Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk, including the county’s seven-a-side action (25/4/23).
Above: Francesca Catchpole (left) scored in Wroxham’s 2-0 derby day win over King’s Lynn Town. Photo: Richard Brown.
Eastern Region Premier Division
Wroxham took the derby day bragging rights with a 2-0 victory over King’s Lynn Town at Trafford Park. Goals from Francesca Catchpole and Lara Densely saw The Yachtswomen earn the three points.
Eastern Region Division One North
Fakenham Town picked up a very impressive point against league leaders AFC Dunstable. Shelley Woods got the goal for the Norfolk side with Gemma Whitchurch replying for AFC Dunstable.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ Plate Cup Semi-Finals
A hat-trick for Sophie Jermy and one each for Rebekah Lake, Molly Ryan, and Ellie Hunter saw Mulbarton Belles run out 6-0 winners over North Walsham Town.
And it will be an all-Mulbarton Belles final as their Development side won the day’s other semi-final 3-1 at Thorpe St. Andrew thanks to goals from Ella Cattermole, Lucy Kean, and Rosie McNarry. Abi Simmons scored for Thorpe St. Andrew. The final is on 14th May at Aylsham.
Above: University of East Anglia celebrate as Katie Lee (second left) opens the scoring in a pulsating game that eventually saw them go down 4-3 to Thetford Town. Photo Lillie Nott
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division One
Leaders Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers were 4-0 winners at a spirited Bungay Town. Victoria Leter scored a hat-trick with Chelsea Brister adding one of her own.
University of East Anglia (UEA) and Thetford Town produced one of the games of the season in biblical conditions at Colney Lane with Thetford winning a close contest 4-3. Katie Lee had given UEA the lead before the visitors stormed back with goals from Melissa Boulton, Stacey Roper, and Dayna Howard. Ella Burnley halved the lead before the interval to set up an exciting second half. In the second period, Burnley equalised from the spot to make it 3-3 before Stacey Roper’s winner secured the spoils for Thetford.
Beccles Town were 6-2 winners over Stalham Town in the day’s other Division One match. Mia Rose and Alicia Bower scored braces with Abi Bell and Mia Wilson scoring the others as Beccles won comfortably. Megan Swain and Emma MacMillan scored the goals for Stalham Town
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division Two
Aylsham were 7-0 winners at Bulldogs FC thanks to four goals from Jordan Arnoup and one each from Georgina Bobbin, Hannah Claughton, and Sophie-Jayne O’Connor.
King’s Lynn Soccer Club were 5-0 winners at Horsford. Goalscorers were Jordan Turner (two), Kelsey Ramm, Trinity Tokaji, and Taeya Mayes.
Blofield United secured a 5-0 victory over Freethorpe. Bailey Duffield scored a brace with Elsie Downer, Lola Hallam, and Lucy Schug also on the scoresheet.
Above: Hannah Claughton celebrates scoring in Aylsham’s 7-0 win at Bulldogs FC. Photo: Ben Cunningham
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Sevens Division One
Mulbarton Belles secured the league title with a 1-1 draw at Kirkley and Pakefield. Jo Hooper equalised for Mulbarton to clinch the championship after Maria Palmer had given Kirkley the lead.
In the day’s other game, Rockland United were 4-1 winners at Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Sevens Division Two
In the day’s only game, Red Rose and Great Yarmouth Town played out a 1-1 draw.
Above: Action from the Sevens match between Rockland United (red) and Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers. Photo: Rockland United FC
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the essential points of the new development plan for Women’s football in France(25/4/23).
Above:Philippe Diallo, FFF president, and Jean-Michel Aulas, FFF COMEX (Executive Committee) member and head of high-level women’s football Commission. Photo: Arthur Balayn/FFF.
A new era for women’s football in France
The development plan for Women’s football in France was revealed by Philippe Diallo and Jean-Michel Aulas, on April 13, 2023.
“We wanted to present at the same time an ambition, a plan, and actions which constitute a rather unique set”, Philippe Diallo said. “The decisions taken…by FFF COMEX are part of a trajectory that will mark, I think, the history of women’s football.”
