Daniela Galic: the rising star born into football

By Kieran Yap 24/1/24

Above: Daniela Galic and Caitlin Karic celebrate a goal for Melbourne City Photo: Melbourne City

Melbourne City attacker Daniela Galic spoke to Impetus71 about growing up in football, Young Matildas hopes and the quality at City.

Round 11 bore witness to one of the best individual displays the A-League Women has seen this season. In just one half of football Melbourne City’s Daniela Galic had scored three times, and set up one to give her side a 4-0 lead. But the numbers, remarkable as they are do not do her justice. Instead of a sideline reporter, media outlets should have sent a poet.

For her first goal, she cut past Ella Tokin to curl the ball home with force, her second was a tap in after a determined run from deep, and her third was a side footed finish after getting one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Between her brace and her hatrick she found time to deliver a perfect left footed cross for Kaitlyn Toprey to finish.

That day was one of her most complete games, but for those who have watched Galic since she joined the A-League Women last season, it felt inevitable. She made an impact in a new-look Melbourne City team last season, scoring twice from a central midfield role including a terrific volley, but it was her ability to perform consistently that stood out to most observers.

Daniela Galic is fast, balanced, has a deadly change of direction, impressive vision and the ability to use either foot to equal effect.

She has football instincts beyond her years, and can create opportunities out of seemingly nothing. A recent goal for The Young Matildas in China saw her intercept the opposition pass, slalom between two defenders and slot past the goalkeeper in a move that was simultaneously lighting quick but also completely unhurried.

If it sometimes feels like Galic was born to play the game, that is not far from the truth.
She has been in football as long as she can remember. Both of her parents played for the Lidcomb Waratahs in Sydney, and Galic would spend weekends watching her father and mother play before joining the club herself were she stayed until the age of seven.

“Growing up I was a big fan of Messi,” Galic told Impetus Football about how her eye catching style developed,

“But also my mum and dad played so I was watching my dad on a Saturday and my mum on a Sunday. Spending most of my weekends in the park, I probably learned most of my tricks from there.

“Playing soccer in the park with my family, that’s probably where I learned creativity and skills.”

She appears to combine the talents of both parents, at least positionally. Now 17 years old, Galic roams the midfield for the Young Matildas while for Melbourne City she is often found in the attacking third.

“They’re pretty equal,” she says of her parents abilities.

“My dad was a striker, my mum was a midfielder, they had very different games.”

“I used to go to the A-league when I was younger. I was a Western Sydney supporter, so I used to watch them (too), but a lot of my memories are just from watching my parents.”

Although it is her goals that make headlines, Galic first came to wide attention in the centre of the pitch. When The Young Matildas played Costa Rica in the 2022 Under 20 World Cup, Galic used her array of skills and tricks to torment the home side in front of over 30,000 fans and win player of the match.

At just 16, she was one of the youngest players in the tournament, but looked ready for the occasion despite the fact that Australia’s inclusion was a surprise in itself.

“I remember when Leah (Blayney) first told us all, I had no clue if I was going to go or not. I was at school when she told us all, it was pretty exciting, obviously I had that goal to be there.

“Finding out I was going I was very happy. It was a proud moment for me and my family.

“Just being there in Costa Rica was just a great experience. It was so professional, what you see on TV, what you see in World Cups… to be there amongst it was really special.”

Despite being subjected to a parochial crowd of Costa Ricans, and conceding a first half goal, the Young Matildas rallied to win 3-1 with a varied but relentless attacking display.

“They were pretty loud,” she says of the crowd.  

“But they were speaking Spanish so we didn’t really know what they were saying, which helped.

“I really enjoyed it. It was the first time playing in that sort of crowd and I haven’t played in anything like that since so it was definitely unforgettable.

“We didn’t let it phase us, we still won.

“I think the whole experience at the World Cup, showed that there was more than just Australian football (to learn.)  There was more than what we see and play and how differently we have to play against some teams. Obviously it was a lot faster, and I think that has helped me (back here.)”

Young players often take some time to adjust to the speed of the professional game. But following her World Cup adventure, Galic looked immediately at home in the A-League Women. She made 17 appearances for Melbourne City in her debut season and the club finished third on the table.

Her coach has helped with that. Like Galic, City manager Dario Vidosic was an attacking midfielder in his playing days, and she says that has been influential in improving her game.

“I think he definitively has helped, spending time with me, watching clips back, what he says in training, not just to me but the whole team. We know what experience he has.”

City currently sit on top of the table, seven points clear of second place and are started to score more freely. Emina Ekic’s arrival has added more firepower to an already enviable attack, and the multiple threats have allowed everybody to flourish in recent weeks.

“We have a real quality team this year. We all work well together and there’s not really one main person, we all bring our own qualities to make a really good squad.”

Galic describes a confidence among the attack, they are not perturbed by missing chances as long as they are attempting them they have confidence that it will be reflected on the scoreboard, “If they don’t go in we keep taking them, if they do it’s a goal,” she says as a matter of fact.

Galic’s form and versatility has naturally resulted in talk of a senior Matildas call up, but the City playmaker is only focussed on the present. There is little doubt that she has the talent but she is in no rush.

“I don’t read into it,” she says of the external hype.

