Above: Emilia Murray celebrates her sensational equaliser deep into injury time that sealed Adelaide United a point. Photo: Adelaide United.
After an enthralling encounter between Adelaide United and Canberra United with eight goals scored in total, three penalties awarded, and three lead changes, both sides shared the points come the final whistle.
In the seventh minute, Adelaide was awarded a penalty after Hannah Blake was brought down from behind by Tegan Bertolissio in the box. Alana Jancevski from the spot slotted her penalty into the bottom left corner as the hosts opened the scoring.
The Reds’ lead would last just nine minutes as Annalee Grove looked to clear the ball away, her clearance was chased down and blocked by Vesna Milivojevic who seized the opportunity to perfection as with an open net comfortably equalised for Canberra.
At the half-hour mark, it was Adelaide who was stronger in attack from the number of chances they had made, and from their passages of play, however, it was Canberra who took the lead in the two minutes before the break.
It was another unfortunate mistake from Grove via a through ball by Emma Ilijoski went directly into her path but mistimed getting to the ball which was just enough for Michelle Heyman who with no hesitation ran onto it and subsequently scored to ensure that the visitors went into the break ahead.
Above: Michelle Heyman (left) and Vesna Milivojevic celebrate for Canberra United. Photo: Canberra United.
However, Adrian Stenta’s side weren’t behind for too long as seven minutes into the second half they were awarded another penalty and Mariah Leeblasted her shot into the top left corner as Adelaide equalised..
Nine minutes later, it was Canberra that was awarded a penalty as Nicki Flannery was brought down in the box by Emily Hodgson. Flannery from the spot beautifully placed her shot into the top right corner as Canberra for the second time in the match took the lead.
The run of rapid-fire goals continued as just three minutes later, a great through ball by Jancevski found Hannah Blake outside the box as Blake timed her run into the box where her powerful shot into the top right corner equalised for Adelaide. It was both a great goal and build-up in play where Jancevski was crucial for Blake with the final product.
The avalanche of net busters was not yet finished. Two minutes later, an amazing through ball by Holly Murray found Milivojevic in the box who controlled the ball perfectly down to her feet as she slotted the ball past Grove for her second goal of the match and Canberra’s fourth as yet again they were in the lead for a third time.
In the final minute of regulation time, both sides had a golden opportunity in quick succession. Blake had a great chance for an equaliser from outside the box as her shot just came off the post. Then, Ruby Nathan from a through ball by Heyman hit a shot in the box just sailed past the goal.
Five minutes later, Adelaide found their crucial equaliser as Blake’s through ball found Emilla Murray whose run and eventual shot in the box was deflected off Ilijoski and then went over Lincoln directly into the back of the net for a dramatic equaliser.
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Above: Grace Kuilamu scored on debut for Brisbane Roar. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar has started this season off with an impressive win on the road against Melbourne Victory. Goals to Grace Kuilamu and Jenna McCormick ensured a 2-1 result, with Ella O’Grady scoring a consolation goal for the home side.
Victory went into this game with high hopes. Although they were missing the likes of Elise Kellond-Knight and Emily Gielnik, they had senior internationals on every line, and the afternoon started promisingly. The home side created chance after chance in a strong first half. Rachel Lowe came closest with a shot that was miraculously saved by Jordan Silkwotitz for Brisbane.
New striker Kurea Okino looked dangerous, but could not get a goal on debut for the club. She came inches away with a header and marginally missed connecting with an Alana Murphy ball into the box.
The heavy rain started to arrive in the second half, and Victory’s afternoon got darker as Sharn Freier started to have a bigger impact on the left flank. Her run and cross set up Kuilamu for a vicious strike that gave Lydia Williams no chance. Her battle with Jessika Nash would be closely contested and pivotal for the rest of the afternoon.
Although the goal had come slightly against the run of play it was well deserved. The powerful, direct wing play was capped off emphatically, and it was beginning to feel like it just was not Victory’s day.
Those fears were confirmed minutes later when Mckenzie Weinert thought that she had scored the equaliser. The American was judged to be offside from a long pass, but play was allowed to continue until she had cut inside the defence, shot, and began to celebrate.
Weinert’s energy and pace was a feature of Victory’s game, and although this goal was controversially chalked off, she did enough to impress the packed stadium. She looks like a good signing.
As Victory pushed for an equaliser, Roar struck again. Once more it was Freier who created the opportunity. Her battle with Nash drew a free kick from the wing and Hollie Palmer’s whipped-in ball was headed home by McCormick. It was near perfect delivery from Palmer, swung in between the defenders and goalkeeper making any touch a potential goal. McCormick’s finish was powerful and well-directed. She met the ball at full pace and Williams was unable to stop it.
Victory were now two goals down, the clock became their enemy and their bench lacked experience. Ava Briedis and Sara D’Appolonia came on for Paige Zois and Rachel Lowe. Briedis’s footwork caused Brisbane some trouble, and she tried her luck with a free kick that whizzed above the bar.
When Victory broke the deadlock it was too late, but a sign of what might emerge this season. Ella O’Grady fired home from the edge of the penalty area after Weinert’s tenacity created an opening.
The Young Matilda is highly regarded among national team selectors and showed why with Victory’s best strike of the afternoon.
Roar’s win should not come as too much of a surprise. They have not lost to Melbourne Victory since December 2021. No matter where either side sits on the ladder, who is available or who is signed, this is a fixture that Brisbane seem unable to lose.
It was a fiercely fought contest at times, but although fouls were common, there was little malice in any of them. Only two bookings were handed out which is a testament to the players who slid about desperately in increasingly stormy conditions.
Interestingly Melbourne Victory had more of the ball with 55% of possession, but committed far more fouls, giving away 15 free kicks compared to Brisbane’s nine. When they attack, they do so in numbers with both Nash and Jamilla Rankin getting ahead of the midfield. It can lead to some urgent defending, and that will probably improve as this new-look team plays more football together.
Brisbane were both lucky and excellent. Garrath Mcpherson’s side took their chances and defended well in midfield, although on another day they could have easily conceded two or three.
The home fans should be buoyed by the contribution of O’Grady and the early assured performance of Murphy in the centre of the pitch. Brisbane Roar fans will be delighted that two new signings found the scoresheet and that Hollie Palmer looks to be set to continue last season’s form despite spending much of the off-season recovering from injury.
This was a fiercely fought, tactically enthralling battle between two sides who always deliver incident-filled games. Victory might sign Brisbane’s best players, but The Roar never let them take all the points.
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Above: Mackenzie Barry (4) tries to block Holly McNamara’s shot with Nix goalkeeper Rylee Foster (right) also involved. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
In a game marred by blustery conditions and the unpredictable ball trajectory, it was New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson who scored the winning goal for Melbourne City at Wellington Phoenix.
