Points split as Nix and Victory both left with plenty to ponder

Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Melbourne Victory

by Alyce Collett (25/10/26)

Above: Melbourne Victory and the Wellington Phoenix battled it out in a very entertaining draw in Wellington today. Photo: via Melbourne Victory.

The Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory could not be split at Hnry Stadium, with goals to Holly Furphy and Makala Woods resulting in a one all draw between the sides.

Both sides will come away from this match with plenty to think about moving forward, with the Phoenix again not making the most of their attacking dominance, while Victory have some questions around their best attacking options and the marking of key opponents while defending attacks.

The initial first half play was free flowing and end to end, with both sides really using the width of the pitch to find danger in their attacking play.

The home side were having more chances at goal and better chances than the Victory were, with just a little bit more accuracy all that was realistically standing between the Phoenix and the opening goal.

The Victory finally got their best chance in the 26th minute in the form of a well placed corner from Alana Jancevski, but Claudia Bunge’s resulting header ultimately went slightly wide. This sparked a few more very close chances for Victory, but ultimately unfavourable bounces meant none went into the back of the net.

Melbourne Victory was forced into a change in the first half when Alicia Woods was forced from the field after copping several forceful falcons in the process of defending set pieces.

Victory were ultimately able to take the lead in the shadows of half time when Furphy bounced on a cross that was initially poorly cleared by the Phoenix and forced the ball over the goal line.

Furphy’s goal proved to be the only one of the first half as the half time whistle went, with the Victory having all the momentum and the Phoenix having all the questions to answer and frustrations to solve.

Wellington started the second half on the front foot, but a sturdy Victory defence snuffed out every possible Wellington attacking opportunity they faced.

The Phoenix kept peppering the goals but as hard as they tried they just could not get past a sturdy Victory defence.

That was until just after the hour mark when Woods found herself at the top of the penalty box and after being on the end of a perfectly placed Brooke Nunn cross, Woods worked the ball perfectly through a congested box and past Courtney Newbon and into the back of the net.

After the equaliser both teams fought hard to find themselves a match winner and had several close chances, but in the end both sides failed in their quest, leaving points to be split.

The Phoenix went agonisingly close to the match winner in the final minute of regular time, but Pia Vlok ultimately strayed offside, null and voiding the shot that did ultimately get past Newbon. Victory also went agonisingly close a minute later up the other end, but Angie Beard’s corner was narrowly too thin.

Wellington pushed really hard for the match winner in extra time, but some resolute defending from Victory, as well as some help from the woodwork, ensured that the match would ultimately be a draw.

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-4-2): Esson, Walker, Elliott, Jale, Barry, Erceg, Nunn, Yallop, Woods, Vlok, Riley. Substitutes: L. Brazendale, S. Candy, A. Eglinton, A. Danieli, E. Taylor-Main, L. Wall, M. van der Meer.

Scorers: Woods 64’

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, McMeeken, Beard, Bunge, Morrison, Woods, Sutter, Saveska, Jančevski, Furphy, Harding. Substitutes: A. Aoyagi, C. Blissett, N. Flannery, S. Leach, J. Millar, E. O’Grady, S. Techera.

Scorers: Furphy 40’.

Referee: Sarah Jones.

Attendance: TBC.

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Free scoring Mariners confirm arrival in style

Central Coast Mariners 5-1 Canberra United

by Texi Smith (25/10/26)

Above: Central Coast Mariners celebrate one of their five goals in yesterday’s huge win over Canberra United. Photo: Texi Smith for Impetus.

The new-look Central Coast Mariners topped off an afternoon of celebrations in Gosford with an outstanding display of pressing football to crush a stunned Canberra United 5-1 on Saturday afternoon.

An early goal from in-form Skye Halmarick set the scene, and by half-time, the home team were cruising with a second goal, this time from the head of Talia Kapetanellis. Classy midfielder Te Reremoana Walker added a third soon after the break and from then on it was a case of how many as the Mariners punished every turnover, Kapetanellis adding her second and Alexia Karrys-Stahl making it five with still ten minutes to play. A late rally from the visitors saw them reduce the arrears with a smart finish from Sienna Dale, but it was all too late as the Mariners made it an afternoon to remember with this handsome win.

Five minutes into the game, it was clear which team was in charge. Halmarick had already marauded up the right in the opening exchanges, and when Peta Trimis released Danika Matos on the same side moments later, her low cross was swept majestically past Sally James by Halmarick to open the scoring. The scores were almost level immediately though, with goalkeeper Morgan Aquino beating away a shot before tipping over from Michelle Heyman’s header seconds later, and Canberra matched their opponents for a stretch. Hayley Taylor-Young lashed a wild shot wide when the ball fell her way before Aquino got down low to foil her next attempt at the near post.

