Above:Caitlin Doeglas, who scored one and created several other great opportunities for Western Australia today – seen in this image in action for Perth RedStar this season. Photo: Denyse RM Photography.
A Western Australia team drawn from the NPLW WA claimed a superb victory over Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens this afternoon.
Whilst the A-League Women side had the bulk of possession and shots on goal, it was the WA state team who showed the greater ability at putting the ball in the net when rare chances came for them.
Allied to this was a superbly well-organised defence, whereKim McCartney and Matilda Bohm were excellent, with Alex Poad, Sofie Osborne, and Alyssa van Heurck also putting in a great shift. Dayle Schroeder and Beck Bennett did everything asked of them in goal as well.
The Glory squad contained four starters who had played NPLW WA football (three in 2025) and a further five on the bench. The WA state team started with four who had played A-League Women minutes for Perth in the past.
One of those Glory alumni in the WA side, Abbey Green was on it from the start, forcing a corner after a trademark run down the flank in the opening minute.
It was one of Stephen Peters’ close-season signings, Rola Badawiya who created the A-League Women side’s first chance with seven minutes on the clock. The attacker showed a superb ability in stepping round the WA defence and fired in a powerful shot that Dayle Schroeder pushed onto the bar.
As the half developed, Glory’s talented midfield began to stamp their authority on proceedings. Tijan McKenna and Susan Phonsongkham were shifting positions across the middle third and producing both intelligent runs and probing passes. Julia Sardo, newly arrived from Western United also became more influential on the right as the half wore on.
Perth created back-to-back opportunities just before the half hour. First, Grace Johnston threaded a perfectly weighted ball through, but just as Badawiya was about to pull the trigger, Sofie Osborne put in a superb tackle to deny the former Central Coast Mariners striker.
Then, Phonsongkham cut in from the right and rifled in a shot that cannoned up off the top of the bar.
With 35 played, Sardo ran up the right before squaring for Izzy Dalton in the centre, on the edge of the box. The Glory captain fed a pass through for Phonsongkham, but her low shot was saved by Schroeder.
Then, with four minutes left on the half, Green did brilliantly to keep the ball in on the WA left and played a perfect pass up the line for Jamie-Lee Gale who looked to burst between Glory keeper Jess Skinner and defender Mischa Anderson, but was felled with a penalty awarded.
Up stepped Caitlin Doeglas to give the State team the lead with a powerful shot into the bottom left corner. It was just about the first shot WA had in the half, but it was a superbly placed spot kick.
Glory looked to rally before the interval, with Dalton seeing an effort go just wide of the right-hand post, and Johnston’s long-range effort on the left was pushed out by Schroeder.
It was WA who earned the first chance of the second half when Doeglas’ strong running saw her hold off Anderson before hitting a shot that Jess Skinner held.
Bennett was on in place of Schroeder in goal, and the Balcatta Etna custodian showed her worth twice in a matter of minutes just before the hour mark when she saved from O’Donoghue and Anderson.
With 17 minutes remaining, Zogg dived in feet first to be just centimetres away from connecting with Johnston’s curled free-kick from the left.
Doeglas continued to be a thorn in the Glory’s side when the opportunity arose, and Skinner was called into action to deny her lofted shot.
The longer the half went on, the fewer clear-cut chances Perth were able to create. Western Australia pulled all 11 behind the ball, and the A-League Women side could not find a way to break through.
Indeed, it was the state team who had the game’s final two opportunities. First, Doeglas played in Renee Leota who hit a powerful effort that Skinner repelled magnificently with her right hand.
Then, in stoppage time at the end, Sam Mathers found room on the left to play in Leota and the NPLW WA top scorer shot strongly into the net from a tight angle to put the icing on the cake for the state team.
Western Australia had a lot to be proud of. The performance was well-organised, disciplined, and hard-working.
This was a frustrating afternoon for Perth Glory. They showed their promise in terms of creativity, on another day they could have scored a hatful – but there remains work to do in terms of turning those chances into goals.
Teams: WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Schroeder, Bohm, McCartney, van Heurck, Foletta, Osborne, McAllister, Poad, Gale, Green, Doeglas. Substitutes: Bennett (GK for Schroeder 46′), Collinson (for Poad 72′), Flannery (for Green 72′), Leota (for Gale 66′), Kiama (for Foletta 66′), Meakins, Mathers (for McAllister 46′).
Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross in action as a second-half substitute against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday. Photo: Arsenal Women.
Arsenal’s start to the season has seen four points dropped to top four rivals Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as being frustrated at home by Aston Villa, and defeat in the opening game of their Champions League defence to Olympique Lyonnes. A lack of pace in build-ups and problems beating ultra-high presses have been a key part of this. Yet Renée Slegers has a player whose very raison d’êtrecan solve both problems.
The 23-year-old is a player that Impetus‘ team of writers have been following closely since her debut as a 15-year-old in what was then the W-League. It was clear from those embryonic days that here was a youngster who could have the world at her feet – (https://impetusfootball.org/2023/09/23/the-stations-of-the-cooney-cross/).
Now, two of our editors examine exactly what the Matilda can bring to the table with more game time, as well as the potential knock-on impact for those around her in the team’s midfield.
Urgency, set-piece mayhem, and the X-Factor
by Ben Gilby
Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross during her cameo for Arsenal against Olympique Lyonnes. Photo: Arsenal Women.
At their best, Arsenal are a fluid attacking machine that the best of defences cannot stop. However, over the last month or so, the midfield has found it challenging to generate pace to deliver incisive attacks and play killer balls to the strike force.
The Gunners have found it exceptionally difficult to break through the shackles of a high-press – both Aston Villa and Olympique Lyonnes applied it superbly. The consequence was a lack of urgency coming forward, and a tendency to play sideways and backwards, looking to create space, with wide players having limited possession, and when the likes of Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly did receive the ball, they found themselves swallowed up immediately.
Cooney-Cross has all the tools in her bag to unlock these problems. The Australian has always had exceptional close control, and over the course of her time in England, has developed this ability with pace. It means that the former Melbourne Victory and Hammarby star knows nothing other than to take on players directly who are looking to deny her space, and she has the footwork to escape from these tight corners.
Whilst Renee Slegers is going to stick with Kim Little in the Gunners’ midfield, when the North Londoners are finding it hard to create space and urgency, the call needs to come to Cooney-Cross to come on and change the game.
The Herston-born star is a player who needs a good chunk of time on the pitch to operate. She isn’t going to do it in the last five minutes or so. Give Cooney-Cross at least half an hour off the bench, and the influence will come to the boil, and have the space to run, stretch the midfield, find the passes, and hit a few of those long-range rockets that she’s known for.
Against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, Cooney-Cross showed exactly what she can do with an increased amount of game time. There were 25 minutes of regulation time (and a huge chunk of injury time) for her to weave her magic. An Arsenal side who were finding it hard to replicate the pace and rapid passing that gave them an early lead suddenly could move the ball again. Brighton were not able to maintain as much control on the play in the middle third as Cooney-Cross took them on in one-on-one duels and spread the focus of attack to those outside her.
Above: Preparing to perform – Kyra Cooney-Cross on Sunday against Brighton and Hove Albion. Photo: Arsenal Women.
While Kyra Cooney-Cross has shown she deserves far more playing time for Arsenal, her inclusion inevitably comes at the cost of another midfielder’s minutes. With Kim Little, Frida Maanum, Victoria Pelova, and Mariona Caldentey all competing with the Australian for a starting spot in Renée Sleger’s midfield, the question isn’t whether Cooney-Cross is good enough — it’s who makes way.