“If I did make it into the squad I’ll be very happy, but I don’t pay it much notice anyway. It (Matildas talk) doesn’t really bother me.”

She has one of the brightest futures in Australian football, but Galic has more immediate concerns, Melbourne City are looking to win some silverware this year, and The Young Matildas have an Asian Cup fast approaching in March.

“We’ve been preparing since last year,” she says of Australia’s Under 20 team.

“We have a really good quad …I’m just excited to experience my first Asian cup and hopefully we can go far into the tournament and win it.”

A strong performance in Uzbekistan could see Galic at her second Under 20 World Cup, a feat that is both remarkable and unsurprising.

But that is further down the line. The immediate future is Melbourne City’s game against Western United, a team that City have not yet beaten, but with Daniela Galic currently on fire, that could be about to change.

Melbourne City play Western United on Thursday at 5pm AEST.

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A-League Women Weekly Awards

Members of the Impetus team of contributors covering the competition unveil their choices of player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of all the votes and just before Finals, reveal which player and coach have received the most votes across the season to be named the Impetus A-League Women Player and Coach of the Season 23/1/24

Player of the week

Ben Carey

Morgan Aquino. Her perfomance against Brisbane Roar was phenomenal, and showed yet again why she’s the best keeper in the league right now. Aquino kept a clean sheet, made eight saves, and even saved a penalty. Amazing effort.

Kieran Yap

Alexia Apostolakis. The Western Sydney youngster is developing into one of the most complete players in the league. She is part of the Wanderers first line of defence and is creating scoring chances regularly.

Against Central Coast, her pass for Holly Caspers to score was excellent. She was a huge difference in this game.

Coach of the week

Ben Carey

Ante Juric. His side, Sydney FC, were down 1-0 against an inspired Newcastle Jets. His half time talk must have breathed new life into his team. And his choice to bring on Zara Kruger was an excellent one, because she scored the winning goal in stoppage time.

Kieran Yap

Jeff Hopkins. Victory needed a win, when you play Canberra you know they’re probably going to score or at least get chances , so Hopkins trusted his attackers to get the job done. It happened late and in spectacular fashion but his faith was rewarded.

Moment of the week

Ben Carey

Emily Gielnik’s late winner against Canberra United. She beat her defender and then got out the paintbrush. Her strike was high and curled in at the last moment into the inside side netting. A great effort from the substitute and hopefully and indication of a return to pre injury form.

Kieran Yap

Keiwa Hieda’s winning goal. The instant control, the shimmy, the change of direction and then the composure to find the winner for Western United. Brilliant stuff.

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Arsenal take away three points against an improving Everton 

Arsenal 2-1 Everton

By Aimee Logan 22/1/24

Picture: Arsenal celebrate after Beth Mead secures the victory Credits: Arsenal.com

The cold weather at Borehamwood didn’t stop the Gunners today as they led Everton to a 2-1 victory in front of a loud home crowd. Despite the risk of the game not going ahead, Arsenal’s dedicated fans showed up in full force to welcome the WSL back after the Christmas break. 

The home advantage seemed to be working for The Gunners as Beth Mead rattled the crossbar in the fifth minute of play. This wasn’t Arsenal’s only chance withing 10 minutes as shots came from Alessia Russo, Katie McCabe, Victoria Pelova and Vivianne Miedema but they all just couldn’t find the back of the net. 

Caitlin Foord was caught offside as Arsenal continue to dominate the visitors in attack, but seconds later, Foord opened the score sheet for the Gunners in the 9th minute of play. The Matilda’s forward has been breaking through the Everton defensive line since kick off, making Arsenal’s early lead inevitable.

Despite consistently dominating on attack, Everton spotted an opening in The Gunners’ midfield. A shot from outside of the box from Snoeijs caught Arsenal keeper, Manuela Zinsberger, off guard, and the ball drifted into the back of the net making the sides level. A lack of communication along the back line took away the opportunity for Arsenal to take a clean sheet away from the fixture: an arguably recurring theme for The Gunners.

Picture: Katja Snoeijs (25) celebrates with Karoline Olesen (left) after their attacking move brought their team level Credits: Everton Women twitter 

The away side were given little chances to add to this attack in the first half as Arsenal continuously pressured the Everton defence. 

There were elements of Everton’s squad that showed the level that the side has reached in recent years. Heather Payne strode past Foord on the wing to open a wave of attack for her team, but no one was there to get past Lotte Wubben-Moy who has superbly been holding the defensive line for Arsenal. 

Wubben-Moy was voted, by fans, as Arsenal’s player-of-the-month for December, and this is definitely testament to the number of minutes she’s had on the pitch performing each week for her club. This fixture was no different: in partnership with Amanda Ilestedt and new signing Emily Fox the defensive line, they remained structured throughout the match. 

The first half was closed with a strike from Beth Mead that gave the home side a goal advantage going into the break. 

When the second 45 minutes kicked off, the advantage remained in the hands of the home side as they continued to test Brian Sorensen’s team. Brosnan was called upon by her teammates, multiple times, to make impressive saves to keep her team only trailing by one goal.

The match, as a whole, was very physical as players from both sides found themselves stuck in powerful tackles and blocks from the opposition. This gave opportunities for players from either side to perform in the midfield.