Walker began to assert herself in midfield, before teammate Rebecca Lake copped a freak hit to the face that halted proceedings. Lake was up quickly despite the solid hit, and the very next move saw the Mariners go two up; Trimis was allowed to run riot down the right again and she clipped a delightful ball in for Kapetanellis, who got ahead of Zoe Tolland, the header flashing past James for 2-0.

Kelli Brown had the home fans off their seats, clattering into Matos, but the referee took no action. The Mariners coasted to half time, but they could have easily made it three. Again Trimis was the architect, Halmarick rampaged up the right to deliver a delicious cross for Kapetanellis on the stretch who just couldn’t get the shot on target from close range.

If Canberra were searching for a swift turnaround after half time, they didn’t get it. Trimis had a chance in the first attack of the half, shooting wide with plenty of support in the box. Perhaps coach Dean Heffernan had asked his players to shoot on sight; Kapetanellis strode forward after intercepting in her own half, but elected for the spectacular instead of involving her teammates who were much better placed.

The exciting Eliza Familton weaved through the Canberra defence to win a corner, Trimis had her shot saved from the clever corner routine, and the tide was certainly coming in. It was no surprise when a recycled corner from Trimis caused mayhem in the Canberra six-yard box, and there was Walker, reacting first in the melee to stab home her first A-League goal.

The Mariners were just too strong for Canberra. The pressing from the home side gave the visitors no time on the ball, and every 50/50 ball seemed to fall to a yellow shirt. Trimis tried her luck from distance, James saving comfortably, before Canberra had a sight on goal, substitute Dale upended and fellow replacement Emily Condon firing in a free kick that Aquino smothered at the second attempt.

There were definitely more goals coming, and once more it was the right-hand side where the Mariners did the damage, Trimis brilliantly released Matos, whose cross was unmissable for Kapetanellis, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net from right in front for 4-0.

Substitute Karrys-Stahl fired over with a hopeful effort, but she was to have her moment soon after, battling away to stay in control before flicking the ball through the legs of her opponent, striding on and firing a missile into the bottom corner of James’ goal.

This was when Canberra finally reacted. It won two corners in quick succession, the referee unfazed when Aquino was bustled into the back of her own net, and United seemed to have taken the game up a notch. It was no surprise when Dale found herself in the area with Matos to beat, and she did what she does best, finishing past Aquino for a consolation goal to make it 5-1.

Heyman then played in Caley Tallon-Henniker with a searching ball, but Aquino got there just in time, and that led to the Mariners having a final chance to wrap up the goalscoring.

Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (3-4-1-2): Aquino, Lake, Walker, King, Matos, Kraszula, Familton, Buchanan, Halmarick, Kapetanellis, Trimis. Substitutes: Barwick-Grey, Karrys-Stahl, Witz, Fuller, De Domizio, Iaria, Grove.

Scorers: Halmarick 6’, Kapetanellis 31’ 70’, Walker 55’, Karrys-Stahl 80’

CANBERRA UNITED (4-3-3): James, Taylor-Young, Anton, Ayson, Tolland, Sasaki, Gordon, Malone, Brown, Heyman, Christopherson Substitutes: Morgan, McMahon, Dale, Grove, Condon, Tallon-Henniker, Majstorovic

Scorers: Dale 87’

Referee: Charlotte Flynn.

Attendance: 1,576.

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Goals hard to come by in historic draw

Adelaide United 0-0 Perth Glory

by Emma Burke (24/10/26)

Above: Adelaide United and Perth Glory battled it out to a scoreless draw for the first time in their history. Photo: via Adelaide United.

For the first time in A-League Women’s history Adelaide United and Perth Glory have played each other to a nil all draw today at ServiceFM Stadium.

The game presented itself as a real arm wrestle between the two sides, especially in regards to breaking down defences. At the final whistle, 47 tackles had been recorded between the two teams.

After a perfectly tepid first half, both sides came out of the change rooms with a little more fire behind their eyes, the home side especially.

Adelaide enjoyed a slew of chances against Perth, coming from its captain Adriana Taranto, Chelsea Dawber, and late substitute Emilia Makris. Each opportunity was either denied by Glory keeper Alyssa Dall’Oste, or in Makris’ case, sent over the bar due to good pressure from Perth’s central defenders.

Ilona Melegh between the sticks for Adelaide had a good showing throughout the 90 minutes, making a number of interventions to maintain the sides’ clean sheet.

Perhaps one of the most entertaining moments of the game was when a challenge against the Glory’s Clancy Westaway saw her do a somersault and pop right back up to be awarded a free kick.