The most logical answer, at least long-term, seems to be Kim Little.
Little has been the heartbeat of the club for over a decade as the captain, tempo-setter, and one of the most consistent performers in the WSL. But as she nears the end of her career, transitioning into a Cooney-Cross-centered midfield may be just the thing Arsenal need to find their spark this season.
Where Little is a stabilizer, Cooney-Cross is an energizer. Little calms the chaos; Cooney-Cross thrives in it. Arsenal have been slow to find their rhythm and identity as they started this season, and they may need more of the latter.
Little’s skills lie in her ability to read play, dictate tempo, and position herself and her teammates smartly. But Arsenal’s recent inconsistency has exposed the need for more drive through the midfield.
That’s where Cooney-Cross shines, playing with urgency: pressing high, breaking lines with expert through-balls, and shifting momentum from defense to attack with her signature skill of intercepting attacks and quickly carrying the ball up the field in a driving counter-attack.
This decision would not be an easy one, as Little remains one of the most intelligent and respected midfielders in the league. While her scoring record has waned recently– scoring just two goals in each of the past two seasons– her leadership and decision-making remain invaluable.
For Cooney-Cross to take over Little’s role, she would need to expand her attacking influence. She’s shown flashes of it, but to start for Arsenal in the most important matches, the Australian will need to improve her confidence and consistency in front of net.
Cooney-Cross has already proven she can thrive at the highest level. Alongside Katrina Gorry, Australia’s midfield for the past few years, and during their remarkable 2023 World Cup run, was built around Cooney-Cross. Her calm under pressure, the range of passing, and an ability to control games against elite opposition all prove that she is ready for more.
With the Asian Cup approaching, Cooney-Cross is again expected to be the focal point for the Matildas. Yet it raises a fair question: how sustainable is it for a national team to build around a player who isn’t playing regularly at club level?
In Cooney-Cross’s third season now at Arsenal, her youth is no longer an acceptable excuse for her lack of playing time and responsibility. She should be a player in her prime, not one on the bench. Unfortunately, not everyone can be on the field at once. Regardless of what transpires this season, some players are going to have to draw the short straw. Australian fans will hope that it isn’t Cooney-Cross for much longer.
Above: Seeing the 32 shirt on the pitch more for Arsenal could well have major benefits for the North London side. Photo: Ben Gilby.
Above: Arsenal Women head coach Renée Slegers in the media conference on Wednesday. Image: Arsenal.
By Isabelle Campbell (16/10/25)
Ahead of their trip to Lisbon, Arsenal Women held a press conference with head coach Renée Slegers and defender Emily Fox to discuss their upcoming Champions League match against Benfica.
Arsenal Women return to Champions League action on Thursday night looking to build on last season’s historic European triumph in Lisbon. Both Arsenal and Benfica have had difficult starts to this year’s group stage, with early leads slipping away in opening losses, making Thursday’s clash a crucial opportunity for both sides to claim their first points.
Benfica are known for their aggressive and intense style, combining tactical discipline with a strong psychological edge. Arsenal’s aim is to meet that intensity while maintaining control throughout the match.
“They’ll be intense from that perspective as well. They believe in what they’re doing. We’re going to play at a big stadium, we’re going to have a crowd, and we have fans coming too, which is great. We expect a lot of intensity in the game, which we want to match.” Slegers said.
Arsenal head into the game after a 1-0 WSL win over Brighton, a result that offered a solid foundation and a touch of confidence. “It was all about the three points, and we got them together. We’ve had a really productive review with the players since then. We’ve been working hard preparing for Benfica.”
Benfica’s tactical flexibility poses a unique challenge, with tight spaces and quick pressure expected. “Sometimes spaces get really tight and it gets really intense. That’s going to be our challenge, to keep spaces big and be really good in the spaces when they get tight.”
The club also celebrated a proud milestone this week as academy graduate Katie Reid earned her first senior England call-up.
“She’s young, but very mature. She has a growth mindset, she wants to learn every day, she’s very humble, very hardworking,” Slegers said of the young defender. “She’s gone all the way through the academy and now she’s got her first senior call-up. She should be very proud, and we’re proud as a club.”
Meanwhile England Captain, Leah Williamson is making encouraging progress in her injury recovery, having just completed her first session back on the pitch, Slegers said. “Exact timeline we’ll have to see day by day, week by week, but we hope to see her back before Christmas. That would be great.”
On the tactical side, the team continues to focus on playing with forward intent, embracing bravery on the ball to avoid inviting pressure and to create opportunities higher up the pitch. “We’re such a good team on the ball, we want to be brave on the ball. We want to have forward intent, we want to give options going forward.”
Despite their status as defending Champions League winners, Arsenal remain grounded. “We wear that with pride. But you need to be very, very humble for the change that happens and for the opponents that you’re going to face. You have to work really hard, and that’s what we know we’ll have to do tomorrow as well.”
Arsenal Women face Benfica on Thursday at 8pm BST in Lisbon.
Above:Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters talking to the media at today’s season launch event. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters has underlined how continuity and a specific focus on beating the side’s difficulties on the road can be the springboard to ending the club’s long absence from Finals football.
Speaking today at the Western Australian side’s season launch event in Kings Park, Peters said: “The continuity from last season is great. Essentially, we had our team picked from June, so I only had one or two spots to choose from then, which was a pretty unique spot for us to be in, and that’s put us in good stead. We’ve got to address the away form first, but if we can do that, we are a Finals team.”
With the majority of last season’s squad returning, including a good number of locally produced players, and most of the new arrivals finalised ahead of pre-season training, it has led to a stability, unlike the vast majority of recent campaigns that saw new arrivals arriving throughout the build-up to the season.
“Players know what they are walking into,” Peters emphasised. “When you have mass changes, it’s like little ecosystems within ecosystems that you have got to address, so this time, it’s easier, more tangible.”
The Glory boss went into detail about how he and his staff have been focusing on how the team can improve its away record, which saw them fail to win outside of Perth last season.
“It’s a mentality. It’s always been just accepted that it’s a difficult thing, but the reality is we have to fight for points away as much as we do at home. We have to address that.
“The key part that we’ve looked to address is that we have to have more options to pick from, so we can manage players’ loads a bit more and have rotation for different games. I know we only play one game a week, but given the travel that the players go through, it’s probably an important step for us.
Above: Charli Wainwright, (left) in action for Perth Glory last season. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
“We were previously doing train and travel. We changed that at the latter end of last season when we trained the night before and travelled fresh, and we’ll stick with that to start with, and hopefully that will give us a good outcome.”
Glory’s head coach also highlighted another aspect of the travel that has a big impact on his side, and that of Wellington Phoenix – the league’s two outlying sides.
“When we went to Wellington, we copped an absolute barrage, and when they came to us, I remember speaking to Paul Temple (the then Nix head coach) afterwards and he talked to me about how difficult it was for them to manage the time zone differences and the kick-off times – what time it was in Wellington at kick-off time and all those sorts of things, and we have to capitialise on that.
“I think teams are getting smarter with that. There’s a couple of teams that I think managed it well last year. I think Melbourne City managed it very well and Central Coast managed it very well, so we also have to be on guard that…it’s something we have to capitalise on.
Peters went into last season with attacker Susan Phonsongkham on the sidelines with a long-term injury, and this year, both Megan Wynne and Nat Tathem are recovering from ACLs. There are also some short-term concerns among his creative midfielders.
“Georgia (Cassidy) picked up a hamstring from the Australia U23s, and went into the NPL and did a grade one hamstring, so she’s still coming back from that, but she’s on track for round one.