A player that stood out to me from Everton was Clare Wheeler. In her partnership with Payne in the midfield, she consistently promoted an attack for her team as she tested the opposition. Her through balls to players in Everton’s front line, although they didn’t result in a goal, it created more opportunities for the visitors to dominate. I think her impact in the midfield meant that Everton could be on the ball more in the second half.

Again, for the home side, another Australian player that impressed was Caitlin Foord. She opened her team’s account in the fixture but had plenty opportunity to increase her tally even more. Even though she didn’t score anymore goals today, her movement on and off the ball should shut down the criticism she has received in recent weeks. 

The Arsenal Women Supporters Club named Switzerland captain Lia Walti as their player of the match for the second week in a row, something that is hard to argue with. Walti’s ball handling in the midfield consistently improved Arsenal’s opportunities to score more goals. Her finest work of the game was her perfect pass to Mead on the back post to secure her team the victory. 

The game finished in a 2-1 victory for the home side, but Everton’s determination and physicality showed how the WSL has reached new levels in recent years. 

In conversation with Brian Sorensen post-match, I asked him what he thought his team needed to do to go level with the opposition, he replied, ‘’It’s hard because we’d been running for the first hour, then we have to find the energy to put into the game.’’ He ultimately believed that his team ‘’did everything [they] could’’ but Arsenal was just too tough of an opponent to take a point away from the game. 

Emily Fox is Jonas Eidevell’s recent addition to his strong team, but despite being new to the set-up, she has played a full 90 minutes in both fixtures so far under her new manager. Eidevell was asked about how he felt Fox was progressing at Arsenal: ‘’I’m really pleased with her onboarding process and that’s credit to a lot of people from operations to players to squad to staff that have helped her integrate.’’ 

He also praised how well his new signing has settled into the WSL: ‘’I don’t think she looks like a player that played her first WSL game.’’ This just shows how much impact his new signing is having on the pitch significantly as she’s now played two full games for Eidevell. 

Fox herself expressed how much she loved being in North London: ‘’I’ve been amazed with how seamless it’s being here. The girls and the staff and all of the fans have been so welcoming. It feels like I’ve been here for a while.’’ She even recognised how the fans have already developed a chant for her, ‘’It’s been really special having a chant, we don’t have that in the US.’’ 

She also explained how she attended The Emirates to watch the Arsenal girls take the points against Chelsea but now she ‘’can’t wait’’ to be one of the players on the pitch in front of a 50,000+ crowd: ‘’When I was at the Chelsea game it was surreal being at The Emirates.’’

Arsenal’s next fixture is in the Continental Cup when they take on Reading. Jonas Eidevell has spoken that there is possibility of this weekends fixture being the last without centre back and Lionesses captain Leah Williamson. Everton are also on the road for the Continental Cup as they take on fellow WSL side Leicester City.

LINEUPS:

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Zinsberger, Fox, Illestedt, Wubben-Moy, McCabe (Catley 83’), Pelova, Walti, Mead (Lacasse 90+6’), Miedema (Maanum 71’), Foord, Russo (Blackstenius 83’)

Subs: Beattie, D’Angelo, Codina, Cooney-Cross, Williams 

Scorers: Foord (9’), Mead (45+3’)

EVERTON (3-4-3): Brosnan, Stenevik, Finnigan, Holmgaard, Payne (Madsen 61’), Wheeler, Galli (Duggan 76’), Bissel(Campbell 61’), Bennison, Snoeijs (Piemonte 76’), Olesen(Hope 60’)

Subs: Hart, Wilding 

Scorers: Snoeijs (24’)

Referee: Melissa Burgin

Attendance: 3,713

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Wanderers move to fourth with win over Mariners

Central Coast Mariners 1-2 Western Sydney Wanderers

By Kieran Yap 22/1/24

Above: Wanderers players celebrate the Mariners own goal that saw them win the game. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers

The Western Sydney Wanderers are up to fourth on the ladder after Holly Caspers and Maliah Morris secured a 2-1 win away against The Mariners.

Central Coast took to the field for the second time this week, and hosted Western Sydney with hopes of repeating their win against Sydney FC on Wednesday. The drama of that epic contest was largely absent, although this one was tense and not without controversy.

The Mariners welcomes back Casey Dumont to the field after being withdrawn midway through Wednesday’s game. Chloe Louise Carmichael came in as the substitute keeper meaning that Ash Irwin was allowed to return to her preferred position of centre back. The Wanderers named an unchanged lineup.

Western Sydney found themselves in the unfamiliar position of having most of the early possession. Their best chances still came from counter attacks with Cushla Rue and Morris enjoying plenty of space with Sophie Harding being tightly marked but remaining busy. However, it was the home side that fashioned the best chances in the first half hour with Wurigumula firing wide from the edge of the box and Jazmin Wardlow’s close range header coming close.

Morris was the Wanderers most dangerous attacking outlet and was millimeters away from scoring when her shot clipped the crossbar after she burst into the penalty area. The game was quickly becoming and end-to end affair.

Holly Caspers opened the scoring in the 43rd minute after ghosting behind the defence and finishing off a brilliant Alexia Apostolakis through ball. There was a strong hint of offside about it, but the finish was enough to beat Dumont and the pass-through traffic was perfectly placed by Apostolakis.