This plan includes actions dedicated to strengthening the structure and professionalisation of women’s football. The key points are:
reform of the pyramid of women’s national competitions
the establishment of a finals phase in D1 Arkema
creation of three club licence levels
opening Approved Training Centers for young players
a dedicated women’s league.
This is all supported by increased financial support from FFF which consists of increasing the allocations for the development of women’s football by around 20 to 25% which is an additional €4m – €5m per year.
Reform of competitions:
Division 1 Arkema: establishment of a play-off at the end of the season for the awarding of the Championship title, and qualification for UWCL starting from 2023-2024 season.
Division 2: going from two groups of 12 teams to one group of 12 teams.
Creation of a Division Three with two groups of 12 teams.
Possibility for training centres to participate in the Division Three championship.
A new calendar:
2023 Champion’s Trophy: September 9 or 10, 2023
D1 Arkema 1st round: September 16, 2023
D2 commences on September 17, 2023
France Cup Finale: May 4, 2024
D1 Arkema 22nd and last round: May 8, 2024
D1 Arkema Play-off Semifinals: May 12, 2024
D1 Arkema Play-off for third place: May 18 or 19, 2024
D1 Arkema Play-off final: May 18 or 19, 2024
D2 22nd and last round: May 26, 2024
The Three Levels of Club Licence:
Élite
Excellence (prerequisite for FFF support in D1 Arkema)
Accession
A club would need to be running a first team to the optimum standards and have a running training centre before an elite licence is awarded.
The Training Centres:
Open to clubs playing in D1 Arkema
Age categories: U16/U20
Specifications equivalent to the minimum standards of male training structures in France.
Possibility for the clubs with a training centre to participate to D3 championship.
Six applications already received for an agreement in July 2023: Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Fleury 91, Olympique Lyonnais, Montpellier HSC, Paris FC, Paris Saint-Germain.
Transition from Pôles-Espoirs to pretraining in order to complete players’ careers (pretraining in Pôle-Espoirs + training in club)
Creation of a Women’s League:
The creation of a Women’s League will be presented to the Federal Meeting on June 10, 2023, for an effective creation on July 1st, 2024.
The objectives are the following:
Structure and professionalize D1 Arkema and D2.
Promote and develop resources (FFF support, partnerships, TV rights, eventual creation of a commercial company, …)
Answer to the European concurrence in order to maintain French Championship and France Women squad competitivity.
Throughout the home and away season, Impetus‘ team of writers and photographers covering the A-League Women have been voting for their player and coach of the week. Now, just days before this year’s Grand Final, we have finished tallying up the votes and can announce our winners.
Impetus A-League Women Player of the Year:
Graphic by: Ben Carey
Our player of the year poll sees a tie between Alex Chidiac and Cyera Hintzen. Chidiac built up a large chunk of votes during the opening two-thirds of the season that she spent at Melbourne Victory. Over the final third of the campaign, Hintzen and Michelle Heyman began to close the gap rapidly, but couldn’t quite overhaul the Matildas’ midfield dynamo. Impetus contributors give their thoughts on the final standings.
BEN GILBY
Alex Chidiac is a master of the midfield arts. A player who can see the runs her teammates will make before they set off, Chidiac has time and again this season played passes that threaded the eye of her needle to meet their runs and create chances. If this isn’t enough, the Matilda can also pop up with a superb goal or a well-timed challenge. The fact she remained top of the voting charts despite only playing two-thirds of the season perfectly highlights her qualities.
Throughout the second half of the season, Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis constantly said that he viewed Cyera Hintzen to be “the most complete number nine in the league.” The way she stepped up to the plate after Rylee Baisden’s season-ending ACL injury was superb. Playing with a range of different attacking players, each with differing strengths didn’t faze the American – she linked up with them brilliantly, and had a deadly link-up with Izzy Foletta outside her on the flank.
KIERAN YAP
Alex Chidiac missed the last third of the season but was dominant enough when she was here to take out this award. She was in spectacular form for Melbourne Victory and was simultaneously their best midfielder and attacker for a time.
Her ability to break open defences combined with a work ethic to press and track back made her one of the league’s most watchable players. A Matildas call-up was well deserved and perhaps overdue.
Above: Melbourne Victory’s Alex Chidiac – Impetus‘ joint A-League Women Player of the Season 2022/23. Photo: Keep Up.