Adelaide United will travel for round three to face the Central Coast Mariners, while Perth will play its first home game of the season in the distance derby, facing Wellington Phoenix.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Melegh, Hodgson, Murray, Yakel, Cicco, Zois, Dawber, M. Taranto, Rossi, Meyers, A. Taranto Substitutes: Gooch 55′, Breier 71′, Harris 81′, Makris 81′

PERTH GLORY (4-2-3-1): Dall’Oste, Sardo, Zogg, Thew, Buchanan, Westaway, Cassidy, Abdul-Massih, Tovar, Badawiya, Jenkins Substitutes: Phonsongkham 46′, Anderson 62′, Wynne 62′, Trew 62′, Mouithys 86′

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: TBC.

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Renee Slegers says Arsenal are ready to fight for the fans.

By Sarah Myles (24/10/26)

Above: Renee Slegers looking on as her side prepares for the North London Derby. Photo: Arsenal FC

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers sat down with the media ahead of Saturday’s North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur to discuss fan reactions, Alessia Russo’s position, and playing the Arsenal way.

Having conceded 12 goals in their last two league games, Slegers was asked whether she expected Spurs to play defensively against Arsenal tomorrow. Slegers said that “they play high-risk, high-reward football. That’s their identity” and that the opposition will “want to play the way they have been playing. If they adjust against us, that could be possible but let’s see tomorrow. We’ll have to be prepared for both.”

Slegers said the “fuel and motivation is sky high” in the team for tomorrow’s game, as the North London derby is a favourite for “many fans and players,” but that the current position, two wins from eight games, is “absolutely not what we expected and what we wanted.” She added, “We know how good we are and can be, and it’s going to be a big occasion tomorrow. The players love big occasions so it will bring something out of us tomorrow.”

All 4,000 away seats have been sold, which Slegers said is “100% where our focus is. We need to fight tomorrow on that pitch for 90 plus minutes, and we need to do it for the fans because we know that it’s been tough times for them as well.” She added, “We want much more for them, and seeing that we sell out the away section for this game after the run of games we’ve had, that’s going to be our biggest fuel in the game. To be there and give absolutely everything on the pitch for the fans tomorrow.”

Slegers acknowledged the issues the team has had this season: “We are aware that we need to be better in our counter-attacking moments, both from lower areas on the pitch, but also higher up because we do a lot of good work out of possession in the attacking half. But how can we generate more chances from there?”

“Being faster is absolutely something we’ve worked on because we know that last year, we played against low blocks and compact organisations a lot. So, we’re looking for moments where we can go fast and be more unpredictable. So that’s definitely something we wanted to add to our game.”

After last week’s game, Slegers told the press that “it would be worrying if weren’t playing the Arsenal way.” Questioned on what the Arsenal way is and how the team are currently playing that way, Slegers said: “I think how we look to dominate in possession, how we look to be unpredictable and fluid with our positioning, how we want to break lines, get a lot of bodies forward on the pitch on the attack, all those things.”

“And then the same on the other side of the ball, just be aggressive and be really compact and a hardworking team. I think it’s about both boxes where we’ve been vulnerable, vulnerable at the back with a couple of breaks. I think we still have the lowest shots conceded in the league, but when opposition comes through, it goes fast, and we need to manage that better.”

“So, it’s really about both boxes and what happens in between. We absolutely need to maintain, but the start and the finish on both sides of the ball can be and must be better.”

The derby will be the first time Victoria Pelova has faced her former team since leaving at the end of last season. “I think sometimes what you need in life is something else, a new environment, change, and can get something new out of you,” Slegers said about Pelova’s current form, having scored five goals in her first six games for Spurs. “It’s good to see that she plays and that she does well.”

Following boos from the crowd at the end of the 1-1 draw against Birmingham City, Slegers said the fans’ reaction was “the sound of care and frustration, which was right.” When asked if she was worried about the reaction if the result doesn’t go Arsenal’s way tomorrow, Slegers said, “We are blessed with the fans we have, that they’re showing up and selling out the away section and we’re going to do it for them because I know how much they want it, how much they’re invested and that’s going to be big fuel for us.”

The match will be at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead of Brisbane Road. When asked if this would give Arsenal an advantage, Slegers said, “I think it will be a fight on the pitch wherever it is. There’s going to be duels and there’s going to be one versus one moments on the pitch, and we have to be really good in those moments. So, we want to see fight from the team tomorrow.”

Slegers provided injury updates on the squad and confirmed that the same squad available against Birmingham will be available for tomorrow., Daphne Van Domselar will be back for the warm-up but is not ready for minutes. Kim Little is managing a knock following an illness, so will be unavailable, whilst Katie Reid is training almost fully with the team and Michelle Agyemang is working in the background. Speaking about Chloe Kelly’s hamstring injury, Slegers said, “She’s still not training with the team but she’s making good progress in her rehabilitation.”

