Exclusive Interview with Nadia Krezyman

Above: Nadia Krezyman for Dijon. Image: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

By Jean-Pierre Thiesset (7/4/2026).

Nadia Krezyman is a 21-year old Polish forward who plays for Dijon in the French Première Ligue.

Formerly, she played for UKS SMS Łódź, in Poland Premiere Ligue (Ekstraliga), where she played 81 games and scored 17 goals. She has played 18 games and scored 3 goals with Poland national team since 2023.

She signed with Dijon, France Arkema Première Ligue, in July 2024. In the 2024-2025 season, she was one of the key players that helped Dijon to finish 4th in the regular season for the first time ever, playing 16 games and scoring 3 goals.

INTERVIEW

Jean-Pierre Thiesset (JPT): Why and when did you start to play football?

Nadia Krezyman (NK): I started to play football when I was 10 years old, at the beginning just playing in my garden with my friends from my little village and then I asked my dad to sign me up for the club in my city and that is how it started.

JPT: What is your preferred position on the field?

NK: I am playing on the left wing recently and I like it, but I can also play on the right. If I had to play 10 (midfielder) or 9 (centre forward) it would not be a problem for me. But I think I prefer the left wing.

JPT: What is your best foot?

NK: (laughs) I always laugh at this question because my left foot is more for shots and crosses and my right foot is more for technical things. But maybe we can say that my best foot is the right one, or almost both.

Above: Krezyman shoots for Dijon. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

JPT: Is there a player that is your model?

NK: My favourite player is Mohamed Salah. I am watching Premier League and he plays for Liverpool.

JPT: What brought you to France, Dijon in July 2024, to a new country with a new language?

NK: Uh, my agent (laughs). No, I wanted to level up, and as there were already several Polish players in Dijon so obviously, I asked them for their opinion about Dijon, and we thought it could be a good idea, and I think it was.

I am currently learning French, and I do not mind having to learn a new language. Of course, it was easier with Polish players here in Dijon and the teammates were nice, so I did not have any problem adapting here. Soon I hope to speak French, I have my own lesson from the club once a week with my Polish teacher. A lot of players speak English and for more than half of my first year, I almost spoke only English.

JPT: How was your integration in Dijon squad?

NK: Good, sometimes we go out, not very often, but I think it is good, we all like each other.

JPT: For a first year outside of Poland, last season was rather successful with a fourth place. Were you expecting such a success?

NK: I did not expect for the first season that we would be fourth in the league when I came here, because in the previous season Dijon finished ninth in the standing. When we made a draw against Strasbourg in the first game, I was like, maybe I will have to learn how to lose sometimes, you know, because with my previous team in Poland we were usually winning all the time. But hopefully it quickly changed and it was a very good season.

I think that in Arkema Première Ligue there is 3 or 4 teams at the top against which it is very hard to win. For the rest of the league everyone can win or lose against everyone, and I really like this. In polish league it is not the same, not everyone can win. It is different when you know before the game that you expect to lose.

Above: Krezyman on the ball for Dijon. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

JPT: What are your main quality and your strengths on the field and what are the aspects of your game you think you should improve?

NK: I really like to dribble. I think I am creative on the pitch, I can see a lot of the game, and I am always trying to play forward. I think it is the 3 things I do more often and that I like to do. I think I am quite good for the offensive play, and I always want to give my best.

I think I should improve my shot. I am trying to improve it every week with extra session after the training, and I really think it has improved but it still could be better. I need also to improve my defending skills and maybe physically.

JPT: What are your objectives for this season?

NK: We are fifth now, we would like to be fourth, but it will be very hard because we are 6 points behind Nantes. So just to keep this fifth place will be great, but even if we finished sixth, it will be fine.

JPT: You are still young, but how would you like to evolve in the future? Play in Lyon?

NK: I hope maybe someday, there is a lot of very good players, so it is hard to go into the team and play. I would like to play in England, that is my goal for now. I will see what the year brings. I like to score goals and have the most assists.