Charli Wainwright tweaked a groin at training, so she’s working through that. Then we have the couple with ACLs…they are looking at February, March is the chat, but there’s a long way to go…we feel that we have two players in every position.”
Perth Glory captain Izzy Dalton has high expectationsof her teammates this season as they look to once again capitalise on home advantage, buoyed by what she believes is an excitingamount of firepower at the club.
“My expectations are pretty high given the group that we’ve got, the culture that we’re building. I think we’ve got the talent to actually do something good this year.
“One of the things we lacked (last season) was a few goals, I think. Injuries didn’t help – both Gabby (Hollar) and Megan (Wynne) got injured…but we’ve got some firepower this year – Rola (Badawiya) and Bronte (Trew) have got pace and they’ll bring a different dynamic to the team and that will give us a lot going forward.”
Like head coach Stephen Peters, Dalton pointed to the importance of keeping the vast majority of the squad from last season together, meaning the team has been able to hit the ground running – literally – in pre-season training.
“I think given that we’ve retained the core of our group, that helps. We’re not having to build relationships from the start…with the pre-season being only five weeks, there’s not a lot of time…
“Stephen has done a good job in building the culture where we can have open conversations and honest feedback. He’s managed to keep most of the team he wanted (from last season), and I think that says a lot about him as well and about the girls who are loyal and want to stay at Perth Glory.”
Whilst a lot of the attention has gone on the need to boost Glory’s away form, Dalton is well aware that repeating their powerful home record will be the foundations of a Finals push. She emphasised just how the team and fans can come together to create a hostile atmosphere at the Sam Kerr Football Centre once more in 2025/26.
“No one likes coming to Perth. I was once a player with Brisbane, and I hated coming to Perth! That’s an advantage to us and the home crowd we get is good. That’s a hard atmosphere to come into and play.”
The 28-year-old, a native of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, is now in her third year at the club, and feels that Western Australia’s City of Lights is her home away from home.
“I wanted to stay in Perth, and to sign a new contract until the end of the season is important for me. I love the place, I love the club, and the people around it. The team that we actually have got this season is something special.”
Above: Glory captain Izzy Dalton fires in a shot against Central Coast Mariners last season. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
Above:Megan Campbell executing one of her trademark long throw ins. Photo:via RTE
By Alyce Collett (15/10/2025)
The changing of the guard in the Republic of Ireland senior national team is continuing, with Megan Campbell the latest Girl in Green to hang up the boots.
Campbell earned 57 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland, after first making her senior debut in August 2011. She went on to get her first senior start in a Euros qualifier loss to France the following month and scored her first international goal against Northern Ireland in March 2013/
Campbell also played a crucial role in helping the Irish qualify for their first ever major tournament – the 2023 Women’s World Cup – but heartbreakingly missed the tournament proper due to injury.
She also had an accomplished international career at underage level, playing an important role in a historic run for the Girls in Green at the 2010 Women’s European Under-17 Championship. Campbell scored the only goal in the semi final of that tournament which saw the Republic of Ireland beat Germany to reach the final, but unfortunately for the Irish they lost the final in a penalty shoot out to Spain.
On the domestic front Campbell’s career began with St Francis before joining Raheny United in the League of Ireland. Campbell’s career took her all over the world, spending time in the college system in the United States before heading over to England to play for Manchester City, Everton, Liverpool and then London City Lionesses. She had been without a club for a few months after leaving the Lionesses post helping them get promoted to the Women’s Super League.
The hard nose defender played across both centre back and outside back throughout her career, and developed a reputation for not only the way she defended, but for legendary throw ins.
Thanks to her hypermobility, Campbell has the ability to do throw ins that can reach the heart of her side’s attacking penalty box.
This ability also led her to officially break a World Record in April this year when one of her throw ins was officially recorded as having gone 37.55 metres.
Her retirement announcement comes off the back of a number of other big Irish names retiring in the League of Ireland over the weekend, with Campbell’s former Ireland team mates Áine O’Gorman, Karen Duggan and Rianna Jarrett also all hanging up the boots.
Reflecting on her decision to retire while speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE, Campbell said “It’s been a while coming, but it’s something that I’ve struggled accepting for a long time now.
“Football has been my life for over 25 years. It has given me so many amazing opportunities, allowed me to travel the world and to meet some of the best people. It has helped me to become the person I am today.
“Unfortunately, I knew that playing the sport I love, and have given everything to, would have to end some day. I just never wanted to believe that it would have come this soon.”
Above: The WSL logo. Photo: WSL Football / BBC Media Centre.
The Women’s Super League introduced new kickoff times at the start of the season. Impetus surveyed fans to find out how they feel about the changes.
The Women’s Super League (WSL) is arguably one of the strongest leagues in women’s football, both commercially and athletically. Since this season, the majority of WSL matches kick off at 11:55 or 12:00 pm UK time on Sunday afternoons.
Last year, a new broadcasting deal was announced for the years 2025 until 2030. In the UK, Sky Sports broadcasts the WSL on their different channels and also offers a Multiview channel, where fans can watch all ongoing live games on one screen.
Impetusunderstands that Sky Sports and the WSL want to drive Appointment to View, a consistent window for fans to watch the league in. That window is the 12pm Sunday slot.Impetus also understands it is part of a wider strategy to drive visibility of women’s football and tell wider narratives to grow the game.
The BBC also broadcasts one match each game week, and some matches are also available on YouTube. For overseas fans, it depends if broadcasting rights have been bought by a broadcaster in their country. If not, games are shown on the WSL’s YouTube channel.
How do the new kick off slots, broadcasting rights and simultaneous kickoffs impact fans? We conducted a survey of 303 WSL fans, based both in the UK and overseas, both match going and non-match going. We also spoke to three fans via a Zoom call for a more in-depth understanding of their experiences.
The majority of UK fans dislike the new schedule
The table below shows that the kick-off times are controversial, with a majority (about 87%) of our respondents disliking the new kick off times. There is a slight difference between UK residents and fans from outside the UK, as UK residents are slightly more unhappy about the times.
Respondents from outside the UK are more likely to feel neutral about the change. It’s more likely that UK fans are match going fans, so we will look at that more in depth below.
Implications for match going fans
We see a big difference in discontent between match going and non-match going fans, see the table below.
Fans who never go to matches are more likely to enjoy the new kickoff times, whereas match going fans are represented above average when it comes to disliking the new format. Interestingly, the group that frequents matches monthly is the unhappiest with the new format. It could be that these fans would like to games more often, but can’t because of the new format. We checked this, as fans were asked to elaborate on their answers.
A lot of the fans in this group mentioned not being able to travel to (mostly away) games anymore because kick off is too early to allow them to catch trains in time. Trains are not readily available on a Sunday morning and they usually don’t start until relatively late in the morning.
Another issue mentioned by fans is grassroots football mostly taking place on Sunday mornings, excluding a key audience from attending matches: families with children. As one fan mentions in the survey:
“Midday kick offs are the worst. Having two children (8 and 13) they are regularly forced to pick between their own sporting commitments and watching the WSL. In Essex it’s common for grassroots training to happen on a Saturday and matches Sunday so it doesn’t matter which day the league picks. These are normally done by midday so a 2pm kick off, whilst tight is doable.”
Attendances were already dropping across the league last season, compared to the 23/24 season. With the Lionesses Euros win in the summer, this season could have been a good opportunity for further growth in attendances. The Foxes Trust, an organisation representing Leicester City fans, told us on X: “Our attendances have pretty much halved! It’s killing the chance to grow our audiences.”
