Canberra United's Sham Khamis braces for challenging milestone match against City

But if making her debut was surreal as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, it's nothing compared to the challenge that awaits Canberra United this week.

Khamis will play her 50th W-League match when United clash with the undefeated Melbourne City in Broadmeadows on Thursday.

The star-studded City outfit have won six straight matches and have risen to the top of the league's ladder, while United have dropped to sixth.

The clash looms as a chance for United to silence any doubters and reclaim their position in the league's top-four. That's why a win means more to Khamis on her milestone match.

"I'm going to enjoy playing my 50th for Canberra United and the biggest thing for me is to make sure we get down there, play well and get the win," Khamis said.

"They've got quality across the park but we know that we've got quality on the pitch as well.

"We've worked hard, so we're going to go out there and do what we've got to do to come home with three points."

Khamis' journey to her 50^th match will come full circle when she takes the field alongside her older sister and teammate Leena Khamis.

The Khamis sisters were also teammates when the goalkeeper played her first W-League match with Sydney FC, but shared the field as rivals for Leena's 100^th match last year.

"I can't believe it came around so quickly," Khamis said.

"It felt like I still had a while to go. I'll take it and enjoy the moment, especially being out there with Leena will be very special.

"She was there for my first ever game and now she's there for my 50th. I'm forever grateful for her to be on the pitch with me.

"Hopefully we'll get the three points, that's what we're aiming for."

Khamis was poised to play her milestone against her former side Sydney FC before W-League officials were forced to postpone the match due to poor air quality in Canberra.

Club officials decided to relocate the entire squad to Sydney for a three-day training camp last weekend, having lost vital preparation time in Canberra.

Players returned to the capital on Sunday night to resume their preparations at home, but their training base at the University of Canberra has shut down operations until Wednesday.

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They managed to squeeze in one last training at the AIS before heading to Melbourne for their crucial round-nine clash.

Co-captain Karly Roestbakken admitted it's been difficult to gain moment with the two-week gap between matches but also said it's also brought the team closer together.

"It's [disruptive] but it's something we have to overcome as a team," Roestbakken said.

"We've just gone to Sydney and have done a lot of training. We're trying to prepare for Melbourne City and it's just something you have to overcome as footballers.

"All these little things will creep in, but it's just the way you have to adapt to it and get over it.

"We took the [training camp] as a bonding session as well, we went to the beach and did some kayaking.

"I think it was really good and the girls are a lot closer as well. We're quite close as a team but I think it was a really good thing to get away, train somewhere different and have a bit of fun as well."

W-LEAGUE Round nine

Thursday: Melbourne City v Canberra United at Broadmeadows, 7.30pm