A-League Women Weekly Awards

Each week during the home and away season, Impetus’ writing and photography team covering the A-League Women will nominate a player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of the player and coach votes as the weeks go by, and just before the Finals, will announce our winners for 2022/23 (6/2/23).

Player of the Week:

Above: Alex Chidiac (centre) – winner of two votes this week. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

BEN GILBY:

Alex Chidiac. Another superb performance in the Melbourne Victory midfield. With her loan spell edging towards its conclusion, Victory fans will be keeping everything crossed that Jeff Hopkins can persuade her NWSL club to allow his Matildas star to hang around until the end of the A-League Women season.

KIERAN YAP:

Sarah Hunter. At just 19, she easily dominated A-League Women’s midfield. Her goal was spectacular, but her all-round play was excellent. Hunter is one of the best players in the competition in this form.

JONATHAN TAY:

Alex Chidiac. It’s clear that Melbourne Victory will live and die by the performances of Chidiac. With a number of key injuries this season and a midfield that has flattered to deceive, the Matilda has raised her game to be a difference-maker for her side. The 24-year-old produced a beautiful slide-rule pass into Beattie Goad for the opening goal, before converting a late penalty in Melbourne’s 3-1 win over Western Sydney. She now leads her team with five goals and five assists, and if Victory are to have any hope of making noise this campaign, they’ll need Chidiac to continue to be their X-factor.

RYAN MILLER-WOODS:

Grace Jale. Her performance for Canberra United against Newcastle Jets was crucial towards the end result for United with her presence on the pitch. For her team’s first goal, made a great one-two pass before setting up Laura Hughes.

BEN CAREY:

Cortnee Vine. A goal and an assist against Melbourne City. Another stellar performance from Vine, once again proving why she is not only essential to Sydney FC, but also a crucial part of the modern Matildas squad.

Coach of the Week:

Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis received three votes this week. Photo: Perth Glory.

BEN GILBY:

Alex Epakis. His Perth Glory team were without a game for three weeks, and then faced an away trip to the league leaders who had only lost once all season. The Western Australians could have been excused for appearing rusty. Instead, they were exceptionally well organised and produced their best defensive and offensive performance of the season.

KIERAN YAP:

Ante Juric. Another three-goal win against a top-four opponent can’t be ignored. This was a brutally efficient performance from Sydney FC.

JONATHAN TAY:

Certainly the most pleasing result of the campaign thus far for Perth Glory and head coach Alex Epakis, who upset current ladder leaders Western United 3-1. They were able to successfully apply pressure high up the field in the first half, before defending solidly in the second, restricting the quality of chances that United were able to muster. Perth have a much friendlier schedule for the remainder of the season, and they will have drawn confidence from Saturday’s game. Results will be vital down the stretch if they’re to stand any chance for finals contention.

RYAN MILLER-WOODS:

Ante Juric. Sydney FC were especially strong against Melbourne City and, despite having less possession in the match, they were able to not only see off any threats that were made by City but seized their opportunities of scoring when it mattered the most.

BEN CAREY:

Alex Epakis. Leading his team, who were near the bottom of the table, to a convincing win over the league leaders, Western United was a huge achievement. I was impressed with his leadership and belief.

Event of the Week:

Above: Clare Hunt (centre) heading clear for Western Sydney Wanderers. The defender’s selection for the Matildas this week was one of our panel’s highlights of the week. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

BEN GILBY:

Alana Jancevski’s free-kick goal for Perth Glory at Western United. From 25 yards, the curl and power that the young gun put on the ball was sensatational. A class goal from a class player.

KIERAN YAP:

Melbourne Victory’s third goal. Catherine Zimmerman should have run the ball to the corner, instead, she took a gamble and set up the hard-running Tiffany Eliadis for an easy finish. It was a wonderful way to celebrate her return from injury.

JONATHAN TAY:

Clare Hunt earned her first call-up to the Matildas national team squad ahead of the Cup of Nations tournament taking place later this month. It’s reward for Hunt’s impressive displays at the back during Western Sydney’s recent good run of form, with the 23-year-old holding her own against a number of international strikers this season. More than just Hunt’s call-up in isolation though, it is pleasing to see Australian head coach Tony Gustavsson and his staff continue to keep their eyes on candidates plying their trade in the A-League. Arguably, the level of competition cannot compare to what is found in the better leagues in Europe. However, there are certainly players domestically who are capable of filling in the depth of the Matildas squad, alongside the more high-profile likes of Katrina Gorry, Cortnee Vine, and Alex Chidiac.

