Members of the Impetus team of contributors covering the league report on the media conferences ahead of this weekend’s action (24/11/23).
Canberra United
by Ryan Miller-Woods
Canberra United head coach Njegosh Popovich and Ruby Nathan reflected on the club’s long-awaited return to A-League Women action against Newcastle Jets on Sunday.
This will be their first match in the league since the 3-2 defeat to Perth Glory on November 4th. While it has been a longer break between matches than they would have liked, it potentially could be beneficial for Canberra given their start of the season to reset themselves, continually build the team group, and absolutely go for it against the Jets this weekend.
When asked about whether his side has been able to make the most of the break between games, Popovich said, “Yeah! Nothing replicates a game sort-of situation but we’ve tried our best. We had an inter (friendly) game on Saturday which was a high-intensity match for them and keeping their fitness levels up.”
The match against Newcastle will also most likely feature Australian international and ex-Canberra player Emily van Egmond for the Jets in the second game of her four-game guest stint in the league. In her first match back, she played an important role for Newcastle as the Jets went down narrowly 3-2 to Melbourne City.
When asked what the feeling is amongst the squad with the prospect of going up against the Matildas star, Popovich said, “Van Egmond’s a great player, there’s no doubt about her pedigree and her quality. She proved that at the World Cup. We won’t change our game plan for one player, we’ll play as we do, but obviously, there needs to be an eye on her in terms of making sure that she can’t have that ability to score goals or set up chances for them.”
New Zealand youth international Ruby Nathan, newly called up to the senior Ferns side, has had a good start to her time in the A-League Women. She reflected on her start with Canberra.
“I feel like I’ve improved a lot since coming here. Obviously, playing in the A-League is a step up to where I’ve been in New Zealand, so it’s just been good to see what the step is like to this level and take experience from older players in my team as well.”
For young players, going up against renowned internationals provides a real challenge to embrace. That prospect could very well happen on Sunday with Nathan likely to face Emily van Egmond.
“That’ll be exciting. She’s a great player, so it’ll be a good thing to test myself against players that are at that level.”
Central Coast Mariners
By Ryan Miller-Woods
After four games this season, Central Coast Mariners have had a great return with two wins, one draw, and one loss, with the result against Wellington Phoenix last round being their first home win since returning to the league.
When asked how she and the team are feeling ahead of the match against Victory, Husband said, “We’re really excited to get down there (in Melbourne) and play another game coming off the back of a win on the weekend. The girls are in a really good place and we’re preparing for another solid team to play against.”
This week’s opponent Melbourne Victory have had a mixed set of results so far, and after seeing three points snatched away from them in the sixth minute of stoppage time at Perth Glory last weekend, Jeff Hopkins’ side are likely to be going all out for a win.
Reflecting on this, Husband said: “I think every game in the league is going to be a competitive game. Look at the roster that Melbourne Victory have got. On paper, they’re a fantastic side and I think they’ll be up there competing this year, that’s for sure.”
Reflecting on the challenge posed by Melbourne Victory this weekend, young Mariners attacker Peta Trimis said, “They’re going well at the moment, so it will be a hard game, but I think we’ll give it everything and hopefully come away with the three points.”
What has been apparent with Central Coast early in the season is how they have created chances with their style of play with players such as Isabel Gomez, Bianca Galic, and Trimis herself playing significant roles in the club’s early success. Upon their return to the competition this season, club is currently fifth on the A-League Women’s ladder, only behind Victory on goal difference..
When asked what Central Coast has been working on ahead of the game, Trimis said, “I think just continuing our high press and the energy that we brought to that game (last week against Wellington Phoenix) and never giving up until the end.”
Sydney FC
By Genevieve Henry
The media heard from Sydney boss Ante Juric after trips of growth and success to Uzbekistan and Adelaide. Juric also shares his thoughts on the tough matchup with the high-flying Melbourne City ahead.
While last season’s champions are currently sitting in eighth in the A-League Women, it’s important to keep in mind that they have two games in hand. The Sky Blues will be aiming to keep up the strong performances and show the country that they have what it takes to repeat the double.
On the trip away to participate in the AFC Women’s Club Championship, Juric says it was much needed, both to gain valuable experience and grow together as a team. “I think it brought cohesion on the pitch, some well-needed games. But it definitely brought some cohesion off the pitch and a bit of unity. All in all, it was a fantastic trip for us.”
A quick turnaround after a long trip home meant that Sydney only had a few sessions before facing Adelaide United. The Sky Blues boss spoke with pride of how well his team handled that transition, able to combat exhaustion to secure three points. “I am proud of their effort, their performance, and ultimately the result. So, very happy.”