Having ended at the bottom of the table last year, the Phoenix introduced a fresh approach by implementing a high-pressing strategy and a short-passing system. While they remained competitive throughout the match, it was in the 73rd minute when the Nix briefly lost focus. A well-executed shot by Rhianna Pollicina forced a rebound off the Phoenix goalkeeper, Rylee Foster. The Nix, unfortunately, failed to react promptly, allowing New Zealand national Hannah Wilkinson to pounce on the loose ball and slot it into the net.
The Phoenix introduced six fresh faces in their starting lineup, including promising talents like Manaia Elliott, a New Zealand U17 and Phoenix Academy standout, Macey Fraser from New Zealand, the recent addition from the Houston Dash, Hope Breslin, the University of Pittsburgh standout Hailey Davidson, and Emma Main, who had been a spark towards the end of the previous season.
However, the most notable name on the pitch was Rylee Foster, the Canadian goalkeeper. This former Liverpool player made a remarkable comeback to football after suffering multiple neck fractures in October 2021, an injury that doctors initially believed would end her career.
Melbourne City, led by their newly appointed captain Kiwi Rebecca Stott, dominated possession in the first half. Although Phoenix Academy standout Manaia Elliott displayed her aggressive style down the left flank, the team struggled to find the required quality in the final third. Both sides displayed solid defensive work, preventing any goals in the first half, and keeping goalkeepers on their toes. The ever-reliable Holly McNamara of Melbourne City posed a significant threat with her play throughout the match.
Above: Melbourne City’s Bryleeh Henry looks for a way through today. Photo: Melbourne City.
The Wellington Phoenix kicked off the second half with the introduction of Mariana Speckmaier, an American-born Venezuelan international, off the bench. Her arrival brought the much-needed ball control and flair that the team had been missing.
The 50th-minute highlight of the match came from fullback Hailey Davidson, but Melbourne’s goalkeeper, Lysianne Proulx, made a vital save, cutting down the angle effectively.
In the 68th minute, a well-placed cross from Nix’s Kate Taylor fell in front of Speckmaier. She made a short hop and attempted a shot, but it sailed over the post, leaving both teams still in search of a breakthrough.
It was five minutes later that proved costly for the Nix as Wilkinson struck for the winner. Despite a late, frenzied push from both sides towards the end of the match, the effort did not yield the desired results. Melbourne City secured three valuable points, while the Phoenix will persist in their journey to rebuild a team brimming with potential.
Speaking afterwards, City head coach Dario Vidosic praised his striker for claiming the match-clinching goal: “First one to be alert to be there and goalkeeper spills it from a good shot and she’s there and that just shows the type of predator she is in the box.”
Phoenix Coach Paul Temple was frustrated with the outcome: “I think everyone’s really disappointed with the with the loss. We, I think did enough in terms of creating good goalscoring opportunities. We had some really good ones at the start of the second half, probably two big ones that we didn’t take, and ultimately, a team like Melbourne City, they had a lot of possession and they ended up punishing us. So yeah, it feels like a little bit of a blow. But there’s some there’s some good things that we were happy with as well.”
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s Hope Breslin with her Player of the Match Award from fan group Flight of the Nix. Photo: Alex Brook Conway.
Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-4-3): R. Foster, Taylor, Barry, Van Der Meer, Fraser, Knott, Breslin, M. Foster, Davidson, Main, Elliot. Substitutes: Edwards (GK), Wisnewski (62’), Whinham (80’), Speckmaier (45’), Lake (89’).
MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-3): Proulx, Torpey, Stott, Otto, Grosso, L. McKenna, Pollicina, Galic, Henry, McNamara, Wilkinson Substitutes: Barbieri (GK), Chinnama, Hughes, Karic (80’), T. McKenna.
Scorer: Wilkinson 73’
Attendance: 2,500.
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Above:Hana Lowry looks to break through for Perth Glory tonight. Photo: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory produced hints of their potential this season as the talented young Western Australian side defeated last year’s beaten Grand Finalists Western United at Macedonia Park in their season opener.
Perth head coach Alex Epakis gave five players their debut with Jessika Cowart, Grace Jale, Millie Farrow, Grace Johnston, and Georgia Cassidy all wearing purple for the first time. The latter two locally produced teenagers have caught the eye consistently in the NPLW WA with Hyundai NTC over the past two seasons. There was also a return for the vastly talented Claudia Mihocic who missed the whole of last season through injury.
Farrow was industrious from the start as she pounced on a short back pass from Alana Cerne to Melissa Dall’Oste and looked to jump into direct the ball home, but the visitors cleared the danger. Young Johnston was also getting into the groove on her pro debut, linking up well with her fellow Western Australian Hana Lowry via the left. Glory also had the stunning footwork of Susan Phonsongkham which saw her dance past three defenders and pull over a low ball from the right but one could get on the end of it.
The Taranto twins were establishing a foothold in the midfield for the visitors and looked to bring in the dangerous Hannah Keane who broke free just past the quarter of an hour mark to get in a shot that Morgan Aquino blocked with her legs in the Perth goal. Moments later Adriana Taranto fired in a shot that hit the side netting as Western United grew increasingly into the game.
Just before the half-hour mark, United came close once more as Tyla-Jay Vlajnic pulled in a centimetre-perfect cross from the left, Melissa Taranto got up between two defenders to direct a header goalwards, but Aquino produced a superb save. Moments later Adriana Taranto curled an effort narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
Phonsongkham’s impressive evening continued as she played a brilliantly tempting ball into the mix that saw Sofia Sakalis go into a challenge with Dall’Oste as the ball came through but to no avail.
Glory were targeting the inexperienced visiting keeper Dall’Oste – looking to close her down at every possible opportunity from back passes, yet as the game reached half-time, they hadn’t been able to capitalise.
However, they hit the front just four minutes into the second half as Phonsongkham stamped her influence on the game with a stunning strike. The ball was played back to her by Farrow on the right-hand edge of the box to curl a superb effort that bounced through into the bottom corner of the net.
United came agonisingly close to levelling just after the hour mark as Cassidy was ruled to have handled outside the area. Vlajnic’s dangerous free kick on the right curled its way against the bar with Aquino beaten. Cerne couldn’t reach the rebound and Perth cleared.
However, any hope that the visitors had of coming back were blown out of the water with 11 minutes remaining as Jale received the ball outside the box on the right-hand side and unleashed with an absolute rocket that flew into the top of the net. Up until this point the Kiwi international had not been seen as much as she may have wanted to be – but the mark of a class player is the ability to create a moment of magic from nowhere – and Jale did just that.
Despite their best efforts in the closing stages, Western United could not find their way through Glory’s well-marshalled defence with Aquino a superb last line of it. For last year’s Grand Final runners-up, it was a frustrating defeat. They conjured up some excellent attacking play. The Taranto twins were impressive in their energy and vision, and Vlajnic was devastating from set pieces. They just could not find a way past Aquino in the Perth goal.