Above: Nadia KREZYMAN (10) celebrating her winning goal versus Le Havre on March 28, 2026. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset, Impetus.

JPT: Is there something you would like to say to your fans in France and in Poland?

NK: Thank you for supporting us in Dijon and in Poland. Thank you for coming to the game and I would like to see more fans.

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Halmarick hatrick sets up another Young Matildas win

Australia U20 5-0 India U20

By Kieran Yap 5/4/26

Above: The Young Matildas celebrating a goal. Photo: Football Australia

For the second successive match in the U20 Asian Cup, Australia has recorded a 5-0 win. A hatrick to Skye Halmarick and goals to Danella Butrus and Daisy Brown continued the Young Matildas perfect record in the tournament. In a very different game to the opening match against Chinese Taipei, Australia still found different ways to score.

Alex Epakis made some changes to the starting lineup. Danella Butrus started in place of Tiana Fuller and Shelby McMahon rotated in for Talia Younis. The back four remained the same and that continuity came in handy as Australia were tested in the early stages.

While Chinese Taipei were happy to sit back against Australia in the first game, India set up to compress the midfield and try and attack with pace.  Sulajana Raul and Subjangi Singh looked dangerous in the early minutes, finding space on the left.

Australia grew into the game quickly, and once they worked their way through midfield, the attacking quarted of Halmarick, Butrus, Peta Trimis and Avaani Prakash were able to cause problems for the Indian defence.

It looked like the Aussies had taken the lead in spectacular fashion. Trimis curled a free kick over the wall and into the net, but the referee was quick to disallow the goal having judged an infringement in the wall.

For a short time, Australia began to show signs on visible frustration as fouls and border-line throw-in calls went against them. But they regrouped and took the lead in the 38th minute. Butrus cut inside from the left and drew a foul as she shaped to shoot. Halmarick dispatched the spot kick to make it 1-0.

Barely a minute had passed before Australia doubled their advantage. Prakash and Teagan Bertolissio combined to release the tightly marked Trimis on the right. Some quick shifting on her feet made room for the cross and Halmarick met the ball at pace to nod home her second.

Halmarick had her third just after the break. Prakash, a menace all afternoon in the main playmaker role, weaved inside, drew four defenders and slipped a ball into the path of the Sydney FC striker. The finish took a deflection, but was on target and she had her fifth for the tournament.

Butrus got in on the act after stealing the ball and bursting into the box, taking on the last defender and slotting the ball into the far corner.

At 4-0 up, Epakis rotated again. Amelia Cassar, Poppy O’Keeffe and Amelia Bennet enterted the game and all made good cases to start in the final game against Japan. Cassar was proactive in attack, while O’Keeffe was quick and decisive with her passing from deep in midfield.

Bennet’s inclusion shifted Bertolissio to the opposite flank. After being a rock at right back, she moved her talents to left back and was still able to get forward in support of the attack in a near complete performance by the Canberra United defender.

The final goal came late, but it was a testament to Australia’s persistence and relentlessness throughout this game. A series of deflections meant that the ball eventually felt to Brown. Her first touch was delicate and took her into space, her second rifled the ball into the net for Australia’s fifth.

Despite the identical scoreline, this was a more impressive display from The Young Matildas. India were much more confident and aggressive on the ball than Chinese Tapiei and worked hard without it. Australia’s professionalism and experience saw them through the initial tests, and like the first game, they were able to create a variety of chances and most importantly, convert. Trimis was typically impactful despite being closely marked and Prakash was outstanding, either wriggling free or every challenge or drawing a foul with her acceleration and quick changes of direction. The Mariners pair were more than just effective, they were a problem that India had no answer for, and a joy to watch.

That win sees Australia guaranteed a place in the knockout stages, but next up they face Japan, historically a powerhouse at this level.

With the form that this side is in, and the squad depth they were able to flex in both games, Australia have every chance of getting a result on Wednesday night, and topping the group.