Juric praised this weekend’s opponents Melbourne City who are second in the table, having won four and drawn one, saying, “They’re probably the best team in the country at the moment.” He also commented on the two clubs’ history together, remarking that they always play out good and interesting games. “We’re ready for it. We’re the champions, so we want to show people what we’re about, even this early in the competition.”
On Sydney’s game plan against Melbourne City, Juric commented when asked about possible weaknesses to exploit, “Yeah, there are (weaknesses). I won’t mention it, but they have a specific style, and in the past, certain things that we have done have worked against them.”
Although he was secretive about his team’s tactics, he made sure to emphasize the necessity of a positive mindset, both when attacking and defending. Juric was sure this game will be an entertaining one that will go down to the wire.
Unfortunately for the Sky Blues, some of the club’s stars are set to miss out on this clash, with Cortnee Vine still out due to her hamstring, captain Nat Tobin out for the season, and defender Kirsty Fenton sustaining an injury. Fenton missed last week’s matchup with Adelaide United, and will, according to Juric, likely miss out on this one, too.
Also missing out will be Lucy Johnson, who had to be taken off due to injury against Adelaide. “We do lose out, a little bit, with those players, but with the players that have come in; (Abby) Lemon, Shea (Connors), and even Indi (Dos Santos) who started the other day, have been excellent. The players come in and do the job.”
Heaping praise on players new and returning, Juric said, “These players have been exceptional. They’re still quite young, a lot of them.” Players stepping up include Connors, Lemon, and Dos Santos, as previously mentioned, alongside players like Aideen Keane and the returning Jessica Seaman. Juric was quite happy with how they have performed, even saying that it will be hard for the players they are replacing to get their spots back.
With record-breaking crowds all around this season, Sydney are hoping to recreate some of the magic of their opening round by welcoming thousands to Sydney Olympic Park. Juric spoke of the fans giving his team a lift, feeling the atmosphere, and making the players feel like true professionals. “We’ve got some big players and future Matildas within our squad, so it would be great if they would continue that support.”
Wellington Phoenix
by Ryan Miller-Woods
Despite the defeat last round against Central Coast Mariners, Wellington are still one of the in-form teams in the league and will look to bounce back from the loss with a win against Perth, who are still undefeated after five rounds and are on the top of the A-League Women’s ladder.
When asked how the team is feeling ahead of the match against Perth and the challenge that awaits, goalkeeper Rylee Foster said, “I think every game in this league is going to be a challenge for us. We are the underdogs but for us, it is relishing the opportunity. We have a short travel, they (Perth) unfortunately have a long travel. It’s going to be another game of football but we’re just focusing on ourselves and looking forward, fixing last week’s mistakes and getting after it.”
Wellington look like a different team compared to the past two seasons when they have found it hard to find a way to turn promising performances into victories. Specifically, they appear stronger and more dangerous in terms of their attacking prowess, as well as being more comfortable on the ball. Furthermore, there appears to be a lot more freedom in Wellington’s style of play, thanks in part to what head coach Paul Temple has implemented amongst the squad.
When asked what’s changed at the club and been different compared to the previous two seasons, Foster said, “Temps (Temple) has come in and brought in a new philosophy to the team, a new tactical mindset, and has got everyone onto the same page. He’s done a really good job getting it by the players, we’re all completely committed to his philosophy and his ideas. We’re seeing it now, getting results, getting three wins (in a row), and creating history for this club.”
Victory in Saturday’s Distance Derby could potentially see the Phoenix go within one point of the top of the ladder with a win, but they are up against arguably the most in-form team in the league at the moment in Perth Glory.
When asked how she’s feeling ahead of the match against Perth, midfielder Chloe Knott said, “Huge game, we’re all pretty fired up and ready to go. It’ll be cool to play against (Grace) Jale. We definitely want to go into it with our best foot forward and take control of the game.”
Jale has scored three goals in her opening five games for Perth and Wellington will need to use their inside knowledge on the New Zealand international to assist their performance. Knott was also keen to stress that one player does not decide a match, saying: “We actually don’t really look too much individually at players, it’s more the team as a whole and how we can exploit them, so not too much (on Jale) but we know a good amount about her, which will help us on the day.”
For Ben Gilby’s coverage of Perth Glory’s media conference on Wednesday with Alex Epakis and Grace Jale, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/11/22/epakis-jale-were-making-the-long-trip-to-bring-the-points-home/
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