Many fans in our survey have mentioned a decline in atmosphere in the stadiums due to the earlier kick offs. People do not have time to meet up to build up the atmosphere before matches. Fans also mentioned that the noon kick off slot isn’t as suitable to drink pints or other alcoholic beverages before or during the game. The vibes around football matches are a big part of what makes football, football, for many.
TV picks are generally announced about four weeks prior to the month the fixtures take place in. This causes issues for travelling fans, especially international fans attending fixtures. They need to book and plan their travel, but that is hard if the fixtures are not set in stone. If the date or time of the match changes, travelling fans could face extra booking fees if they have already gone ahead and booked. Booking closer to the date is generally more expensive too. An international fan (female, 34 years old) tells us:
“I have to book a few months in advance for prices not to be too high on trains or flights. But they don’t announce the kickoffs until very close to the match. It’s now sometimes cheaper to stay the whole weekend in London so I can catch a match in any case than to book close to kickoff, but it’s still not ideal.”
Fans watch less games
TV scheduling is a very intricate process, with Sky also showing Premier League matches and the availability of stadiums also a factor. The 12pm window was picked to avoid as many clashes with Premier League matches as possible.
When fixtures do clash, fans are forced to choose between their women’s team and men’s team. One of our Zoom interviewees, Jacob, and other fans think fans will opt for ‘the familiar’ (men’s matches in this case) and thus women’s matches lose out.
According to the Women’s Sport Trust Visibility Report published in June 2025, WSL matches had a bigger TV audience during men’s international breaks. Similarly, they also found that Manchester United women’s matches had more viewers when there were no fixture clashes with the men’s team.
Simultaneous kick offs are not only applied in the United Kingdom in the WSL. ESPN in the Netherlands have done the same thing for the Women’s Eredivisie from the start of this season where one match is being played at 12:15 and the others at 16:45 on Sunday. ESPN also holds broadcasting rights for the men’s Eredivisie, so probably faces the same issues and decisions Sky do.
The current format unfortunately means fans can’t watch as many matches as they used to, as we can see in the graph below.
On average, fans watched on average 3.6 games each round last season or the season before, compared to 2.2 games this season. This means that fans watched 1.4 games on average less each game week. Most mentioned the simultaneous kickoffs as the main reason they watch less games, like this 29-year-old female, who explains:
“Once the scores for the games I’m not watching have been spoiled it makes me not want to watch them. I much preferred staggered kick off times, I miss a whole day of football on Sunday.”
She is by far not the only one calling for staggered kick off times. Sky offers fans who want to watch more than one game a solution: the Multiview option, where they can watch all games that are on, on one screen.
What about Multiview?
As for the Multiview channel Sky offers, most of our respondents do not use it as they are either abroad or feel the feature is too overwhelming. Like a 19-year old female tells us:“No, I don’t use it. It’s too confusing and hard to keep up with, I end up missing more because it’s impossible to watch 4 games simultaneously”.
Another point made by fans is the lack of excitement on the Multiview channel. Many feel a Multiview channel can be exciting when there is a lot riding on the matches that are on, like during the final games of a season, but not during the majority of the season.
We spoke to 24-year-old Jacob, a Tottenham Hotspur fan from London, through Zoom. He thinks the multiview channel is a good idea but does not like to use it when his team is playing. “As a Spurs fan, if we’re playing, I don’t want to watch four other games. I just want to watch our game”, Jacob tells us.
Many UK based fans mentioned they can not afford Sky so don’t have access to the Multiview channel.
What do the numbers say?
According to the Women’s Sport Trust Visibility Report, the Saturday matches had the highest average attendances in the 24/25 season, followed by Sunday lunch time. So the 12pm Sunday kick off was the second highest attended on average. At the same time, TV audiences were also second highest on average in this slot.
Women’s Sport Trust Visibility Report
Will the new schedule grow the league?
A vast majority, 86 percent, of surveyed fans says they feel like the new format does not contribute towards growing the league. Fans were asked to elaborate on their answer.
They mostly touch on the points already discussed above. A 32-year-old female asks: “How do you want to grow the game if people can’t watch as many games as they want?”
A 29-year-old male links the lesser atmosphere in the stadiums to the broadcasts, saying:
“By playing early in the day you end up making it so much less easy for people to get to games. It also means that the atmosphere is a lot poorer from those who can go. All this does is degrade the product Sky are providing on tv, and empty seats/bad atmosphere make people less likely to want to tune in”
Lower table teams or teams with a smaller following will be impacted by the new format the most. With multiple teams playing at the same time, most fans will probably choose their own team or the most ‘exciting’ game to watch, which would most likely be a game of one of the bigger teams.
Laura Marie, an international fan from Germany highlighted this point in her interview on Zoom too. She says: “Naturally, if there’s four at the same time, you would tune into Arsenal, Chelsea, United or Manchester City. You wouldn’t watch Leicester City, Everton, whatever, if you’re not a fan of that club.”
Out of the group of eight fans who feel like the new format does help grow the game, four mention the fact that the WSL kick offs do not clash as much with the Premier League any more. This in turn allows men’s football fans to tune into the women’s matches ahead of the men’s fixtures kicking off, they think, which will grow the audience and the game.
If it were up to the fans, then…
We asked our interviewees on Zoom how they would shape the broadcasting slots, if it were up to them. They all gave similar answers.
They would prefer one or two games on Saturday and then three or four games on Sunday, with both days having staggered kick off times. Friday nights are up to debate though, with Jacob, a match going fan, saying it wouldn’t be ideal for people having to make kick off after a work day. Laura Marie, an international fan (who does go to matches occasionally) told us she would like to watch matches on Friday nights, but understands that some match going fans would not prefer the slot.
It’s definitely not all bad
Fans from Australia and Asia are generally supporters of the new kick off times, as they will fall in the early to mid evening in their respective time zones, as opposed to late at night or even way past midnight. And luckily there are morning people who also quite like the new format. Like Leontine, one of the 3 people we spoke to in depth, says: “I can do other things after the matches with these earlier kick offs”.
When asked by The Halfway Line about the new kick off times, Tottenham Hotspur coach Martin Ho explained that he was happy with them. “It doesn’t really affect how we do things,” he said. “You have to work around the kick off times and prepare your team as best as possible. I actually think it’s a good thing. It makes it more unique now to the league and obviously everyone is talking about it, so it’s definitely made a hit within women’s football. I think having a bespoke time makes a big difference, but also enables us to get more eyes on it commercially, which will definitely help it grow.”
A zero-sum game?
To summarise: a large majority of surveyed fans is unhappy with the new kick off times format. Fans watch less games on TV or in person each game week, because of multiple games kicking off at the same time. Supporters mention not being able to go to matches because of the early kick offs, either because they can’t get to the game by public transport, or they or their children have grassroots football matches going on. The majority also doubts that the new kick off slots help growing the league.
WSL Football Ltd, who run the league, face a conundrum. Do they opt for further commercialisation by prioritising the broadcaster’s needs and maybe, potentially lure in a new audience? Or do they prioritise the existing fans, both match going and non-match going ones, by accommodating their wishes for staggered kick off times, and later starts to matches?
It is up to WSL Football Ltd to pan out the development of the Women’s Super League in the future, while trying to keep existing fans happy and meanwhile appeal to a new audience.
Above: Riola Xhemaili with a header. Photo: VrEredivisie on X.
In the fifth round, FC Twente dropped two points in a thrilling draw against FC Utrecht. With a winning Ajax against Excelsior, the two title contenders are level on points and goal difference. PSV and Feyenoord are just one point behind them. The Eredivisie is showing more and more competition, which is a healthy sign for the league.