The Mariners are no strangers to adversity this week and were not about to let their heads drop from a contentious goal. They hit back immediately after half time through Isabel Gomez’s thunderous strike. The midfielder found the bottom corner after a corner was cleared by Kaylee Collins but fell to an unmarked Gomez. There was still plenty for her to do and she struck the half volley through the crowded penalty area to level the scores.

Ash Irwin ignited the home crowd with a long range effort that hit the woodwork. The defender-turned goalkeeper has now shown off her full array of skills this wee after intercepting the ball at halfway, taking a few strides forward and then unleashing an attempt that had Collins beaten but not the crossbar.

The eventual winner came through another sweeping move by Western Sydney, Morris received the ball wide on the right and tried to send it back across goal. The cross took a light but vital deflection off Wardlow to put it past Dumont and make it 2-1. Despite The Mariners best and repeated efforts they could not find the equalizer. Wurigumula spurned their clearest chance after Peta Trimis cut the ball back to her with only Collins to beat.

The loss must be a hard one for Central Coast to swallow. Playing twice in a week is not easy, and after the adrenaline of Wednesday night’s classic they put in another strong performance against The Wanderers. However, vital things did not fall their way on this occasion and fortune was not on their side. Nevertheless, they created a flurry of chances and kept a settled and defensively confident Wanderers side on high alert for much of the evening. If they play like this every week they will win more than they lose.

Western Sydney are up to fourth and have a game in hand. We are just over half way through the season so there is plenty of football left, but Robbie Hooker’s team is playing with an air of confidence that makes them look organized and feel dangerous.

They were able to fashion a win without a Sophie Harding goal, though the star forward was vital in opening up space for her teammates and holding possession to help switch play. Holly Caspers now has two goals in as many games and Apostolakis continues her impressive form in midfield.

They host Brisbane Roar next week in what will be an intriguing battle between two sides that play a similar styler. Central Coast will make the short trip to face Newcastle Jets in an important showdown between seventh and eighth.

Teams:

Central Coast Mariners 4-3-2-1: Dumont (GK, Bryson, Irwin, Karambasis, Wardlow, Hayward, Gomez, Galic, Trimis, Badawiya, Wurigumula. Substitutes: Martin, Rasmussen, Karrys-Stahl, Evans, Carmichael.

Scorers: Gomez 48’

Western Sydney Wanderers 3-4-1-2:  Collins (GK), McComansky, Harrison, Bruce, Rue, Apostolakis, Price, Matos, Caspers, Morris, Harding. Substitutes: Ferris, Caceras, Breier, Younis, Segavcic.

Scorers: Caspers 43’ Wardlow (og) 54’

Referee: Rebecca Durcau

Attendance: TBC

Millwall Lionesses overcome National League opposition after penalties

Millwall Lionesses 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Millwall win 5-4 on penalties

By Myles Thornton at St Paul’s Sports Ground. 21/1/24 

Above: Wiktoria Gmiterek – Tom West Photography 

Ella Bailey scored the deciding penalty in a penalty shootout as Millwall Lionesses overcame Women’s National League Division One South East side QPR to progress into the next round of the Women’s Capital Senior Cup.  

Joint managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland made two changes to the side that lost the previous week, Ella Bailey and club captain Jordan Butler made way for academy graduate Melissa Jones and Grace Seely who both started this one.  

It was a much better start to the game than last week at home to Ebbsfleet United where the Lionesses found themselves behind after just 10minutes. This time around, Millwall were nearly ahead after 10 minutes, Shannan Drewe made a blinding run down the right hand side before putting the ball across the face of goal for the lightning fast Ellen Napper but she just couldn’t get her foot onto the end of the great ball.  

Then on 17 minutes, QPR’s Ellie Searle had a fantastic opportunity to break the deadlock but her effort wentjust adrift.  

Shannan Drewe then nearly scored a magnificent free kick, but QPR stopper Nicole Melling tipped it just over the bar.  

The deadlock was then finally broken when Maizi Garwood got her fourth goal in 3 games. Ellen Napper worked very well down the right side, she put a good ball in the box and Clemmie Young’s effort hit off the crossbar and Maizi Garwood was there on the follow up to smash it home.  

Nine minutes into the second half,QPR got a helping hand back into the game when the referee gave a contentious penalty from Melissa Jones’ challenge on Ellie Searle, who then converted from the spot. 

The rest of the game was quite even, however Millwall deserved to win, but after 90 minutes, the score was level, and it was off to penalties.  

The kicks were taken in front of the Joe Hughes end. It was locked at 4-4with both teams still to take their fifth penalty, Frankie Websters penalty was saved by U18’s goalkeeper Wiktoria Gmiterek, before Millwall’s Ella Bailey converted the winner.  

After the game, joint manager Alex Russell spoke to Maritime Radio’s Jeff Burnige and said the result was “very pleasing” and he also was full of praise for the 3 youngsters (Gmiterek, Young, and Bethelmie) who were involved in today’s game. Maya Bethelmie was the youngest of the bunch at just 16 years old.  

Teams: 

Millwall: Gmiterek, Huseyin, Payne, Jones, Chapman, Seely (C), Napper, Young, Garwood, Drewe, Burr. Subs: Butler, Bailey, Giordani, Bennett, Bethelmie.  