Victory are a game away from another title decider, and without Chids it is hard to imagine that being the case.
Cyera Hintzen was one of Perth Glory’s most dangerous and effective players and shone in her second campaign in the league.
Six goals and seven assists is impressive, but they often came in spectacular fashion. What sets the American striker apart is her ability to combine with different styles of strike partners, and to be effective dropping deep or wide. Hopefully, Hintzen returns for more A-League Women’s seasons, because she is a joy to watch.
KRIS GOMAN
It’s pretty close with the votes for player of the year, but I like who has come out on top. A midfield general who commands the play and can pop a goal when you’re least expecting it and an exciting foreign forward who helped to get Perth Glory to one point from finals contention.
No one can deny the brilliance of Alex Chidiac. She’s the definition of a game changer and has played that role with both the Matildas and Melbourne Victory. She’s a master of both attack and defence and is everywhere on the field.
Above: Perth Glory’s Cyera Hintzen – Impetus‘ joint A-League Women Player of the Season 2022/23. Photo: Tom McCarthy
In her second season in the A-League Women, Cyera Hintzen has shown class, done her job to both score goals and deliver assists, and brought some flair to the Glory front line. She’s got the speed and positioning to assert in front of goal and this has won Perth matches.
JONATHAN TAY
Melbourne Victory had a challenging regular season, dealing with a host of injuries and an inconsistently performing midfield and only just squeaking into the top four via goal difference. In amidst that, Alex Chidiac was so often the dynamic difference-maker for them, popping up with crucial goals and assists, never afraid to take on a shot or cut through an opponent.
In her second season at Perth Glory, Cyera Hintzen led the line very well, finishing up as top scorer for the Western Australians. The American notched six goals, to go along with seven assists, capped off by an incredible display in a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Melbourne City, as Perth narrowly missed out on the Finals for the second season in a row.
BEN CAREY
Even though she didn’t play the full season, Alex Chidiac’s impact was immense. She dominated the midfield with energy, intent, and creativity. She scored six goals and bagged five assists. Time and time again, Chidiac was the best player on the field and was the difference-makerin tight matches.
Cyera Hintzen played her debut season in the A-League during 2021/22 and showed a lot of promise, but this year that promise was fully realised. She scored six goals and assisted in seven more. There were several players who scored more goals than her, but more often than not Hintzen scored exactly when Glory needed it the most. Whether she was in the starting line-up or used as a super sub, Hintzen’s impact was always palpable.
Impetus A-League Women Coach of the Year:
Graphic by: Ben Carey
Western United head coach Mark Torcaso picked up the most votes across the home and away season to be named as our Coach of the Season. Holding off Ante Juric, boss of Premiers Plate winners Sydney FC, Torcaso was a deserved winner as he guided his team to a Grand Final in their maiden season.
BEN GILBY
Whilst his final margin of victory was only two votes, Western United head coach Mark Torcaso led the chart from start to finish. Taking a newly constructed team to a Grand Final is a sensational achievement. This was Torcaso’s team, and he cleverly blended a group of Calder United NPLW Victoria players with an experienced spine of experienced Australian players along with some astute overseas signings.
KIERAN YAP
Mark Torcaso has had two jobs this season. First, he had to prepare a team made up of mostly new faces to the league, then he had to get results. Most observers would have expected Western United to be competitive, few would have predicted they would make the Grand Final in their first season.
Western United have been impressive for the majority of the campaign, and a second-place finish is a significant achievement. As a manager, he trusted in players from the NPLW and recruited excellently. Hillary Beall and Hannah Keane were unknowns in Round One. Now one has a Golden Boot, and the other is up for fans’ player of the season.
In the Semi-Final win over Sydney FC, he adjusted tactically and made game-defining substitutions. This was a remarkable first season at the helm.
Above: Western United’s Mark Torcaso – Impetus‘ Coach of the Season 2022/23. Photo: Western United.
KRIS GOMAN
The voting has been very accurate here with the coach of the first club to qualify for the Grand Final topping the list. What a year it will be for Mark Torcaso if Western United take the trophy. Admittedly, he has a lot of talent to work with but he chose his team well and has them working well together in their first year. It’s highly unusual for a brand-new team to do so well, so he’s clearly doing something right. There have been a few hiccups along the way, particularly their first loss to Western Sydney Wanderers and Jess MacDonald having to return to the NWSL mid-way through the season.