FC Utrecht show signs of growth against FC Twente
FC Twente 1-1 FC Utrecht
Above: Twente v Utrecht. Photo: VrouwenEredivisie.nl
FC Twente dropped their first points of the Eredivisie season after a draw with FC Utrecht, in a match defined by two brilliant goals. Twente now sit on 13 points in the league, level with Ajax. Following their impressive result against Chelsea in the Champions League, the team struggled to maintain the same level of focus and intensity as in previous games. Ironically, Twente ended up resembling Chelsea in that match: they dominated possession, spent plenty of time around the penalty area, but lacked clinical finishing.
FC Utrecht gave Twente a taste of their own medicine by defending with great discipline, using a deeper block and tracking back with their attackers. It wasn’t until after the break that Twente started to ramp up the pressure. Utrecht, who had also played a midweek match against Feyenoord, began to show signs of fatigue.
Jill Roord, with her match fitness and the mental sharpness that comes from playing two games a week, became Twente’s biggest threat. But goalkeeper Bastiaen, Gera op den Kelder, and Marthe Munsterman were excellent defensively and kept the door shut. As a result, Twente were forced to play more long balls than they usually prefer.
One of those long-range efforts turned into something spectacular: Alieke Tuin unleashed a stunning shot from outside the box — a rising strike that dipped perfectly under the crossbar. It looked like Twente were heading for victory. They continued to attack but grew a bit sloppy in possession.
The introduction of 17-year-old Rochelity Dapp once again proved impactful for FC Utrecht. As a striker, she’s known for her ability to hold up the ball and deliver key assists with her back to goal. This time was no different — she kept her composure and set up Nikita Tromp, who may have scored the goal of the season, firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner past goalkeeper Lemeij.
Twente kept pushing for a winner, but Marthe Munsterman threw herself in front of a shot from her former teammate Jill Roord to preserve the draw. Much like Twente’s own heroic performance against Chelsea, it was Utrecht’s discipline that earned them this result.
This was Twente’s first time dropping points this season, putting them level with Ajax at the top of the table. For Utrecht, after defeats against PSV and Feyenoord, it was a return to the form that made them a dangerous side last season — a team the traditional top three can’t simply brush aside. A moral victory for a team that had twice fallen short against top-ranked opponents.
Ajax draw level with FC Twente in title race
Ajax 3-0 Excelsior Rotterdam
Above: Sherida Spitse celebrates her goal. Photo: Ajax Vrouwen.
Ajax Women remain unbeaten in the Eredivisie after a solid 3–0 win over Excelsior at De Toekomst. Anouk Bruil’s team had to work hard against a resilient opponent, but ultimately proved too strong. With 13 points from five matches, Ajax now share the top spot with FC Twente, who lead only on goal difference.
Excelsior started well despite Ajax being the clear favorite on paper. Defender Jonna van de Velde marked her 100th Eredivisie appearance but was forced off just before halftime with a bruised eye. By then, Ajax were already ahead thanks to Danique Tolhoek, who capitalized on a defensive mistake to open the scoring after 15 minutes.
In the second half, Ajax’s control grew stronger. Sherida Spitse doubled the lead with a well-timed run and finish after a clever assist from Daliyah de Klonia. The experienced midfielder continues to impress in her renewed midfield role, while Tolhoek and Mirte van Koppen remain consistent threats in front of goal.
Excelsior fought back late, forcing keeper Regina van Eijk into a fine save, while Nayomi Buikema made her long-awaited return from injury. In the closing minutes, Van Koppen sealed the win with a composed strike after a great pass from Danique Noordman to make it 3–0. Ajax stay level with Twente and look well-prepared for their upcoming Eredivisie showdown. FC Leeuwinnen profiled upcoming star Danique Noordman – The Sister of Daniëlle van de Donk .
Feyenoord close in on PSV after convincing win over AZ
AZ Alkmaar 1-4 Feyenoord Rotterdam
Above: Feyenoord v AZ. Photo: VrEredivisie on X.
Feyenoord have made a strong statement in the Eredivisie Women’s subtop. Jessica Torny’s team secured a 4–1 victory at AZ on Sunday, bringing them to 12 points — just behind PSV on goal difference. Following earlier wins over FC Utrecht and AZ, Feyenoord are proving they are serious contenders for the top positions.
Feyenoord showed growing maturity at the AFAS Stadium. The first half was tough against a well-organized AZ, but just before halftime, Mao Itamura broke the deadlock with a composed header to put her team ahead. Shortly after the restart, AZ leveled from sloppy defending, bringing the tension back into the match.
Torny’s substitution after the hour mark changed the game. Kirsten van de Westeringh needed only one touch to make an impact, intercepting a goal kick and calmly finishing to put Feyenoord back in front at 2–1. Mao Itamura then sealed the win with her second goal, curling a beautiful strike from the edge of the box into the corner.
In stoppage time, Van de Westeringh added her second goal after an AZ goalkeeper error to make it 4–1. With 12 points from six games, Feyenoord are firmly established in the subtop and showing they can challenge the established order. With PSV in their sights and confidence on the rise, Torny’s team looks ready to make a serious push for the top.
Heerenveen secure first win of the season
SC Heerenveen 1-0 HERA United
Above: SC Heerenveen v HERA United. Photo: VrEredivisie on X.
SC Heerenveen claimed a narrow but deserved 1–0 victory over HERA United on Sunday. In a match with few clear-cut chances, the home side ultimately came out on top thanks to substitute Evi Maatman.
The first half lacked real attacking threat. HERA’s forward Hassani was sidelined with injury before kickoff, limiting their offensive options. Heerenveen were stronger organizationally, while HERA stood out mainly for their individual defensive efforts. Lieke Vis had some chances for HERA but hesitated too long, while Heerenveen saw Elfi Maass hit the post and Eef Kerkhof’s shot saved. Inessa Kaagman also narrowly missed just before halftime.
After the break, the game remained tight, but Heerenveen’s first substitution proved decisive. Sterre Kroeze was replaced by Evi Maatman after an hour. Maatman immediately injected more threat, with Heerenveen creating opportunities through Aymee Altena and Kaagman, though both shots went wide.
The breakthrough came in the 74th minute when Maatman headed in a perfect cross from Maass to make it 1–0. HERA had one final chance through Ana Nassette, but her effort hit the side netting. The win lifts Heerenveen further into the Eredivisie midtable, while HERA United continue to search for goals.
PEC Zwolle inflict another defeat on ADO Den Haag
PEC Zwolle 2-1 ADO Den Haag
Above: PEC v ADO. Photo: Eric de Wit.
PEC Zwolle earned a well-deserved 2–1 victory over ADO Den Haag. Playing at home, goals from Zoë Zuidberg and Christina Weiman secured the three points for the hosts.
PEC started strongly, taking the lead in the sixth minute through Zuidberg. The young forward finished a powerful cross in one touch — a technically impressive goal highlighting her potential as a Netherlands U19 player.
ADO Den Haag responded after the break. Defender Lindner underestimated the pressing of Jill van den Ende completely, losing possession in a dull moment. The 21-year old van den Ende took over the ball and effectively equalized to make it 1–1, briefly unsettling PEC.
PEC showed resilience and continued pressing, eventually seeing Christina Weiman score the decisive goal. Her composed finish secured the win, demonstrating that Zwolle have regained form and are now firmly competing in the midtable alongside FC Utrecht and AZ.
