Above: Clare Hunt in action for Australia against France. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
If the Clare’s combine, it could benefit both Everton and Australia.
Rumours circulating of a possible move to the English Women’s Super League for new Matilda Clare Hunt come with the promise of a bright future for the Australian back line. If she does indeed sign for Everton, a valuable partnership with a fellow Australian Clare will inevitably be formed. These two, Hunt and Wheeler, known as “Clare Squared”, could be a fantastic attribute to the Matildas defence.
Hunt, currently of Western Sydney Wanderers, only recently made her international debut but has been one of the most solid players for the Matildas at this World Cup so far. With eight or nine caps under her belt, she has become one of the most trusted members of the squad. She rarely makes errors, showing promise of a comforting new era for fans. The 24-year-old plays with a calmness and maturity a level above most centre backs, remarkable for such a young and inexperienced player. Clare Hunt is a blessing of a defender.
Wheeler has been in the squad a little longer, but has to compete for a far more competitive spot in the midfield. Although she shows immense talent as a number six, the formations being used by Tony Gustavsson don’t often require her to start. Wheeler does have a decent amount of experience under her belt now, with some starts and many substitute appearances. She has made a name for herself against top opposition, namely with a perfect tackle against the United States that lead to a goal from Kyah Simon. Clare Wheeler is a promising star in the midfield.
Together, Clare Squared could bring a sense of security to the Matildas of the future. Centrebacks and defensive midfielders need to be in perfect cohesion in order to limit miscommunication and errors that lead to goals. As these two already have a personal connection, it becomes much easier to trust in one another and to flow smoothly. These partnerships can only improve over time, especially if it’s at both club and country.
"I feel like everything can come at me and I'm just going to try my best to deal with it in whatever way I can.”
Hunt is a cautiously adventurous defender, often making good plays by bringing the ball up further on the field to play an accurate pass. When this happens, Wheeler can slot in and cover for her, as she is defensively sound. When the opponents counterattack and there isn’t time for Wheeler to get back, Hunt has shown that she is able to hold up the ball until help arrives.
Wheeler could also become part of the backline when one of the wingbacks takes a trip up the field and leaving an area dangerously exposed. She could slot in, cover and mark while Hunt faces the attacking player to quell the problem. Hunt is excellent in one-v-ones. After winning it, Wheeler would be a nearby option to release the ball to. This would not only improve play defensively but cause for smooth and quick attacks from the moment they start. With proper communication, Clare Squared could be a spectacle in the Matildas’ defence.
Whether or not Clare Hunt signs for Everton, she and Clare Wheeler will certainly develop beautifully together.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Above: Kyra Cooney Cross in training for Australia. Image: Football Australia
The Matildas and Hammarby midfielder is not short of suitors, but what could she add to a new club, and which would be the best fit?
Kyra Cooney-Cross has stunned for Australia at the world cup so far. She has been showing off skills and maturity far beyond her age. According to ATA Football, she is said to be the target of many major clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Olympique Lyonnais, and Juventus. While all of these are top clubs, consider the role she would have within each of them.
Chelsea
It’s well known that Chelsea somewhat hoard talent. They claim many of the world’s best young players. While this could be an ideal competitive environment for Cooney-Cross, the amount of game time she would have may be limited.
Chelsea have a whopping 32-player squad, far larger than any of her other options. Of course, the advantage to this is that she would be surrounded by world-class talent and learning from players such as Catarina Macario, Fran Kirby, and compatriot Sam Kerr, but the only way to grow as a player is to actually play.
Her chances of going on loan would also be higher, allowing her playing time but perhaps limiting access to good facilities. She would have to work extra hard to get proper minutes at Chelsea, but the experience alone would be spectacular for her growth.
Arsenal, like Chelsea, have a plethora of magical midfielders, but with their current injury crisis, she would be more likely to get playing time. She would also have important connections with Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, which could greatly improve the already fantastic Matildas’ left flank.
Cooney-Cross is more likely to get subbed on in important games here and perhaps get Champions League experience. She is a hard-working player that could eventually be a backup to some of Arsenal’s veterans, such as Kim Little and Lia Wälti.
She is fantastic at the quick, crafty passing style that Arsenal excel at. With her versatility and skill, she could grow to be an important piece for Arsenal.
Manchester United
Manchester United could certainly use another midfielder, and Cooney-Cross could fit right in. Although she would have to prove herself as a sub, she could earn decent minutes. She could form an excellent partnership with Ella Toone, with Toone being able to push forward and use her attacking ball control while Cooney-Cross could start the attack and advance the ball with her speed and accuracy, as she excels at winning the ball back in her own half and pushing up the field.
She may get more game time here, and as they close the gap on the top European teams, she would be trusted with important games, or get left in the fray, as many top talents do. Although there would be fewer big names and players to learn from and compete with, this could be an ideal stepping stone on her journey.
Olympique Lyonnais
The French powerhouse are not lacking in numbers in the middle of the park, but under the tutelage of superstars such as Daniëlle Van De Donk and Dzsenifer Maroszán, Cooney-Cross could become simply outstanding.
Lyon are renowned for their top-notch facilities and management, so she would be in the best of hands. Learning and competing for spots alongside fellow talent Melchie Dumornay could also add layers to her game.
Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter could help acclimate her to the French style as well as working on improving the future of the Matildas together. It would be hard to get minutes at Lyon, but the club has a history of winning and developing some of the world’s best young players.
Juventus
Juventus are a team going through a rough patch, but Cooney-Cross could be just the thing to rejuvenate them. Her tireless engine could not only help them overcome their defensive failings, but improve their attack.
She is more likely to get game time here, due to the amount of competitions they participate in, as well as number of midfielders. She could play an important role in regaining their former glory. This team competes with the best in the world, so not only would she get to train with great players, but she could go head-to-head with the most challenging players in a competitive environment. This team has a lot of work to do, but Cooney-Cross could help them along the way.