Teams: AUSTRALIA U20’s (4-1-2-3): Melegh, Bertolissio, Dundas, Halmarick, McMahon, Kruger, Apostolakis, Prakash, Butrus, Trimis, Sullivan. Substitutes: Bennett, Cassar, O’Keeffe, Fuller, Brown, Collins, Breier, Black, Henniker, Ritchie, Younis, Dale.

Goals: Halmarick 38’ 39’ 48’ Butrus 55’ Brown 94’

India U20’s (4-5-1): M Devi, Chanu, Pooja, N Devi, Kipgen, Khumukcham, Tjokchom, Singh, Chanu, Raul, Colney. Substitutes: S Kumari, N Devi, Sahena, N Kumari, Sillay, B Kumari, Jamu, Ruchi, Shaji, Singha, Pal, Mattu.

Referee: Ersa Almbaiden.

Attendance: TBC

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Premiers City bring curtain down on home and away season with 12th win

Newcastle Jets 1-2 Melbourne City

by Alice de Koster Kitto (5/4/26)

Above: Danielle Turner celebrates her late winner for Premiers Melbourne City in Maitland today. Photo: A-Leagues.

Melbourne City have finished their regular season campaign on a high, with a late strike from Danielle Turner securing a win for the premiers, following a hard fought end-to-end battle against Newcastle Jets at Maitland Sportsground.

With the Jets out of finals contention after results went against them earlier this round, and City holding the top spot, an entertaining and even match was put on display to the final whistle. 

Newcastle Jets entered the pitch with a lot to prove, looking to extend their success against Melbourne City, after beating the reigning premiers 3-0 for the first time back in January. 

City came on strong, holding control of the ball and keeping play in their attacking end for the first 10 minutes of play. Despite the visitors’ early dominance, it was the Jets who had the first real chance, as an expert Melina Ayres strike flew through the City defence, and would have certainly hit the back of the net if not for a clinical save from Barbieri, just in time. 

There was a quick response from City, as Bryleeh Henry headed towards the goal, before the ball was collected by Boertje. 

A foul on Aideen Keane by Claudia Cicco earned City a free kick, taken by newly called up Matilda Leticia McKenna, delivering the ball to Taylor Otto, who had an excellent strike from distance, which was just hit away by Boertje. 

A perfectly timed challenge on Josie Wilson by Danielle Turner saved City from conceding the first goal of the afternoon, as Wilson made a run towards goal, with what appeared to be the intent to find Ayres in a dangerous area. 

Another set piece taken by McKenna came dangerously close to goal, with the ball only just sliding over the crossbar. 

As first half stoppage approached, a goal seemed imminent, but it was unclear which side would open the scoring. While City had the better of the chances, the Jets continued to present danger to Melbourne’s defence.

With a lively and high-stakes match-up, there was no shortage of chances or action at either end in the first half. Despite efforts and two minutes of added time, the match remained goalless at halftime. 

The scoring was opened just two minutes into the second half when Ayres’ continuous efforts paid off, as a strike inside the box could not be stopped by Barbieri, giving the Jets the lead. 

Kelli Brown came close to doubling the hosts’ lead, taking advantage of a passive City defence, before being stopped in the nick of time inside the box. 

Newcastle held their upper hand, with City not being able to break through to the attacking half or create any real chances, whilst the hosts continued to create trouble for Melbourne’s defence. 

McKenna provided a challenge for Jets, finding City’s first real shot of the second half. However, a lack of power behind the ball sent it straight to the hands of Boertje. 

Following chaos in the penalty area, it appeared that City had found an equaliser, a goal was denied, with officials finding the ball did not cross the line. The mayhem in Melbourne’s attacking end continued, with a corner leading to a goal coming dangerously close, before hitting the crossbar for the 3rd time in just a few minutes. 

The 72nd minute saw Aideen Keane find the equaliser, with a goal that was a long time coming for City. 

While the action didn’t slow down, there was no real chance for either side to take the lead following City’s equaliser, until the dying moments of added time, when Turner sent the ball to the back of the net, securing the win for the premiers. 

The match ends the Jets’ regular season, leaving the hosts eighth on the ladder, while City have already secured the premiership, and will head to semi-finals, where they will undoubtedly be looking to secure another Grand Final spot. 