For ADO, there are worrying signs. They struggled in the early half of last year before experiencing a resurgence after a managerial change, with Marten Glotzbach taking over as head coach in December. In January, they lost top scorer Lobke Loonen to FC Utrecht in the club’s first for-profit player sale on the women’s side, however the women’s team have seen few of those funds reinvested.
This was followed up by an exodus in the summer, with half of last year’s starting eleven either retiring or moving. For example, defender Daniëlle Noordermeer moved to Ajax, and has fit in seamlessly, notching player of the match against Excelsior.
A reliance on the youth team is telling – the club are not willing to invest beyond what is necessary as they push for promotion to the Eredivisie for the men’s side. As the women’s league becomes increasingly professional, with clubs spending money and the potential for three relegations this season, the threat of going down is looming for ADO. A shame considering they were one of the founding members of the Eredivisie back in 2007 and have not left the top flight since then.
The game against PEC – another mid-table stalwart – is one ADO would have liked to have won, or at least gained a point from before they face teams higher up the table. They face a difficult end to the year, with their next showing against FC Twente, and games against Utrecht, PSV, and Ajax before Christmas.
Riola Xhemaili the breakthrough star for PSV
NAC Breda 0-5 PSV
Above: Riola Xhemaili celebrates her hat-trick. Photo: VrEredivisie on X.
Riola Xhemaili continues to dominate the Eredivisie Vrouwen. The Swiss forward was once again decisive for PSV on Sunday afternoon, leading her team to a 5–0 victory over bottom side NAC Breda. With a hat-trick, Xhemaili increased her season tally and already looks well on her way to the top scorer title.
The 21-year-old international — who helped Switzerland reach the quarterfinals of this year’s European Championship — has proven herself a true fighter in PSV’s red and white this season. No fear, no mercy: Xhemaili scores with an unshakable conviction that makes her one of the best strikers in the league. PSV can count themselves lucky to have secured her for three more seasons.
Roeland ten Berge’s side had no trouble at all in Breda. After just seven minutes, Xhemaili stepped up to the penalty spot when Renate Jansen was brought down in the box. The Swiss forward stayed calm and converted flawlessly: 0–1.
Ten minutes later, she doubled the lead. With a clever turn, she left her defender behind and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Nikki de Haan. Just before halftime, defender Nijstad made it 0–3 by flicking a corner neatly into the net.
PSV continued to dominate after the interval and were rarely threatened. Just over an hour in, Xhemaili completed her hat-trick: meeting a cross from Nijstad with a powerful header — her third of the afternoon and yet another display of clinical finishing.
Ripa then sealed the final score at 0–5, again assisted by Nijstad. NAC tried to respond in the closing stages, but chances for Brigitte Franken failed to produce a goal.
With the win, PSV remain in third place — just one point behind leaders Ajax and Twente.
Follow Jan for news about Dutch women’s football at www.fcleeuwinnen.nl. Read news about the star players, get strong point of views from their columnists and discover upcoming Dutch talents.
Above:Hibs celebrate Eilidh Adams’ goal which gave them the lead on Sunday Photo:@HibernianWomen on x
Goals from Rosie Livingstone, Kathleen McGovern and Eilidh Adams gave Hibs a memorable comeback win at home over rivals Rangers, having been 2-0 down in a game where club legend Siobhan Hunter took centre stage. The result leaves Hibernian third, trailing Glasgow City by five points with Rangers a further position and two points back.
The Teams
Having successfully moved past Motherwell in the SWPL cup last weekend with a 9-0 victory, Grant Scott’s side took confidence into the game, and he went with the team he seems to have settled on this year. Key in this was a front four with Livingstone and Bowie on the wings, and Adams in attacking midfielder behind Kathleen McGovern, who continued her reign as the only Hibs player in Melissa Andreatta’s Scotland squad for the upcoming window.
Rangers also eased through the SWPL cup round of 16 with a 12-0 hammering of St Johnstone. Having lost their last league game though, Leanne Crichton opted for a number of changes, with ex-Hibernian centre back Leah Eddie replacing Jess Pegram, and Mengwen starting at right back.
The Action
As the game kicked off, it was a physical fight in the middle for control, with Notley and Grant from Hibs and McLeary and Cruft from Rangers winning the ball back and forth. Eilidh Adams even dropped back to try and add some strength to the middle of the park and did a good job considering her natural position is a striker. While Hibs tended to have the ball in attacking areas more in the first 10 minutes, it was the away side that had the first real chance.
Mengwen and Mia McAuley down the right were a threat to Bowie and Papadopoulos throughout the first half. The first time they properly moved up the wing, Mengwen got free and was able to pick out Katie Wilkinson in the middle, who found the gap between Taylor and Hunter at the back and directed her header perfectly into the side of the net, giving Schumacher no chance.
The game went on in this manner for the next 20 minutes or so, with neither side able to break through the opposite defence. Hibs came closest to scoring though, as McGovern had a strong header well saved by Jenna Fife and Linzi Taylor’s shot following a cross was bundled away by the Rangers defence.
It had been an interesting decision to start Eddie against her old club at the back given the form of Pegram recently, but her height was crucial and she quickly proved Crichton right.
With Bowie unable to get into good areas of the left, it was only the right-hand side of Gibb and Livingstone providing forward momentum for the hosts. However, despite both players being good crossers of the ball and the great heading duo of Adams and McGovern awaiting them in the box, the height of Rangers’ defence and keeper Fife meant they were able to dominate in the air and Hibs main attacking threat was thwarted.
As Rangers attacked just past the half hour mark, Siobhan Hunter looked to have cleared any danger with a header back for Schumacher to come and claim. However, she didn’t put enough on the ball, with McLeary running onto it, and after Hunter grabbed slightly at the Rangers midfielder, the referee’s whistle sounded instantly. While she did go down softly, that type of contact is always going to end in a penalty given the context of the situation.
Despite a valiant effort from Schumacher who dived the correct way; Katie Wilkinson tucked her penalty so far into the bottom right corner that it was unsavable.
With Hunter picking up a yellow card for the incident and Papadopoulos collecting her own just minutes later, it looked like Rangers were going to return to Glasgow with three points.
In an almost mirroring incident, Rangers centre back Hill under-hit a back pass to Fife, allowing Rosie Livingstone to nip in and get the ball. Just like Hunter did, Hill’s flailing arm found the back of the Hibs winger who subsequently went down. The referee was unmoved this time and while half the home bench was screaming for a penalty, Livingstone herself stood back up, won the ball, shot against the post before eventually rolling the rebound into the net.
Coming on the stroke of half time, the goal couldn’t have been timed better to motivate Hibs and disrupt the plans of Rangers. With the home fans jubilant and the home players enjoying new-found belief, their second half performance was unrecognizable.
Tegan Bowie had been outstanding recently, but in the first half she spent much of the game dropping deeper to support Papadopoulos in defence and struggled to get herself into space which is where she thrives. McGovern had struggled for touches and ended up in her defensive half many times due to her pressing commitments, which often resulted in Hibs turning the ball over but having no players in the final third to play in.
Both of these players fortunes were transformed in the second half. Bowie caused Li Mengwen all sorts of issues, with her pure speed, strength and skill giving her a range of ways to beat the Chinese international, all of which she employed. McGovern meanwhile, was able to get interlink play between her wingers and Adams behind her without compromising her position and this combination play gave Hibs another means of creating chances – beyond crosses which the Glasgow side were still defending well.
Given this new space created in the middle, Linzi Taylor lobbed a ball up to Adams, who was able to beat Hill at the back easily, sprinting to the by-line inside the box, she pulled the ball back onto a platter for McGovern, who was on the same wavelength as her striking partner and had made that exact run, allowing her to smash the ball home and levelling the tie.