Scorer: Garwood 32’ 

QPR: Melling, Curr, McCrea, Carolan, Blodgett, Lewin, Shepherd, Hennessy, Stanley, Ward-Chambers, Searle. Subs: Nygaard-Parsons, Hill, Webster, Francis-Pownell.  

Scorer: Searle 54’ 

Referee: Alfie Howden 

Attendance: 55 

Hieda hits the winner for Western

Western United 1-0 Adelaide 

By Jonathon Hagger 21/1/24

Above: Jaclyn Sawicki (left) and Stacey Papadopoulos (right) combine to stop Adelaides Dylan Holmes.Photo: Western United.

The Western United teams first true ‘home game’ against Adelaide United was played on a warm Sunday afternoon in front of vocal home support at City Vista Recreation Reserve. A lovely 19 degrees and a beautiful prepared pitch, provided the perfect setting for a competitive football match. 

The match started without much to note as being of great interest. Each team struggled to gain ascendancy over the other. Adelaide’s defensive structure held out repeated efforts by Western to create scoring opportunities. While at the other end of the pitch, Adelaide were unable to break through the strong lines of Westerns defenders thereby creating a stalemate. . 

It was off the back of some beautiful midfield passing in the 25th minute that Westerns forward, Hieda, found herself in a position to shoot for goal. While Adelaide defenders were doing their best to close down the attack, ultimately it was the goalpost that saved the day as the ball ricocheted away from the goal before being safely dispatched out of play. 

In an immediate counter offensive play, Adelaide player Mariah Lee found herself again in space in the right hand side. She coolly slotted a pass along the pitch into where an Adelaide forward should have been but with no one to receive the ball Western we’re easily able to shut down the danger. 

In an absolutely brilliant moment of football magic, Dylan Holmes corner kick cleanly sailed into the Western goal. Mysteriously while Adelaide were celebrating the well deserved goal, it was waved off by the referee. The score line remained 0-0. 

The 41st minute was the first real opportunity for either team to score from open play as Hodgson, of Adelaide, pounced on a through ball that placed her in space behind Westerns defenders and one on one with Hilary Beal, Westerns goalkeeper. Hodgsons shot was gracefully padded away by Beall. 

Half time 0-0. 

The half time break gave both teams the opportunity to reset and reevaluate their tactics. The first five minutes of the second half were played with much more vigour than the entire first half. Both Adelaide and United had shots on target however both teams goalkeepers were up to the challenge. 

The first goal came in the 51st minute as Adelaide were unable to defend off a throw in which saw Hieda with the ball at her feet with a clear line of sight to the goal. Hieda easily directed the ball in the opposite direction that the Adelaide keeper was travelling. Western 1-0 Adelaide. 

Going behind by a goal was the wake up call that fired up the Adelaide players. The passing became cleaner, players started connecting with each other better and a desire to win set in. However having a desire to score and actually achit aren’t the same thing. Westerns sustained pressure on the Adelaide backfield stifled any momentum they were trying to generate. 

The 80th minute was lit up by a wonderful offensive surge by Adelaide with Hodgson delivering a cross to Dawber who ran the perfect line into open space in the Western goal area. Western were thanking their lucky stars as their star goalkeeper, Beall, managed to stop Dawber’s shot and managed to not to give away a penalty. 

The game concluded after five minutes of extra time with Western United securing a 1-0 win. Even though Adelaide dominated the game statistically, it was their inability to execute when in scoring positions that ultimately cost them the match. 

What we learned – 

  • Western United are not the dominant team that they were in 2023 however they are not to be underestimated. Sitting third on the A-League table they will likely be finals contenders, 
  • Depaige Adelaide having only a few wins so far this season meaning they’re sitting at the bottom of the table, they’re a team who can test all the best teams. 

Teams:
Western United: Beall (GK), Vlajnic, Maher, Cerne, Papadopoulos, Taranto, Roberts, Taranto, Hieda, Logarzo, Demis-Sawicki. Substitutes: Dakic, Dall’Oste, Keane, Prakash, Sardo.

Scorer: Hieda 52’

Adelaide United: Grove (GK), Tolland, Tonkin, Waldus, Hodgson, Holmes, Sasaki, Blake, Dawber, Lee, Hodgson. Substitutes: Wilson, Holtz, Jancevski, Morgan, Mullan.

Referee: Bec Mackie 

Attendance: TBC.

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Sydney FC’s youth hold off the Jets in Leichardt

Sydney FC 2-1 Newcastle Jets

By Callum Logie (21/01/24).

Above: Madeleine Caspers celebrates scoring against the Newcastle Jets. Photo: Sydney FC

A very hot Leichardt Oval in Sydney hosted Sydney FC’s clash with the Newcastle Jets without coach Gary Van Egmond.

Sydney FC came into the game off a very memorable 1-2 home defeat thanks to some last gasp heroics from the Central Coast Mariners. The Newcastle Jets on the other hand came in after a controversial 2-1 victory over the Brisbane Roar which made for an intriguing clash between the two teams.

Sydney FC made a few changes with Cortnee Vine making her first start of 2024 for Sydney FC. Shay Hollman and Madeleine Caspers also got starts in the midfield as the team looks to turn around their fortunes. Indiana Dos Santos also got the start on the wing with Princess Ibini moving to the centre forward role.

