The Marvellous year of Maja Markovski

By Kieran Yap 29/8/24

Above: Markovski celebrates one of her 20 goals this season. Photo: Bulleen Lions instagram

Maja Markovski has been one of the most entertaining and reliable forwards in Victoria’s NPLW. The league’s leading scorer spoke to Impetus about her incredible season.

It was the Nike FC Cup final, an early penalty kick to Preston Lions FC had put Bulleen on the back foot and the league leaders looked for inspiration. Up stepped Maja Markovsi and as she had all season, delivered a moment of magic.

The Bulleen forward struck a thunderous free kick that bounced off the bar before the chance was finished off by Rosie Rodger with the keeper well beaten.

Bulleen would eventually win the game 3-2 with Markovski adding another assist, but it was that free kick that turned the tide. Markovski had once again produced a moment of magic when it mattered most.

It’s been a common occurrence in 2024. She ends the home and away season with 20 goals in 20 appearances. When Bulleen needed a win to claim top spot, she delivered a long range effort that was barely believable for anybody watching on.

Since joining Bulleen Lions, Markovski has collected highlights and trophies. The 2024 premiership is her third team accolade in two seasons, with a fourth in their immediate sights. In her first season under Caitlin Friend, she was an exciting and consistent addition to a star studded squad. This year, she has simply been dominant.

It has come off the back of hard work on and off the field.

“I think like the difference between last year and this year is just the fact that I’ve been able to get myself physically fit again,” she said to Impetus.

“And honestly, a massive thing about doing so well this year as well would be the level of confidence that Caity  has instilled in me this year.

“It was difficult to come off an A-League season, where I was interrupted by injuries and things like that.

“ I think this year I kind of used it to rebuild and kind of rebrand myself.”

Markovski is the focal point of a very strong team. The experienced player in attack, both X- factor and dependable presence. It is a strange thing to say about a player long admired in Victorian football, but 2024 feels like a breakout season, for her and Bulleen.

“We started something really good in the preseason. I think we had a lot of new faces and things like that. So we built a really strong team culture.

“I think it’s really shown in the last couple of games where we’ve needed to show that we are a really good team together.”

Although Bulleen have been the league leaders for most of the season, it has not been one without challenges. There has been injuries to significant players, and while Markovski shared the attacking duties with the likes of Alana Jancevski and Beattie Goad in 2023, this season she has stepped up to become the senior figure.

At 22 years old, Markovski has had few chances to be the older player in the team, but flanked by 17 year old Alana Cortellino and 19 year old Rosie Rodger, she has enjoyed the responsibility and flourished as the experienced head in a young attack.

“I think I’ve had to probably step up a bit more this year because we don’t have like the likes of Beattie  and Jancevski.  

“We’ve had Alana, who’s super young 17. And then even on that left side, we’ve had a mix of players, but they’ve all been super young as well, so I’ve kind of had to lead the line from the front this year, and not kind of rely on other players.

“It’s been a good change.

“When players kind of look to me for some inspiration in the game, or to make something happen, and then it kind of gets them going as well, I’ve definitely enjoyed it.”

Markovski has been more than a human highlight reel in 2024. She drops deep to link play, holds the ball up with her back to goal and can be found dashing down either flank. It makes her a nightmare for defenders to track and in full flight, the tall striker is as quick as any winger.

She is a famous celebrator too. It is obvious that she loves a goal and wants to bring as many people into the jubilation as possible. After taking the lead in the Golden Boot race in round 22, she did not stop at her teammates. After breaking free of the mob of Bulleen players, she raced to the sideline to embrace a group of fans, and then the club’s coaching staff.

These moments, hide a humility too. She views goalscoring as her job and responsibility, would prefer to finish off a team move than score an banger and in both the Nike FC Cup final and after scoring the rocket against Alamein, her reaction was unusually muted.

“I think in the Cup  game I don’t know, It was a bit anticlimactic when I saw it hit the crossbar, then bounce down and then we scored,  I was like, ‘Okay, sweet.’

“It was kind of like more relief.