Slegers was asked about the conversation surrounding Alessia Russo’s positioning. She said, “she had her best goal-scoring season for Arsenal last season (when she played in both positions), so she is really good in both positions, and she can finish from both positions. I think we, as a team, have to do everything to get into the right spaces and in good finishing positions to be able to serve all the forwards and all the quality that we have.”

Slegers admitted that, while qualifying for next year’s Champions League is in the back of Arsenal’s mind, the team are collectively focused on the next game. “For where we are now and what we need right now, it’s to get back to winning ways, and we can only do that with the next game in front of us. So that’s why the next game in front of us is the most important right now.”

Slegers final words on facing Spurs tomorrow: “I look forward to seeing our team in red going against them and giving absolutely everything on the pitch, and then again with the fans. So, I look forward to the occasion tomorrow.”

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Breier Olimpico saves a point for Adelaide United

By Monica Clarke 19/10/26

Above: Adelaide United swarm India Breier in celebration. Photo: Adelaide United

Sydney FC’s young squad drew with Adelaide United in a tense match that saw both sides finish with two goals.

The match began with immediate tensions; both teams came out strong and with the clear intention of getting the ball in the back of the net early into the game.

The first goal came only six minutes into the match when Asha Sutton found herself in a 1v1 in front of goal and shot straight into the back of the net.

Sutton was on debut for Sydney FC, in a short-term contract for the duration of the Under-17 World Cup.

It didn’t take long for Adelaide United to get one back. Adelaide United’s Kiera Meyers took a shot at goal in the 8th minute. While Sydney FC’s

Charlotte McLean was able to get a foot on the ball, she was unable to block the shot and the goal went down as an own goal to McLean.

In the 19th minute of the match, Sydney FC took a hit with an injury for Josie Wilson, leading to her treatment and removal from the pitch.

An early substitution was made due to Wilson’s injury and Megan Mifsud made her Sydney FC debut. The match continued with a series of fouls and free kicks given to both sides, but no goals were converted.

Adelaide United held 65-75% of ball possession throughout the first half but were unable to hit the back of the net.

A challenge from Adriana Taranto on Mifsud saw her receive the first yellow card of the season.

The second half began with a series of set pieces and attempts at goal for Adelaide United. However, the first goal of the half went to Sydney FC’s Riley Cohn in the 55th minute, giving Sydney FC the lead once again.

The match continued in a tense back-and-forth attack, both sides being fouled and given free kicks on multiple occasions throughout the half. Neither side was able to find the net throughout the tense middle of the second half.

India Brier was substituted on for Adelaide United in the 79th minute, and in-the 88th minute, Brier was the one to bring the game back to a draw with an Olimpico.

Faith Webber and Riley Cohn had multiple attempts at regaining Sydney FC’s lead in the final few minutes of the match, but were unable to hit the net and the whistle was blown sealing the draw.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-1-4-1): Robertson, McLean, Channing, Wilson Dulaney, Price, Caspers, Cohn, Roling, Webber, Sutton. Substitutes: McCredie, Tobin, Chessari, Nada, Tay, Mifsud.

Scorers: Sutton 6’, Cohn 55’

ADELAIDE UNITED(4-3-3): Melegh, Cicco, Murray, Yakel, Hodgson,M.Taranto, Dawber, Rossi. Substitutes: Millar, Harris, Drawwater, Breier, Makris, Gooch, Savestrin.

Scorers: OG McLean 8’, Brier 88’

Referee: Noah Moss

Attendance: TBC.

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New look Mariners’ attack proves fruitful in season opener victory

Brisbane Roar 2-4 Central Coast Mariners

by Alyce Collett (17/10/26)

Above: Central Coast’s Eliza Familton, Peta Trimis, Skye Halmarick and Talia Kapetanellis celebrate after one of their side’s four goals this afternoon. Photo: via Central Coast Mariners.

The Central Coast Mariners have had the perfect start to their A League Women’s season, downing the Brisbane Roar 4-2 away from home.

Although they were wasteful in front of goal in the first half, the Mariners were a lot more clinical in the second half and ultimately got the reward on the scoreboard. Peta Trimis, Talia Kapetanellis, Skye Halmarick and Morgan Witz were the quartet of goal scorers for the Central Coast, while Daisy Brown and Katrina Guillou found the back of the net for the home team.

It was the home side who dominated attacking time early, really putting the Mariners’ defence under lots of pressure early.

Despite Brisbane’s early dominance of attacking time though, it was the Mariners who got the first real opportunity of the match. However, unfortunately for the Mariners Eliza Familton skied her shot, not really troubling Chloe Lincoln in the Roar goals.

However it was not long before the Mariners would ultimately find the back of the net, when Trimis finished off some excellent set up work from Charlotte Lancaster and Danika Matos with a perfect shot around her body.

Despite going down a goal Brisbane continued to have more of the possession, but just could not get many shots away, let alone ones that really gave Mariners’ keeper Morgan Aquino much to worry about.