The Newcastle Jets also made a few changes with Melina Ayres getting the start up front. The more attacking formation for the Jets meant that they played with three at the back, as Josie Wilson joined Natasha Prior and Claudia Cicco as the back three. 

The match started with some solid possession for Sydney FC. They went for a ground passing approach in the early minutes which Newcastle held strong against, the most notable chance being a tame Vine effort across goal which was held comfortably by Isobel Nino. 

At the 10 minute mark, the first clear-cut chance came off the back of a Jets corner. It was however the subsequent breakaway as Charlotte McClean lobbed a clearance that Cortnee Vine ran onto. An early through ball released Mackenzie Hawkesby who rounded the keeper but this gave Libby Copus-Brown time to track back and clear the ball away as the last defender. 

Two minutes later, Hawkesby was caught offside after running slightly too early onto a Vine through ball. Hawkesby directed the ball past Isobel Nino but the flag denied Sydney FC the opening goal of the contest. 

These missed chances proved to be the undoing of Sydney FC as Sarina Bolden netted her seventh goal of the season with a well hit header off a beautifully weighted cross from Lauren Allan. A clinical breakaway from the Jets made it 1-0 to the visitors.

https://twitter.com/aleaguewomen/status/1748972096913650046/photo/1

In the following 15 minutes, a determined Vine was peppering Nino’s goal with a series of efforts including an attempted lob from the right wing and a cut inside that struck the outside of the post before deflecting out. 

After the second drinks break at 32 minutes, Mindy Barbieri forced a good save out of Jada Mathyssen Whyman as her long-range boot tested Whyman who dove low to her right to make the save. Besides the goal, this was Newcastle’s only impactful attack of the half. 

Hawkesby struck a well driven effort from outside the box which was held well by Isobel Nino at the 45 minute mark. This lead to another quick move forward for the Jets which Ayres curled over the bar from outside the box. 

Cortnee Vine hit the woodwork again at 47 minutes as a terrific weighted ball over sent her in on goal. Indiana Dos Santos sprinted in to strike the rebound which was bravely cleared away by a very impressive Claudia Cicco. 

Early in the second half, Sydney FC won a corner. Kate Hawkesby’s floated delivery to the far post led to a well-struck Tori Tumeth header which flew just off target. 

Indiana Dos Santos from the left wing managed to get an excellent cross to the far post which found Vine for her third effort striking the post. Vine’s tenacity did not waver though as she got back onto the rebound and lobbed the ball back across which 16 year-old Caspers nodded home from two yards. The 16 year-old was ecstatic for her first senior goal with the club as Sydney FC found their equaliser at 53 minutes.

Sydney’s change of approach in the second half was to integrate more wing play on both sides to prevent from Vine becoming isolated with multiple defenders. Vine and Hawkesby regularly made breaks forward and the midfield three for Sydney FC worked very hard to continue creating chances.

At the other end, Newcastle won two consecutive free kicks, the second of which was just outside the box. Mindy Barbieri struck the crossbar with her direct effort from the free kick which nearly put the Jets right back in front within 10 minutes of the equaliser. 

After 65 minutes in 35C plus temperatures, the heat was starting to have an impact on the players as passes forward weren’t ran onto as sharply as they had been earlier in the game and the level of pressing from each side was not quite as high as in the first half. 

At 82 minutes, Davis had a half chance for the Jets which went over the bar after a back heel from Bolden allowed Davis a clear look at goal from the edge of the box. Despite the heat, the game remained physical throughout the contest, both teams desperate to get the edge in possession.

The rest of the contest remained tight and tense but a ball chipped forward by Kirsty Fenton released 17 year-old substitute Zara Kruger, who was able to strike a terrific half volley past an oncoming Nino to seal a 96thminute winner. This marked the first time since round 6 that Sydney FC scored multiple goals in a match and two teenage midfielders were able to strike in a hugely important win for the Sky Blues.

Teams:

SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Tumeth, J.Thompson, McLean, Fenton, Hollman, Caspers, Hawkesby, Vine, Ibini, I. Dos Santos. Substitutes: Franco, Chauvet, Kruger, J. Dos Santos, Keane. 

Scorers: Caspers 53’, Kruger 96′.

NEWCASTLE JETS (3-1-4-2): Nino, Wilson, Prior, Cicco, Baumann, Davis, Copus-Brown, Allan, Barbieri, Bolden, Ayres. Substitutes: Rochaix, Hammond, Gooch, Karipidis, Hoban

Scorers: Bolden 16′.

Referee: Caitlin Williams

Attendance: TBC

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It’s the Morgan and Jordan show, as the goalkeepers define the day in Perth

Perth Glory 0-0 Brisbane Roar

By Kieran Yap 20/1/24

Above: Quinley Quezada tries to break free for Perth Glory

Despite a number of good chances on both sides, having two of the league’s best goalkeepers at either end meant that  the draw between Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar was a fitting result.

Glory went into this game sitting second on the ladder but needing a win. Alex Epakis’s side had won just once in the last five games, but have also conceded just three times in that run. After a strong start to the season, wins have been harder to come by, although performances have not dipped. That defensive record has contributed to Glory having only lost three times so far this season. It is an enviable position, and against the visiting Roar they needed every bit of luck and skill to avoid a fourth.