The Glory at times last season were left to rue not taking chances that came their way, and that was something that they could not be accused of tonight. They went toe to toe with a team who will be competing for a place in Finals once more this year.
There is so much to take from this game for Alex Epakis’ team – a defensive solidity and organisation, a few signs of the sparkling attacking potential, and the seamless transition into the A-League Women from local teenagers. A team who are able to bring on the talent of Abbey Green off the bench also highlights the depth of the Western Australian side’s squad this season. For me though, this performance doesn’t come anywhere close to their potential – they can be an even better team than they showed tonight.
WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Dall’Oste, Papadopoulos, Cerne, Maher, Vlajnic, Sawicki, Robers, M. Taranto, A. Taranto, Johnson, Keane. Substitutes: Picak (GK), Sardo, Dakic, Hiedo, De Domizio.
Referee: Isabelle Blaess.
Attendance: TBC.
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Above: Newcastle’s players bask in the aftermath of Melina Ayres’ goal. Photo: Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets have claimed the first win of the 2023/24 season over Central Coast Mariners in a 1-0 defeat thanks to a header from marquee signing Melina Ayres.
Central Coast Mariners made their return to the A-League Women’s after a 14-year absence with a goalkeeper in their starting eleven that they had announced the signing of only ninety minutes beforehand.
Courtney Newbon then proceeded to have an incredible game between the sticks, facing a total of twenty-three shots over the course of the game, and making a fantastic double save to deny the Jets in the first half.
While the opening half was very much about shaking off the cobwebs, of which one team certainly had more than the other, there was a level of physicality that was not going to be easily eluded.
The F3 Derby (named after the former name of the Pacific Motorway, which connects Newcastle and the Central Coast), had a total of six yellow cards and also saw the first and second red cards of the season shown.
A scuffle erupted late in the second half after Jets captain Cassidy Davis fouled Mariner Bianca Galic. Rising frustrations lead to defenders from each team, Alexandra Huynh from the Jets, and Faye Bryson from the Mariners bodily colliding, and a scuffle evolved from there with multiple players shoving at each other.
The pair were eventually ejected from the pitch, reducing both sides to 10 players, and was ultimately the catalyst for the game-winning goal for Newcastle.
Newcastle was able to find the breakthrough when substitute Laura Gooch was left alone to chase down the ball on the right flank, and she had ample time to check and see where to send in the cross.
Her cross was expectedly well delivered and found the waiting head of Melina Ayres, who only had to redirect the ball to the back of the net.
The Jets were then able to run out the game comfortably and take home all three points available.
Round Two will see both teams hit the road, Newcastle head to Perth to face the Glory, and the Mariners down to Adelaide to try and find their first points for the season.
NEWCASTLE JETS: Nino, Cicco, Prior, Huynh, Baumann, Davis, Dundas (Burrows 68′), Copus-Brown, L. Allan (Gooch 55′), Barbieri (Hammons 90′), Ayres.
Scorer: Ayres 81’.
Referee: Kate Jacewicz.
Attendance: 5,735
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Above: Kirsty Fenton celebrates her impressive goal to open the scoring for Sydney FC. Photo: Sydney FC Twitter.
Over 11,000 fans came to Allianz Stadium for Sydney FC’s season opener against Western Sydney Wanderers. Goals to Kirsty Fenton and Fiona Worts secured a 2-0 win for the defending premiers, but after a slow start, Western Sydney showed some signs of promise in an improved second half.
It was a new look Sydney FC for 2023/24. The midfield stars Sarah Hunter and Mackenzie Hawkesby have departed for France and England respectively, and Fiona Worts started in attack for her first appearance at her new club.
Western Sydney’s biggest change from last season was in the dugout. Kat Smith was surprisingly replaced by former Canberra United coach Robbie Hooker. Goalkeeper Kaylie Collins started after her transfer from Orlando Pride.
Sydney FC started in control of possession and dominated the scoring chances. Cortnee Vine electrified the enthusiastic crowd with every touch, and threatened whenever she was on the ball.
The opening goal ended up arriving from a surprising source. Fullback Kirsty Fenton fired home a volley from the edge of the penalty box. Collins was able to get a hand to the strike, but the power behind it was too much for the American custodian to stop.
Young midfidler Zara Kruger impressed early, and was unlucky to not have a goal to her name after her shot skidded wide of the post. Shay Hollman was everywhere in midfield.
Sydney’s front three were mobile and creative. Worts, Vine, and Princess Ibini switched positions and dropped deep to test the Wanderers defence. Ibini’s perfectly weighted pass set up Worts for a delightful, clipped finish over Collins to double the lead.
Sydney’s win was tempered by a potentially bad injury to Nat Tobin. The captain went down after a collision in defence, and the home side seemed slightly rattled by the sight of their skipper being stretchered off.
The second half saw the introduction of Mel Caceras for the Wanderers and the number 10 had an instant impact. Suddenly they had a creative outlet who could dribble past defenders and link the midfield with Sophie Harding in attack.
Caceras came closest to scoring but could not beat Jada Whyman in goal, although the prospect of her starting in combination with the injured Millie Clegg is something for Wanderers fans to look forward to.
Sydney’s title defence started off in strong fashion. It was a comfortable win in the end, and had Sienna Saveska or Cortnee Vine’s chances been taken, they could easily have had more. With Shea Connors to come into this side, they are looking dangerous, but with Nat Tobin out, they will need a reshuffle in defence.
Western Sydney recovered well after a start that seemed ominous.
As an occasion, this was fantastic, the 11,471 fans set a new record for an attendance at a domestic women’s football match and most would have left delighted at what they had seen.
In conjunction with the previous match between Central Coast and Newcastle, the all time attendance record for a round was already broken just two games into the weekend.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS: Collins, Matos, Bruce, McComasky, Apostolakis (Price 90’), Chessari, Harrison (Ferris 83’), Breier (Caceras 45’), Gordon, Rue (Morris 83’), Harding.
Referee: Casey Reibelt.
Attendance: 11,471.
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Above: Mackenzie Weinert celebrating for the University of Washington. Photo: Instagram
Melbourne Victory has been busy in the off-season. Some big names have been signed and among the returning Matildas and former rivals is a player that is unfamiliar to Australian fans, but may not be for long.
Mckenzie Weinert is the latest American striker to wear the Melbourne Victory shirt. Like LynnWilliams, Darian Jenkins and Catherine Zimmerman, who came before her she is a wide, quick and inventive forward who can create goals, score from any range and enjoys a battle.