By contrast the Mariners were racking up a number of strong chances on goal, with the new front line combination of Trimis, Halmarick and Kapetanellis showing strong chemistry.

However, ultimately Brisbane finally got some reward for their control of possession, when a perfectly placed Murphy Agnew corner found the head of Brown, who headed the ball perfectly into the back of the net for the equalizer.

After the equalizer it was the Mariners who took control of possession, and continued to pepper the Roar goal. But as hard as they tried, they just could not get many of those shots on target and therefore could not extend their lead.

That was until things changed in the shadows of half time, when Kapetanellis let a rocket of a shot go from a tight angle to retake the lead for the visitors.

It was a fairly even start to the second half with both sides having competitive opportunities in front of goal.

Eventually the Mariners found a third goal for the afternoon at about the hour mark when Halmarick found herself in perfect position in front of goal and perfectly guided the shot past Josie Studer and Lincoln into the back of the net.

The Mariners then put some icing on the cake with about 15 minutes to go when debutant Witz found herself on the end of a perfect through ball from Halmarick and converted perfectly.

Brisbane then had an instant response less than a minute later when Guillou – who had only been substituted on a mere five minutes prior – converted perfectly from the top of the box.

Ultimately Guillou’s goal was too little too late as the Roar ran out of time to peg back any more of the deficit.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (5-3-2): Lincoln, Curtis, Agnew, Roach, Hodgson, Tathem, Kruger, Studer, Smothers, Brown, Stephenson. Substitutes: Long, Franco, Hoyos, Markovski, Martin, Punch, Guillou.

Scorers: Brown 26’, Guillou 77’

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-3-3): Aquino, Matos, Lancaster, Familton, Lake, King, Kraszula, Quilligan, Hamlarick, Trimis, Kapetanellis. Substitutes: Barwick-Grey, Buchanan, De Domizio, Grove, Walker, Witz.

Scorers: Trimis 7’, Kapetanellis 44’, Halmarick 59’, Witz 75’

Referee: Isabella Mossin.

Attendance: TBC.

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Victory victorious thanks to youngster’s pinpoint accuracy

Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Melbourne Victory

by Emma Burke (17/10/26)

Above: Melbourne Victory celebrate after Alana Jančevski’s (#66) match winning goal. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

Alana Jančevski’s stunning goal from a direct free kick has secured Melbourne Victory the win against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the opening round of the A-League Women’s.

Melbourne Victory applied serious pressure onto the Wanderers throughout the first half, eventuating in Zoe McMeeken winning a foul at the top of the box which led to the only goal of the game.

Jančevski’s delivery was a curling effort to the left side of the goal, just out of the reach of a diving Wanderers keeper Sarah Langman.

Above: A well placed free kick from Alana Jančevski (#66) proved to be the difference for the Melbourne Victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Credit: Kris Goman for Impetus Football

The second half saw the home side come out looking much more threatening, taking the game to Victory.

The Wanderers were particularly lifted by the injection of their youth players in 18-year-old Allyssa Ng Saad and 19-year-old Nikkita Fazzari.

The two of them had an immediate impact on the game, with Fazzari racing down the left flank, beating McMeeken’s sliding challenge before sending in the cross to find Ng Saad near the spot. Unfortunately for the Wanderers, Ng Saad wasn’t able to make great contact with the ball, seeing them denied an equaliser.

Melbourne had a handful of chances to extend its lead, one a header by substitute Chelsea Blissett which was tipped away by Langman, and another by Kayla Morrison whose shot on target was blocked by her own teammate in Sienna Tachera.

Both sides now have potential injury concerns coming out of this fixture. New signing and captain of the Wanderers Rhianna Pollicina – who returned home from Melbourne Victory – walked herself off the pitch in distress early in the game and Victory’s key defensive pillar Claudia Bunge exited the game half-way through the second half after clearing the ball.

Next round the Western Sydney Wanderers will host Brisbane Roar, while Melbourne Victory will travel to face Wellington Phoenix.

Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-3-3): Langman, Pickett, Jaber, Bjørneboe, Bennett, Sakalis, Palywoda, Pollicina, Younis, Bahr, Miller. Substitutions: Iredale 16′, Ng Saad 60′, Fazzari 60′, Fragale 84′

MELBOURNE VICTORY (3-4-3): Newbon, McMeeken, Bunge, Morrison, Sutter, Woods, Jančevski, Beard, Furphy, Saveska, Harding. Substitutes: O’Grady 53′, Blissett 67′, Techera 67′, Leach 84′

Scorers: Jančevski 32′

Referee: Mikayla Ryan.

Attendance: TBC.

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Badawiya’s spot kick the difference in tight battle

Newcastle Jets 0-1 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (17/10/26)

Above: Perth Glory’s Ella Lincoln (white shirt) looks to beat her marker today. Photo: Newcastle Jets.