Beating Sydney at home last week in the semi took some fortitude and a solid match plan to stand up to that assault. Torcasco’s had the answers time and time again and deserves to come out on top here.
JONATHAN TAY
Whether they win the Grand Final or not, it’s been a hugely impressive debut campaign from Western United and head coach Mark Torcaso. They’ve defied all expectations to produce a second-place finish built on the back of a squad with familiarity from their time in the National Premier League together. Torcaso has been able to take them to the next level by instilling in his charges a grit, willpower, and determination to defeat more heavily-fancied opponents all season long.
BEN CAREY
Mark Torcaso’s debut season in the A-League was phenomenal. His team, Western United, beat all of the best teams in the league, and although they suffered some inconsistency near the end of the regular season, they were only one point away from dethroning the five-time Premiers, Sydney FC. Western United, under Torcaso’s tutelage, also showed incredible resilience and fight and were able to make the Grand Final at the first time of asking.
Graphic by: Ben Carey
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Matthew Appleby was at the Academy Stadium to provide Impetus with this set of images from last night’s WSL match (24/4/23).
Above: Mary Fowler celebrates her first-ever WSL goal with teammates, including her Matildas partner Hayley Raso. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
Manchester City 6-2 West Ham United
Two Chloe Kelly goals in the space of a minute in the opening exchanges set Manchester City on their way to what turned out to be a comfortable win over West Ham United last night.
However, when Emma Snerle’s curler reduced the deficit just four minutes after Kelly’s second, there were thoughts that the East Londoners might just make a real game of it. However, Laura Coombs’ restored City’s two-goal advantage on the 25-minute mark.
Two goals in three minutes after the hour mark from Bunny Shaw and Steph Houghton sealed the outcome despite Lisa Evans’ strike with 13 minutes remaining. Up stepped Matildas star Mary Fowler to score her first WSL goal with eight minutes remaining to ensure City’s four-goal winning margin.
Gareth Taylor’s side move up to second place in the WSL, three points behind leaders Manchester United. However, Chelsea, who were in Champions League action, are just a single point behind and have two games in hand. West Ham slip to eighth, seven points above the drop zone with four matches to play.
Matthew Appleby’s exclusive photo gallery for Impetus:
Andy Wicks was at the Select Car Leasing Stadium to capture all the action from yesterday’s WSL match between Reading and Leicester City for Impetus (24/4/23).
Above: Aerial action in yesterday’s game between Reading and Everton (yellow). Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Reading 2-3 Everton
Reading’s hopes of putting distance between themselves and bottom club Leicester City took a major hit as the Berkshire side surrendered a 2-0 lead to Everton yesterday.
Justine Vanhaevermaet hit two goals in a quarter of an hour – one of which was a penalty – to give the home side a stunning lead.
However, Everton, with Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler putting in an impressive shift hit back with a vengeance. Swedish star Hanna Bennison got a goal back just before the break before Katja Snoeijs levelled with a spot kick just after the hour mark. With seven minutes remaining, Nicoline Sørensen curled home a superb winner.
Reading are now just a point above bottom club Leicester City who have a game in hand, albeit against Chelsea, in the race to avoid relegation to the Championship. Everton remain comfortably in sixth.
Above: Ella Lincoln, who scored a hat-trick for Perth SC in their win over Mandurah City. Photo: Fotoenzo.
The opening round of the Western Australia Women’s State Cup saw, as expected, all of the NPLW WA teams facing lower-ranked opposition run-out winners. Curtin University were the only top-tier side to fall as they lost their all-NPLW encounter with Subiaco. Hamersley Rovers will be the only non-NPLW side in the quarter-finals after winning their tie at Armadale.
Round up
Perth SC continued their powerful start to the 2023 campaign with a 12-0 win over Mandurah City. A hat trick from Ella Lincoln, braces from Abbey Meakins, Jaime Duncanson, and Matilda Böhm plus additional strikes from Sophia Papalia and Stella Zampogna contributed to the success. The NPLW WA leaders’ The Azzurri goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett subsequently extended her run of clean sheets to five in a row.