“It was the same type of vibe in the Alamein game. I think like I’d had a couple of shots that hit the crossbar, and things weren’t kind of going my way. When I got that in, it was just relief.”

In former Victory striker Caitlin Friend, Markovsi has found a mentor that trusts her in the big moments and seems to build game plans around putting her In those positions. Her form this season has been undeniable and exciting to watch, but Markovski says it is also a result of the culture around the team.

“I’m playing with a lot of confidence this year and and I guess in like big moments where there’s pressure, I kind of use that to fuel me.

“I want to be the game changer. You know, I want to win the game for the girls. So I think like that pressure and having that on my back like I’ve just really enjoyed it, and just try to thrive off it.”

There are chances for more of those moments in the coming weeks. Bulleen play in a semi-final against a resurgent Heidelberg this weekend as they hunt for a third trophy of 2024.

“I don’t think we have to change too much to be honest,” says Markovski of the upcoming match

“I think we’ve been really good this year and stepping up in big games.

“So I think if we just play our game and not focus too much on the opposition, and you know we put our best foot forward, I think we’ll do really well.”

It promises to be an exciting match, and with the Golden Boot winner leading the line, Bulleen are every chance to go through.

But no matter how this season ends it has been a sensational one for Maja Markovski. We are near the end of the season, but it still looks like this is only the beginning of a very promising career.

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Are Arsenal’s Additions: enough to catch Chelsea?

By Isabelle Campbell 29/8/25

Above: Mariona Caldentey. Photo: Arsenal Football Club

Arsenal have been busy this transfer window and have increased their chances of catching Chelsea at the top. Isabelle Campbell looks at the impact the new arrivals can have.

With the first matches of the 24/25 Women’s Super League season just around the corner, Arsenal Women are gearing up for what fans hope will be an ambitious campaign following a disappointing third-place finish in the previous season.

Club manager Jonas Eidevall has brought in a handful of strategic signings handpicked to elevate his club’s performance. As the club looks to challenge for both domestic and European honours, these new additions are positioned to make an impact.

From filling holes left by departures to strengthening key positions and adding further depth and experience, Arsenal’s acquisitions in this transfer window reveal their drive to return to the peak of women’s football.

An exciting start

Arsenal Women began the transfer window by securing the services of World Cup winning Spanish forward Mariona Caldentey, a decisive move in their quest for success. The signing of the 28-year-old signals a significant step forward for the English club, as they aim to enhance their offensive capabilities and compete at the highest levels of women’s football.


Caldentey’s arrival at the club marks a crucial move in filling the space left by the recent departure of WSL top goal scorer Vivianne Miedema. While both players excel in creating scoring opportunities, they exhibit distinct styles of play. Miedema, well-known as a central striker, is notorious for her precision and positioning in front of goal.

In contrast, Caldentey’s versatility allows her to shine as both a winger and in a deeper supporting position. Despite the challenge of filling Miedema’s shoes, Caldentey’s diverse skill set and expertise in the forward line offer a promising solution to maintaining and possibly enhancing Arsenal’s offensive capabilities.
Caldentey’s versatility along the forward line is a significant asset for any team she plays for.

Capable of playing as a central striker, a winger, or in a supporting attacking role, she offers head coach Jonas Eidevall a considerable level of tactical flexibility. This versatility allows Eidevall to utilise her strategically based on any opposition’s weaknesses, providing Arsenal with multiple dimensions in their attacking approach.

Taking a glance back at Mariona Caldentey’s trophy-laden 10-year stretch with European women’s football giants FC Barçelona Femeni and impressive history with the Spanish Women’s National Team is all the proof necessary to see the winning mentality and ability she possesses.

Boasting a hugely impressive personal trophy case including but by no means limited to six Liga F titles, three UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues, and of course the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Caldentey’s winning mentality brings a proven track record of success to Arsenal Women.

Arsenal Women faced several challenges last season, but one of their most notable struggles was a lack of converting scoring opportunities into goals. While they possessed a strong attacking lineup, there were often times when they struggled to break through opposing teams playing in a low block and capitalising on their chances when in possession.

