Building a Fanbase From Scratch: Who Supports London City Lionesses- and Why?

by Hope Robinson (11/04/26)

London City Lionesses have entered the Women’s Super League this season aiming to establish themselves among the division’s elite, competing against clubs with established fanbases and long-standing ties to men’s teams, while attempting to build a support base of their own from scratch.

What Makes London City Lionesses Different?

After gaining promotion at the end of last season, London City Lionesses have entered the Women’s Super League with clear intent. Survival has not been framed as the limit of their ambition, with the club targeting a place among the league’s top sides.

Recent seasons have seen a familiar pattern, with promoted teams often returning straight to the Championship. London City Lionesses have shown no sign of accepting that outcome.

They currently sit seventh in the table, level on points with Brighton & Hove Albion Women, holding their own in a competitive division.

Yet, the most interesting thing about the club is not their league position or ambition. London City Lionesses are the only side in the division not affiliated with a men’s team, raising a different question altogether. Who supports them?

Most women’s teams are tied to established men’s clubs with deep-rooted histories. Supporters often follow through existing loyalty, whether through family tradition or prior connection to the men’s side. For an independent club, attracting that same level of support presents a different challenge.

London City Lionesses are beginning to answer that challenge. Their recent fixture against Arsenal Women was sold out. The supporters are arriving, and so are the results.

Taking on the Giants

The scale of that challenge remains significant. Clubs such as Liverpool, Leicester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa benefit from global fanbases, generational support, and regional identities.

London City Lionesses find themselves in a crowded region. As a London-based club, they share space with huge sides such as Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham, and Tottenham Hotspur meaning location alone is not enough to separate them.

The National Women’s Soccer League offers a useful comparison. Clubs there operate independently, without direct links to men’s teams, but benefit from far larger geographical identities. In the United States, support is often tied to city or state rather than a shared club badge across men’s and women’s sides. Teams such as Angel City, Bay FC, and San Diego Wave represent expansive regions, allowing them to build distinct and natural followings even without the backing of a men’s counterpart.

That is not the case in London.

London City Lionesses are competing for attention rather than inheriting it. They are not only building a team, but also establishing relevance in a league where support can shape atmosphere and momentum.

Meet the LCL Fans

Without decades of history or a global brand behind them, the fanbase of London City Lionesses is unlike most sides in the women’s game. Their support is not inherited or passed down through generations. It is actively chosen.

The Women’s Super League has grown rapidly in recent years, with rising attendances and increased visibility introducing football to new audiences. Many of these supporters arrive without prior allegiances. For some, London City Lionesses have become a natural entry point into the women’s game.

The club’s fans are diverse. Local supporters are drawn by the accessibility of matches and the sense of community the club fosters. Younger audiences and families are increasingly present, attracted to matchday experiences that feel social and engaging. There are also football-first fans who follow the women’s game rather than a specific team, choosing London City Lionesses because of what the club represents as an independent side.

Others have not opted for larger clubs as, if not a football fan prior, it can appear overwhelming as to where to place your alliance, so a new, independent, and growing team can stand out.

What unites all these supporters is choice. They are not bound by family tradition, men’s club allegiances, or long-standing loyalty. They are fans who have actively decided to follow London City Lionesses, creating a relationship with the club that is built on engagement, shared experience, and community rather than history.

What They’re Getting Right

London City Lionesses are offering more than just what happens on the pitch, they are building a full matchday experience around it. Supporters who buy tickets with Mastercard have the chance to win meet-and-greet opportunities with players, something that helps create a closer connection between fans and the team. Around the game itself, there is a clear focus on atmosphere. 

Fan zones, live music, games and giveaways are regular features, alongside themed matchdays that feel more like events than just fixtures. Food options are varied too, with street food-style vendors adding to the overall feel of the day. Even after the final whistle, players often spend time with supporters, signing and interacting in a way that feels genuine. It is all quite simple, but it works. London City Lionesses are giving people a reason to come, and more importantly, a reason to return.