NEWCASTLE JETS (5-3-2): Boertje, Karapidis, Cicco, Prior, Wilson, Bates, Hoban, Copus-Brown, Allan, Ayres, Brown. Substitutes: Adams, Allan, Johnson, Lancaster, Page, Dunbar.

Scorer: Ayres 47’.

MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): Barbieri, Turner, Stott, Otto, Roestbakken, Davidson, Hughes, McKenna, Jackson, Keane, Henry. Substitutes: Jugovic, Wilson, Sarris, Mieres, Rako, Biggs.

Scorers: Keane 72’, Turner 90+4’.

Referee: Mikayla Ryan.

Attendance: 852.

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Roar wins in Canberra to seal finals football

Canberra United 1-2 Brisbane Roar

By Kieran Yap 4/4/26

Above: Momo Hayashi Photo: Brisbane Roar.

Brisbane Roar have secured finals football for the first time since 2021 after defeating Canberra United 2-1 at McKellar Park. Goals to Aimee Medwin and Alicia Woods secured the result, despite a strong start from the hosts and a trademark goal from Michelle Heyman.

Alex Smith’s side arrived in Canberra needing a win to guarantee a spot in the top six, after a strong start to 2025/26 there were signs of another late season fade in form. The departure of Leia Varley and injuries to Sharn Freier, Tameka Yallop and Grace Kuilamu threatened to derail another promising season.

Although Yallop has returned to action recently, The Roar were without  Zara Kruger for this important encounter. The midfielder is currently on international duty with The Young Matildas in Thailand.

Canberra United have also enjoyed their best season since 2021, and although they could not realistically change their ladder position, a win would mean that The Central Coast made finals over Melbourne Victory.  In a practical sense, it could mean less travel for Canberra in the month ahead.

Teagan Bertolissio was a key figure missing from the home team. She joined Kruger in Green and Gold.

Despite having mostly form to play for, Canberra began the game in attack mode. Sasha Grove and Michelle Heyman combined to put Emma Hawkins into a scoring position, but her shot was poorly struck and Chloe Lincoln was untroubled.

Brisbane handled the initial surge and opened the scoring despite losing star recruit benet Jensen to early injury. Kijah Stephenson’s beautifully weighted pass evade the entire Canberra defence and Aimee Medwin finished with equal quality on the half volley.

Although Brisbane remained dangerous, Canberra continued to attack, and should have euqalised when Hawkins disposed Lincoln,  but it took until the hour mark to draw level. Bethany Gordon’s lofted pass was flicked on by Heyman to make it 1-1.

The eventual winner came in spectacular circumstances. Alicia Woods 68th minute corner landed inside the far post for her first goal of this season.

The home side were not cowed by going behind, and Hawkin’s deep cross was almost turned in by Grove at the back post. Despite the athleticism of the attempt, an outretched, acrobatic volley, Lincoln was well position to save.

The Matildas goalkeeper was the difference in between these sides. Her penalty save from Mary Stanic-Floody effectively decided the result.

This was a huge win for Brisbane. Finals football has been elusive over the past five years despite having some of the nations most talented youngsters. Had they lost today and missed the six, they would have had many valid excuses, but Brisbane dug in, and combined quality with grit to get the result that they needed.

Canberra United will fear nobody in the coming weeks. They are a talented, tactically versatile and unpredictable team, who can beat anybody on their day.

They still boast the greatest striker this league has seen, and with their off-field future uncertain, they could be inspired to win their first trophy since 2015.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (4-4-2): James, Grove, Taylor-Young, Robers, Sasaki, Gordon, Anton, Hawkins, Aulicino, Heyman, Christopherson. Substitutes: McKenzie, Malone, Bobbin, Skelley, Stanic-Floody.

Goals: Heyman 62’

BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-2-1): Lincoln, Cuthbert, Beard, Seidl, Studer, Stephenson, Hayashi, Woods, Medwin, Jansen, Miller. Substitutes: Meyers, Kinsella, Yallop, Hansen, Piazza, Franco.