Caldentey could be the perfect solution to this problem, having frequently been described as a creative player and often making unpredictable movements making her difficult to mark in and around the box.


Her arrival at Arsenal Women marks a significant growing point in the team’s attacking capabilities, tactical adaptability, and competitive drive. As a player, she not only fills a significant gap in the squad but also positions the club strongly for success in both the domestic league and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Can the Spaniard help in securing the North London club some silverware next season? No one can say for certain however it would be fair to say that this coming season, there will be plenty of eyes on Mariona Caldentey, Arsenal Women’s new number eight.

A new number 1?

The second and highly anticipated signing made by the club is that of Dutch goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar, a position that fans have been vocal about wanting the club to improve upon. Van Domselaar arrives with an impressive portfolio at both club level and on the international stage, which suggests the potential impact she can make at Arsenal. Her times at both FC Twente in the Eredivisie and more recently, Aston Villa in the WSL have helped to establish the goalkeeper as one of Europe’s rising talents.


Van Domselaar has consistently excelled throughout her club career, praised highly for her decisive saves and strong presence in the penalty area. Her skill in directing defensive play and maintaining control has earned acclaim from coaches, teammates, and fans alike, giving her the status of one of the league’s top upcoming goalkeepers.

On the international stage, Van Domselaar has quickly made herself indispensable to the Dutch national team, OranjeLeeuwinnen. She played a pivotal role in their campaign during the 2022 Women’s Euros, where her performances were instrumental in helping her nation reach the quarter-final.

This experience in a high-pressure tournament is an invaluable skill to the Arsenal squad, particularly as they read themselves for a season that will potentially hold multiple European challenges in the Champions League.
Van Domselaar’s agility and sharp reflexes make her a dynamic presence in goal.

Her ability to read the game and execute strategic distribution will also greatly help with build-up play and overall opportunity-creating moments. Daphne’s addition is likely to be a motivational push for current first-choice keeper Manuela Zinsberger as she is faced with a young new teammate fighting for the same position.

To put it simply, Daphne van Domselaar’s signing for Arsenal Women is a massive move for the club. Her career, though only short so far, is undoubtedly impressive and brings a level of skill and youth that will be crucial to the club’s quest for silverware in the upcoming season.

An addition of youth

The final signing of this transfer window comes in the form of Swedish international Rosa Kafaji. Kafaji brings fresh energy and talent to the squad. Known for her fearlessness on the pitch and clear-cut attacking instincts, the 21-year-old is expected to make an immediate impact on the team’s front line.

Her ability to operate both as a central striker and a wide forward adds valuable versatility, giving manager Jonas Eidevall more tactical options to play with. Able to play comfortably as both a central striker and a wide forward, she brings flexibility in tactical options for Jonas Eidevall and allows Arsenal to change their attacking approaches based on the opposition they are facing.

One of Kafaji’s most commended traits in her gameplay is her technical skill on the ball particularly in tight spaces. Her ability to discover and exploit gaps in a defensive line will be significant for Arsenal, especially in breaking down teams playing in a low block. With Rosa on the pitch, Arsenal should be able to play more fluidly in their attacking play, hopefully leading to more shots finding the back of the net.

Kafaji’s signing presents more than just an addition of skill, but a strategic move by the club to invest in the future of their squad. At only 21 years old, Kafaji possesses both future potential and current readiness that can be built upon and affect both the present and future of the team.

Her youth and ambition are the perfect fit for Arsenal’s long-term plans, as she has the capacity to develop into a key player in years to come.

All in all Rosa Kafaji’s signing brings a level of versatility and depth to the Arsenal Women’s team. Her addition has the potential to boost the team’s attacking capabilities and overall performance, making Arsenal a more threatening contender across all competitions.
Will this be enough to catch the champions?

Will it be enough?

Now to take a look at the signings in direct comparison to that of Arsenal Women’s top competition, 23/24 league champions Chelsea and their runners-up Manchester City.

Both rivals have strengthened in the off season, with each grabbing the headlines with an early major signing each. Chelsea Women have added to their squad, England right-back Lucy Bronze with City adding Vivianne Miedema.