Building a fanbase from scratch requires more than performances on the pitch. It demands a reason for supporters to invest their time and attention.

Across the women’s game, growth has been clear. Arsenal Women have drawn crowds of over 40,000 for major fixtures, reflecting the rising interest in the sport. At the same time, that growth has highlighted a gap between the top end of the game and the everyday match-going experience.

London City Lionesses have positioned themselves within that space. Ticket prices remain accessible, lowering the barrier for new supporters. Matchdays offer a closer connection to players and staff, creating an environment that feels more personal than at larger venues.

There is also a clear sense of identity. Without the influence of a men’s side, the club are able to shape their own culture. The result is something that feels modern, open and community-focused.

In a competitive league, those details matter. For many supporters, they are enough to turn initial interest into long-term support.

A New Kind of Football Loyalty

Football loyalty has traditionally been passed down through generations, shaped by family, location and identity.

London City Lionesses represent a different model.

Their supporters are not bound by history. Instead, their loyalty is built through choice. That creates a different relationship between club and fan, one that is shaped by experience rather than expectation.

Choosing a club can create a stronger sense of connection. It is based on what the team represents, how it feels to attend matches and how supporters engage with the club itself.

As women’s football continues to grow, this form of support may become more common, reflecting a shift towards a more personal and intentional kind of loyalty.

Rethinking the Future of Women’s Football

The position of London City Lionesses raises wider questions about the structure of the women’s game.

Many clubs benefit from links to established men’s sides. Teams such as Chelsea and Manchester United draw on global recognition and existing fanbases, which has contributed significantly to the growth of the sport.

However, it is not the only model available.

Independent clubs offer a different approach. Without the weight of history, they are able to build identities that are specific to the women’s game. While they may not have the same reach, they are not competing for attention within a wider club structure.

As the sport develops, there may be space for both approaches. London City Lionesses show that growth does not have to rely entirely on legacy.

Built for What’s Next, Not What’s Been

London City Lionesses operate without many of the advantages their rivals possess. There is no inherited support, no long-established identity and no guaranteed audience.

That absence has allowed something else to develop.

Without being tied to the past, the club are free to focus on what comes next. Their growth is centred on attracting new supporters, developing a clear identity and evolving alongside the wider game.

In a league shaped by history, that approach offers something different.

While others are defined by what they have been, London City Lionesses are building what they could become.

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McKenna scores on debut as Matildas beat Malawi

Australia 5-0 Malawi

By Kieran Yap 11/4/26

Above: Leticia McKenna commemorates a first cap for The Matildas. Photo: Football Australia

Australia has defeated Malawi 5-0 in the opening game of The FIFA Series. Emily Van egmond, Sam Kerr scored in the first half, while Alex Chidiac and Holly McNamara added more after the break. Leticia McKenna made her senior debut for Australia in the convincing win. 

With several big names missing or rested, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro still managed to name a familiar looking lineup. Emily Van egmond started at the point of a midfield that combined Alex Chidiac and Clare Wheeler. Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso started up front, while the back four consisted of Charlie Rule, Winonah Heatley, Courtney Nevin and Kaitlyn Torpey. 

Australia got off to the best possible start, a quickly taken free kick saw Van egmond race behind the Malwai defence and flick the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper. Despite going a goal down, Malawi did not look eager to chase the game, sitting back in with all players behind the ball, neither flooding the defence not pressing particularly high. 

This made for an open, but slightly slow paced game. It allowed Australia to pass the ball around with relative ease, and dictate the pace and timing of attacks. The game plan looked to get Chidiac and Van egmond near into attack and slip passes behind the defence for the likes of Raso and Torpey to cross.

Malawi’s defence were sometimes isolated but well disciplined, and able to catch Australia’s attack offside on multiple occasions and were able to deal with most of the crosses, until Foord’s ball from the right landed with Kerr who finished on the half volley. 