Goals: Medwin, 21’ Woods 68’

Referee: Isabella Mossin

Attendance: 1,934.

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Draw with Sydney sees Mariners miss out by minimal margin

Central Coast Mariners 0-0 Sydney FC

by Ben Gilby (4/4/26)

Above: Sydney FC’s Shay Hollman (right) holds onto possession despite the close attention of Jynaya dos Santos today. Photo: A-Leagues

Central Coast Mariners’ defence of the A-League Women championship is over as they missed out on Finals football by the smallest of margins after this goalless draw with Sydney FC at polytec Stadium today.

Following Melbourne Victory’s win at Perth Glory yesterday, and Brisbane Roar’s subsequent win at Canberra United today, Kory Babington’s side ultimately needed a win over a Sydney side who had to get a point from this clash to avoid the wooden spoon. The visitors from the Harbour City achieved their aim, meaning the Mariners missed out on a place in the top six by having conceded two goals more than Victory across the season.

Ahead of kick-off, home boss Babington made one change to his side’s starting line-up from last week’s 0-0 draw with Canberra United with Annabel Martin coming in for Izzy Gomez.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC caretaker boss James Slaveski also made just the one change to the starting line-up that defeated Melbourne Victory 2-1 in their previous outing, as Claudia Valletta replaced Madison Ayson, who dropped to the bench.

Mariners had the first golden chance of the game just after the quarter hour mark as goalkeeper Annalee Grove’s clearance fell perfectly for Eliza Familton to break through and drive into the box. Her shot beat Heather Hinz in the Sydney goal, but agonisingly came back off of the left-hand post with no-one around to get to the rebound.

Indeed, this would be the closest they would come all game long, as clear cut opportunities were few and far between.

Sydney will feel they had more chances to clinch the win – albeit without sufficient quality in front of goal to ultimately earn it.

Their first half chance came 22 minutes in when Mackenzie Hawkesby gained possession on the right and fed Riley Tanner in the centre. Possession was further laid out to Claire Corbett who hit a weak shot from around 25 yards that Grove gathered comfortably.

It took until just before the hour mark before the next glimmer arrived, as Tori Tumeth galloped through the middle, with Sydney retaining possession following her tasty challenge to retain possession with Martin that saw the ball emerge to Hawkesby. She returned play to Tumeth who saw her eventual shot lack the power to trouble Grove. The same player would see another effort ten minutes later suffer the same fate from long distance after it took a deflection.

Excellent control and footwork in a tight space led to Jynaya dos Santos beating Charlotte Mclean to earn the Mariners a shot at goal, with the former Sydney youngster seeing her effort deflect wide of the left-hand post.

The remaining better opportunities fell Sydney’s way. First, with 15 minutes to go, Lorena Baumann made a superbly timed challenge in the box on Tanner, just as the Panama international was poised to shoot after being played in brilliantly from the left by Amber Luchtmeijer.

Baumann had absolutely no margin for error with danger signals of a potential penalty, sending off, or concession of a goal all flashing. Yet the Swiss defender pulled a superb challenge out of the bag.

In the final minute, the visitors had another great chance when Kirsty Fenton’s thumping header from a corner was pushed up onto the crossbar by Grove who then got another touch onto the ball before Blake Hughes completed the clearance.

Ultimately goalless draws in their final two matches when they needed one win from those two games prevented the Mariners from retaining their record of qualifying for the Finals in every season since they re-entered the competition for the 2023/24 season.

Sydney FC will take a sigh of relief that an exceptionally disappointing season did not end with them claiming the wooden spoon, a dubious honour which now falls to their cross city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers for the second campaign in a row.

Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (5-3-2): Grove, Buchanan, Martin, Barwick-Gray, King, Baumann, Kraszula, Levin, Quilligan, Familton, Farrow. Substitutes: Bowman, Fernandez, Hughes, Thew, Varley, J.dos Santos.