Having just completed two hugely successful seasons with Barçelona Femeni, in which she helped as they went on to win just about every piece of silverware they played for, Bronze brings an invaluable level of experience.

As the team looks to extend their WSL winning streak as well as fight for European success, will Lucy Bronze be able to play a role in helping them reach these goals?

The league runner-up Manchester City, fought long and hard to the very last day of the season where they ultimately fell just short of the first-place spot. With the title place coming down to goal difference, City have sought out and acquired the all-time leading goalscorer for the WSL and former Arsenal player, Vivianne Miedema.

Adding Miedema to the already formidable forward line including the likes of Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Mary Fowler, Chloe Kelly, and Lauren Hemp shows the desire to create even more attacking play moments for the team.

Arsenal have undoubtedly strengthened their squad and targeted problem areas however the signings made by Chelsea and Manchester City hint at an intense battle ahead for the top spot.

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Bulleen complete victory lap to celebrate top spot

Bulleen Lions 8-0 Calder United

By Joe Rosedon 26/8/24

Premier winners Bulleen complete victory lap against relegation threatened Calder. Four goals from a sensational Maja Markovski alongside a double from Nia Salleh and goals from Lourdes Gonazalez and Yuka Sato completed the rout. 

Gonzalez opened the scoring for the champions, after a well worked short corner ended up at the feet of Gonzalez. She used her body well to turn her marker and curled the ball home from inside the box. 

Markovski was next on the score sheet only four minutes later. Bulleen were able to win the ball back deep in Calder’s half. Rosie Rodger slipped an excellent ball into Markovski who poked the ball underneath an onrushing Natalie Picak to double the home side’s advantage. 

The goal scoring floodgates were well and truly opened in the second half, their third goal coming just after the resumption of the game. Alana Cortellino was able to whip the ball into the box from the byline towards Salleh. Salleh first attempt was saved but a kind rebound gave her a simple finish to make it three

Salleh bagged her second and Bullen’s fourth in spectacular fashion. An audacious effort straight from a corner kick that neither Picak or the Calder defence could deal with, the ball flew into the net.

For the remained of the game, it was the Markovski show. Sheturned provider for the fifth goal. Again, Calder did themselves no favours giving the ball away in dangerous areas. This time, Alana Burn won the ball back and found Markovski on the left-hand side. Markovski fashioned space in the box and cut the ball back to Sato to fire home.

Markovski added a sixth after good work from Salleh from the right. Her cross was pushed out by Picak to Cortellino on the opposing wing. Western United’s new signing had plenty of time at the back post to find Markovski to hammer the ball into the roof of the net. 

Her hattrick goal and Bulleen’s seventh was soon to follow. Salleh’s corner was headed by an unmarked Markovski in the six-yard box. Her initial header was saved but tapped in the follow up to make it seven.

But she was not finished just yet. Markovski isolated Maia Heysen and drove at her with real intent. After escaping the defender, her first attempt was well saved by Picak. However,she capitalised on a dawdling defence to get to the ball first and get her fourth and Bullen’s eighth goal of the game. 

This result concluded an excellent season for Bulleen. They next face Essendon who were the only team to beat Bulleen twice in the regular season.

Calder finish the season rock bottom of the league and now face relegation just two years after being winning the Grand Final.

Nottingham Forest Triumph over Sporting Khalsa in their first home game of the season.

Nottingham Forest 7-0 Sporting Khalsa

by Freya Ward at The City Ground for Impetus (25/8/24).

Above: The city ground- new home of Forest women Photo: Aimee Reynolds- Impetus

Today saw Nottingham Forest Women play the first of all their Home League games in the 24/25 campaign at the City Ground. The Reds put on a show for the fans in a 7-0 win over Sporting Khalsa continuing their positive run, which they started in the opening week of the season in a 3-0 victory over Stoke City, with such a dominant performance.