Kyra Cooney-Cross is a fantastic, versatile, and adaptable player. Wherever she goes she will shine.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
By Emmanuel Faith, Impetus Africa Correspondent (5/8/23)
Above: Morocco celebrate their progress to the knockout rounds.Photo: FIFA WWC Twitter
The world stood still, the Atlas Lionesses huddled and held hands as they listened to the countdown from Perth’s HBF Park to the outcome in Brisbane over 2,500 miles away. In a few seconds, their expectations were met – the debutants had just qualified for the second round of the tournament-piping the second ranked team in the world to the second qualifying spot in Group H.
When the World Cup started, no one will have predicted Morocco qualifying ahead of Germany, Nigeria beating the co-hosts at home and South Africa scoring six goals in three matches (they registered only one in their last-outing in 2019), but here we are, the continent with the highest representation percentage wise (75%).
Above: Asisat Oshuala after her goal for Nigeria against Australia. Photo:FIFA WWC Twitter
How it happened
Nigeria
It is safe to say the Super Falcons inspired the continent with their resilient performance against the current Olympic champions Canada in the opening match. There were a flurry of chances at both ends but the most spectacular was the penalty awarded in the 50th minute. When the veteran, Christian Sinclair stepped up to the penalty spot, the stadium went silent – then went agog after Chiamaka Nnadozie saved the penalty. She had just secured the first point for the tournament,
In the second match was a galore of goals as the Super Falcons faced the hosts who were missing two key players- their talisman Sam Kerr and the young striker Mary Fowler.
It was a goal galore that saw the Falcons pick maximum points – and the review was captured by our colleagues here
With the Super Falcons needing a point to qualify, the match against Ireland was played with a lot of caution and management, and a goalless draw ensured the Falcons qualified while avoiding defeat at the group stage for the first time ever.
South Africa
When the South Africans let a one-goal lead slip to a 2-1 defeat in the first match, people criticised Desire Ellis and her team. The criticisms went a bar higher when they squandered a two-goal lead over Argentina putting them in a position where they needed a win in their last group to have a chance at qualifying.
It was difficult, it was intense, but they got it done in a five-goal thriller against the Italians. Beautiful goals from the veteran striker and WAFCON hero Hilda Magaia while the 2018 CAF women’s footballer of the year Thembi Kgatlanascored exciting goals to drive the dagger of defeat into the heart of the Italians and pick up the second qualification spot in Group G to set up a second-round match against the Dutch.
Above: Thembi Kgatlana has been instrumental to the Banyana Banyana’s ride so far. Photo: (FIFAWWC on Twitter)
Morocco
The Discovery, the lethal ones, the surprise of the tournament. When they lost 6-0 to Germany in the first match, no one could predict that they’d make it out of the group but 1-0 victories in their next two matches over South Korea and Colombia ensured they piped the world number two to a round of sixteen ticket despite been on a negative goal difference. They also became the first team in the 20th century to make it to the second round despite a goal difference of minus 4.
What next?
A lot of records were broken- from Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina who became the first player to wear a hijab at the World Cup to Asisat Oshoala who became the first African player to score at three World Cups and Barbra Banda scoring the 1000th goal of the competition.
The African teams play the European teams in the next round. The current African champions will face the ninthth ranked team Netherlands who will be wary of South Africa as Sweden had to wait till the 90th minute to record a victory against them in the group stages.
The Super Falcons will combat Sarina Weigman’s Lionesses. This might look easily predictable on paper as Wiegman finally unlocked her team’s morale and unleashed her lethal weapon Lauren James, but a team that held the Olympic champions to a draw and defeated the host nation in front of their crowd cannot be underrated, can they?
Les Blues did not have it easy in their group. They started with a draw against the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica and had to dig deep for a victory against the Brazilians and score an array of goals to ensure Panama’s last dance wasn’t going to be a victorious one despite their unrelenting display in a scintillating match that had nine goals. They would fancy their chances against the Marocs but if there is anything this World Cup has taught the audience so far, it is that nothing is unpredictable.
Gone are the days of getting beaten and battered. Africans are here, making exciting history and we are all witnesses documenting these stories.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Whilst the vast majority of the experience in stadiums and around the cities hosting the World Cup has been overwhelmingly enjoyable,Ben Careyhighlights two examples of behaviour from overseas fans that has spoilt the enjoyment of other supporters during the group stage (4/8/23).
Above: Colombia celebrate with their fans during the World Cup. Photo: FIFA Women’s World Cup.
World Cups are renowned for having huge crowds and a great atmosphere. For the most part, the 2023 Women’s World Cup has lived up to these expectations. But in my mind, there have been a few exceptions to the latter.
France v Brazil was one of my most anticipated matches of the group stages. I knew it would be fiercely competitive and I was looking forward to the incredible atmosphere. The drums, the singing, the chanting. The noise.
I went to the match excited by the Brazilian team and the form they had displayed in their emphatic win over Panama. I was cheering for them to win. I was even seated in one of the blocks with a heavy Brazilian contingent and I was excited about that. For the most part, the atmosphere was incredible.
The Brazilians really supported their team well. They made a lot of noise. There were drums, tambourines, air horns, singing, chanting, cries of love and support. The Brazilian contingent was so dominant in Suncorp Stadium that it actually felt like a Brazil home crowd.
This was a stark contrast to the other matches I’d been to that were dominated by Australian crowds who get loud and excited in the build-up but then as soon as the match starts they all go quiet until there’s a shot or a save. I was impressed by the Brazilian supporters.
Until I saw their true colours.
It became apparent that the Brazilians were big fans of booing. I’m not big into booing, myself, but I certainly understand booing bad calls or dangerous challenges. But the Brazilian fans were booing France for just existing.
Every time they were in possession, every challenge, every injury, every attempt at goals, every throw-in. And they booed extra hard for French corners. One guy a few seats down from me was even yelling at the French players and calling them whores in Spanish.
I was disgusted by what I witnessed and halfway through the match I switched my allegiance from Brazil to France. I simply could not align myself with that kind of bullying and hatred.
Above: The positive side of Brazil women’s football fandom. Photo: The Guardian.
There was one particular moment, late in the match. It was 1-1. There was a loud and raucous chorus of boos aimed at the 22-year-old World Cup debutant, Selma Bacha. Her crime? France had won a corner and she was stepping up to take it. The Brazilians booed. But I cheered Bacha on.