Her highlights reel from The University of Washington shows a dangerous, two footed footballer who thrives in one-one-one situations with or without the ball. Weinert’s off the ball movement allows her to beat defenders by ghosting into the box, or after a combination of passes with teammates. The footage also shows a strong finisher and a hunger for goals matched by composure in traffic.
Weinert looks like the prototypical Victory player, the type that Jeff Hopkins has historically built his game plan around.
“It’s been great,” Weinert said to Impetus Football about her time in Australia so far.
“It’s very different to Portland Oregon. The weather is actually kind of similar though, rain and cold, so I’m used to that. I’m looking forward to summer, but I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
“It was definitely a football move. It was a great opportunity to keep playing and really develop here.
“It was my first experience with jet lag. That was my biggest difficulty when I got here.
“On top of that, being far from family and trying to learn to new system was difficult…but the team has been super welcoming, everyone’s been great. The adjustments I’ve had to make haven’t made such a big impact.”
Weinert’s eye catching displays in the College system caught the eye of NWSL recruiters. She signed with OL Reign during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as a national team replacement player. It was a decision that would have immediate benefits and eventually lead her to Melbourne.
“It was amazing. Laura Harvey, the head coach, she has a great football mind. I developed a lot there, but I’m very excited to continue here and to develop under Jeff.
Reign’s current roster features a number of names that have made a big impact in Australia, during her time in Seattle, Weinert shared a locker room with the likes of former A-League Women stars like Jess Fishlock, Nikki Stanton and Veronia Latsko.
The conversations she had there, helped her decide to move across the world to further her career.
“Quite a few people played in Australia during the off-season, and I heard nothing but great things about the league and Australia in general.
“It where everyone says I could go and develop, it aligns perfectly with the NWSL season, and it was a good opportunity.
“I listened to what they had to say and thought about what they experienced in the league. It kind of made it a no brainier to come and try here.”
Having never been to Australia before, the A-League Women also provides an opportunity for Weinert to travel around the country. She is looking forward to visiting some cities she has heard a lot about, and hopefully heading back to Victoria with a few goals to her name.
“I’ve heard great things about Perth. You hear a lot about Sydney, and we play a NZ team, I’m looking forward to going there as well.
“I truly think it’s a great opportunity to explore the country… ultimately I’m here for football but the little perks on the side like travelling aren’t too bad.”
Weinert forms part of a new-look Melbourne Victory attack. She is one of five new signings for the final third alongside Emily Gielnik, Kurea Okino, Rachel Lowe, and Ella O’Grady.
Beattie Goad, Ava Briedis and Lia Privitelli will also return making for an enviable set of options. Although they have not played a competitive match together, Weinert says that they are all learning each other’s games quickly.
“It’s been good. That’s one of the difficulties you face, learning people’s styles and what they look for when they’re on the ball. This pre-season that’s what I’ve been focussing on.
“Overall, I feel like we’ve meshed together pretty well. I’m looking forward to season starting and seeing how that all comes along.”
One of the attributes that sets Weinert apart is her power and ability off both feet. It makes her a difficult striker for opposition defenders to close down, and her speed on the dribble means that she can open up space to shoot on either side.
When asked if she is left or right footed, Weinert has to pause and think for a moment.
“Growing up my dad was very strict with using both feet.
“Ever since my dad instilled that in me, I feel pretty equal on both feet.
“I think I prefer shooting on my left, but if somebody asked me I’d say I’m right footed. I’m thankful for my dad for making that happen.”
Footballers in the USA are not short of role models, and as a striker Weinert has some of the game’s best to look up to. She credits Alex Morgan as one of her favourites and looks to emulate the World Cup winner’s style of play and ability.
“I thought ‘oh I’m fast I could be like her.’ That’s where it started.
“She uses her strength that she has in her game really well.
“That’s kind of something I admire. You know your strengths and you know how to use them.
“I think what people can expect from me is competition. I’m a hard tackler and hopefully they can expect some goals.”
Weinert is ready to be involved in Melbourne Victory’s Round One match against Brisbane Roar. A win would start off the season in perfect style, and Weinert hopes to help the team reverse a recent trend.
Brisbane has not lost to Victory in the past two seasons, but Weinert was unfamiliar with that statistic and is only concerned with what comes next. The overall feeling is of excitement to get started in front of what is anticipated to be a huge crowd.
“I feel great, I think we’re very fortunate to have the facility.
“Everyone is really looking forward to the game and firing on all cylinders. It’s going to be a tough game, but we’re definitely up to the fight.”
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Five WSL clubs, five Impetus writers attended their media conferences today. They report below (13/10/23).
Above: Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall, who spoke to the media, including Impetus’ Morganna King, today. Photo: Arsenal.
Arsenal
by Morganna King
Arsenal preparations are in full swing ahead of Sunday’s home game with Aston Villa with over 33,500 tickets sold for the WSL match at The Emirates.
In his media conference today, Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall revealed that Beth Mead could be about to return: “We have one more training session to go, if she goes through that training she should be 100% ready for squad selection.” Her return is highly anticipated after sustaining an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury last November.
Another highly anticipated return is the likes of Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema. It’s still unclear when she will be making her return to the matchday squad but Eidevall was keen to iterate that “at the end of the day everything is going to be unique to you as an individual and things need to be tailored towards you as an individual as well”. As both Mead and Miedema ruptured their ACLs at a similar time there is often a pressure for them to be at the same stage in their recovery however it’s important to note that every injury is unique.
With Arsenal’s Lionesses’ captain Leah Williamson still also in recovery mode, with Eidevall revealing that she is “not close to playing but is progressing well”. She is back on the pitch doing basic ball work but it is completely certain that we won’t see her return until after the Christmas period.
In terms of Arsenal having a number one goalkeeper, Eidevall doesn’t believe in that philosophy; “We don’t think like that, it’s not a permanent jersey that we stick upon one player” he revealed. “But of course, there’s always competition and to see which one will be in our best starting XI”. Manuela Zinsberger started in goal against Liverpool whereas Sabrina D’Angelo started against Manchester United, so it will be interesting to observe who will make it onto the field against Aston Villa.
Scheduling is still a prominent issue in women’s football as it’s known that the turnaround after the World Cup was a very short period before the season commenced. When asked about how this is impacting the players at the club Eidevall answered “When you step in and you train with Arsenal I demand 100%, there is not room for coming in and saying oh i’m having a 90% day today. That’s not the environment for you to be here at Arsenal.
“So when you step in here we want 100% but that also means more from a mental side of playing a big tournament and getting too little time to reset, that we manage time individually with the players that were staying long in the World Cup and they’re getting complete time off from the training ground.”
In the previous match Arsenal played at the Emirates Stadium, they were defeated 1-0 by Liverpool on the opening round. “We are not a finished product” Eidevall affirmed. One of the flaws in the squad that day was the lack of reciprocation of energy from the crowd by the players, but also their ability to take the chances to counter press at every opportunity.