Perth Glory began their A-League Women campaign with an important victory on the road, with Rola Badawiya’s spot-kick sealing victory against Newcastle Jets in Cessnock.

However, this was a game of two penalty claims – one for each side. Perth were awarded theirs, but the Jets’ were turned down. Much more of that later.

It’s the second season in a row that the Glory have opened with victory on the road with Badawiya on the scoresheet – last year’s success at Western Sydney was one of two away wins – the other also coming at The Jets, so maximum points taken on the road are always hard earned for the Western Australians.

Glory boss Stephen Peters has as a strong defence, and an extremely creative midfield at his disposal. The only thing that has ever been in question ahead of the campaign is whether or not the goals are there.

Today, in a match that was largely closely fought (possession was 50% each, same number of passes made, and Perth having one more shot on target that the Jets), Badawiya’s penalty just before the quarter hour mark was literally the difference.

The spot-kick was awarded to the Jets’ frustration as Emma Tovar’s corner curled in from the right and was met by the head of Julia Sardo with the ball coming off Josie Allan’s arm. There was little Allan could do given how close she was to Sardo, but by the letter of the law, Caitlin Williams’ decision was the right one.

Up stepped Badawiya to dispatch the ball confidently into the bottom right corner.

Newcastle looked to respond, and six minutes later, they built a patient attack with Emma Dundas squaring a pass to Josie Allan from the ‘D’. Allan found Allie Thornton outside her, but there was not quite enough power in the shot from around 15 yards to trouble Alyssa Dall’Oste in the Perth goal.

Another half-chance fell the way of the hosts just before the half-hour mark. Zoe Karipidis took play along the right flank before it was delivered high into the box. Baxter Thew couldn’t clear, with the ball falling for Tamar Levin who couldn’t quite get power on the shot.

Libby Copus-Brown’s follow-up was blocked by Thew, but in doing so, the ball rolled up the Perth defender’s body and hit her arm and lower hand. Whilst there was little intent about it, the letter of the law would suggest this should have been a penalty as well. But it was not awarded – and that’s tough on the Jets. Particularly in a game of such fine margins.

Into the second half, and Dundas combined with Levin outside the box for Newcastle and played in Copus-Brown on the left of the box. She turned her defender and played in an inviting cross which a combination of Sardo and Onyi Zogg did well to clear.

Into the last 15 minutes, and the impressive Ella Buchanan drove forward through the centre of the park for the Glory, laying off for Bronte Trew outside her on the right. The substitute curled an effort goal wards with new signing Maggie Jenkins just failing to get a touch to assist it into the net, and the ball rolled wide of the far post.

The best chance of the game came as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute as Levin curled in a rocket of a free-kick from over 20 yards from the left of centre which bounced up off of the top of the bar. The Jets were that close.

Whilst Newcastle will be extremely frustrated at coming away from the game with nothing, with particular ire for the failure to be awarded a penalty for a similar misdemeanor that saw them concede one, Perth will point to a superb defensive display in which their entire back four should be rightly proud.

When the dust settles, both Stephen Hoyle and Stephen Peters will see major positives from their teams with a long season of tussles, twists, and turns for a place in the top six ahead. The marathon has started.

Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (3-4-2-1): Henniger, Karipidis, Copus-Brown, Allan, Sandhu, Dundas, Davis, Prior, Thornton, Klos, Levin. Substitutes: Adams, Walandouw, Valladares, Hooks, Kilroy, Preston-Poole, RItchie.

PERTH GLORY (4-2-3-1): Dall’Oste, Thew, Tovar, Sardo, Buchanan, Badawiya, Zogg, Phonsongkham, Lincoln, Cassidy, Abdul-Massih. Substitutes: Anderson, Jenkins, Trew, Westaway, Wynne, McGreadie-Cole, Mouithys.

Scorer: Badawiya (pen) 13′.

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: TBC.

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Renee Slegers pre-Birmingham City press conference

By Sarah Myles (16/10/26)

Above: Olivia Smith back training with the Gunners following a successful international break. Photo: Arsenal FC

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers sat down with the media today to discuss her side’s upcoming league fixture against Birmingham City FC, her commitment to Arsenal and squad injury updates.

Speaking about the last few weeks, Slegers said that it “has been good to have quality time with some of the players” who weren’t on international break. Slegers was pleased with the positive performances from Arsenal players whilst with their national teams and noted that goals had been scored, which was “really nice to see. A total of 13 goals were scored by our players over the break, which is really positive.” Slegers is feeling “very driven, and very determined” going back into games and is looking forward to reconnecting with fans on Saturday as she and the team are ready to “play with urgency and play our best football.”