She whipped in a great ball and found the head of Wendie Renard who scored the match-winning goal. Immediately after the goal, the French came over to our corner to celebrate. They rubbed the goal in the crowd’s face: roaring at them, clapping sarcastically, pulling at the French badge on their jerseys. And you know what? Fair enough.
Of course, you can’t generalise and say that every Brazilian fan was awful. Some were fantastic, only offering positive support for their team. A majority of those booing and name-calling were clearly men’s football fans. How do I know this? Because they were mostly men and they were almost all wearing Neymar jerseys, and often chanting about men’s players like Thiago Silva.
It was the same story at Germany v Colombia. The stadium was almost completely filled with Colombians booing the German team at every possible opportunity. There were reports from this match of a little girl (around 10 years old) who was crying because the Colombians were booing her favourite player and she couldn’t understand why. She now wants to watch the rest of the World Cup on TV because she doesn’t want to go to live matches anymore.
This is the exact opposite of what we want from the Women’s World Cup. We want to encourage young girls to cheer on their favourite teams and favourite players. We want to inspire them to play football and to dream to be like their heroes and maybe play in stadiums like these one day.
When I took to the internet to vent my frustrations I was met with some surprising responses. One Twitter user said, “That’s how football culture is, that’s how we live in South America, it doesn’t matter if it’s men’s football or women’s football.” In other words, we don’t discriminate who we hurl verbal abuse at. Another Twitter user said, “I think someone has never been to a football game outside Australia. Go watch some real football with real fans.”
Although their assertion is incorrect, it is true that football culture in Australia is wildly different to elsewhere in the world. It also raises an interesting point for discussion, what on earth is “real football”? I think the answer is actually very simple: according to men, “real football” is men’s football.
Men’s football has way more global fans and vastly more funding. However, despite that, women’s football nurtures an incredible set of values that men’s football lost a long time ago: safety, inclusion, and positivity to name a few. We all want the women’s game to grow and to receive the respect and funding it deserves, but at what cost? How do we make sure that the values of women’s football are always upheld and never forgotten while the game continues to grow?
Personally, I’d prefer a smaller, less successful tournament if it meant that the majority of the people there were aligned with the values of the women’s game. FIFA doesn’t care of course; they just want big crowds and successful tournaments. But as the women’s game increases in popularity, so too will the ticket prices, which might actually be a blessing in disguise. Because any men’s football fan can pay $10-20 to go and support their women’s team and boo the opposition, but would they pay $100? $200? I doubt it. I think higher ticket prices could separate the wheat from the chaff.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Above: South Korea’s young gun Casey Phair. Photo: Forbes.
The 2023 World Cup will undoubtedly live long in the memories of those fortunate enough to have witnessed it, with drama everywhere you look, ranging from the premature exits of some of the highest-ranked teams to fond farewells as some of the greatest female players ever to step foot on the field announce their international retirements.
Those goodbyes do mean that the next generation is able to step up and claim their place in history though, and one player who has done just that in Australia and New Zealand is 16-year-old forward Casey Phair. Playing for South Korea, she is now the youngest player ever to feature at a women’s World Cup, having claimed the record from the late Nigerian Ifeanyi Chiejine, and there will be few who disagree that she has deserved her moment in the spotlight.
With Phair being so young, it is likely that few people would have heard her name before, and would probably have wondered what all of the hype was about. That has surely changed now though, with the young prodigy putting on a series of strong performances during the group games against Colombia, Morocco, and Germany and those in the stands no doubt eager to see more from her in the future.
Emerging onto the scene
It was clear from a very early age that Phair was destined for greatness, with her first encounter with a football coming when she was around the age of five and she very quickly developed the basic skills needed by every player. In regards to when her break came, it was almost a happy coincidence, as she was featuring in the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Virginia, and was spotted by the opposing coach, Larry Hall, who has spoken in an interview with The Athletic about how he was virtually starstruck at her quality and obvious talent.
As a result, Phair was invited to join his team a little later on and she quickly became part of the furniture, with her finding the net on a regular basis (she recently chalked up 20 goals in 10 games), leading to comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimović, and showing composure in possession and decisiveness when chances opened up.
Her time both with Hart’s side and playing for her school team (she currently attends the Pingry School in New Jersey and scored 25 times in 15 games for them) have allowed her to really hone her craft and put herself in the perfect position for a long career, and giving her the space to grow has assisted her as she has continued to find her feet.
Gaining notice
However, no success comes without hard work, and Phair is no exception to that rule. Whilst she has always had the talent, sacrifice has also been at the heart of her personal growth. Her nutrition and sleep patterns have needed to be carefully managed in order to ensure that she is in the right frame of mind to compete every time she steps out onto the training pitch, whilst strength and conditioning is something she regularly engages with.
When on the field, improvements have continued to be made to her game, with each coach trying to address any tiny flaws and to shape her into the best form of herself that she can possibly be. That has been made easier by her natural two-footedness, which comes from playing as a centre-back when she was younger.
That alone has been really beneficial to her and has led to increased notice, and some of those that have come calling and that she has spent time with are the Australian U17 team and the USWNT, whilst she found the net five times in two games for the South Korean U17s during the spring as part of their Asian Cup qualifying campaign. All in all, there is little doubt that many have been monitoring her progress from afar and have been impressed with what they have seen.
Above: South Korea’s Casey Phair could potentially have the world at her feet. Photo: The Hindu.
However, there did come a time when she needed to select one team to spend the rest of her international career with, and the decision for her was not hard as she accepted the invitation of the South Korea national team, qualifying for them through being born there and through her South Korean mother. The rest, as they say, is history.
At the World Cup
Phair has stated that she feels very at home among the South Korean squad, and, once her name was announced as being part of the 23 selected to head down under, attention immediately turned towards when she would get her chance to show her talent on the pitch.
Understandably, head coach Colin Bell has always been quite guarded about that and has sought to protect her from too much media attention. Nevertheless, it has been clear to all how highly he rates the 16-year-old, with him making a point of mentioning that she was not there as a passenger and to simply gain experience and was instead selected for the same reasons as every other member of his squad.