Malawi had a chance to pull one back, when a free kick caused chaos in the Matildas penalty area. Mackenzie Arnold was eventually able to save after initially stopping the first effort with her face, and Australia maintained their advantage.

Deborah Henry’s pace and mobility caused Australia some problems with her introduction in the second half. She was busy on both flanks, but her shots were off target despite getting into some dangerous positions. 

Australia’s lead extended on the hour mark. Alex Chidiac, in a best afield performance drove through midfield and took advantage of the retreating defence to score from the edge of the box with her left boot. The popular midfielder last scored for Australia in 2023 and proved her value with an outstanding, performance that allowed her to play in her best position, a rare occurrence with the national team. 

With the result secure, Montemurro made more changes off the bench, and the subs made an impact. Jamilla Rankin set up Holly McNamara for a tap in to score Australia’s fourth and Leticia McKenna calmly finished in added time to make the win feel extra special with a goal on debut. 

The result was never in doubt, and the match was not a particularly compelling contest, but there were things to be taken from this match. 

Montemurro’s game plan continues to evolve, but his ideal style of play is becoming more apparent. While most of his predecessors employed long, often aerial passes to get behind the defence, This version of The Matildas clearly aim to keep the ball o the ground and pass sharply.

Building from the back has always been an ambition of this national side, but in Heatley they have a player who can make quick decisions and hit targets with confidence. It sounds simple, but it helps to break the press when the ball moves quickly through it, instead of cautiously. It also meant that even without Ellie Carpenter on the flank, Australia did not obviously lack pace.

The use of Chidiac and Mckenna after her, also demonstrated that Montemurro not only likes to use a traditional number 10, but knows how to get the best out of them. This has been a role that Australian fans have loved to talk about, but the team has rarely been able to really deploy, with most attacks going down the wings as a first option. 

The midfield combinations and the square passing of the fullbacks allowed the likes of Chidiac to receive the ball inboard, and importantly while facing goal, The first half probably contained more crosses than intended, but the second showed a closer version of what this team wants to play. 

Mckenna’s debut was a long awaited moment for many A-League Women fans. She has been a promising talent since bursting onto the scene as a 17 year old with Perth Glory, and has developed her game at Brisbane Roar and then Melbourne City where she has become one of the dominant and certainly most complete attacking midfielders in the country. 

An outstanding ASEAN tournament where she lifted the trophy with the Australian U23 side late last year and the position the plays for the three time premiers, made her inclusion one of the best stories of this camp. That she scored on debut was great reward for the work she has put in to rise into Australia’s elite category. She is both a player you can build a team around and one that can be brought on to impact games, and this should be the first of many caps. 

There was a lot to like about this performance, and while the starting lineup may have been too familiar to many fans hoping to see a more experimental XI, it did ensure that Australia had control early, and then could try to employ different tactics and personnel. It is a hard balance for the coach as he embarks on the unenviable task of introducing the next generation. New faces as a must, but they also have to be able to play alongside the stars. The only way to do that is to put them in the same environment and give them a chance to flourish.

This game did that, and while the match itself was not so compelling, it did give Australian fans reasons to be excited. 

Teams: AUSTRALIA (4-3-3): Arnold, Torpey, Rule, Heatley, Nevin, Wheeler, Chidiac, Van Egmond, Raso, Foord, Kerr. Substitutes: Nash, Rankin, Gomez, Lincoln, Kennedy, Sayer, Aquino, McKenna, McNamara, Siemsen.

Goals: Van Egmond 5’ Kerr 41’ Chidiac 60’ McNamara 86’ McKenna 94’

Malawi (4-5-1): Sikelo, Madise, Khumalo, Alufandika, Mkandawire, Chinyamula, Kafzere, Chinzimu, Mulimbika, Thom, Chikupira. Substitutes: V Mkandawire, Chavula, Phikani, Maulidi, Kaonga, Dickson, Nguluwe, Henry, Banda, James, Sani.