RYAN MILLER-WOODS:

Sarah Hunter’s goal for Sydney FC against Melbourne City. After a great lay off from Madison Haley, Hunter hit a first-time shot from outside the box going past City’s goalkeeper Sally James. Huinet made it look so effortless.

BEN CAREY:

Brisbane Roar defender Jessie Rasschaert scoring her first-ever goal in the A-League with a brilliant header against Adelaide United. It’s been five years in the making!

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Rasschaert scores first goal as Brisbane sink Adelaide

Adelaide United 0-1 Brisbane Roar (05/02/22)

By Ben Carey

Above: Shea Connors battles win to win possession earlier today. Photo: Adelaide United

Brisbane Roar boosted their finals chances on Sunday afternoon with a win over Adelaide United away from home.

Brisbane came in with an unchanged line-up from their exciting clash against Wellington Phoenix last weekend, hoping to conjure some of the same attacking magic they found in the first half of that match. Adelaide United came into the game winless in six straight matches, with something to prove in front of a home crowd.

The match started out a bit cagey, each team testing the other out. They had faced off just three weeks previously before in Brisbane, which resulted in a frustrating 1-1 draw for both teams.

Adelaide grew into the match slowly, dominating possession and creating the majority of opportunities. Their pace and accuracy of their passing was excellent, as was the dynamic movement of many of the Reds players, but they struggled to create anything from their possession.

In the 21st minute, Chelsie Dawber took the first shot on target for Adelaide, but it was saved easily by Hensley Hancuff. 15 minutes later though, Dawber found herself in a dangerous position, after an excellent pass from Japanese international, Nanako Sasaki. Dawber took a shot on goal, drawing an excellent save from Hancuff. There was an immediate counterattack by Brisbane, but when Katrina Gorry crossed it into the box, no forwards were there to capitalise.

Shea Connors found herself involved in a few half chances near the end of the first half. The first coming from a Gorry cross that bounced high off an Adelaide defender. Connors got her head on it, but couldn’t find enough pace to trouble Annalee Grove, the Adelaide keeper. A few minutes later she made her way into the box again, producing some great footwork to create space for a shot, but once she got it off it was blocked by a defender.

Just before halftime, there was a dramatic free kick from Sasaki off a set piece from well outside the box. She found the head of Dutch international, Marushka Waldus, who is almost six foot tall, and known for scoring headers. She made good contact with the ball, but it hit the underside of the crossbar and fell into the hands of the Brisbane keeper.

It was a scrappy start to the second half, with neither team maintaining possession for long. There were a few half chances up both ends. The first real opportunity of the second half came from a wonderful corner kick from Sasaki that found the head of Jenna McCormick, but her header was just wide of the goals.

Just before the 70-minute mark, there was a very strange series of events. Connors, who was in possession of the ball, was shoved over and her trailing boot clipped Dawber in the face, resulting in a bloody nose for the South Australian. Connors was unjustly given a yellow card, however, the Roar were still given a free kick. After a lot of delays and build-up, the free kick itself was relatively anticlimactic.

A few minutes later, during a corner kick, Dylan Holmes and Gorry had a collision in the box. Gorry had her back to Holmes, who went down. Holmes was unhappy with the contact and was subsequently shown a yellow card for dissent. Soon after, Holmes fouled Gorry in open play, resulting in a free kick for Brisbane. Hollie Palmer hit a superb ball into the box, which found Brisbane’s tallest player, defender Jessie Rasschaert, who used her head to dink it over Grove and score her first-ever A-League goal.

After Brisbane scored they looked like a different team. They started maintaining more possession and they had more of an offensive mindset when they were moving forward. But Adelaide was ramping up their aggression too, eager to strike back. In the 82nd minute, Jenna McCormick took a great shot from range, which needed a top-drawer diving save from Hancuff to tip it off the post and out of danger.

The last 10 or 15 minutes were frantic. Adelaide desperately trying to find a goal and come away with a point and Brisbane absorbing pressure and trying to hold on to the win. The Roar seemed to have taken some good lessons from last season, the whole team apply great late-game management to close out the match with a win. It was the first time since March 2021 that Brisbane had beaten Adelaide.

While Adelaide dominated the first half in terms of possession and shots on goals, they were unable to convert on any of their chances. Brisbane was able to hold on, absorb the pressure, and then strike back in the second half.