The fact that she made her debut in their first game, with her coming on against Colombia (taking the youngest player record) and when they needed a spark, proves that point, as it would have been easy for Bell to not risk exposing her to the potential fallout of their disappointing performance.
However, amongst their poor displays against Colombia and Morocco, Phair stood out, and the fact that she almost scored the equaliser against the latter indicated that she was enjoying the chance to be on the biggest stage of all and was determined to make the most of it.
She clearly did enough to impress Bell, as he named her in the starting XI for the final game against Germany, and it did not take long for her to demonstrate why she was tasked with leading the line. Time after time, she created constant problems for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side with her intelligence, composure, and quality on the ball, and she went close to opening the scoring within a few minutes.
As the game went on, Phair’s stock continued to rise, with her involved in linking play and bringing key threats like Cho So-hyun and Ji So-yun into the match, and Germany’s back line, which has been hit by injuries before and during the tournament, simply could not deal with her or them at times. This was made even more evident when they were caught out for South Korea’s goal, due to some players stepping up to mark Phair, who had moved back to create space, and others holding their position, and that gave Cho the opportunity to control the pass from Lee Young-ju and find the back of the net.
Phair was withdrawn after 86 minutes, but undoubtedly showed the world on her first start just what she was all about. It has been quite a journey for her so far, and there are many who will be really excited about what happens next in the career of one of the sport’s rising stars.
David Astill is a freelance journalist who is guest-writing for Impetus throughout the World Cup.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Above:Grace Maher in action for Canberra United. Photo: Canberra United.
Western United have today announced the major signing of Grace Maher from Canberra United – one of the competition’s most stylish players and best passers.
The 24-year-old will add to Western United’s list of talented young centre-backs, adding supreme ball-playing ability into their backline.
Maher has become a pass master in the Liberty A-League and one of the best long-range strikers of the ball in the competition. Last season, she ranked in the top 10 in key stats including key passes and progressive passes.
Ahead of a new challenge in the Liberty A-League, Maher said the chance to join a Grand Finalist and a team heading into its second season was one she jumped at.
“I’m extremely pleased to be joining Western United for the upcoming season. The players have spoken so highly of the Club and staff, so after speaking to Mark (Torcaso), I really felt this team will push me out of my comfort zone, making me a better player and person,” she said.
“It has been too long in my eyes since I won a Championship or Premiership, and I want nothing more than to play a part in bringing home the first piece of silverware for the women’s side.”
Above: Grace Maher is hoping for plenty of celebrations at Western United this coming season. Photo: Canberra United.
Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso is enthused by Maher’s range of talents in multiple positions and expects her to have a major impact on the group.
“Grace’s signing is a huge one for us because we’re bringing in someone with proven quality and big experience in this competition while still having so much growth left to make,” he said.
“As far as distributors go in the Liberty A-League, Grace is up there in the top bracket. Her ability to play out of defence will be a huge asset for us and very exciting for our fans to watch.
“I can’t wait to see what she brings to our group and look forward to having her help us continue to grow our women’s program in season two.”
Maher made history in the then-named W-League in 2014, becoming the youngest player to sign for a team and play in the competition. To this day, her age of 15 years and 184 days on debut remains a Canberra United record.
She then went on to start in the Grand Final that year, featuring alongside established professionals and legends of the Australian game as Canberra claimed the Championship.
Maher continued to shine on the pitch, earning appearances for Australia at Under-17 and Under-20 level before lifting the Premier’s Plate with Melbourne Victory in 2019.
Having returned to Canberra after two seasons at Victory, Maher will now come back to Victoria and hope to reach new heights on the pitch in Green and Black.
Above: New Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Sarah Langman making a save for Perth Glory last season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Tom McCarthy.
Central Coast Mariners have added a further two players to their squad ahead of their A-League Women return in October.
First announced today was goalkeeper Sarah Langman. The 28-year-old joins the club after one season at Perth Glory, becoming the fourth player signed in Emily Husband’s team for the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season.
Starting her A-League career with hometown team Adelaide United back in the 2014/15 season, Langman made her professional debut for the club in 2016. She went on to play 38 games for Adelaide, being named in the PFA Team of the Season following the 2019/20 campaign.
The goalkeeper moved to Western Sydney where she spent two seasons, before signing with Perth Glory last year. Langman went on to play 11 games in her sole campaign in Western Australia, making 52 saves with a save percentage rate of 77.6%. She has spent the off-season with Mariners Assistant Coach Jake Stephenson at NSW NPL Women’s team Northern Tigers.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband is thrilled to have been able to sign Langman, seeing her as an important member of the squad this season.
“It is great to have an experienced goalkeeper behind the back line when you are entering the league for the first time. Sarah brings so much experience with her having been around the league for a long time,” Husband said.
“I have seen how she commands the backline and is proactive as a goalkeeper, so she is a really good signing for us. I am excited to be able to work with her this season and help to push her on further in her career.”
Langman is thrilled to have put pen to paper with the club, eager to get the season underway with the Yellow and Navy. “I am very excited to be joining up with the Mariners for the upcoming season. Being a new team to the competition, I can’t wait to see what we can do as a group,” Langman said.
“I’ve played in the league for a number of seasons now, I bring experience at the back in goal. The Central Coast have an incredible fan base and an incredible stadium which I cannot wait to play at for the club. I am just really looking forward to getting started.”
Above: Isabel Gomez (left) in action for Wellington Phoenix in their inaugural A-League Women match two years ago. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
Also announced by Central Coast Mariners today, was the arrival of youngmidfielder Isabel Gomez.
The 21-year-old midfielder joins the club from Wellington Phoenix, where she has spent the past two A-League seasons. Gomez began her career with Western Sydney Wanderers at the age of 18, having featured for the NSW Institute during her junior career.
She played five matches in her first campaign in the top flight of Australian football, before opting to join the newly established Wellington women’s team. She featured 14 times during the 2021/22 season with the Phoenix, starting on 13 occasions.