Forest were the stronger side from the first kick of the ball, instantaneously putting pressure on the visitors, just five minutes into the game Khalsa’s defence was tested by an attacking run of play resulting in a goal-line scramble from the hosts- but ultimately Khalsa’s defence came out on top. The Reds continued to pile the pressure on-winning themselves the first corner of the game, but it was nothing that debutant Elise Stocking couldn’t handle from between the sticks.

This positive run of play continued into the 20th minute where Sophie Domingo broke the deadlock, slotting the ball straight past Stocking and into the back of the net. The visitor’s backline quickly turned things around though, dealing with an incredible attempt that came from linkup play between Freya Thomas and Mel Johnson just a couple of minutes later, which made doubling their lead seem almost certain for the home side. Fortunatley for the reds they did infact double their lead 10 minutes later with a Rocket of a ball plummeting straight into the back of the net from Thomas.

For the remainder of the first half the visitors managed to slow Forests momentum down keeping the scoreline at a managable 2-0 going into the second half.

Forest started the second half with serious momentum with a ball from Mel Johnson narrowly missing the post, unfortunately for Khalsa it wasn’t long before Forests tested their defence again, resulting in an own goal for Szymkowiak as she tried to cut the ball across the box, just five minutes into the half.

The home side continued to keep possession of the ball, and with plenty of opportunities being created, it took the Reds only 10 more minutes to find their next goal- centre-back Mollie Green Rocketed the ball from outside the box straight into the top right corner, almost certainly securing the three points for Forest. The home side made a triple substitution to keep their momentum – this worked wonders for the Reds with the next goal coming from Holly Manders fresh off the bench.

Above: Forest’s third goalscorer of the day Mollie Green. Photo: Aimee Reynolds for Impetus.

Charlie Wellings opened up her account for the day with Forests sixth of the afternoon, with just 10 minutes to go, although the scoreline was getting heavier for Khalsa they didn’t go down without a fight, Forest’s entire frontline all seemed to touch the ball in a scramble at an open goal but the visitors dealt with it incredibly and kept the scoreline as it was.

Capitalising on this defensive win, Khalsa managed to gain their first opportunity of the game, weaving the ball through forests defence – who were caught off guard. It seemed as though the scoreline could well and truly have a slightly more positive ending for Khalsa but the ball left Walker’s foot awkwardly and skied over the bar, the offside flag was quick to follow regardless.

Forest finished the game with one final press in the 88th minute, Bridget galloway provided an absolute masterclass on the ball, back-heeling it to Sophie Domingo who played it back to Galloway just inside the box where she was able to fire the ball into the back of the net for forests seventh and final goal of the afternoon.

Teams: NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Batty, Harkin, N.Johnson, Longhurst, Domingo, M.Johnson, Wellings, Green, Thomas, Hamilton, Chandarana. Substitutes used: Galloway, Manders, Dungate, James, Sims.

SPORTING KHALSA: Stocking, Green, Thompson-Moulding, Smith, Cann, Walker, Brett, Szymkowiak, Russell-Cartwrite, Redding, Deaville. Substitutes used: Davies, Acton, Austin-Short, Hare, Robinson.

Scorers: Domingo 18′, Thomas 30′, Szymkowiak (OG) 50′, Green 61′, Manders 69′, Wellings 77′, Galloway 88′.

Referee: Ethan Nundy

Attendance: TBC

Asian Champions League presents serious challenges for part time players

By Kieran Yap 23/8/24

Photo: AFC Invitational winners in 2024. Photo via FIFPRO report.

Amid the excitement surrounding the launch of the Women’s Asian Champions League lies a harsh reality. As things stand now, it may not be the best thing for the players.

On the surface, it feels like the right step. A Women’s Champions League provides an opportunity for clubs to aim for more than just domestic silverware, and it means that players who may not be in a national team can still play at a higher level. However, a report commissioned by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania assessed the experiences of 88 players who took part in last year’s invitational tournament.  The results are cause for concern.

What it reveals is that based on that pilot tournament, international club competition poses challenges for the players on an individual and collective level

-Less than two thirds (62%) identified as professional players.

-Less than half earned over $10,000 USD annually from football

-25% of players indicated that football was not their primary source of income

-Over half reported that the AWCC disrupted their domestic league seasons, with some players facing financial losses due to conflicts with non-football employment.