Rasschaert played an exceptional match. In the last few matches, Garrath McPherson has been employing her as a wing-back, rather than the full-back role she usually plays. This has allowed Rasschaert to use her pace to get up the side of the pitch, and set up the midfielders or forwards, somewhat reminiscent of Ellie Carpenter. She hit a couple of great passes into the final third during the match. It will be interesting to see how she develops in that role.

Palmer and Hancuff also performed very well, Palmer coming up clutch on set pieces, and Hancuff pulling out a number of amazing saves to keep Brisbane in the match. What an incredible signing she has been for the Roar this season.

Sasaki was exceptional for Adelaide, creating a handful of dangerous opportunities from set pieces. Waldus and McCormick also put in a great shift, the centre back duo not only shutting down numerous Brisbane Roar attacks, but also both coming within inches of scoring for Adelaide.

Brisbane Roar will play Melbourne Victory at home next Saturday and Adelaide United will have three weeks to lick their wounds and figure out how to break their seven-game winless streak when they also take on Melbourne Victory on February 26th.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Grove, I. Hodgson, McCormick, Waldus, E. Hodgson, Westland, Sasaki, Holmes, Dawber, Murray, Hayward. Substitutes: Wilson, Barbieri, Bowler, Coorey, Tolland.

BRISBANE ROAR (4-2-3-1): Hancuff, Kramer, Lind, Rankin, Rasschaert, Norrie, Connors, Gorry, Palmer, Riley, Crummer. Substitutes: Shuttleworth, McQueen, Levin, Kruger, Freier.

Scorers: Rasschaert 78’.

Referee: Bec Mackie.

Attendance: 1,045.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Canberra grab vital win as Jets end difficult week

Newcastle Jets 0-3 Canberra United

by Ryan Miller-Woods (5/2/23)

Above: Canberra United celebrate their second-half scoring spree. Photo: Canberra United.

After two consecutive 5-0 defeats, Canberra United are back on the winners list with a 3-0 win against Newcastle Jets at No.2 Sportsground.

Canberra’s win was thanks to three goals in seven second-half minutes by Laura Hughes, Michelle Heyman, and Grace Maher. It was a tough end to a difficult week for Newcastle Jets, whose head coach Ash Wilson stepped aside in midweek.

After some early skirmishes at both ends, Newcastle almost took the lead in the 15th minute. Kennedy Faulknor was dispossessed of the ball by Lauren Allan who made a great run into the box. Her shot on an angle was parried by Canberra goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln for Allan to then slot the ball to Ashlee Brodigan whose shot was cleared off the line by Canberra. 

Canberra came equally as close 20 minutes later. Michelle Heyman from around halfway directed a beautiful pass to Grace Jale on the right-hand side. Jale ran into the box and found Vesna Milivojevic whose shot from the edge of the box was spectacularly put over the bar by Worth.

Above: Grace Jale (right) had an influential afternoon for Canberra United. Photo: Canberra United.

There was one further opportunity in the 45th minute, as Grace Maher directed a pass to Heyman who ran onto it and got into the box with her shot on an angle going over the bar. 

The visitors came out firing at the start of the second half as Maher fed Milivojevic whose first-time shot at goal was yet again superbly saved by Worth. Just under 20 minutes into the second period, the visitors finally hit the front.

Jale made a great run into the box found Hughes who took a touch, then had a shot at goal which went past Worth and into the back of the net for the opening goal of the match. It had been coming.

Just two minutes later, Milivojevic hit the ball forward, it went into the path of Newcastle’s Cannon Clough who appeared to be making a backpass to Worth but it didn’t have enough power on it allowing Heyman to gather possession and hit a first-time shot at goal which went past Worth and into the bottom right corner for Canberra’s second goal of the match.

Above: Grace Maher reacts after scoring from the penalty spot. Photo: Canberra United.

The goalscoring flurry continued in the 69th minute from the spot after Cassidy Davis brought down Hughes in the box. Grace Maher was the one who stepped up with calmness and slotted her shot into the bottom left corner. 

Newcastle had two opportunities to close the gap before the end with Lara Gooch involved both times. First, she fed Brodigan who advanced into the box but her eventual shot at goal on an angle was denied by the woodwork. Then in stoppage time at the end, Gooch hit an effort from outside the area which was denied by Lincoln. 

This was a crucial result for Canberra after two heavy defeats. They now need to show this level against the teams above them, starting next weekend when they host Sydney FC. 

As for Newcastle, they face a trip to leaders Western United in midweek. Life won’t be getting any easier. 

Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (4-4-2): Worth, Clough, King, Garnier, Puxty, Davis, Agnew, Johnson, L.Allan, Heyman, Brodigan. Substitutes: Coelho, Andrews, Stapleford, Allen, Gooch. 

CANBERRA UNITED (4-2-3-1): Lincoln, Hughes, Brush, Grove, Maher, Jale, Taylor-Young, Faulknor, Milivojevic, Flannery, Heyman. Substitutes: Richards, Murray, Ilijoski, Middleton, Gett. 

Scorers: Hughes 63’, Heyman 65’, Maher (pen) 69. 

Referee: Rachel Mitchenson.

Attendance: 1,404.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Sydney FC v Melbourne City photo gallery

Kris Goman was pitchside at Allianz Stadium yesterday to capture the best of the action as Sydney FC hosted Melbourne City (5/2/23).

Above: Madison Haley celebrates with her teammates. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

For Jonathan Tay‘s analysis of the match, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/02/04/sydney-fc-make-statement-with-win-over-city/

Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Ellie Carpenter’s return: Exclusive photo gallery

Jean-Pierre Thiesset was pitchside in Rodez for Impetus on Saturday as Olympique Lyonnais’ Australian international Ellie Carpenter made her eagerly awaited return from ACL injury after almost nine months out (5/2/23).

Above: Ellie Carpenter back in a familiar pose – charging along the right flank for Olympique Lyonnais at Rodez yesterday. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

Jean-Pierre Thiesset was one of only three photographers pitchside at Rodez for Ellie Carpenter’s return from injury yesterday. The Matildas star entered the pitch after 63 minutes and produced a good performance, fully committed and without any injury related restraint.

Could Chelsea’s lack of depth impact trophy hunt?

by Dean Mears

Above: Chelsea have a lot to work out over the coming months. Photo: 90min

In the summer of 2022, Chelsea Women brought in six new signings ahead of the defence of their third consecutive league title. Their unspoken main goal, however, has always been to win the Champions League.

In the final group game last season, away to Wolfsburg, Chelsea needed to avoid defeat by more than two goals to seal their progression into the next round. Before the tie, they lost goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger and midfielder Drew Spence to positive Covid-19 tests, and in the 51st minute, lost captain Magdalena Eriksson to an injury that would keep her out for the next three months.

The game finished 4-0 to Wolfsburg. It was a humiliation for Chelsea who had contested and lost the previous season’s final against Barcelona by the same scoreline.

So, despite league and cup success, the summer transfer activity that followed, reflected that bitter disappointment as multiple Champions League winner Kadeisha Buchanan joined along with Jelena Cankovic, Eve Perisset, Katerina Svitkova, Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd, and youngster Lucy Watson, who soon moved on to Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan.

Above: Kadeisha Buchanan on her WSL debut for Chelsea at Liverpool. Photo: The Guardian

It appeared that Chelsea’s transfer business had done the trick, the team ended the year top of the WSL and through to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League after topping Group A with nineteen goals scored and just one conceded against PSG, Real Madrid, and Vllanzia.

Speaking at a press conference in December, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was full of praise for her new signings:

“What I will say about the players that came in over the summer is that every single one of them is a super-professional. You can have a large squad and it doesn’t mean you have good quality, but we’ve got both, we’ve got a large squad and top quality.”

But the January transfer window has now closed and the question has to be asked: Have Chelsea undone all the good work they did in the summer?

Transfers in

Despite being linked with a big money bid for Arsenal defender Katie McCabe, Chelsea’s only winter signing was highly rated teenager Maika Hamano from INAC Kobe Leonessa.

The 18-year-old, who caught most people’s attention during the FIFA U19 World Cup, immediately joined Swedish side Hammarby IF on loan, where she has already scored three goals.

Transfers Out

Above: Former Chelsea star Beth England pictured on her Tottenham Hotspur debut. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.

Chelsea’s first sale of the January window had felt a long time coming as Bethany England moved across London to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £400,000 fee. England had found herself become Chelsea’s second-choice striker following the arrival of Sam Kerr in 2020, and after not featuring at all during the Euros. She obviously needs regular minutes if she’s going to convince Sarina Wiegman that she can replace the now-retired Ellen White as England’s number-nine at the World Cup this summer.

The second departure was a loan deal for young Dutch defender Aniek Nouwen, who moved to Serie A side AC Milan. Nouwen, like England, had been struggling for minutes following the arrival of Buchanan and with that World Cup on the horizon, would have also been worried for her place in the Dutch squad for the tournament.