Gomez opted to re-sign for the New Zealand-based outfit for the 2022/23 season, playing five times. A serious knee injury unfortunately cut her season short, with the midfielder recently returning to action with Northern Tigers FC in the NPL NSW Women’s First Grade competition under the guidance of Mariners assistant coach Jake Stephenson.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband is pleased to have secured the signing of Gomez for the upcoming season. “Isabel is a really creative player; it was one of the first things that I noticed about her when I saw her play in the A-League for the first time. Her technical ability is absolutely fantastic, she reads the play well and is a player who can do a job for us in multiple positions in the midfield,” Husband said.
“I’m super excited to get to work with her and help her develop because she is still only young. She has a long time to go yet in her career with a lot of potential, so it is great to have her on the Coast.”
Entering into her fourth season in the A-League Women’s competition, Gomez is thrilled to be joining the Mariners for the upcoming campaign. “I am very excited to be coming to a new club with new girls. I have had a few years of experience in the A-League competition, so I am ready for a big season with the Mariners,” Gomez said.
“I am a smart and technical player who loves to read the game from the midfield, so I am eager to bring that to the team. I have seen how the Central Coast support the men’s team, so I am really excited for them to get behind the girls as well.”
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Above: Rola Badawiya, pictured here in her time with Sydney University in the NPLW NSW. Photo: NPLW NSW.
Central Coast Mariners yesterday announced the signing of American striker Rola Badawiya for their return to the A-League Women.
The forward joins the club from Sydney FC, having won the Premiership and Championship double last season with the squad. Before moving to Australia, Badawiya started her career in the American College system. She played with California Baptist University, before getting a chance to ply her trade with AS Roma in Italy’s Serie B.
It was after this that the forward moved to Australia, linking up with Sydney University in the NSW Women’s NPL competition. Coached by her new A-League Women’s Head Coach Emily Husband, she finished the season with 13 goals and was awarded the competition’s Player of the Season accolade.
This form saw Sydney FC reward Badawiya with her first A-League women’s contract, where she featured in their team that won the double. She played seven matches during the back half of the season, scoring once and appearing off the bench in the Liberty A-League Grand Final. Since the completion of the competition, Badawiya has been playing in NSW NPL Women’s First Grade for NWS Spirit FC, scoring three goals so far.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband is delighted to have the American onboard for the upcoming campaign, having seen her top-class abilities firsthand over the past few seasons.
Above: Rola Badawiya, unveiled by Central Coast Mariners yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Central Coast Mariners.
“I am super excited to have Rola joining the Mariners this season. She had an unbelievable campaign with Sydney University last season, picking up 13 goals while also winning the NPL Player of the Season award. To have a striker who has incredible ability off both feet is fantastic,” Husband said.
“She will bring a winning mentality to the group which will be really important for us as a squad. She will be a leader in training and games for us coming into our first season together and will be an incredibly important part of our squad for this upcoming campaign.”
Badawiya is thrilled to be signing with the Central Coast Mariners and eager to get started ahead of the upcoming season. “I am very excited to be joining the Mariners and being a part of this first season back in the A-League Women’s competition. I can’t wait to be a part of this great club and play under coach Emily,” Badawiya said.
“I’ll bring leadership to the team and I have experience from playing overseas. I can’t wait to get onto Industree Group Stadium, with the palm trees, the water and the incredible pitch. It is going to be awesome to just get started!”
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Above: Emily van Egmond scores for Australia against Nigeria: Image: Football Australia
Since slotting into the Matildas starting lineup against Nigeria, Emily Van Egmond has barely put a foot wrong. Yes, she scored a goal, but her impact has been far more meaningful than just that moment.
Van Egmond is one of the most experienced and consistent midfielders that Australia has available. She has 131 appearances and 31 goals for her country, making her the fourth-most-capped player with the sixth-most goals for the Matildas. These statistics show how trusted she has been over the years, especially before the Tony Gustavsson era. Since he took over, Van Egmond has been riding the bench and playing in roles where she does not thrive. Hopefully, these two performances have regained the trust that was formerly placed in her. She has a knack for goals in important games and world cup experience, making her the perfect player to carry the team throughout their world cup campaign.
Van Egmond is a calm player. She makes the correct decisions almost every time the ball comes to her feet. She keeps the tempo of the game at a reasonable pace, hyping up the team and bringing them down at the necessary moments. Although she may not be the most eye-catching or spectacular player on the pitch, she puts in the hard yards. She plays the simple passes, makes the runs to occupy the opposing defence, and uses her body to effectively win and keep possession. She has excellent ball-playing abilities, often sending her teammates perfect balls straight through the defence or switching the field to release an open player. Van Egmond has shown her talent for years, and her skills are being brought to light once again.
When she was announced in the starting lineup against Nigeria, almost a whole year since her last start for the Matildas, there were many sceptics. People were saying that she was too slow, uninspired, and a variety of other insults.
These people clearly had not seen her play recently. But, alongside these critics were pundits and experts that were full of praise ahead of the match. Fellow Matilda Emily Gielnik spoke highly of her to Dubzone, saying, “She has a wealth of knowledge. She’s a composed player.”
Van Egmond slotted into the team like she had never left, marshalling the side in the number ten role she plays so well. The moment the ball ended up at her feet there was barely an intake of breath at the stadium, because a player of her quality has gained the trust of the fans to get the job done. She proved that she belongs in the starting lineup, and leading up to the Canada game, no one was even a bit surprised at her inclusion.
Van Egmond has played all over the world at top clubs where she has been utilised in vastly different roles. Currently, at San Diego Wave, she is a defensive midfielder, even occasionally slotting into defence and having one of the highest defensive ratings in FIFA for the NWSL. At West Ham United, however, she was one of their primary goal scorers, playing an important role in avoiding relegation. She has had many short stays at clubs, such as Wolfsburg, Frankfurt, and many high-level teams in Australia and the United States, that have shaped her game. She has played with and against some of the world’s best players. She knows all the different styles of the game inside and out.
There are many things that Van Egmond brings to the team, but as they enter the knockout rounds of the world cup, an important thing to consider is penalties. Steph Catley has stepped up to the spot in the absence of Sam Kerr and she has stunned in these high-pressure moments, but in a shootout, they need five kickers. Van Egmond is a reliable spot-kicker, having been Australia’s go-to player to seal the deal for years. She can step up and deliver for her country. If the occasion arises that the Matildas’ regular set-piece takers are lacking in creativity or effectiveness, Van Egmond can also consistently deliver free kicks and corners.