SYDNEY FC (5-2-2): Hinz, Lemon, Tumeth, Pearson, Mclean, Valletta, Hawkesby, Ulkekul, Corbett, Luchtmeijer, Tanner. Substitutes: Ayson, Fenton, Caspers, Hollman, Oppedisano, Robertson.

Referee: Sophie Allum.

Attendance: 1,656.

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Victory hold up their end of the bargain but now forced into nervous wait

Perth Glory 0-1 Melbourne Victory

by Alyce Collett (3/4/26)

Above: A well timed header from Claudia Bunge (far left) was the difference on the scoreboard for Melbourne Victory. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.

Melbourne Victory has picked up an important 1-0 win tonight, and for the moment has moved into the top six of the A-League Women’s ladder.

It was a trademark header from Claudia Bunge that got the job done on the scoreboard, but Perth Glory did dominate for much of the match and will feel like the match is one that got away from them.

It was Perth Glory who initially took control of the percentage of time in attack, with Ella Abdul Massih in particular really lively on the wing.

The Glory thought they found reward for that effort just over 10 minutes into the match, but Gabby Hollar’s stellar curling goal was ultimately ruled offside.

Even early on in proceedings the match was starting to get heated, with frustration perhaps starting to get the better of some of those in the away camp.

However, despite all of Glory’s dominance in terms of control of the ball, it was Victory who would score the opener, and what turned out to be the match winner, thanks to the reliable head of Bunge.

After a well placed corner kick from Alana Jancevski, Bunge was perfectly placed to head the ball down with a fair bit of pace and into the back of the net.

Despite conceding the goal, the Glory’s intent to attack did not drop, and despite not finding access in their achieving their draw, they still kept fighting and working the ball into attack well.

The emotional heat in the match was also starting to rise as the match neared half time, with little moments really starting to bring out the frustrations of particularly those in purple and salmon.

However as hard as they tried they were unable to find that equaliser, and as such went into the half time break no doubt feeling plenty of frustrated emotions.

The half time stats told a very interesting story.

Perth Glory had 66% of the possession in the first half, but could only muster three shots on goal, none of which were on target. Victory meanwhile had two shots on goal in the first half and both were on target, despite having significantly less off the possession.

The final third entries stat was also a telling one, with Perth recording 34 of them and Victory recording 21 of them in the first half.

It was actually Victory who had the more positive start to the second half and had more of the time in attack initially.

However Perth did work its way back into the game and ended up winning many of the key stats for the second half. However they did not win the most important one of them all – the scoreboard – and as such their season came to an end.

Victory may be in the top six for the moment, but now the nervous wait begins to see if other results go their way and they keep that spot.

Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-3-3):  Morrissey, Johnston, McKenna, Zogg, Sardo, Tovar, Cassidy, Westaway, Abdul Massih, Hollar, Badawiya. Substitutes: Anderson, Lincoln, Schroeder, Trew, Wainwright, Wood.

Melbourne Victory (4-4-1-1): Newbon, Pickett, Morrison, Bunge, Jancevski, White, Ray, Pollicina, Furphy, Lowe, O’Grady. Substitutes: Blissett, Flannery, Sakalis, Maher, Techera, Woodward

Scorers: Bunge 22′

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: 952.

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Nix secure bigger prize than just three points

Adelaide United 0-2 Wellington Phoenix

by Alyce Collett (3/4/26)

Above: It was a night to remember for the Wellington Phoenix as they defeated Adelaide United to lock in second place on the ladder. Photo: via A-Leagues.

Wellington Phoenix has locked in second spot on the A-League Women’s ladder after a 2-0 win over Adelaide United tonight.

The home side was lively in the second half and defended well in the first half, but ultimately one five minute patch about halfway through the first half saw goals from Marisa Van der Meer and Brooke Nunn and blew open the game for Wellington. This ultimately made all the difference.

Adelaide almost had the perfect start to the match, but Lara Gooch’s opening minute shot ultimately went narrowly wide.

In the early stages the Phoenix dominated possession – to the tune of about 60% to 40% in the opening 10 minutes – but things evened out more in that department as the half progressed.