Going into Sunday’s match and every match from there on out, there’s confidence that the Emirates will become a fortress as more games are played at the main stadium, which will subsequently result in building on their winning mentality.
Aston Villa
by Emily Brown
Above: Aston Villa boss Carla Ward. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
This Sunday Aston Villa will face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. As of yet, neither team have come out with a win so far into this WSL season. In the Villains’ last match against the Gunners, they shocked with a 2-0 win with goals from Rachel Daly and Alisha Lehmann, ending Arsenal’s rollercoaster of a season with a dramatic loss.
Ward firstly confirmed that Kenza Dali will remain unavailable for this weekend’s match, with her anticipated return realistically being expected following the conclusion of the upcoming international break. She further expressed, without confirming who, that there are a “couple of illnesses in camp which will be assessed today but other than that everyone’s good to go”.
The potential of Dali being available to play any sooner looks unlikely with Ward mentioning that it is “really important that we don’t rush Kenza, she’s such a big part of what we’re trying to do” adding that the club will be sure to “make sure that when she does come back, she’ll be ready to go.”
There continues to be a slight ambiguity surrounding precisely the extent of Dali’s injury towards the media, but Ward explains that after Dali picked up a “couple of niggles”, during and in the space after, this summer’s World Cup, the club have “assessed and scanned and realised she needs a bit of rest and rehab”. In short, it is clear that Dali is suffering with a “knee problem” but is fortunately “close to being at the end of her rehab”.
On the impact of the continued absence of Dali and Kirsty Hanson, Ward recognised it as “huge” but remains positive and has faith in her squad to rise above it:
“Kenza and Kirsty were pivotal in everything we did well in last season. Kenza links the front-half and back-half very, very well and obviously, Kirsty’s pace and power is something that’s rare in our game. We’ve missed them massively but the group’s tight-knit and honest. We’re disappointed but we’ll keep working like we always do”.
After Manchester City manager, Gareth Taylor, spoke out about the officiating of the match between his side and Chelsea where two of his stars Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp were issued with red cards, with a surprising number of players receiving yellow cards across both halves, Ward seems to be in agreement saying, “I would echo Gareth Taylor’s comments, I think he’s hit the nail on the head.”
Much controversy has surrounded Greenwood’s red card with many contesting that her actions were undeserving of one. Aston Villa too have had a lot of talk around Hanson’s three-match ban after her red card. There are thoughts in particular that a three-match ban is perhaps too harsh, with both incidents begging the question of how sound the officiating of matches in the WSL have been recently.
Following on from this, surrounding the topic of officiating matches Ward was asked her thoughts on the potential for the introduction of VAR technology into the WSL:
“I think we can’t run before we can walk. I think we have to professionalise referees within our game first, I think that’s really important because we’re going to be asking those officials to work on VAR and VAR is a hugely complicated technology. I think it’s really important that we have professional people working that.”
Understandably, Ward believes that the focus shouldn’t be on VAR just yet and that there’s “areas in the game that certainly needs improving and needs a lot of focus before we even think about VAR.”
Villa were “disappointed” with their performance against Liverpool last week, but Ward chooses to focus on the “bigger picture” and asserts that “there’s no problem with losing to a Liverpool side that’s just beaten Arsenal.”
With matches coming up against Tottenham Hotspurs and Emma Hayes’ league-winning Chelsea, Ward remains calm: “There’s no panic here whatsoever. I think it’s clear that we’re very focused on what we want to try to achieve. The focus and the aims haven’t changed from what we set out in pre-season. We’re only two games in and we’ll continue to work and go after those targets.”
In regard to Jonas Eidevall’s team, Ward commends them: “I really enjoy watching Arsenal play. They were excellent against Manchester United. They’ve got a world-class squad and a top manager. We’re under no illusions, they’re a top side and we’re going to have to absolutely be at our best”.
“We’ve got to try and dominate the ball as much as we possibly can. In both games last season, we matched them in areas. We set up in a way that allowed us to get on the ball a lot more and it will be the same again this weekend.”
Overall, Ward seems to have a quiet confidence in her team at Aston Villa and described her squad as an “honest group” focussed on doing “everything” they can do to pick up points and reassures that it “won’t be long” till they do just that.
Brighton and Hove Albion
by Genevieve Henry
Above: Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Mel Phillips. Photo: Sky Sports.
The media heard from Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Melissa Phillips and their Lionesses star Katie Robinson ahead of their clash with Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.
Phillips and the squad are feeling prepared for their tough clash against Tottenham. Although they are aware of the attacking talent they possess, Phillips feels that there are weaknesses Brighton can capitalise on, but they are focusing on what they can bring as a team, saying “Ultimately we know we can put out a team and a performance out on the pitch that makes our fans really proud.”
It will be a tough matchup between two highly organised teams, but Brighton are feeling confident going into the weekend. The team is looking forward to playing at the men’s team’s Amex Stadium and are hoping for a good atmosphere. When asked about her feelings on playing there again, Robinson was excited and hoping to get on the scoresheet again, as she did last season. Coming off of the women’s World Cup, Robinson was thrilled to be a part of such a successful England squad and is looking forward to more growth from the league.
In terms of grounds, the Brighton city council are considering a new stadium for just the women. Phillips spoke of the club’s communication with the council saying, “We’re just really focused on the football side of it.” Robinson said she was excited for the potential to have a ground to call home. The club is proud to be a part of the growth of women’s football and feel exceptionally lucky to have a great training facility at home, but are excited by the potential of more growth. They are very focused on making an environment and team for the fans to be proud to be a part of.
Brighton went through some rebuilding over the summer, and while losing many influential players, they gained some promising and experienced new ones. Robinson spoke of the team getting along well, with the relatively fresh squad growing together and hoping to achieve big things this season. One to pay attention to in particular is recently appointed captain Vicky Losada. Phillips spoke highly of her, saying “She has a really uncanny ability to relate to all sorts of different people and that is what put her in positions to wear the armband across multiple squads.
Two players that have impressed Phillips are the young Australians Charlize Rule and Mackenzie Hawkesby. One thing that gives them an edge is the desire to fight to get onto the senior national team, which Rule has now done for the Olympic qualifiers. “They are both very exciting players in the attack. They are very competitive and work incredibly hard. They’ve shown a lot of quality for their young age.” According to Phillips, the Aussies slid into the squad seamlessly, adding value both on and off the pitch.
Manchester United
by Ruby Perry
Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner revealed to the media today that he has no new injury concerns ahead of their home game with unbeaten Leicester City on Sunday.
Aoife Mannon and Emma Watson remain unavailable and Geyse Da Silva Ferreira had a little knock against Arsenal a week ago but is back in full training and after coming on as a sub in midweek, and could play a fuller part on Sunday.