She can play all over the midfield but excels in the number ten role. When she is utilised in that attacking position, she can relieve pressure on the striker, but it works better if there is a single nine. When Kerr inevitably returns, she and Van Egmond could become a lethal duo because they know and understand each other’s game so well. If a team has begun to figure out the impact of Katrina Gorry or Kyra Cooney-Cross, Van Egmond can be pushed back to free up her fellow midfielders. Her distribution as well as tackling abilities make her a perfectly adequate six. Wherever she plays, she will make a difference.
Emily van Egmond has been all over the park 🔥
She’s been instrumental in Australia’s attack.
She’s got herself a goal.
Can she produce some more magic in the second half?
Van Egmond is useful everywhere. She finds herself in the right positions at crucial moments, either to put the ball in the back of the net or out of the box. She can be used to drive the team forward or soak up pressure. She is versatile, experienced, and ultimately knows what to do. Emily Van Egmond could be the key to controlling the Matildas’ world cup campaign.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
In this week’s WA On Wednesday interview, Perth SC‘s Liana Cook, who has been at the club since their first season, speaks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey and the development of both the club and wider NPLW WA(2/8/23).
Above: Liana Cook (left) – a key part of Perth SC’s continued development. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
As a member of Perth SC’s inaugural side, Liana Cook is perfectly placed to assess just how far the Azzurri and the NPLW WA have come since their formation.
Cook, who describes herself as “a fairly big team player – so whatever the team needs done then I’ll try and do it,” reflects on Perth SC’s growth as one which has been both gradual and impressive.
“I think every season we have improved in a lot of aspects. In 2020 we came fourth, 2021 we came third in the league and runners up in the Top Four Cup. 2022, we came second in the league as well as runners-up in the state cup. I think that’s a fairly big achievement from a club that started with a mix of players from multiple different clubs if compared to the likes of Perth RedStar or Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC).
“RedStar (previously Northern Redbacks) had a core group of players who have had a lot of success over a number of years, as well as MUM FC instantly having NPL success to win the league in 2020 was predominantly players from a long-time successful Queens Park team. So, for Perth to be a competitive top-four team from the first year of NPL I think is a pretty nice achievement.”
That incremental growth has also come with key learning areas – notably with increasing strength in depth.
“In the first few years, I think our team struggled with depth in our squad, therefore any injuries had a negative impact on results. But each year our team has improved its strength in numbers as well as giving under 21 players more opportunities in the first team which increases the strength and depth of the squad.
Above: Liana Cook pictured in her NTC days. Photo: Keep Up.
“The development of our U21s players has helped us a huge amount especially this season with so many senior players on our injury list, with young players stepping up and performing to get the job done.”
Cook’s footballing journey started a long way from Perth SC’s Dorrien Gardens. Over 697km (433 miles) to be precise, in the far south of Western Australia at Esperance.
“I started playing at the age of six in Esperance, there wasn’t a lot of girls playing so I played with the boys and started representing Esperance at Country week when I was 11, then from there, I got selected to go to country camp and got into the state regional team. So was I was lucky enough at 11 to travel to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with the U14s state regional team.
“Just after I turned 13 I moved away from my family in Esperance to go to school in Perth and attended John Curtin College of the Arts for the soccer excellence program. In 2013 I was selected in the U13s state team and went to Coffs Harbour, and we were the first WA girls team to win our grade.”
“2014 was my first year in the NTC set-up and I was in the U15s state team going to Coffs Harbour again. The following year, I somehow got moved up into the U19s squad rather than being in the 15s and went to NTC Challenge in Canberra. I remained in the NTC set up until 2018 and was selected in the All-Stars Team.
“Towards the end of 2017, I also started training with Perth Glory occasionally, and in 2018 I got a scholarship with Glory for the 2018/2019 season and had the experience of playing and training with teammates like Sam Kerr, Kim Carroll, Shannon May as well as international players like Nikki Stanton, Alyssa Mautz, and Rachel Hill. Getting to play surrounded but such talented players really improved my own standard of football and was invaluable in my development as a player on and off the park.
“In 2019 I played for Balcatta for one season and got another scholarship for Perth Glory and I think I had a pretty good pre-season and was performing well, then unfortunately in round two of the season at training, I was getting pain in my hip and right leg. Which unfortunately ruled me out for the remainder of the glory season and an extended stint on the sidelines. This resulted in major hip surgery in early 2020.
“This was the year that the NPLW started in Western Australia and I moved to Perth SC, but didn’t start playing until late August after recovering from surgery.”
Above: Liana Cook wins a header for Perth Glory in a W-League game against Brisbane Roar. Photo: Perth Glory.
With the NPLW WA now in its fourth season, Cook reflected on how the competition has developed in that time.
“Every year I believe the depth and quality in the NPLW improves at every club. So far this season for example you have the second to sixth-placed teams all within eight points of each other, so the fight for a top-four spot is really competitive and teams have to compete week in and week out to get three points.
“However, I still think there is a need for more growth in the league to make all eight NPLW clubs strong. There is lots of potential for the league to grow, but it relies on all clubs investing more money and resources into the women’s first teams, but also into the junior girls set up at every club. I think as a collective the clubs in our league should start turning focus to developing quality junior teams and providing a pathway into senior football.
“I believe a large amount of the talent in the NPLW has come through the NTC program, myself included, so if all clubs aspired to improve the quality of their junior pathways I think it would only benefit the NPLW in the future.”
Focussing specifically on this season now, after several near misses, Perth SC won their first trophy at the Night Series Cup Final. In an incredible game against Perth RedStar that saw The Azzurri mount a dramatic comeback and take the win in a penalty shoot-out, Cook reflected on how her side achieved the win.
“I think we were collectively driven to win a piece of silverware after being so close on multiple occasions. Going into the game we just knew we had to work hard and keep our heads. We know it was going to be a tough game but in the end, I think it was just digging deep for the second half and fighting until the final whistle.
