden W-League goal.

"I've said it from day one, she's such a talent and was all over the place [on Sunday]," Garriock said.

"They were on a roll but she adapted and to finish off with that goal, I thought was great.

"We could have finished the game off earlier but it's just outstanding. I'm so pleased with her, she's a young gun of the future and it's pleasing she's from Canberra."

But Adelaide fought their way back into the match as Emily Condon tapped the ball past goalkeeper Khamis with minutes to spare.

Garriock's side has just four days to prepare for their Boxing Day clash with the undefeated Western Sydney Wanderers at McKellar Park.

CANBERRA UNITED 2 (L Khamis 10m, Taylor-Young 78m) bt ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (Condon 90+3m).