The Red Devils boss recognises that it will be a tough game with the Foxes winning both their opening games. He particularly pointed to Leicester’s greater attacking intensity and confidence this season.
Skinner believes that his players need to find the intensity that they generated against Paris St. German in midweek as they managed to recover from a tough start and a 1-0 deficit to draw 1-1. If they can do that, they can find the spaces necessary to break down Leicester and get the all-important three points.
Tottenham Hotspur
by Rachel Cohen
In his pre-Brighton and Hove Albion press conference, Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn provided some insight into his squad selection decisions.
After two games in charge, Robert Vilahamn’s Spurs are on track. They have played well but lost to a team they were expected to lose to (Chelsea) and beaten a team they were expected to beat (Bristol City). Vilahamn then made ten changes and the team put six past second-tier Reading in the Conti Cup. So this Sunday’s game against Brighton will be a good indicator of where his team are on their “journey”, not least because Brighton were many people’s picks for potential surprise package in the WSL this season.
Talking to the press before this game, Vilahamn praised the improvements that he has seen in his squad since he joined as manager:
“I think they are really good players with the really good attitudes. I’ve been impressed with how they actually can take the tactics, the strength, the conditioning training and try to take that on the field.”
We also got some insight into how Spurs’ existing players are fitting into Vilahamn’s high-pressing attacking style of play. Vilahamn offered fulsome praise for Molly Bartrip, who has worn the captain’s armband for the first two WSL games of the season, in Beth England’s absence.
“I think I quite soon realized both as a person when you meet her and speak to her, she’s a really good person and she’s a really good, you know, calm leader in the, in the squad. And then when she plays, she never loses the ball. She wins every duel. She have a really high potential. I think she’s been brilliant, and she has even more potential. So for me, she’s possibly a next national team centre-back.”
Vilahamn also explained one of his tactical changes that has seen Angharad James starting at fullback – a new position for her. “When I came here, I was supposed to start with the build-up and see how we can improve and dictate games. And for me, I need the players that can keep the ball.
“For me, James was one of the best ones actually keeping the ball. And then you had Evelina [Summanen] and Olga [Ahtinen] as well. And then I’m like, Okay, I have a problem here. If I just need to put one of those on the bench, right.
“So I played a little bit with her position and I thought, James, had a good, friendly game at right back. And she’s stayed there for a while. And now she was back as a six last game so I know she can play both. And now, Asmita [Ale] is taking steps to show me that you really want to play as well. So now I’m ending up having problems or actually very good stuff to work with. But for me, bringing James down as a right back that’s because I want to dictate the game and I want to have good players on the ball.”
Focusing on the other wing Vilahamn confirmed that, long-time fan-favourite, Ashleigh Neville will be remaining as a fullback for the foreseeable future. But we will still see her getting forward.
“My fullbacks are very offensive and hopefully in in the long run, they can be even more offensive and overlapping those wingers. So I think you will see her as a fullback but she will quite often and be up there anyway, so I think you will kind of see her as a winger, but she’s a fullback for me.”
Wednesday’s game was the first sighting of new signing Zhang Linyan, who scored ten minutes into her debut. Vilahamn revealed that Zhang has been a long-term target for him as a manager – a player he had previously tried to sign for BK Häcken. He praised her effusively as “a really big talent.
“She’s gonna be great in the long run. She’s a different kind of player. I don’t think it’s so many players who can play in the pocket, who can do those smaller movements with the ball and actually never lose the balls. I think she has something extra.”
Looking forward to next opponents Brighton and Hove Albion, Vilahamn took positives from a behind-closed-doors friendly the teams played this summer. “We had we had a good game, one of the best at the friendly game stage, where we actually dictated the game and so on, but we didn’t score any goals.”
But the Spurs boss noted that Brighton have switched formation since then in league games “so we don’t really know how they’re gonna play. So we just need to be really sharp and take steps in our journey.”
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With the season kicking off tomorrow, Impetus writers have had access to five of the teams’ media conferences this week. They report below (13/10/23).
Above: Sydney FC lift last season’s A-League Women title. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Canberra United
By Ryan Miller-Woods
Above: Cannon Clough in action for Brisbane Roar last season – the new Canberra United arrival spoke to the media this week. Photo via: Canberra United.
Ahead of their opening-round match of the A-League Women’s season against Adelaide United on Sunday, the media heard from Canberra United Head Coach Njegosh Popovich and defender Cannon Clough.
Towards the end of last season, Canberra came very close to making finals as they finished in fifth, just missing out on goal difference by just two goals to Melbourne Victory. Despite the improvement from the season before, United would have felt disappointed knowing just how close they came.
With how last season went for the club and how it ended, Popovich was asked about building upon that in the first few rounds of this upcoming season of the A-League Women.
“You’re always building aren’t you, you’re always looking to improve…You don’t go into a season thinking you’re not going to make the top four.”
When asked about whether Canberra is focusing on themselves going into Round One rather than what Adelaide will bring to the match, Popovich said, “It’s always about us. I’m a firm believer that if we do what we need to do well, then it doesn’t matter what the opposition does.”
Going into this season, the thing that is the most apparent with Canberra is just how youth-oriented the team is with an average age of 21.45 years throughout the entire squad which shows that United is looking towards the future.
Clough being one of the squad’s older members at 27, will be an essential player not only in the backline but also with players such as Michelle Heyman, Maria ‘Cote’ Rojas, and Nicki Flannery will play major roles in the development of some of Canberra’s youngest players that are yet to make their debuts in the A-League Women.
When asked how she feels about the role of bringing some of the younger players through, Clough said, “I think the young girls bring a lot of energy. For many of them, it’s their first chance, their time to debut and show what they have. Getting to be one of the older girls that supports them, I’m excited just to be there and be a part of it.”
The match on Sunday between Canberra and Adelaide looks set to be an exciting encounter as Canberra will want to make a statement on why they should have made the finals last season and Adelaide will want to emphatically show that last season was a one-off and make a serious charge towards finals this season.
When asked what she thinks Adelaide is going to bring to the table on Sunday, Clough said: “I always think they are a good team, well-coached but again, the league looks so different this year, so I’m not even sure what they’ll look like. Hopefully a good match-up but I think going into it, we’re focused on ourselves and what we bring.”
Central Coast Mariners
Above: Taren King – revealed as Central Coast Mariners’ captain for their A-League Women return. Photo: Central Coast Community.
Central Coast Mariners have revealed that Taren King will captain the club on their return to the A-League Women this season.
The central defender will lead the side this Saturday evening at Industree Group Stadium against Newcastle Jets. The 26-year-old has played in the A-League for the past six seasons, making her debut for Canberra United in 2017.