“At half time we were 2-0 down and normally I think most teams are guilty of getting their heads down or dwelling on the first half and any mistakes that had been made. But collectively as a team, the vibe at halftime was still hopeful. It was still a positive feel in the changeroom. Pete (Rakic, head coach) just encouraged us to keep trying to play our football and said that the goals will come eventually.
“Once we were back out on the field in our players’ team huddle the main message was to keep the energy high and remember that it only takes one moment to change the momentum of the game in our favour. So, we just kept pushing and trying to create chances and soon Judy (Connolly) was fouled in the box and Abbey Meakins converted from the spot.
Above: Liana Cook pictured with her Perth SC teammates after lifting their first ever trophy. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“From there we got that momentum we needed to keep searching and pushing for the equaliser and we eventually got there with Judy slotting it in the bottom corner. It was then all down to penalties, and we drew a little bit of confidence from beating NTC on penalties in the semi-final from the week before.
“The instruction was to pick our spot at halfway before we had even approached the penalty area, and I think this payed off as we scored seven out of the eight penalties taken.”
Earlier this season, Azzurri boss Peter Rakic told Impetus that a focus for him is for the team to be able to beat both RedStar and the NTC in a 90-minute NPL game. It was a feeling shared by Cook and her teammates.
“Going into this season having to beat NTC and RedStar in a 90-minute game felt like a bit of weight on our shoulders. In the first round of league games, we drew 0-0 with RedStar, and lost 3-1 to NTC after a tight game where the game turned in NTCs favour after a penalty and myself being sent off after two yellow cards.
“But going into the next round of games against the two sides I think again, our focus needed to be on just sticking to our gameplan and executing it to a high standard. We have a tendency to let the pressure weigh on us too much, so I think we as a team need to just remain disciplined in our roles and positions, as well as win our individual battles.
“We have an emphasis on trying to play possession under the high-intensity presses from both sides, so we also needed to be adaptable to change what wasn’t working to combat whatever the opposition had thrown at us.
“In the State Cup quarter-final, we worked hard to get a 3-1 win over RedStar, and I largely put that down to every single player on our team putting in the hard work and playing our style of football. A similar thing happened for our 4-2 win over NTC recently. Everyone played with a high intensity from the start and putting in two early goals really set the tone for the entire game.”
Whilst any club’s ultimate goal is to obtain more silverware, for Cook, Perth SC need to work on other areas first that will enable that success to follow as a natural development.
Above: Liana Cook in possession for Perth SC this season at Dorrien Gardens. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“I think a successful season for Perth is competing week in and week out and playing good quality football. Every game we try to treat it like it’s a final and try to get all three points, but we also have a focus on improving the quality of football we produce as a team.
“Obviously, silverware is one of our goals, as I think at NPLW level that should be all clubs’ ultimate goals. We will obviously compete at our best in the hope of bringing home more silverware, as our squad is super driven to make up for the numerous times we’ve come runners up. But as a collective our team wants to be one of the best in the league and beat any other team on any other day.”
We closed our conversation by looking to the future. With Perth hosting World Cup matches at the present time, and the Matildas playing Olympic qualifiers in the city, I asked the Perth SC player how well-placed she thinks Western Australia is potentially to build on the spotlight that will be on the women’s game in that period.
“I really hope that it highlights to West Australians the quality football being played by Australian women and inspires passion and excitement for the game in the future. At the moment the gross majority of sponsorship (even at grassroots level) goes to men’s football.
“When a player like Sam Kerr can grow up to be one of the best footballers in the world and achieve everything she has from the limited opportunities she had … imagine what the next generation of girls could do with equal support, equal funding, and equal pay.
“Hopefully, with the excitement the World Cup brings to Perth, it helps to increase the numbers of girls playing football as well as increasing the number of supporters and sponsors investing money into female football.
“The potential for growth in female football is enormous. If we compare it to the likes of the AFLW (women’s Australian Rules Football) and how much that has grown over the last six to seven years, going from eight teams in its first season in 2017, to now having 18 teams, it is proof that there is an interest in female sport.
“Hopefully if the Matildas have a successful campaign on home turf then it encourages clubs and sponsors at every level from juniors right through to A-League Women, that women’s football is worth investing in.”
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
Above: Heidelberg United are back on the winners list. Photo by: Jack Dilks
There were some big results in Round 20, but both the title race and the top four remain uncertain with two games to go in Victoria’s NPLW.
Preston Lions FC 2-1 Bulleen Lions
Bulleen came into this game one point ahead of Boroondara-Carey Eagles and against a mid-table Preston side, they had an opportunity to increase their lead at the top of the table.
However, despite their position, Preston are a dangerous side, particularly with the reinvention of Melbourne City fullback Kaitlyn Torpey as a quicksilver striker. She was heavily influential and ever-menacing against the visiting team.
Preston took a surprise lead in the fifth minute. Torpey proved as strong with her back to goal as she is racing toward it and laid off a pass to Georgia Henderson at the edge of the box.
Henderson struck perfectly off her left boot to send the ball past Gaby Garton and delight the home fans. It was not the start that Bulleen were expecting.
Bulleen almost levelled the scores in the 30th minute. Some magical footwork by Beattie Goad combined with Tiffany Eliadis to tee up Paige Zois from long range.
The shot whistled through the air but was well saved by Christine Fonua. Maja Markovski put the rebound into the net but was offside when the original effort was struck and it stayed 1-0.
This goal was chalked off for offside, but I love a Beattie Goad run, and a Paige Zois strike, so enjoy.
It was Preston who would score next. Ella Mastrantonio was at the heart of the move. She won possession with Bulleen on the attack, then played the forward pass to Torpey.
Torpey laid it back to Miri Nishimura and sped toward to return ball before firing on goal and doubling Preston’s lead. 2-0 with less than 30 minutes to play.
Bulleen were able to pull a goal back through Alana Jancevski’s penalty kick, but could not find the equaliser. That goal was not enough to secure them any points on the road, but with two games left to play and with things as tight as they are at the top, goal difference could still come into play.
Calder United 2-0 South Melbourne
Fourth-placed Calder United hosted third-placed South Melbourne and put a dent in their title hopes with a 2-0 win. The win means that Calder United are still not technically out of contention for first spot, although the maths of probability aren’t as on their side as the maths of the points tally.