Chelsea also had recalled Charlotte Wardlaw from her loan at Liverpool and sent her to Championship side Lewes instead.

Consequences

Chelsea lost three players at the end of the 2021/22 season – Drew Spence, Ji So-Yun, and Jonna Andersson – but brought in five first-team players to take their squad to 25 players, the departures of Bethany England and Aniek Nouwen have reduced this.

However, they are currently without Pernille Harder to a long-term injury with no return date yet in sight, meaning in theory, Chelsea’s squad is really down to just 22 players, less than the number that saw them struggle with injuries during December 2021, a period in which they lost to Reading in the WSL and fail to win their final two Champions League group games against Juventus and Wolfsburg.

Chelsea now find themselves with only one recognised striker: Sam Kerr. She may be the club’s second-highest goal scorer but there is a real risk of burnout if Emma Hayes needs to rely on her too much.

Kerr is currently tied with Fran Kirby on six goals in the WSL as top scorer this season. Alarmingly, Harder is still third on that list with three goals, despite playing just 254 minutes this season.

Above: Sam Kerr is presently facing a lot of work for both club and country. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.

The loan deal for Aniek Nouwen has also had a knock-on effect for Chelsea’s defensive setup, with captain Magdalena Eriksson finding herself on the bench as Hayes continues with the centre-back partnership of Millie Bright and new signing Buchanan.

Eriksson had been deployed as the left back, with Nouwen and Jess Carter on the bench as backup, but the departure of the Dutch international has seen Carter become Chelsea’s first-choice left-back, with Eriksson as the back-up central defender, coming on as a sub, as she did last Sunday at half time when Buchanan picked up a knock.

The left-back position is another concern for Chelsea, who, having let Jonna Andersson go, found themselves without a natural option. Eriksson, who is left-footed was a more natural fit than Carter who finds herself either coming in field or going backwards.

It is noteworthy that the three games that Carter and Guro Reiten have been together on Chelsea’s left-hand side, the Norwegian hasn’t produced a goal or assist.

Carter’s backup will likely be either Eriksson moving back across, or Niamh Charles switching sides, however, the switch has also impacted Alsu Abdullina’s place in the squad.

Time will tell if Chelsea will live to regret not signing a left-back or a proper backup striker for Kerr, but as the schedule gets even busier, with rearranged fixtures still to fit in, it won’t be long until we find out.

Sydney FC make statement with win over City

Sydney FC 3-0 Melbourne City

By Jonathan Tay (4/2/23)

Above: Cortnee Vine jumps for joy with Madison Hayley after scoring for Sydney FC. Photo: Keep Up.

The Sydney FC juggernaut continued to roll on, with a 3-0 win over Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium. Sarah Hunter’s beautiful long-range strike opened the scoring, before Cortnee Vine and Madison Haley added to Sydney’s tally with second-half goals. 

Here’s three thoughts on another dominant display from the Sky Blues on Saturday. 

Separating the contenders and pretenders

In the lead-up to Saturday’s game, both Sydney FC and Melbourne City spoke about their determination to back themselves and stick to their own game. More than most, each side can claim to have a distinct style of play: City particularly ball-dominant and possession-based in principle, whilst Sydney have shown themselves to be the premier counter-attacking team in the competition. 

City head coach Dario Vidosic made particular note of Sydney’s threat in his pre-match press conference, remarking, “In transition, they’re (Sydney FC) one of the best teams; the firepower they have up front and the speed. They’ve got people that can score goals, create, and they’re dangerous.”

Madison Haley, speaking before the match, asserted, “We’re confident in what we do, and when we wear this badge, we know a lot of expectation is there, but we’re ready to take on that pressure. I think City play a 3-5-2 (formation). We haven’t encountered a team who play like that this season, (but) we won’t change who we are.”

The Melbournians, presented with a unique 3-4-3 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid formation, with Katie Bowen floating between defence and midfield, depending on the game situation. The reasoning seemed to be to attempt to throw their opponents off-guard and to provide greater control in the centre of the park.

It was all for nought though, as they struggled to deal with the intensity of the Sky Blues’ press, and were far too laborious in their build-up. City were constantly on the backfoot; unable to play through the aggression of Sydney’s forwards, and too panicked to find the right options when they did have the ball. 