Referee: TBC

Attendance: TBC

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Ferns One Step Closer to World Cup after dominant win

New Zealand 5-0 Fiji

by Maddison Hagger (11/4/26)

Above: Kelli Brown was the one to open the scoring for the Football Ferns against Fiji. Photo: via OFC.

The Football Ferns are through to the finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania Qualifiers following a 5-0 win over Fiji featuring five goals from as many scorers – Kelli Brown, Kate Taylor, Michaela Foster, Katie Kitching and Hannah Blake.

It was a dominant display in Hamilton, with the Ferns securing their lead with four goals in the first half. Fiji was forced to play a defensive game and fought hard in the second 45 minutes, still conceding once but also denying several shots on target.   

This dominant display takes the Football Ferns into the final against Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, with a spot at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup on the line.

The Ferns lined up quite differently to their most recent games in the Solomon Islands. Only Claudia Bunge and Brown remained in the starting lineup as more experienced heads came in to replace young up-and-comers in this semi-final knockout match. 

Playing in her hometown, Brown opened the scoring early in the first half.

Fiji attempted to play out from the back but pressing by the Ferns provided Grace Jale with an attempt on goal. Fijian keeper Mereseini Waqali defended the shot but failed to clear the ball, then Brown pounced on the rebound and fired into the bottom right corner from six yards out. 

Taylor then found New Zealand’s second from a cross from Foster. As the ball flew into the box, Taylor was largely unopposed in front of goal and calmly sent a header into the back of the net. 

Not long after the second goal, Foster – another Fern playing in her hometown – increased New Zealand’s lead to three in the 27th minute. Whether she aimed for a cross or a shot on goal was unclear but inconsequential as the ball flew through the box and past the keeper into the bottom right corner. 

Kitching then got her name on the scoresheet in the 37th minute after two earlier attempts were denied. On her third chance, she netted the Ferns’ fourth following great build-up play that started with a throw-in. Deven Jackson and Brown interchanged seamlessly down the right side past the Fijian defenders. Jackson then selflessly offloaded back to Kitching, who tucked the ball into the bottom left corner.

Waqali the Fijian keeper made some fantastic saves, denying the New Zealand attackers what could have been a much higher scoreline. She saved two one-on-one attempts right in front of goal and two close chances right on half-time. Early in the second half, she also saved a goal-line opportunity for the Ferns.

New Zealand started the second half slowly with disjointed play, but a solid four goal lead caused no rush.

As they eased back into the game, the chances in front of goal opened up again. 

Fiji, however, made New Zealand work hard in search of a fifth goal. With several excellent saves from Waqali, a goal from Kitching ruled offside, and a shot from Jackson hitting the post, it seemed a fifth was not in reach for the Ferns. 

It took them 30 minutes into the second half to claim that fifth goal, with Blake finding the back of the net following a layoff from Kitching. The play started with Foster, was passed out to Manaia Elliott on the left, who crossed into the box. Kitching took a delicate touch with her back to goal and laid the ball off for Blake, who took the shot from the edge of the box. 

Teams: NEW ZEALAND (3-4-3): Santos, Taylor, Bunge, Green, Foster, Kitching, Brown, Stott, Jackson, Hand, Jale. Substitutes: Esson, Anton, Blake, Clegg, Elliott, Hahn, Lancaster, Moore, Pijnenburg, Rennie, Wisnewski, Vlok. 

Scorers: Brown 5’, Taylor 21’, Foster 27’, Kitching 37’, Blake 75’.

FIJI (4-3-2-1): Waqali, Racea, Cokanasiga, Veronika, Hussein, Tabua, Tabunas, Diyalowai, Tuberi, Waqanidrola, Mateni. Substitutes: Esposito, Scott, Likuculacula, Sindhika, Alfred, Fesaitu, Leba, Buka. 

Referee: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands)

Attendance: 3,267

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History repeats as Aussies taught lesson by the might of Japan

Japan U20 5-2 Australia U20

by Alyce Collett (8/4/26)

Above: Japan have completed an undefeated run in the group stage of the U20 Women’s Asian Cup, and perhaps sent a message to the rest of the competition in the process. Photo: via AFC. 