Updating the press on team fitness, Slegers confirmed that Mariona Caldentey has a hamstring injury and will be out for around 8-10 weeks, but she is healing well. Selina Cerci has had knee surgery, so she is also unavailable, which Slegers acknowledged has contributed to Cerci’s limited minutes so far this season.

Asked about how Caldentey’s injury complicates the midfield for Arsenal, Slegers said that “the midfield is an important unit but Kyra (Cooney-Cross) is back, and we now have Georgia (Stanway). We will have to find the right solutions, play to the player’s strengths, find the right balance in the middle of the pitch. We have a lot of quality in our midfield.”

Looking forward to Saturday’s game against Birmingham, Slegers highlighted the strengths Birmingham have shown as a “hard-working team with quality centrally and on the wings,” which Arsenal will look to minimize. Slegers said that while Birmingham haven’t won a game yet, they have been threatening teams, and Arsenal are looking to stop that this weekend.

When asked if external conversation was affecting her, Slegers said that “it doesn’t matter at all,” as she “is very internally focused. The people here, are we connected? Is the energy there? Is the belief there? Are we all aligned? Are we going in the same direction? That’s really important to me because when that’s not there, that would hurt.

But for example, when I see the fans at the (Manchester) City stadium after the game, that’s kind of in between because they’re on the outside, but very close to us. That part hurts, but that won’t affect me because I know what the fans invest, and they spend their time and money and the weekends to come and support us. So that part is important to me. That matters to me.”

Olivia Smith has scored in both international games, prompting comments from Casey Stoney. Slegers said that “Olivia is a player that has a high ceiling; she is amazing, she is the best at what she can do and I haven’t seen it before. I believe in her, and I know the impact she can make. She has been dealing with some issues that have impacted her minutes.” Slegers said that Smith is now pain-free and looked “so good” during her international games and that Smith is back to her best. Slegers is looking forward to this block of games with Smith and the “impact she can make when she is at her very, very best.”

Today’s press conference marks two years since Slegers was appointed interim head coach. Slegers said that if she could give advice to herself two years ago, it would be “that things change. Things are constantly changing. So how do you grow with the change? How do you anticipate the change? How do you make change? So that’s probably a big one for me that I’ve learned, and I’ve taken so much from it, and it’s made me better as a person as well.”

Pressure has been mounting on Slegers this season, and when asked if she was still committed to Arsenal, Slegers said, “100%. I love Arsenal. I love this team. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. And even though it’s been difficult, I see light at the end of the tunnel, and I look forward. I feel that we are strong together, and I look forward to Saturday.” Elaborating on the light at the end of the tunnel, Slegers said that “I acknowledge the results, and we’re not happy with the results. But then there are a lot of positives as well in the way we play, and the commitment and the determination in the background have been inspiring. You can see it. You can feel it. There’s a sense of urgency, and we look forward from here.”

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Four Things we learned from The Matildas October Window

By Kieran Yap 15/10/26

Above: Holly McNamara & Leticia McKenna Photo: Football Australia

With The Matildas games against Germany and Haiti complete, we look at what we have learned from the two, pretty valuable freindlies.

Australia’s search for a 10 got more interesting and promising

Ther performances of Leticia Mckenna over the two matches and Daniela Galic’s appearance against Haiti have shown that The Matildas have a wealth of options in the playmaker role. Not only in terms of quality but in style.

It has been a position of much discussion in the national team, at different times in the last four years, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Alex Chidiac and Kyra Cooney-Cross have been used in the space behind the forwards.

Of all those players, only really Chidiac plays in that position at club level, and van Egmond’s last truly convincing performance in the role was in 2020 in the Olympic qualifiers.

Mckenna and Galic are natural fits for the job and showed that they can be trusted with the keys to drive the midfield.

Galic has been in outstanding form for Visstjo GIK in the Damallsvenskan. She has seven goals and three assists for her club in 2026, with five of those strikes coming in the last seven games. Three of those have been headers, which despite her height, van Egmond rarely does.

Her goal against Haiti was extremely well taken, She displayed perfect technique and positioning and was both unrushed but quick to act. The fact that the pass was played to her by her Young Matildas midfield partner Alana Murphy makes the future all the more exciting.

It was not just that she scored. Galic looked confident, creative and displayed instant chemistry with her teammates. Her backheel pass to an overlapping Caitlin Foord was as delightful as the goal. She was able to link play and threaten the defence.

She has long been touted as the next big thing. Galic and the national team will benefit from more opportunities to show it.

Leticia Mckenna was an other revelation in this window. She was busy after coming on against Germany and deadly from the start against Haiti.

Mckenna scored twice, to bring her tally to three international goals in four matches and she was player of the match in the 7-1 win.

Most players need to adjust their game a little when faced with the increased speed and quality of international football. Not McKenna.

