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City determined not to overthink ALW record shot

Anna HarringtonAAP
Laura Hughes says Melbourne City are focused on the game at hand despite the lure of making history. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconLaura Hughes says Melbourne City are focused on the game at hand despite the lure of making history. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Melbourne City are within touching distance of history.

But Matildas midfielder Laura Hughes is more focused on winning trophies than setting records.

If City, 18 games unbeaten this season, win or draw against Adelaide on Sunday, they will set a new A-League Women record.

"We're trying not to think too deep into it," midfielder Hughes told AAP.

"Because at the end of the day, it's just another game for us. But it would be really cool to create history and get a win, especially against Adelaide, who are also on an unbeaten streak as well.

"They're going to be a tough match.

The Game AFL 2025

"To create history would be amazing. But I think we need to keep focused on just what we can do in the game to get the three points."

Adelaide are on an 11-game unbeaten run themselves since December's 3-1 home loss to City.

The clash between leaders City and third-placed Adelaide at Casey Fields is also crucial to the race for the premiers plate, and a coveted top-two finish.

City (40 points) lead Melbourne Victory (38) and Adelaide (36) with five games to go.

"It's massive. We've let a couple of results slip to draws when maybe we should have won them. So we've let some teams catch up," Hughes said.

"Now, more than ever, it's really important that we're getting three points over draws.

"It's massive in the title race, which makes it even more exciting."

The game is also the ideal litmus test ahead of the finals.

"In finals football, it's showing up on the day and performing - and that's what we have to do this Sunday," Hughes said.

"These sort of matches, when there's a lot of excitement and it's tight at the top, these games create that pressure that finals also create.

"So it'll be a really good match for us to test how we might go in the finals."

City are still driven by last year's grand final loss to Sydney FC as they chase three trophies this season: the premiership, championship and Women's Asian Champions League title.

"That loss in the grand final last season was really tough for a lot of us, especially with getting the premier's plate - and we wanted to do both," Hughes said.

"But it's all about what you do next. So we've all just been focusing on each game, trying to improve as a team and the results come.

"Hopefully we can win some more trophies this season."

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