After three years in the nation’s capital, King moved to Newcastle where she featured for the Jets across 34 matches, including being a part of their leadership team. The defender has since traded those colours for Yellow and Navy, becoming an integral part of the Mariners squad.
She is joined by vice-captain Kyah Simon, as well as a leadership group comprising Bianca Galic, Faye Bryson, and Annalise Rasmussen.
King spoke of her pride in being the club’s first captain for their big return. “It is a super proud moment for me to be given the captaincy for this season. We have such an incredible group at the club and to be able to captain and lead them makes it all the more special.
“I can’t wait to lead the girls out in our first match against the Jets, in front of a big home crowd. Since the first day of pre-season, we have been working incredibly hard to prepare for this season and especially the first game against Newcastle, so we are all really looking forward to it.”
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband was pleased to have someone like King leading the side. “Taren is an extremely experienced A-League player now and she is someone you can always rely on as a coach. She has led previous team’s including Sydney University where she has captained the side for the past few years,” Husband said.
“She has fantastic leadership skills and embodies the values that we hold most important as a team. She is the perfect choice for the role.”
Melbourne Victory
By Kieran Yap
Above: Jeff Hopkins speaking to the media today. Image: Melbourne Victory.
“We’ve got players coaching players,” Melbourne Victory Jeff Hopkins revealed as a consequence of his side’s Matildas contingent ahead of their season opener.
Hopkins remained tight-lipped about who will be in the first starting lineup for the season. The Victory boss named a full squad on Thursday night, but admitted to the media that some players may not be available for a full 90 minutes against Brisbane Roar.
“I never tell any lies,” Hopkins said with a smile. “Everyone is training, there are one or two that might not make it but we’re keeping that to ourselves.”
Victory recruited aggressively in the off-season. They have brought in experienced senior Matildas such as Emma Checker, Lydia Williams, and Emily Gielnik, and added some rising stars such as Jamilla Rankin and Ella O’Grady. They will join an already enviable group of returning names like Alana Murphy, Paige Zois, and Jessika Nash to name a few.
Victory’s attack will look noticeably different this season, as Catherine Zimmerman and Melina Ayres have departed, but Hopkins is confident in his recruitment and was buoyed by Gielnik’s displays on the training pitch. However, he revealed she may be one who starts in reserve.
“She was flying today, absolutely flying….as an impact player to have her coming off the bench could be pretty special. I’m being held back by our medical people. We’ll put all our heads together in the morning and come up with how we go on Sunday.”
One big name who is unlikely to feature is Lia Privitelli. The Grand Final-winning captain of 2021/2022 did not feature at all in the NPLW during the off-season but is nearing a return from injury.
“We’ve had some good news about her this week that we can start to push on with her training,” said Hopkins. “She’s been really frustrated and we feel for her. She just wants to get out there and work and train.
“We’ve been holding her back. She’s had some good news now… she’ll be back in full training straight away, hopefully we’ll be able to see her back in the squad and back in the starting 11.”
Privitelli’s impact has always been undeniable but Victory are well stocked in her absence. Mackenzie Weinert has joined from OL Reign in the NWSL and Japanese striker Kurea Okino scored in the pre-season hit-out against Western United.
Hopkins said that the short pre-season was less than ideal, but he was “very happy” with how the team was shaping up ahead of Sunday afternoon.
“It is a short pre-season,” he lamented. “It does put quite a lot of pressure on us. More games, more weeks to train to have a five-week pre-season puts a lot of pressure on us to bring players in and get them ready physically for one, and to understand the way that we play is another thing as well.
“It’s maybe something that’s got to be looked at. It’s easy to push a little bit too hard in a short pre-season and you find you’ve lost four or five of your key players. We’re not quite there,” he said of the team’s chemistry.
“But everyone’s got an idea of what we want to do and how we want to play. Over the next four to six weeks or so we’ll be chipping away at that day by day, game by game.”
With everybody coming back after experiencing the World Cup to different degrees, there is an excitement around the league and Victory. Far from basking in the afterglow of the tournament, the experienced players have been driving the standards at training.
“You see Lydia, KK (Elise Kellond-Knight), you see Emily pulling players to one side, and then having little chats with them. It’s really pleasing to see. That kind of fast forwards everything really. We’ve got players coaching players as well.”
The depth and versatility at Hopkins’ disposal are enough to keep any opposition coaches guessing, but although the players are capable of a number of formations and tactics, Hopkins said they will be keeping things simple this weekend.
“We’ve got the ability now to play three or five at the back. We could play five across the front as well,” he half-joked (although they actually could.) “It’s (developing multiple formations) something that we haven’t had time to do. We just needed to nail our number one formation and make sure that we’re right against Roar this week.”
Perth Glory
By Ben Gilby
Above: Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby speaking to the media this week. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby and head coach Alex Epakis spoke of their drive and commitment to ensure the Western Australians make the Finals this season after coming painfully close for the last two campaigns.
Speaking at the club’s season launch event at the city’s iconic Kings Park, Rigby outlined the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes to give the squad the best chance of hitting the ground running.
“Every year the characters (of the players) are different and it’s an honour to be captaining the team again. We have an amazing team and an amazing group of staff and Alex (Epakis, head coach) is incredible, so we’re ready to continue the charge.
“The preparation that has gone into the planning (for the season) and the tactics is really showing. Every single player has come in with an incredible level of fitness and we can now focus on the football.”
Last season, Glory were hamstrung by making a slow start to the campaign, which, with hindsight, was one of the major contributory factors in them missing out on a spot in the Finals. With the plethora of new faces at the club, both with international experience, and fresh from the NPLW WA, Rigby feels the squad won’t make the same mistake again.
“We’ve had a whole lot of new players come in and that has brought a whole new level of intensity and drive to the team. We really feel that we have been building the last few seasons towards something special and it feels like it’s coming together at the right time.
Perth has a tough opening examination against Western United at Macedonia Park this weekend, but the captain is inspired by the challenge and sees it as an opportunity to lay down a benchmark.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to play Western United, who were in the Grand Final at the end of last season so it will be a really good test for us,” Rigby asserted.
Above: Head coach Alex Epakis outlines his feelings about the season ahead to the media. Image: Perth Glory.
Head coach Alex Epakis is now into his fourth season in charge. Having been in virtually all of his media conferences in that time, I detected a distinct change in his manner. This is a more bullish Epakis. A head coach who is confident in the ability of his players to win football matches.
“We’re building on a daily basis and I’m really liking what I am seeing.
“Every season is different and you do a review, looking at everything from the bottom up. You have to self-process what worked and what didn’t, and if you are honest in that process, that’s a powerful thing. We identified a few things we wanted to do differently from a recruitment point of view and a training point of view…and we’re reaping the rewards of that.”
Whilst in previous seasons, Epakis has spoken about the team having internal targets, this time round he was far more expansive about his demands.