However things did get harder for the home side when Dylan Holmes was forced from the ground early as a concussion substitution after an unfortunate accidental head clash with Emma Pijnenburg.

Initially it was Adelaide whose chances were going closer to scoring than Wellington’s were, but that did eventually change when the Phoenix pounced on some inattentive defending from the Reds.

First Van Der Meer, then Nunn not even five minutes later, both found themselves unmarked in the perfect position in the box to be under the flight of a cross, and headed the ball into the back of the net perfectly. All of a sudden, things had gone from difficult to disastrous for Adelaide.

Wellington went into the half time break with a two goal lead and a boost in confidence after the shock of last week’s result, while Adelaide went into the half time break with nothing but a list of questions to be answered.

Adelaide came out in the second half with a renewed level of energy, and as such took control of the attacking time split early in the first half.

The likes of Isobel Hodgson and the Taranto sisters Melissa and Adriana were all lively for Adelaide, trying to will their side on to getting themselves back into the game.

However, no matter how hard they tried or what they tried, the Reds just could not work the ball over the line.

Wellington was not without chances of its own in front of their goal, but the likes of Makala Woods and Grace Jale kept having too much power in their shots, and as such kept skying them well over the goals.

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (5-3-2): Esson, Nunn, Elliott, Van der Meer, Barry, Walker, Jale, Vlok, Pijnenburg, Leon, Woods. Substitutes: Anthony, Benson, Brazendale, Feinberg-Danieli, Fraser, Jaber.

Scorers: Van Der Meet 30’, Nunn 34’

ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Jenkins, E.Hodgson, McNamara, Tolland, Tonkin, Holmes, Gooch, M.Taranto, I.Hodgson, Dawber,  A.Taranto. Substitutes: Bowler, Condon, Millar, Morgan, Nicholas, Rossi.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 5,124.

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Young Matildas off to a perfect start at U20 Asian Cup

Australia U20 5-0 Chinese Taipei U20

By Kieran Yap 3/4/26

Above: Peta Trimis. Photo: AFC/Football Australia

The Young Matildas have begun their U20 Asian Cup with a confident performance against Chinese Taipei. Goals to Peta Trimis, Skye Halmarick and Tiana Fuller gave Australia a 5-0 win at True BG Stadium in Pathum Thani

Coach Alex Epakis named a strong lineup for his first competitive match in charge of the side. Zara Kruger anchored a midfield with Talia Younis and Avaani Prakash as twin playmakers.

Australia attacked from the opening whistle, and dominated possession. An early effort from Prakash sailed over the bar, but the intent was clear, the Young Matildas were looking to set the tone.

There were some nervy moments early. Emma Dundas’s heart must have momentarily stopped when a 40 yard back pass evaded goalkeeper Ilona Melegh, but luckily it missed the goal.

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute, and was reward for Australia’s proactive play. Kruger’s long range effort crashed off the crossbar and Halmarick reacted quickest to tap home the rebound.

Peta Trimis was the architect of the second. The Central Coast Mariner is playing in her second U20 Asian Cup and is one of the more experienced A-League Women stars in this side. She was at her creative best in the 44th minute when she made space of her non-preferred left boot to bend a ball to the back post for her club teammate Fuller to finish.

Halmarick worked her magic to score a third almost immediately after halftime. The Sydney FC striker worked her way into a shooting position at the edge of the box and found the bottom corner with a well placed strike.

Three minutes later, Trimis had her first of this tournament. This time, meeting Fuller’s low cross in a mirror image of the earlier goal.

The final goal, and Trimis’s second will be sure to make Epakis happy. Australia had pressed hard all game, and even at 4-0 that continued. Halmarick won the ball back in midfield and played a perfect pass into the path of the rapidly advancing Trimis. The finish was as good as the buildup and ended the scoring for the day.

With no intention of taking the foot off the pedal, Australia turned to the bench, Poppy O’Keeffe, Danella Butrus, Sienna Dale, Amelia Cassar and Amelia Bennett all made their Asian Cup debuts.

There is depth in this squad, and although Chinese Taipei did not really test the defence or Melegh, they were not given much chance to. The Young Matildas played with an energy and speed that defied the afternoon Thailand heat.