The Roar came to town with boasting an in-form Mia Corbin and Tameka Yallop. The former Parma striker has six goal to her name so far, while the Matildas great has recently found her fitness and form after an interrupted start to the season.

Up the other end, Glory’s attack was spearheaded as usual by Millie Farrow. The English attacker has so far been one of the signings of the season and her electric pace, combined with inventive dribbling make her a difficult match up for any team.

Ordinarily, the prospect of two effervescent attacks going up against each other would be reason to expect goals. However, this match had Jordan Silkowitz up one end, and Morgan Aquino at the other. The Goal’s Against column on the table does not tell the whole story, these are two of the best goalkeepers in the league right now, and both put on a show at Macedonia Park.

Brisbane had the better chances of the first half. Hollie Palmer tried her luck from long range, before a Yallop effort skimmed wide of the post. The Roar playmaker appealed for a handball, but on viewing the replay it appeared that Claudia Mihocic would have been very unlucky to have conceded a penalty from that.

Quinley Quezada came close to opening the scoring for Perth. Her curling effort looked destined for the top corner but did not dip in time, although it was close enough to have Silkowitz scrambling.

Yallop created what was the best chande up until that point. After cutting inside from the left, she looked certain to score, but Aquino was well positioned to gather the low shot. Roar looked to have taken the lead after a set piece was bundled over from close range, but referee Mikayla Ryan was right on the spot and immediately blew for a foul before Brisbane could start to celebrate.

The action peaked right on half time, one minute Isobel Dalton had a great chance to put Perth Glory ahead, but was stopped by Silkowitz, then almost immediately after Natasha Rigby handled the ball in the penalty area. Up stepped Brisbane captain Ayesha Norrie to deliver the 45th minute spot kick.

It was Norrie’s chance to send the visitors into the break 1-0 up, but Aquino is in hard to beat form and dove well to bat the effort away. It was just the latest in a growing list of Aquino highlights this season, at just 22 years old, she has emerged as one of Australia’s brightest goalkeeping prospects, comfortably alongside the likes of Jada Whyman, Annalee Grove and Chloe Lincoln. Her performances this season have meant that Sally James has struggled for opportunities and is having a season comparable to Casey Dumont’s at Melbourne Victory last year.

The chances continued in the second half. Sharn Freier blazed over with the goal at her mercy and Georgia Cassidy set up an attack for the home side with a terrific long ball that was snuffed out by desperate Brisbane defending.

The home side’s best opportunity for the match came when Farrow beat Silkowitz to a long ball and rounded the onrushing goalkeeper. Her touch took her wide of the goal, but her eventual close range shot was unable to be both on target and beat a lunging Holly McQueen who came sliding in to Brisbane’s rescue.

Farrow had one last chance to win the match after creating space for herself in the box, but her left footed shot from less than 10 yards out well blocked by the impassible Silkowitz.

Both sides will be disappointed with a 0-0 result, Roar looked to have dominated play but were unable to finish off their many promising attacks, Glory would have expected to win at home and had the opportunities to do so. This match was decided by the goalkeepers and you could toss a coin to decide who was best afield.

The bigger picture is that things appear to be clicking for Brisbane. Against most other sides they would have scored at least twice and they set up their midfield and strikers to try and take use Perth’s ability to play out from deep against them.

On the other side, Glory’s season is by now means off the rails, but they now have one win in six games, and although the toll of the travel schedule will eventually appear in a Perth season, they need to be winning their home games, and are playing well enough to do so. This was an opportunity missed.

They are not the only side struggling to find a cutting edge in front of goal this season, but they are interesting in that they had it and have seemingly lost it, at least temporarily. However, the chances are being made, multiple players are stepping up to create them (this was an excellent display of deep playmaking by Georgia Cassidy) and they should be able to find the net with regularity again soon.

Teams:

Perth Glory 4-3-3: Aquino (GK), Rigby, Mihocic, Cowart, Anton, Dalton, Lowry, Cassidy, Quezada, Jale, Farrow. Substitutes: Phonsongkham, Sakalis, Lawrence, James, Johnston.

Brisbane Roar 4-3-3: Silkowitz (GK), De La Harpe, Cuthbert, McCormick, McQueen, Palmer, Norrie, Yallop, Stephenson, Corbin, Freier. Substitutes: Kirkup, Levin, Davies, Richards, Thompson

Referee: Mikayla Ryan

Attendance: 1205

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City score twice and survive late Phoenix resurgence

Melbourne City 2-1 Wellington Phoenix

By Emma Burke 20/1/24

Above: Kaitlyn Torpey. Photo: Melbourne City.

Melbourne City have survived a late scare against Wellington Phoenix to win 2-1 at their first competitive fixture at the City Football Academy Field. 

The first half saw both sides with a handful of chances on goal, but neither were able to make anything stick.

Early in the second half, City were able to find their first goal of the afternoon. Julia Grosso after utilising her footwork to work around multiple Phoenix defenders. Unable to get any power on her shot after turning, her ball spilled over into the path of Rhianna Pollicina. Pollicina made no mistake in shooting across the face of goal and into the far corner. 