Hyundai NTC, who have made a strong start to the NPLW WA season, gained a 6-0 win over State League opponents UWA Nedlands. An Anna Powell hat-trick, plus strikes from Klaudia Houlis, Louise Tana, and Maya Archibald sealed the victory.
The all-NPLW WA clash between Curtin University and Subiaco went the way of the visitors who gained a 2-0 victory thanks to a brace from Dakota Van Vugt.
Above: Charli Wainwright, among the scorers for Murdoch University Melville against Subiaco AFC. Photo: South Coast Baptist College.
Murdoch University Melville gained a 4-0 win over Women’s League side Subiaco AFC thanks to goals from Charli Wainwright, Jessica Johnson, Nikita Strickling, and Sophie Meaden.
Balcatta Etna returned from Len Packham Park with a 3-1 win over Perth AFC. Kim McCartney, Lauren Continibali, and Tia Stonehill were on target for the NPLW WA side. Angela Cheaib scored for the hosts.
Hamersley Rovers won the only tie between two non-NPLW WA sides with an 8-0 win at Armadale SC. Christiane Åstorp hit five of her side’s goals with Brianna Patrick contributing two and Royan Norman the other.
Holders Perth RedStar gained a walkover victory against Port Kennedy, as did Fremantle City over Sorrento.
Above: Christiane Åstorp – scorer of five goals in Hamersley Rovers’ 7-0 win at Armadale. Photo: Balcatta FC.
Jay Patel was at Brisbane Road this afternoon for the Barclays WSL match and provides this selection of images from pitchside (23/4/23).
Above: The expressions say it all for Spurs. Photo: Jay Patel.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa recovered after letting a 2-0 lead slip to eventually salvage a point thanks to Rachel Daly’s strike with six minutes of normal time remaining in East London today.
After Kirsty Hanson dispatched Kenza Dali’s ball home and Daly doubled their advantage, Spurs hit back.
Eveliina Summanen got her first of the afternoon to complete a move involving Beth England and Ashleigh Neville and completed her brace just after the restart with a shot that came back down off the bar. Then, 12 minutes later, England scored her customary goal to put the home side in front.
Daly earned the Midland side a draw with her header in the closing stages.
Jay Patel’s Photo Gallery:
Teams: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-2): Spencer, Ale, Turner, Bartrip, Harrop, Bizet, James, Spence, Neville. England, Summanen. Substitutes used: Ayane (for Ale 59′), Naz (for Bizet 67′), Graham (for England 88′), Cho (for Summanen 88′).
Scorers: Summanen 27′, 47′. England 59′.
ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Hampton, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco, Dali, Staniforth, Nobbs, Blindkilde, Daly, Hanson. Substitutes used: Lehmann (for Blindkilde 57′), Littlejohn (for Dali 87′).
Kris Goman was pitchside at Allianz Stadium for Impetus to capture this exclusive photo gallery from yesterday’s A-League Women Preliminary Final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory (23/4/23).
Above: Madison Haley (9) celebrates her winning goal with Kirsty Fenton. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Above: Matchwinner Madison Hayley for Sydney FC. Photo: Liberty A-League.
Sydney FC are through to a sixth straight A-League Women’s Grand Final after edging past a stubborn Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Allianz Stadium.
The two sides entered this game under very different circumstances. Sydney FC were looking for a response to a surprise loss to Western United last week, while Melbourne Victory had momentum behind them after a thrilling win against Melbourne City.
Momentum and the form of Casey Dumont in goal was their best chance in this game. Without the suspended Amy Jackson in midfield, Jeff Hopkins was forced into a reshuffle. Nat Tathem moved into midfield, and Beattie Goad was pushed to fullback to deal with the threat of Cortnee Vine.
Ava Briedis started for the second time this season. The tricky winger was involved early but faded in as the half wore on and Sydney FC began to dominate. At just 17 years old, there is much more to come from the Young Matildas attacker.
The home side looked comfortable and moved the ball much more easily than they did against Western United. The slightly improved state of the pitch helped, but Princess Ibini and Sarah Hunter were in fine touch. The pair switched play and directed attacks. Ibini was unlucky not to score with a swerving shot that forced a diving save from Dumont, and a combination with Madison Haley almost set up Rachel Lowe to score, but the chance was snuffed out by some proactive goalkeeping.