Nevertheless, the win leaves them only one point behind South Melbourne on the table, and after a slow start to the 2023 season, they are finishing strong and looking ominous for the finals.
Keiwa Hieda continued her sparkling form in attack for Calder, scoring both goals late in the game with a brutal one-touch punch to end South Melbourne’s trip west with disappointment.
The first was a terrific turn and shot. After 83 minutes of arm wrestling, Calder had broken through with a piece of individual brilliance from the Japanese attacker.
The second goal came moments later. South were on the attack and Georgia Kandilas saw her shot saved by Natalie Picak. Clader went on the counterattack. Montana Matthews got the ball to Raquel Derales who moved it wide. Ahead of the play, Hieda was already making like difficult for the South Melbourne defence, darting into space dangerously.
When the ball was played to her by Larissa Walsh, she still had plenty to do. She raced toward goal, taking the most direct route and getting as close as she could before sliding it into the back of the net to seal the result in the 87th minute.
It was her sixth goal in three games and the skilful speedster looms as one of the potentially key players in the upcoming finals.
Bayside United 2-3 Alamein FC
Bayside United’s season is effectively over after coming up short in an attacking game against Alamein FC. The home side needed three points to have a hope of catching the top four and have the team to do it, but came up against an in-form Patricia Charalambous who scored the first and final goals of the entertaining afternoon.
The first goal came in the 34th minute, Elaina Vatcky and Sidney Allen combined on the left touchline to set up Charalambous for a tap-in to finish off a well-executed move and score her sixth of the season.
Allen was crucial again for the second goal. The Alamein captain linked up with Rebecca Saber to slide the ball across goal for an equally simple finish for Vatcky. Alamein had once again sliced open the Bayside defence, and Allen was proving a handful yet again.
Bayside found a lifeline after Olivia Bomford converted a 68th-minute penalty following a handball in the box. With the home side feeling like they were in the ascendancy it was suddenly game on with just over 20 minutes to play.
Julia Budiongo made sure of a dramatic finish with a 77th-minute equaliser. Kayla Deaver carried the ball forward and her cutback caused momentary chaos in the box. Budiongo kept a clear head with some neat footwork to make space and struck well into the net to make it 2-2.
The miracle comeback was not to be. Charalambous secured the three points for Alamein with a brilliant finish across goal in the 83rd minute. It was her seventh of the season and it guaranteed the visitors their sixth win of the campaign.
Southern United FC 2-4 FV Emerging
The NTC side got back to winning ways with an away trip to play Southern United. Emerging have been without a win since Round 15, and opened the scoring in the 52nd minute through Danella Butrus’s brilliant individual effort.
Butrus received the ball at the edge of the box and shaped to shoot before changing direction and beating four Southern United defenders before scoring her third goal of the season.
Southern United hit back soon after through Erin Keyt. Rhiannon Kelleher’s good work down the right ended in a dangerous cross that Keyt was able to turn in at close range to level the scores.
Parity lasted only moments before FV Emerging retook the lead straight from the kickoff. Nia Mohd Salleh ended a fast, direct but slick passing move from the centre circle when a neat half-volley from the goal mouth.
Emerging could have had a penalty when Butrus was slid into while shooting on goal. play was stopped while both players received treatment.
Isobel Coppel put Southern back into the contest with a goal direct from the corner. And with just over ten minutes to play it was all to play for.
The frenetic nature of the second half continued and Alana Cortellino had Emerging back in front barely a minute later. Butrus’s switch of play found the winger one-on-one and that is the sort of situation that the 16-year-old has loved this season. She cut inside, put on a quick burst of pace, and finished all in the space of a few yards.
In the Victorian NPLW, 16 year old Alana Cortellino is faster than most across 40 yards, and across 3 yards.
Butrus looked to have succumbed to her injuries in the aftermath, she was able to walk off the pitch, but there was a long period of concern as she lay on the turf in visible distress.
Cortellino looked in the mood, and almost sealed the game with a trademark run and shot in injury time, but the effort whizzed over the bar.
The result was eventually sealed in the dying moments. Carina Rossi’s tap-in was the result of another fast-paced team move, capped off by some individual skill down the left wing.
Boroondara-Carey Eagles 2-4 Heidelberg United FC
Heidelberg United returned to the winners list after an uncharacteristic slump in results. By the form guide, a win away to the second-placed Boroondara seemed unlikely, but nothing about their season has been predictable or easy. They still have the talent to trouble any team, and this was a reminder that they can still impact the title race, even from afar.
This was a high-scoring game, with three goals in each half. Hayley Geurts opened the scoring as Boroondara took an expected lead. The captain lined up a direct free kick from long range that crashed into goal off the underside of the crossbar.
Kurea Okino continued her march to a certain Golden Boot with a typically thunderous drive to double Boroondara’s lead in the 29th minute.
Georgia Beaumont pulled one back for Heidelberg in the 35th minute. the visitors swept upfield with a thrilling counter-attack and Beaumont finished it off by cutting inside and finishing at the far post.
Miette Georgio levelled the scores with her first of the season and the first of the second half. She outpaced the Boroondara defence to get on the end of Katrina Nikpour’s long pass and finish with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Kathryn Vlahopoulos’s curling inswinging pass set up Nicole Blackett for the first of her two goals. The instinctive strike showed no hesitation and looped past the goalkeeper to put the Bergers in the lead in the 72nd minute.
Blackett sealed the win for the visitors with a strong shot from the right of the box. Boroondara’s defence had raced back in anticipation of a cross, but the South Australian took matters into her own hands with an excellent finish to cap off a strong performance.
The two meetings between these sides have resulted in 15 goals. Boroondara won the first encounter 5-4, and this match was just as entertaining. The 4-2 win to Heidelberg denied the Eagles a chance to retake top spot on the ladder. Essentially, nothing has changed in the title race. Bulleen remains one point ahead of The Eagles, with two games left to play.
But this game was about Heidelberg. After six successive losses, and heartbreak in the Nike FC Cup, they finally reaped reward for effort. Hopefully, we see these two teams meet every season for high-scoring, highlight-filled chaos.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 