The Rangers side which had carried out Leanne Crichton’s plan so brilliantly in the first 43 minutes of the game looked like a different side and offered no resistance to Hibernians attacking avalanche.
Tegan Bowie’s contribution in the 63rd minute summed up her entire second half performance. Grant played an ambitious ball in front of the winger, and Mengwen had a head start in reaching the ball. She was no match for Bowie though, who fought to get there first, before nutmegging the defender which gave her acres of space in the box. With plenty of time, she rolled the ball across into the path of Adams who lifted her shot into the roof of the net, sending Meadowbank into a frenzy.
Pegram and Berry were brought on to turn the game back around for Rangers, but they had no impact as Hibs continued to create all the chances. McGovern twice shot from long range when she could’ve played her teammates into better positions, while Burchill couldn’t direct her sliding effort into an empty net following a ball across the face of goal. Jenna Fife remained dominant from corners, which is a notable strength of Grant Scott’s side.
Despite all the pressure, Rangers actually had the chance to level the game with the final kick. After a desperate free kick from half time took two fortuitous bounces, Laura Berry was in on goal but she aimed her effort straight at Schumacher who gratefully held on to the ball.
Player of the Match Siobhan Hunter
Above: Siobhan Hunter gesturing to the fans after the game Photo: SWPL/Malcolm Mackenzie
This was not just for her play on the pitch, but rather how her passion and fight gave Hibernian the impetus they needed to get back in the game.
Supporting Hibs as a child and playing for them throughout her career, Hunter is about as much of a Hibernian legend as you’re going to find. With this comes an absolute undying love for her club and a passionate hatred of anything that opposes that. She wants nothing more than success for her team and will do anything for that.
This makes her a divisive figure. If you support Hibs, you probably adore her, but if you play for a rival there’s a real disdain there. When she wins she’ll rile you up but when she loses you’ll take glory in witnessing it.
All those emotions were on display in this game. After the first goal went in, ‘Shiv’ was furious at the defence around her for letting it happen, it’s fair to say she was less then impressed with McLeary after the penalty was given and there was a moment where she was shielding the ball from an attacker in the box, hoping goalkeeper Schumacher would come and pick it up. When she stayed back, Hunter cleared the ball then gave the American and ear full of what she thought of the decision.
On the flip side, after the penalty was converted, she took the ball and ran straight to the half way line signalling Hibs’ readiness to restart and fight back into the game. While she is not the captain, she is absolutely a leader and an example-setter in this manner and her side needed no more geeing up. After celebrating Livingstone’s goal with the team, Hunter turned to the crowd and roared the home support on.
This was the case with every possible opportunity in the game after this, riling Hibs’ fans and Rangers fans equally positively and negatively. By the time the final whistle came and Meadowbank was serenaded by the chant of “she’s in your head, in your head, shivy, shivy shivy-y-y” to the tune of Zombie by the Cranberries, the game felt more like Siobhan Hunter versus Rangers than the actual fixture, and she was more than happy to play into this.
Where this leaves the teams
It was an absolutely massive result for Grant Scott and his side. Having faced no resistance from any non-professional sides this year, they have yet to secure a league win against a fellow title-challenger. At 2-0 down, many would have been suggesting this was just natural for Hibs to come back down to earth after the miracle run last season, and that it was just a fluke after all.
The fight and tenacity to come back and get goals through any means looked much more like the Hibs of last year, who have now beaten Rangers in four league games in a row. It also proves that this team can produce in tough games as well, and with Melissa Andreatta watching on, it was perhaps a chance for Caley Gibb, Eilidh Adams, Tegan Bowie and Rosie Livingstone to show that they should join Kathleen McGovern as a member of the senior Scotland squad.
Losing against a great team by one goal is not devastating by itself, but the manner of this one will be for Leanne Crichton. A 2-0 advantage is invaluable in such a title race, and Rangers cannot afford games like this. When Hibs came out in the second half a new team, Rangers could do absolutely nothing to alter the momentum of things back in their favour despite adjustments from Crichton and that’s a damning reflection of the team.
At seven points, the gap to Glasgow City is closable but the last two games – which Rangers could so easily have come away with four or six points from – sum up where the team has been the last few years. A fantastic footballing side full of quality, but there’s something holding them back in those crucial moments. A coaching change doesn’t seem to have addressed this and if Crichton will focus on anything specific to turn the season around perhaps it must be that mental resilience.
Above: Arjan Veurink and his staff. Photo: Oranje Leeuwinnen on X.
Arjan Veurink will announce his inaugural squad for the Netherlands national team on Tuesday.
He faces some challenges after the team disappointingly went out in the Euros group stages under former head coach Andries Jonker, leaving the squad low on confidence. Arguably one of the biggest challenges is the defensive line of the Oranje Leeuwinnen.
Jonker changed the back line around a lot leading up to the Euros. He also played in a lot of different systems, leading to miscommunication all across the pitch, not just in the back line. It is up to Veurink to restore that defensive stability and make some clear cut personnel decisions.
One of his first moves should be to move Esmee Brugts up the pitch, away from the left back position. Brugts is a very talented footballer, but her qualities are arguably more suited for a position in the front line. Brugts also plays at left back for her club Barcelona but the quality of the opposition, with all due respect to Liga F, is different from the opposition usually faced by the Oranje Leeuwinnen.
Above: Esmee Brugts for Barcelona. Photo: UEFA.
Brugts is able to move up the pitch a lot more for her club which allows her to shine bright. She has been caught out quite often on the pitch wearing an Oranje jersey recently. Her recovery pace makes up for a lot but ultimately we would like to see her in a more advanced position.
In Janou Levels and Marisa Olislagers, Veurink has two players at his disposal who are more natural fullbacks and are both left-footed players. Levels hasn’t been called up for the Netherlands national team since 2022 and has only earned herself 2 caps. It’s not like she isn’t talented: she is the starting left back for the German giants Wolfsburg. Marisa Olislagers isn’t too bad a player either. She currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the WSL and was elected Players’ Player of the Season for the club. Like Levels, it’s been a while since she last got a call up.
Another conundrum faced by Veurink is the position of Sherida Spitse, the longstanding captain of the team. Her leadership qualities are evident on and off the pitch, with her constantly coaching the team. She has often been outpaced whilst against international opposition, however, and Jonker was criticised extensively for maintaining her as a starter despite her age.
Above: Spitse is Europe’s most capped player. Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images.
She plays regularly for Ajax and performs well in the Eredivisie, where the speed of the football is lower. Jonker relied on Spitse a lot, but started giving opportunities to younger players like Veerle Buurman and Caitlin Dijkstra at the end of his tenure.
Interestingly enough, when asked about Sherida Spitse and Daniëlle van de Donk, Veurink hinted that he would not make symbolic choices anymore. Whatever that means, we will have to see. What we do know is that talents like Veerle Buurman and more established players like Caitlin Dijkstra are ready to take over. As for that captaincy, there are enough players that are natural leaders too and are more than suitable to have that (C) behind their names. Jackie Groenen and Vivianne Miedema have both already worn the captain’s armband recently.
The right back position is another interesting one. Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij has mastered that spot over the past period, but Lynn Wilms has recently played very well for Aston Villa. They are both good candidates for the starting right back position, but it depends on what Veurink wants from his fullbacks. Casparij’s attacking qualities are better than Wilms’, but similarly, Wilms is more stable defensively.