Victory set themselves up to defend. Catching Sydney FC on the counterattack was always a difficult task with Goad on defensive duties and Lia Privitelli on the bench due to injury. Although Sydney FC controlled possession and created chances, they rarely looked like scoring in the first half. Both teams looked like they were playing according to plan, yet neither looked entirely comfortable in the game.
Sydney FC looked much stronger this week with Madison Haley in the side. Rachel Lowe has been excellent as a mobile, creative forward, but what works against sides in the bottom half of the table is not necessarily the best plan in finals.
Against Melbourne Victory, she was a handful, and frequently required the attention of multiple defenders. Along with Princess Ibini, she looked the most likely to break the deadlock and when she hit a strong, athletic half-volley in the second half, it looked destined to ripple the net but skidded wide.
Above: Kirsty Fenton (left) and Ava Briedis battle for possession today. Photo: Keep Up.
Victory struggled to get a shot on goal, and their best chances came from pressuring Jada Whyman in goal. Melina Ayres forced an error from the Sydney FC goalkeeper, but could not capitalise. A later corner kick evaded Whyman’s clutches, but the header from Claudia Bunge did not clear the defence.
As the half wore on, the effects of Victory’s epic semi-final started to show. Clearances became more tired, and more gaps began to appear for Vine to dash into. When the goal came it felt both fortunate and inevitable.
Nat Tobin took matters into her own hands and embarked on a strong attacking run into the area. A series of tired clearances from Victory eventually fell to Sarah Hunter in space on the edge of the box. Her ball in was spilled by Dumont and Haley reacted quickest to poke home the scrappiest of winners.
The ball bobbled over the line, and Sydney FC had produced far more aesthetically pleasing moves in the game, but they would not care. They finally had their first goal of this finals series, and it had come too late for Victory to respond.
So Sydney FC are into a sixth straight Grand Final, and although Western United defeated them a week earlier, they will be confident. They have an almost fully fit side, their centre forward has rediscovered her scoring touch, and any player that had a down game in the first final redeemed themselves in this one.
The reigning premiers deservedly have a chance to add to this season’s silverware and to win the only trophy that has evaded them in these dominant years. Quietly, the APL must be breathing a sigh of relief that this is not an all-Melbourne final in Sydney, but it still feels unfair that Western United would have won the right to host the final and would be doing so in a historic day had the rules of the competition not been changed mid-way through the season.
Melbourne Victory had a successful season by another other club’s standards. As the winners of the last two Grand Finals, they will be disappointed. However, they had a brave campaign and kept grinding out results despite the injuries and departures of Alex Chidiac, Elise Kellond-Knight, and Paige Zois. They spent a large chunk of the season without Catherine Zimmerman and Melina Ayres and relied on the youth in the team far more than they would have expected before 2022/23 began.
The good news is that these players largely stepped up when needed. Alana Murphy looks to be a genuine star in the making, and Ava Briedis has all the skills and physical attributes to be an excellent player. Only inexperience and the fitness to play a full game are in her way between being a squad player and a gun winger for the club.
Above: Madison Haley (left) celebrates her late winner with Mackenzie Hawkesby. Photo: Keep Up.
In this context, making the finals is a massive achievement, and winning the first one against the odds was a momentous occasion. They will not feel like it now, but they gave their fans a thrilling ride and some unforgettable highlights.
But this afternoon was all about Sydney FC. There are few weaknesses in this squad. Ante Juric has built a cohesive and dependable starting 11, that has defensive stability and multiple threats in attack.
On the bench, there is almost unparalleled depth. In Mackenzie Hawkesby and Sarah Hunter, they have the league’s most dominant midfield pairing, and in Cortnee Vine the competition’s most dangerous player. Being able to bring on Indiana Dos Santos to try and change the game is a luxury few sides have, at just 15 she is already a proven senior player with match-winning potential.
They will face Western United next week and have lost to them twice this season, but not twice in a row. It will be an epic final between two sides that play different styles and have very different stories. It will take something special to decide the champions of 2022/23.
Speaking after the game, Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric said: “We attacked so much and we questioned whether we were going to get the goal but it was superb and we showed that emotion once the goal went in.