-Despite satisfactory accommodation, concerns were raised regarding local transport, high performance facilities and overall tournament readiness. 27% rated the local transport as poor, and 23% reported excessive strain from the tournament format.

Most concerning is that 39% of players who participated in the pilot tournament earn less than $5000 USD from football. While there is prize money available in The Champions League, it does feel like those players all of whom are dedicating at least 10 hours a week to football are at a disadvantage when it comes to winning it.

While women’s football is booming in interest throughout the world, and the AFC is correct in it’s aim to grow the sport in Asia, it is not sustainable or fair to do this to the detriment of the players.

In the case of an Australian team, (last year it was Sydney FC, this year it will be Melbourne City), the relatively higher wages guaranteed in the A-League Women do not make them immune.

More than half of the A-League Women players work a second job outside of football. Midweek fixtures are not only disruptive for the tournament, but cause a ripple effect of rescheduling later in the season.

Combined with the potential of international call-ups, the rescheduling has the ability to compound the workload and injury risk to players.

Only 39% of players felt physically prepared for the tournament, and 23% rated the condensed group format as one that neared “excessive strain.”

To  make matters worse, all of this effort, travel and financial sacrifice was for a tournament that almost had no winner. The AFC called off the final due to domestic scheduling issues between the two finalists.

Eventually, the final between Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels and Uruwa Red Diamonds was held at the insistence of the clubs. But the feeling that the tournament was not taken seriously by the AFC organizers could not really be shaken.

If the AFC is to take heed of the issues raised by player remains to be seen, and things could improve when the 2024/25 edition of the tournament begins, but for that to happen things need to change urgently. Not everything can be fixed, but everything that can be fixed should be.

The report highlights communication between the AFC and the clubs as a key issue. Scheduling challenges and confusion around the final could gave been avoided with improved communication between the federation, clubs and players.

Collaboration is crucial rather than a top down decision making process. This will ensure that the competition provides the maximum benefit to all stakeholders and results in a better product.

81% of players that participated in the pilot tournament said that players should have more say in AFC decisions such as the structure, scheduling and financial elements.

Greater consultation would identify areas where the competition regulations imported from the men’s version are not appropriate or realistic to impose on part time athletes in a still developing game. In future additions, the tournament format or timing may need to change, and only ongoing consultation with the players will provide the best answers to this.

If done correctly, there is every chance that the Women’s Asian Champions League will be a great success and help grow the game in new ways. However, if the future editions of the tournament press ahead without acknowledging the ways it must be improved upon, the players will suffer, and the competition could become increasingly difficult, dangerous or even unsustainable for clubs and individuals.

Read the full FIFPRO report here.

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Olympics Team of the Tournament.

By Emmanuel Faith 22/8/24

Above: Trinity Rodman. Photo: USWNT

While the Olympics wrapped up a week ago, a lot of us are still basking in the lovely memories it gave us. From Emma Hayes first medal with the USA team to Marta’s legendary departure from football, there are lot to reminisce about this magnificenttournament. 

In this article, I will be taking a stab at the team of the tournament. To give a fair chance to all the performers, I will also be adding a section for substitutes.

Let’s see if you’d agree with my team.

Formation: 4-2-3-1: 

Goalkeeper

Alyssa Naeher

This was a tough call between Ann-Katrin Berger whose heroic penalty saves was crucial to the Germans getting Bronze, and the USA legendary goal-keeper who put up a player of the tournament performance in the final with four crucial saves to ensure her team won their first Olympics gold in 12 years. If the trio of Smith, Swanson and Rodman got USA to the finals, then Naeher won them the gold.

Defenders

Centre Backs

Naomi Girma:  USA. 

A lot of people have credited Naomi Girma for her sturdy defensive traits, in fact, Emma Hayes called her the best defender she has ever coached, however another major trait that Girma adds to the US team is her ability to start the ball-play from the back.

This help soak in pressure, draw out opponents and create space for runners like Rodman and Dunn to exploit.

Tarciane: Brazil.