“Winning is important and I wanted to come into this season knowing that winning is everything and we have to live by that…we’re setting really high expectations of ourselves but it’s because of the group we have. They are not unreal expectations, they are expectations.”
The Glory boss also highlighted the huge benefits of having former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic as head coach of the club’s men’s team. The pair, who teamed up as part of the Philippines coaching staff at the World Cup, are working closely together for the benefit of both Perth’s women’s and men’s teams.
“I’m clear about what I want to do and how to go about it, but to have a sounding board with so much experience in the room next to me is a pretty remarkable thing. It’s priceless. We’ve had some great conversations and I’m growing every day because of that.”
Epakis feels that the challenge of last year’s beaten Grand Finalists Western United in their opening game this weekend is a real chance – and despite being aware of the visitors’ threats, he wants to see his exciting attacking players take it to the Victorian side.
“They had a really strong season last year and are really well coached, so that’s the perfect opportunity for us to start the season and test ourselves. I’m looking forward to that challenge and I know the players are too.
“They are a very experienced team, a very powerful team. We look at the profile of their team and you know it is going to be a physical challenge. They are really effective going forward, so we have to be really mindful of managing that. But the priority is on our attack and the focus is we’re going out there to win.”
Sydney FC
By Genevieve Henry
Above: Kirsty Fenton (black kit) in action for Sydney FC last season. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
The media heard from new American striker Shea Connors and returning defender Kirsty Fenton ahead of this weekend’s Sydney Derby to open the two team’s A-League Women campaigns.
Fenton is delighted that their first game is against Western Sydney Wanderers, saying it is the perfect fixture to get started off on. As both teams had a lot of squad turnover, it will be quite an interesting match, with both teams anxious to prove a point. Fenton and the team are aware of the target on the champions’ back, with Sydney under a lot of pressure to repeat the double but the focus is always on the game at hand.
Connors is looking forward to the season with a squad she is excited to be a part of. When asked about being their new token American striker, she said, “I’m gonna do my best to score some goals. I think I’m just going to continue on the end of last year’s form (for Brisbane Roar).”
Connors thinks that the attack will be fun to watch this year with the connection they have and all the different attacking profiles Sydney has claim to. Alongside Connors will be Cortnee Vine, Princess Ibini-Isei, Fiona Worts, and a few other notable forwards. The former Roar attacker has known and played with some members of the squad before and is fitting in well.
Fenton is thrilled about the new players coming in, saying they have all gelled well. “That’s what’s good about Sydney; you always have a good culture and environment.” Coming from Brisbane along with Connors is youngster Zara Krueger. Connors is quite familiar with her, not only for Brisbane, but in the NPL too. “She is a really exciting young player, but she works really hard and is creative when given the opportunity and playing time.”
All of the A-League Women will be riding high on the post-World Cup buzz. As this first round of fixtures is a standalone weekend for women’s football, players and fans alike are excited to see what this season will bring in terms of both football and atmosphere.
Connors said, “It’s not the end just because the World Cup is over. The World Cup inspired not only the little boys and girls, but the players on the fringes as well.”
With one of the Matildas’ World Cup heroes playing for Sydney, the club is excited to harness the energy and visibility Vine brings to not only their team but the whole league. Fenton said, “She brings so much excitement for young girls and to all the fans…we can really bring in a crowd. She brings a lot of confidence to us. She has so much experience and talent. We really learn a lot from her.”
Connors spoke highly of the winning mentality Sydney possesses, saying everyone is focused on the same goal: repeating the double from last year.
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Above: Home town hero – Sam Kerr is coming back to Perth. Photo: Hindustan Times.
The Matildas’ final squad has been named for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Asian Qualifiers Round Two which will take place later this month in Perth.
Australia will start their path to Paris 2024 with Head Coach Tony Gustavsson naming a squad featuring many familiar faces for the training camp and three Asian Qualifiers matches.
Captain and hometown hero Sam Kerr and vice-captain Steph Catley headline the squad of 22 players who will travel to Perth to take on Iran (26th October), the Philippines (29th October) and Chinese Taipei (1st November) in Group A action.
Off the back of a historic World Cup tournament, the squad features 21 members of the team that captured a nation and claimed fourth place at the global showpiece.
World Cup duo Aivi Luik and Kyah Simon are both unavailable as they return from injury, with U-23 Women’s National Team captain, Amy Sayer, rewarded for her recent strong form in Sweden and with the U-23 Program. Forward Charlize Rule will also travel to Perth with the 20-year-old returning to the senior national team environment for the first time since November 2021 in a train-on / development squad position.
Tony Gustavsson reflected on the return to the pitch for the national team following the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It’s hard to believe that by the time we take the field in Perth it would have been over two months since that exhilarating and unifying month of football in Australia,” Gustavsson said.
“While we have had some time to reflect on the impact of this remarkable team on and off the pitch, the special trait of this group is that they are always looking to embrace the next challenge and that is now qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“With just over 285 days to go until that opening kick-off in France, we have called up players that we know are ready to take us forward to the next phase of qualifying, while looking to reward a couple who have performed strongly in the U-23 Program,” he concluded.
U-23 Women’s National Team Head Coach and CommBank Matildas’ Assistant Coach Melissa Andreatta expressed her pleasure at the reward for two members of her Program.
“I couldn’t be more pleased for Amy and Charlie’s return to the Matildas for this upcoming training camp and Olympic Qualifiers as it is recognition for not only their incredible work in our U-23 Program but also the developmental strides they have both made in the last two years,” Andreatta said.
“Both players have been impressive in the manner they have applied themselves at club football and then brought that same focus at U-23 level. It reiterates the importance of our U-23 Program as a bridge between club football and the senior team.”
This month’s Asian Qualifiers will mark a highly anticipated return of the Matildas to the West Australian capital for the first time since 2018 and will be the first opportunity for Australians to see the team on home soil since this year’s World Cup.
The Asian Qualifiers will see six matches played across three different match days with the group winner joining the winners of Group B and Group C, as well as the best-ranked runners-up, in Round Three which will take place on 24th and 28th February 2024 with the winners of the two home-and-away series progressing to Paris.
“We are excited about the next chapter and continuing to build on the legacy for this team and it all starts in Perth,” Gustavsson stated.
“We understand the importance of high-quality performances and know these will be challenging matches against teams who will also be committed to continuing their journey to Paris next year,” he concluded.
Player
Position
Club
Caps (Goals)
Mackenzie ARNOLD
Goalkeeper
West Ham United FC
42 (0)
Ellie CARPENTER
Back
Olympique Lyon
69 (3)
Steph CATLEY (VC)
Back
Arsenal WFC
117 (5)
Alex CHIDIAC
Midfielder
Tigres UANL Femenil on loan from Racing Louisville
impetusfootball.org 