“A lot of our players now have another game under their belt like Charlotte (Mclean) and Madi (Haley) which will stand us in good stead for the final.”
Matchwinner Madison Haley reflected on her thought process in scoring the late goal saying: “I’d been saying all game to follow up everything and that was me sticking to the game plan.
“I knew extra time was looming and that was the perfect chance, I saw the ball fall in front of me and just had to get there and keep it low and it went in.”
Teams:SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Mclean, Fenton, Hunter, Lowe, Haley, Vine, Tobin, Hawkesby, Rule, Ibini. Substitutes: Offer (GK), de la Harpe, Hollman, Dos Santos, Badawiya.
Above: Melbourne Victory boss Jeff Hopkins speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s Preliminary Final at Sydney FC. Image: Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins emphasised to the media today that his team has totally recovered from 120 minutes of dramatic Semi-Final actionand are prepared to deny Sydney FC a fourth straight Grand Final appearance.
Hopkins outlined that whilst the early part of the week focussed on recovery, his team are now well versed in what they need to do to defeat Sydney FC yet again in a Final, and they will travel to New South Wales with almost their whole squad available to choose from.
“We had lots of massage and rest on Monday, a day off on Tuesday and the only player that won’t be available is Miranda (Templeman). She fell heavily on her knee early on in the week, so we’ll be bringing another goalkeeper, Gaby (Garton) in. Apart from that, everyone is available. We enjoyed last week, we’ve put that behind us, and we’re totally focussed now on the weekend.”
It has been made abundantly clear to Victory players that their dramatic penalty shoot- out win over Melbourne City will mean nothing now their next challenge is awaiting. Complacency is not an option.
“We played a Final last week. It is not acceptable to us as a group to think we played our Final. If we enjoyed it too much, then that massive high will be hit by a massive low this week. We’re totally focussed on going to Sydney and getting that result. I’m not interested in what they (Sydney FC) do or what preparation they do. We’ve had a good week. We’ve had good tactical work-outs, the girls are physically sharp.”
The defending champions’ head coach was also very clear in emphasising that his team’s wins over Sydney FC in the last two Grand Finals has absolutely no bearing on tomorrow’s showdown.
“The game is a new fresh game. Last year, last game, last week doesn’t come into it. This is a fresh game. They know us inside out, we know them inside out. It’s about getting us physically and mentally prepared and having one or two things up our sleeve that we do differently in terms of personnel and tactics. It will be down to the day.”
Above: Melbourne Victory captain Kayla Morrison (left) and Sydney FC captain Nat Tobin with the A-League Women Grand Final trophy. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images supplied to Impetus by: A-Leagues.
In terms of what he is expecting from the home side tomorrow, Hopkins first identified the two options he has in how to set his team up tomorrow, saying: “You can sit back into a deeper block and try and frustrate them, and Western United did that well last week, or you can get in their face, get up, press, and pressure.
“Sydney FC are a very quick, dynamic team. I see the game being pretty open, end to end with two teams setting themselves up to defend the opposition, but also being positive. We can’t fall into the trap of going there, sitting back, and looking to nick the game. We know we need to be positive when we have the ball and do what we have to do without it.”
“I have massive respect for Ante (Juric) as a coach and a massive respect for them as a team. They have been the benchmark for the last three or four years. To beat a team as good as them is a big motivation to get to the Grand Final.”
Highlighting two of his team’s key players in last week’s win over Melbourne City, Melina Ayres, and Casey Dumont, Hopkins said: “Our team have lost one in 18. Melina is scoring in every game she plays.
“She will be a target for them to keep as quiet as they possibly can. It will be a very difficult job. She doesn’t need time or space, she creates it herself. She scores spectacular goals and brings other people into the game well. Some have that big match mentality, she definitely has that.”
When it came to Dumont’s heroics in shot stopping and penalty scoring, Hopkins smiled: “She saved a penalty in normal time, remember, and all the girls rushed to congratulate her, but she was like: ‘No! Get away from me! There’s a corner to defend!’
“When I first came to this club she was one of my first targets, and she’s never let me down. Her motivation is to do well for this club. She enjoys playing for this club, she loves the girls and being here. Her main motivation is to win another Grand Final. She’s the best goalkeeper in the A-League Women at the moment in my eyes.”
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