The Young Matildas have had a bit of a reality check in their final group match in the Under Women’s 20 Asian Cup, going down 5-2 to Japan.

Japan dominated much of the key areas for most of the game, but only really made the most of that dominance in the second half.

Avaani Prakash initially gave Australia the lead with a goal against the run of play, but then a brace from both Noa Fukushima and Miki Kimura as well as a goal from Natsumi Tago really swung the game in Japan’s favour on the scoreboard. Daisy Brown did manage to get one late consolation goal back for the Aussies.

As the first half progressed, Japan took control of possession and time in the attacking half, but its inability to string true chains of passes together meant that really dangerous shots on goal were few and far between.

Mao Itamura did have the most dangerous chance in the early stages, but unfortunately for Japan her shot went narrowly wide. Itamura was really lively in attack for Japan, alongside the likes of Tago and Yuna Aoki.

However, one positive from a Japanese perspective was that they were able to put plenty of perceived pressure on Australia so the defence of the Young Matildas had a sense of shakiness for the first time this tournament, and Australia’s normally strong passing was also not as strong as usual.

Australia had brief moments of hope in attack, but just could not really threaten the Japan goal.

That was until the 40th minute, when Prakash managed to juggle the ball around the Japanese defensive line and struck the ball perfectly to give the Young Matildas the lead very much against the run of play.

Despite the challenge the Australians were facing in terms of trying to absorb enormous amount of Japanese attacking pressure, the Aussies certainly were not afraid to take it up to their highly fancied opponents, but at times they did toe a fine line in the physical aggression department.

Australia’s joy at taking the lead did not last too long though, when Fukushima was fed a through ball perfectly, then curved her shot around her body perfectly and into the back of the net.

Fukushima’s goal proved to be the final major moment of the first half, and as such the match was at a very interesting place at the half time break.

Fukushima had another positive shot on goal in the early moments of the second half, but that shot ultimately went wide.

She eventually did get a second goal for herself though about 10 minutes into the second half.

She was fed a through ball perfectly by Miyu Matsunaga and then took her shot, and although Australian keeper Illona Melegh did take much of the pace off her shot she was unable to stop the ball rolling on behind her and into the back of the net.

Australia almost had the equaliser moments after the restart, but Zara Kruger’s shot was well stopped by Japanese keeper Uruha Iwasaki.

Japan had a third about 10 minutes after that when Matsunaga again fed the ball perfectly through to a striker – this time Tago – and after Melegh initially seemed to stop Tago’s shot, it turned out the ball had in fact slipped through her arms and Tago was able to pounce and covert on the second time of asking.

Tago’s goal really capped off what had been a dominant second half performance from Japan, in which Japan had actually managed to string passes together much better than the side did in the first half.

Japan was not done scoring there though, when with about 10 minutes to go Kimura – who had only been on the pitch mere moments after being subbed on – perfectly worked her shot around several members of the Australian defence and the ball narrowly found its way into the back of the net.

She had a second minutes later, which capped off a truly dominant performance from the Japanese.

The Young Matildas managed to get a consolation goal moments after the restart from Kimura’s second goal when Brown was able to tap a perfectly placed cross from Prakash into the back of the net.

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

Scorers: Prakash 39’, Brown 86’

Japan U20’s (4-2-3-1): Iawasaki, Aoki, Aso, Higuchi, Matsunaga, Furuta, Itamura, Tago, M. Honda, Sato, Fukushima. Substitutes: Ota, Suzuki, Tsuda, Ishida, Kimura, Nakamura, Y. Honda, Hara, Kingestu, Sano, Nawa.

Scorers: Fukushima 45+3’, 54’, Tago 65’, Kimura 81’, 84’

Referee: Rawdha Al-Mansoori (UAE).

Attendance: TBC.

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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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