The 5-0 win was an ideal start to the tournament, and another win against India will see them guaranteed a place in the knockout stages.

They were impressive, entertaining, and encouraging but frighteningly they still have room to improve before they face Japan in the final group stage match. There were some moments of opening-game rust, but that was quickly brushed off by a team unincumbered by any errors, unafraid of risk, and confident in their abilities.

Prakash and Younis were both typically tricky, and mobile in the opening half, and they could have faith that the likes of Rubi Sullivan, Tegan Bertolissio, Dundas and captain Alexia Apostolakis would be in support.

For long term viewers of Australian national teams, the side’s willingness to shoot from distance and test the opposition defence in from different angles and positions will be a welcome sight.

Chinese Taipei were set up in a disciplined, low-block and were not as easy to break down as the score-line suggests. The Young Matildas had to find solutions and be patient before the breakthrough arrived, and when it did, they were able to take full advantage and add to the score.

This was a supremely confident start to tournament football for this generation of Young Matildas.

Australia next play India on Sunday at 4pm local time.

Teams: AUSTRALIA (4-3-3): Melegh, Apostolakis, Dundas, Sullivan, Bertolissio, Kruger, Prakash, Younis, Fuller, Trimis, Halmarick. Substitutes: Cassar, Butrus, O’Keeffe, Dale, Bennett, Black, Breier, Brown, Collins, McMahon, Ritchie, Tallon-Henniker,

Goals: Fuller 44’ Halmarick 24’ 50’ , Trimis 53’ 61’

CHINESE TAIPEI (4-5-1): J.Y Jie, C Li, L Szu-ying, P Lin, T Shao, J Liao, H Huang, H Kao, H Ma, Y Lo, Y Li. Substitutes: C Tzu-Yu, Huang, C Yi-fei, F Chih-ling, C Yeng-Xuan, C Wei-tong, L Pei-yao, L Yu-Hui, W Ruo-Ping, P Pei-qing, H Tzu-han, L Pin-yun.

Referee: Saitkulova Gulshoda.

Attendance: TBC

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Perth Glory’s Stephen Peters previews final game of the 2025/26 season. 

Above: Stephen Peters speaking to the media. Image: Perth Glory.

By Ella McShane (1/4/26)

Following a less than ideal night under the lights in Brisbane, Perth Glory are now officially out of the race for finals football and head into their last game of the 2025/26 season this Friday at home.

“A lot of the downfalls in the game were self inflicted…it’s an area that we have to address,” said Peters, reflecting on Friday’s 5-2 loss to Brisbane Roar.

In terms of morale within the group, Peters described it as “a mix of people wanting answers of why things have happened and how they have happened.” 

“There’s a group of players that are opportunistic, they can see an opportunity to play the last game of the season,” said Peters.

Looking to the opponent, Melbourne Victory still clinch onto finals hopes with the common theme of the season – mere points separating teams on the ladder – making this weekends game so significant for the visitors. 

“We are expecting them to try and put themselves in the [top] six. They’ll be well fired up,” said Peters. “We’ve got to be on our guard, they’re a very experienced side.”

“They’re very robust at the back,” said Peters. “We’ve got to be ready.”

Despite losing first choice goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey unexpectedly during warm-ups last week, the update from the injury bench remains hopeful.

“To lose [Teresa] so close to kick off was a real set back for us, and I don’t think we managed it very well,” said Peters. “She’s had scans, there is some indifferent news there but nothing catastrophic.”

“It was very disappointing for Dayle [Schroeder] because it’s very exciting for her to have her debut for the club. It would have been nice to have it under better circumstances,” said Peters. 

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory will kick off at 4pm AWST at the Sam Kerr Football Centre and will be available to stream live and free on 10Play and Paramount+ for paying subscribers. 

To read Isabelle Campbell’s report on opponents Melbourne Victory’s media conference click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2026/04/01/its-pretty-much-a-final-claudia-bunge-on-victorys-must-win-mission-west/

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