Again, this was another difficult decision between German’s Marina Hegerin and Brazil’s Tarciane. In fact, Canada’s Vanessa Giles’ caught my attention with her determined resilience and her crucial goals against France and Colombia but Tarciane gets the nod. 

Despite the fact that Brazil conceded a couple goals, the youngster’s leadership at the back was pivotal when Brazil was under-pressure. She made some crucial blocks against Nigeria and France ensuring they maintained their narrow lead that put them on the path to the final.

Guess what? Two years ago, she was one of the stars of the U-20 tournament that I spotlighted and predicted an amazing career trajectory for; present-day, she is an Olympics silver-winning player at 21. 

Full-Backs

Guilia Gwinn: Germany.

Two goals, two assists and a lot of dangerous set-pieces, Gwinn was reliable for Germany both as a defender and attacker. The multi-dimensional player was a key reason why the German team looked so revitalized after a disappointing outing last year. 

Gwinn was everywhere for the Germans, thwarting the opponent’s attack while creating opportunities for her team-mates. 

Emily Fox: USA

Another tough choice between Emily Fox and Crystal Dunnbut the formal gets the slot. From playing with so much grace and gait to nullifying attacks and almost bodying wingers with her physicality, Fox was a great compliment to Girma’sdefensive sturdiness and also created a perfect link-up with Trinity Rodman on the Left-wing. 

Midfielders

In a tournament where people expected the winners of the last three Ballon D’or winners- Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellasto shine, it was the regular players like Ludmila, Brand, Abiodun, Buhl and others that took the stage. 

Ludmila Da Silva: Brazil

Although she played as a midfielder, Ludmila’s energy spread through the whole team. She was a thorn in the flesh of every team she played against and was pivotal to the second half dominance Brazil had over Spain. Let’s not forget how dangerous she was against the United States and how she threatened for 60 minutes until she was substituted.

Jule Brand: Germany. 

For Germany, Brand reminded the world how talented she was and showed her team what made her special. Her third goal against Australia secured their win, and sleeky passes, timely interceptions, and quick feet was a delicious spice to the German’s talent-laden midfield.

Attackers

This was the most difficult to select as it was the tournament where all the attackers showed up for the country. USA’s ‘trident’ came up clutch while Antoinette Katoto and Barbra Banda performed above their xG despite their countries’ disappointing outing. Below is my final four selection.

Sophia Smith: USA.

After a disappointing World Cup Performance, three goals and one assist in the Olympics was a great way to make a comeback. Forming a crucial partnership with the Swanson and Rodman, her crucial goal against Germany ensured that Emma Hayes team had the chance to fight for Gold. 

Barbara Banda: Zambia

Now, before you begin to wonder, scoring four goals in two games against Germany and Australia is no easy feat, and scoring three hat-tricks in five Olympic matches, is a record people will be fighting to break. Despite the extremely disappointing performance, especially the loss to Australia, Banda will walk into the attack of any team at the Olympics, and surely deserved a slot in my team of the tournament.

Trinity Rodman: USA

Megan Rapinoe’s mood below was our mood when Rodman scored that sumptuous goal against Japan. Three goals and one assist, a lot of defensive work, and some delicious dribbling on the right flank made Rodman a delight to watch throughout the tournament. At 22, the sky is just the beginning for what the Californian-born youngster can achieve in the world of football. 

Mallory Swanson: USA

This was a really difficult choice till the last second. Even as I type, I am wondering if I should replace ‘Mallory’ with ‘Marie’. Marie-Antoinette Katoto had a awe-inspiring tournament, scoring two braces in four matches against Colombia and New-Zealand, but Swanson’s performance at the Olympics reminded us of what the US was missing at the FIFA World Cup last year.

Her perfectly timed run and beautiful goal against Brazil won’t be forgotten by the Americans, and the world anytime soon. 

Substitutes:

Goal Keeper: Ann-Katrin Berger

Defenders: Crystal Dunn, Hendrich

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun, Khlara Buhl
Attackers: Marie-Anne Katoto

Do you agree with my team of the tournament? Share your thoughts below.

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