Wellington came close to equalising through Michaela Foster, whose shot from the top of the box was taken directly on target. City goalkeeper Lisyanne Proulx pulled off a truly remarkable one-handed save to send the shot over the bar and preserve City’s clean sheet. 

Emina Ekic then extended the lead for Melbourne City, after receiving the ball from young star Daniela Galic and sending two defenders to the shops, fired on goal, leaving Wellington keeper Rylee Foster beaten for the second time this afternoon.

Wellington brought themselves back into the game when Venezuelan international Mariana Speckmaier made good use of a poorly cleared ball in the box.

The Phoenix were doing everything they could to find an equaliser in the final minutes of the game, their efforts assisted by Emina Ekic being sent off after collecting her second yellow card, which saw her leave the pitch immediately and will see her sidelined for City’s game next week against cross-town rivals Western United.

It wasn’t meant to be for Wellington as City managed to play through the last 15 minutes of regular time and six minutes of stoppage time without conceding a second goal allowing them to come away with all three points.

Melbourne City (3-1-4-2): Proulx, Grosso, Stott, Roestbakken, Otto, Pollicina, Hughes, Galic, Torpey, Wilkinson, Ekic Substitutes: Henry, Davidson, L. McKenna, Chinnama, Barbieri

Scorers: Pollicina 51’, Ekic 74’

Wellington Phoenix (4-3-3): R. Foster, M. Foster, Lake, Barry, Davidson, Longo, Taylor, Main, Cox, Breslin, Speckmaier Substitutes: Errington, Whinham, Jaber, McMeeken, Edwards

Scorers: Speckmaier 78’


Referee: Isabella Libri

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Victory return to winning ways against Canberra United

Canberra United 2-3 Melbourne Victory

By Ryan Miller-Woods 20/1/24

Above: Alex Chidiac celebrates her goal for Melbourne Victory. Photo: Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory ncontinued their undefeated streak against Canberra United to 10 matches that dates back to 2017 but most importantly have their first win since December 16th with a dramatic 3-2 win at McKellar Park.

Canberra opened the scoring in the fifth minute bthanks to Holly Murray who dispossessed Rachel Lowe then provided a beautifully floated cross for Michelle Heyman. The Canberra captain seized her moment and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner for her eighth goal of the season and 102nd in the A-League Women. Tte goal put her back into third all-time for most goals scored in the A-League era (Men’s and Women’s).

Thirteen minutes later, Victory equalised thanks to a great through ball by Kayla Morrison that found Lowe who lobbed the ball over Canberra’s goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln for her Lowe’s seventh goal of the season. Less than a minute later, Victory came close to taking the lead with two chances by Lia Privitelli and Lowe respectively but were denied by Lincoln’s great goalkeeping.

Just after the half-hour mark, Canberra were quite unlucky to have not been given a penalty after Deven Jackson made a great run into the box and was brought down by Tori Hansen.

Melbourne took the lead in stoppage time via Sara D’Appolonia who crossed the ball into the box. After a slight scramble with Canberra’s Murray it fell to Alex Chidiac who put enough power on it for her first goal of the season.

Even though certain statistics would understandably have had Melbourne in the lead, Canberra still would have been frustrated to have been behind just before the first half concluded given how well they played during the half.

Six minutes into the second half, Victory had a good opportunity to hav double their lead via a great pass by Lowe for D’Appolonia in the box but Lincoln made a great block to prevent Melbourne scoring.

In the 70th minute, Canberra equalised. Sasha Grove laid the ball off for Ruby Nathan who crossed the ball into the box for Sophia Christopherson. Her header was initially saved by Courtney Newbon but the ball went directly into the path of Heyman who once again seized the opportunity to bring up her 103rd goal.

It was Heyman’s second goal of the match but was also her ninth of the season which then put her equal with her teammate Vesna Milivojevic in the A-League Women’s Golden Boot.

A minute later, Victory came close to re-taking the lead as D’Appolonia provided a cross in the box for McKenzie Weinert who blazed her shot well over the bar.

Further chances kept coming between both sides as the match headed into stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Canberra came agonisingly close to scoring with a great link-up play between Maria Jose Rojas and Heyman in the box but was denied by some great goalkeeping by Newbon.

Two minutes later, Victory scored the winner via Emily Gielnik as her shot from outside the box went over Lincoln and into the top left corner for her first goal of the season. Absolute heartbreak for Canberra but pure delight for Melbourne and a great goal from the returning striker.

Teams: Canberra United (4-4-2): Lincoln, Clough, Clark, Bertolissio, S. Grove, Milivojevic, Stanic-Floody, Murray, Flannery, Heyman, Jackson. Substitutes: Majstorovic, Piazza, Rojas, Nathan, Christopherson.

Scorers: Heyman 5’, 70’.

Melbourne Victory (4-4-2): Newbon, Rankin, Morrison, Hansen, Checker, Weinert, Murphy, D’Appolonia, Privitelli, Lowe, Chidiac. Substitutes: Candy, Gielnik, Okino, Zois, Curtis.

Scorers: Lowe 18’, Chidiac 45+1’, Gielnik 90+3’.

Referee: Isabella Mossin.

Attendance: TBC.

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