If Veurink can’t pick between the two, another option is to move Casparij to left back and start Wilms at right back, a solution already found by Jonker in the Netherlands’ last group stage match against France. With set piece taker Spitse possibly out, Wilms is a good asset to have as she is very strong on set pieces.
As said above, Jonker changed the team around a lot and used a multitude of systems. He asked a lot of different things of his players, especially in the last part of his tenure. He was often frustrated with his team “playing the ball to someone wearing a different colour”, but that was likely a consequence of the changes he made all the time. Veurink will have to instill a clear playing style again, one where players know what to do and what to expect.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see some fresh faces in Veurink’s first squad and we have already mentioned Levels and Olislagers as good candidates to get their first call up in a while. The first fixtures ahead are friendly fixtures against Poland and Canada. It would give Veurink an opportunity to try out players and tactics without too much riding on it and he will have a bigger squad to his disposal as compared to competitive fixtures.
Jaimy Ravensbergen is Twente’s first pick striker and was the Eredivisie top scorer last campaign with 23 goals scored in 19 matches. The 24-year-old is currently leading the top scorer list too with four in four. With Katja Snoeijs out injured, a call up for Ravensbergen might be on the horizon.
Above: Ravensbergen for Twente. Photo: FC Twente Vrouwen.
Ella Peddemors is a box-to-box midfielder who plays for Wolfsburg. Like many Dutch talents, she started her career at FC Twente. FC Twente is also the club where Lynn Groenewegen plays. She plays as a defensive midfielder, just like Rosa van Gool, who just joined Everton in the summer from Ajax. They all have strong competition from players like Jackie Groenen, Damaris Egurrola and Wieke Kaptein. It really depends on what Veurink wants to see in his midfield.
With Daniëlle van de Donk very likely absent, there is space for an attacking midfielder. That midfielder could be Danique Noordman, who has had a very strong season for Ajax so far and sometimes plays right-back. It could also be Kayleigh van Dooren, who joined AC Milan in the summer from FC Twente, but hasn’t played much for them.
Arjan Veurink announces his first squad this Tuesday and it will be interesting to see who makes the cut. It will be even more intriguing to see who he actually fields against Poland and Canada.
The Oranje Leeuwinnen travel to Gdansk to play Nina Patalon’s Poland on the 24th of October, followed by a home match against Canada in Nijmegen on the 28th.
Above: Bayern Munich women celebrate their win. Photo: FCBfrauen on X.
The clash between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg is one of the biggest fixtures in German women’s football, often seen as the defining matchup in the Frauen-Bundesliga title race.
Last season was no exception: whilst Bayern achieved their third consecutive title, Wolfsburg were not far behind in second. The title of dominant force in German women’s football has passed between the two clubs for a decade, and their matches are often filled with drama.
Context
This weekend’s game formed the sixth week of Frauen-Bundesliga action, with Wolfsburg and Bayern competing for the top spot. Wolfsburg came into the weekend in good form after beating French giants PSG 4-0 in the Champions League (UWCL) midweek.
Whilst the Wolves were enjoying their first UWCL game of the season, the Bavarian team were being dismantled at the hands of FC Barcelona, ultimately falling to a humiliating 7-1 loss. How well Bayern recover from that blow will be crucial to their hopes of maintaining momentum in the title race and not losing ground, which had to start with picking up points in Wolfsburg.
The teams
Bayern were forced into a number of changes due to injuries and minutes-management. Usual starter Sarah Zadrazil suffered an ACL injury last month, and Lena Oberdorf was still regaining match sharpness after recovering from her own ACL injury. Veteran left-back Caro Simon was withdrawn against Barcelona after picking up a serious knee injury, and is expected to be unavailable for a while. Whilst warming up, the team wore shirts designed in tribute to Zadrazil.
Above: Bayern warm up tops in tribute to Sarah Zadrazil. Photo: FCBfrauen on X.
The back line saw the most changes from the team that faced Barcelona, with Giulia Gwinn returning – this saw Franzi Kett shift to left-back. Captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir also returned at right-sided center-back, with Magdalena Eriksson dropping to the bench.
For Wolfsburg, Sarai Linder came in for Dutch defender Caitlin Dijkstra, and Justine Kielland for Ella Peddemors.
The action
Both teams started brightly, with the action end-to-end for the opening few minutes. The first major chance of the game was for the visitors as Klara Bühl’s cross met the head of Momoko Tanikawa. The Japanese international’s header went wide of goal, spurring the home side to have a chance of their own as Alexandra Popp got her head to a Cora Zicai cross, but the effort also went wide.
There were further attempts from both sides: Georgia Stanway had a shot from distance, and Janou Levels from close range, but nothing hit the target until Bühl evaded Svenja Huth and shot straight into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. With 27 minutes on the clock, Bayern had the opener, regaining some confidence and perhaps laying some Catalan ghosts to rest.
Wolfsburg struggled to recover and for the remainder of the half, the visitors had the momentum, with a number of attempts from Pernille Harder missing the target. The equaliser did eventually come, shortly after half-time as Bayern failed to clear a corner. The corner was well taken, with the initial save spilled by shot-stopper Ena Mahmutovic – the visitors failed to clear the ball before it landed at the feet of Janina Ming, who shot home via a deflection.
The rivals vied for possession as the game became increasingly physical, with Viggósdóttir electing to bypass the midfield by going long. Her pass was perfectly weighted for Gulia Gwinn to cross into the box where Tanikawa was waiting – and this time her effort smashed into the center of the goal.
Once again going a goal down, Wolfsburg regained some of their energy and sought to reignite their press. They had a number of chances towards the end of normal time, with Lineth Beerensteyn forcing a strong block from Stine Pedersen in the box, and Ella Peddemors eliciting a save from Mahmutovic. There was a sense of desperation about the home side as the minutes ticked down, and Marie-Joelle Wedemeyer rushed into preventing Lea Schüller getting a shot off. Wedemeyer was shown a red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity – the resulting free kick giving the visitors their third goal to end the game.
The physical battle
When bitter rivals meet, it is always a tense encounter. Saturday’s match seemed even more so as Bayern sought to recover from their humiliation in Spain. The visitors were down, meeting a Wolfsburg on good form. For the Wolves, it was a chance to avenge their Supercup defeat from the beginning of the season, and a chance to prove that the battle for dominance is not over.
Above: Lineth Beerensteyn and Georgia Stanway. Photo: FCBfrauen on X.
This encouraged a physical battle; the duels were flying, with a number of interruptions to play as the referee’s whistle was heard. There were 17 tackles in the second half alone – the bulk coming from the home side – eventually resulting in Wedemeyer’s red card. In a physical game like this, timing challenges well and strong decision-making is paramount – which lost Wolfsburg the game.
Bayern also returned to playing the occasional long-ball (after their high press and insistence on playing out from the back was a key factor in the Barcelona loss). The decisions from Gwinn to press high and Viggósdóttir to aim to bypass the midfield set up their second goal, with Wolfsburg leaving plenty of spaces on the flanks.
Where this leaves the teams
Bayern recovered from their Catalan disaster in style, beating their fiercest rivals away in emphatic fashion. Whilst Wolfsburg had a number of chances to win the game, the away side were simply more clinical. The Wolves will be disappointed with how they responded to setbacks throughout the game – from going a goal down to the red card and head coach Stephan Lurch’s yellow. They capitulated, with poor decision-making ultimately deciding the game.
Neither side have much time to recover. Bayern host Juventus in the UWCL on Thursday, and Wolfsburg have a trip to Vålerenga awaiting them. For now, Bayern top the Frauen-Bundesliga leaderboard, three points ahead.
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