She looked just as comfortable as she did in two dominant seasons with Melbourne City and seemed to bask in the responsibility of being a starting Matilda.

McKenna looks like a combination of Tameka Yallop and Gorry (two players she spent a season with at Brisbane Roar five years ago). She is all-action, decisive and powerful, but also composed and patient with the ball. Her decision making is elite and she almost never looks rushed.

Mary Fowler’s inevitable return to the squad will cause a selection headache for Joe Montemurro, but he has three potentially World Class options all under the age of 25. All three bring something slightly different to the role  there is probably a way to find a combination of them.  

In any case Mckenna and Galic should find themselves higher in the pecking order after this window.

The defence is a slight worry

Australia’s defence was OK over the two games, but susceptible to individual errors and vulnerable to counter-attacks. That may be an acceptable risk for playing an attacking formation, with Clare Wheeler given license to push forward when in possession, but it is something that they will need to address for The World Cup.

Winonah Heatley and Steph Catley both looked rusty against Germany and McKenzie Arnold’s game against Germany contained moments of brilliance, but she also let some saveable shots slip by her.

Individual positioning by defenders was not the problem, but indecisiveness and small lacks in composure allowed the German’s in on goal. Set piece defending has been an issue for at least three successive coaches, and higher ranked teams can take advantage of that.

Healey needs to play more at Roma or look for another club before the World Cup. She is one of Australia’s most promising prospects, a prototypical modern defender but has only made one league appearance for her club so far this season.

The availability of Charlie Rule and the potential of Jess Nash at Melbourne City loom as options in defence. But Heatley remains the front runner to partner Steph Catley and hopefully she can rediscover her best form by Brazil.

Caitlin Foord is still an important player for Australia.

Foord has become somewhat of a scapegoat for Arsenal’s problems this season, and to be blunt, her season has not been great so far. But she always delivers for Australia, and while she may have visibly lost a yard of acceleration, she showed in both games that she has plenty of other attributes that will make her a lock for any squad.

One of Foord’s most consistent and eye catching attributes has been her quick chance of pace on the left. She slows, almost to a standstill in possession and shuffled the ball before skipping past her defender. It is one of her trademark moves.

Against top international defenders and it seems many European club sides, it look like she can no longer do this routinely at 31 years old. But she still brings plenty to an attack.

Foord remains excellent at holding off defenders, and rolling her body to turn into space. She did this to set up Holly McNamara’s goal against Germany and demonstrated it multiple times against Haiti.

She is also an excellent passer of the ball in the final third. The weight, timing and angles of her through balls can blindside defenders and set her teammates into space. Her off the ball movement is also excellent as shown when she peeled into space to cross in the lead up to Galic’s goal and her run to set up Sam Kerr to force a Haiti Own Goal.

Foord seems to have adjusted her game slightly, where she used to be able to burst through on her own, she now needs overlapping runners, but there are few players in the Australian setup capable of making space for others and finishing chances to the same level as her.

Foord may have come in for strong, often over the top criticism in 2026, but she is a player who consistently delivers in Green and Gold.

Holly Mcnamara can be depended on to take the reigns

Holly McNamara has been Australia’s next striking hope almost since she made her debut in the A-League Women in 2020. Since then she has won two Golden boots and won the last two premierships with Melbourne City.  She also scored twice in last season’s Grand Final and secured a move to the WSL with Everton. It is quite the list for a player who is still 23 years old and has recovered from three ACL injuries.

Partially despite these achievements, and because of the obvious setbacks, McNamarma has sometimes struggled to make an impact with The Matildas. But against Haiti and particularly in the first game against Germany she added spark, and looked confident and dangerous.

McNamara has been in and out of the squad since 2022, but has often been played on the wing. Early on, this made sense. In her first season at City, she could often be found cutting in from the left even though she was part of a front two with Hannah Wilkinson.

As her career progressed, it became apparent that her best position was as the spearhead of the attack. When deployed where with City, she looked like a natural and obvious successor to the likes of Sam Kerr or Michelle Heyman. But with The Matildas she had to not only adjust to new teammates but a new position.

Against Germany, she was released into the centre of attack, and her movement was sharp as she hunted chances and kept the defence alert.

Her finish to score her fourth international goal was taken with the confidence of a player ready to step up. She looked free of the burden of learning to play international football and like someone who was born to do it.

Australia faces a potential lack of strikers after this upcoming World Cup. Foord will be 33, Kerr will be 34 and Hayley Raso will be 33 by Brazil.

There are prospects coming through. Annelise Rasmussen is getting game time in France, Kahli Johnson is progressing at Calgary Wild and the likes of Grace Kuilamu or Skye Halmarick might continue to develop. But so far McNamara is the most obvious front runner to start as the main striker. She looks like she is ready for it and should start at least one game against Colombia.

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