Conversely, Mackenzie Hawkesby and Sarah Hunter were excellent for Sydney FC, and frequently found time and space against a ragged and overrun City midfield. Cortnee Vine looks to be back in form, and had plenty of joy down the right of Melbourne’s exposed defence, from where she notched a goal and an assist. The last two games have shown the Sydneysiders at their high-flying best, and they are once again looking to be the team to beat for the title this season. 

Haley worth the hype

After an imperious display in Sydney’s dismantling of Melbourne Victory last match-round (earning ALW player of the week nominations), Madison Haley backed it up with another commanding performance against fellow Victorians, City, this weekend. The American created three chances and had five shots against Melbourne City, to go along with her goal and assist. 

It’s been clear Haley is in a different weight class to the majority of defences she has come up against in the A-League, and she has shown she has the makings of a complete forward in her. Currently second in the golden boot race with seven goals, scoring is just one of many tools in the 23-year-old’s arsenal. 

Comfortable receiving with her back to goal, as well as dropping deeper to offer as an option, Haley has the power to run at defenders, and the playmaking to find runners in between the lines. Her strength, composure, and gravity opens up space for teammates, and she has the footballing sense to understand when to hold and when to release for others.

On Saturday, she imposed her will throughout the game, forcing a turnover before laying off for Hunter to put Sydney into the lead. For her own tally, she started and ended the sequence, initially finding a streaking Hawkesby in midfield, before racing into the box, and beating the City defence to get on the end of Vine’s centering ball.

Before the turn of the year, Sydney head coach Ante Juric said, “The two things that caught my eye with Madi is that she holds the ball up and puts people into play, but she’s an exceptional finisher too. She works well in our team and she actually fits perfectly with what we do. She’ll only get better and better too.”

On the basis of her season thus far, she will be one to watch when she returns home to the US’ NWSL competition, with bags of potential to take her career even further.

City searching for offence

At the other end of the game, City look to have slowed significantly in the scoring department. After coming out of the gates racking up goals for fun to begin the campaign, they have had to work much harder for much less attacking production in recent times. 

It’s difficult not to point to the losses of Maria Rojas and Emina Ekic as a noticeable inflection point in their season to date. After averaging an expected goals (xG) of 2.68 per game in their first five matches, they have since only mustered an average of 1.07 xG over their next seven games.

We have now seen Hannah Wilkinson play two more games than the 35-year-old Rojas, and the contrast in their fortunes has been stark; the New Zealander having recorded just two goals in her seven matches. Outside of a sharp-angled effort saved in the third minute against Sydney, Wilkinson was not a noticeable part of this game, and has been unable to offer the creativity and 1-on-1 ability that Rojas displayed earlier in-season.

Wilkinson, of course, is not alone in being singled out for blame, with Rhianna Pollicina also slowing down recently, and Daniela Galic naturally regressing from the hot creative start she had, as could be expected for a 16-year-old playing in her first professional go-round. Melbourne City will be relieved the Costa Rican Rojas is due to return from national team duties to their squad soon, hoping she can resuscitate their flagging offence.

Additionally, Melbourne will be excitedly welcoming back young starlet Holly McNamara into the fold again, after her breakthrough 21/22 season was cut short by an ACL injury. The 20-year-old forward will have opportunities during the upcoming international break to feature in a few planned friendlies. 

Vidosic added, “[Holly’s] working hard and she’s itching to get back. She wants to put her name up for World Cup selection, and the way she’s looking I think she’s going to really make people take notice. 

“It’s not just exciting for us, but for the whole league, because she is one of those that brings people into the stadium and gets you off your seat. It’s not just me asking the question, I think the ladies in the team are asking, “when can we unleash Holly?”.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Franco; Rule, McLean, Tobin, Fenton; Hollman, Hunter, Hawkesby; Ibini, Haley, Vine. Substitutes: Offer (GK), Stanic-Floody, Lowe, de la Harpe, Badawiya.

Goalscorers: Hunter 27’, Vine 47’, Haley 71’.

MELBOURNE CITY (3-4-3): James (GK); Checker, Bowen, Blissett; Torpey, McKenna, Davidson, Grosso; Pollicina, Henry, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Hrehoresin (GK), Accardo, Galic, Malone, Karic.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 3,654.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Victory celebrates Dub Round with an important win

Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

By Kieran Yap (4/2/23)

Above: Melbourne Victory celebrate Alex Chidiac’s goal from the penalty spot. Photo: @LibertyALeague twitter

Melbourne Victory strengthened their hold on a top-four position with a 3-1 win against Western Sydney Wanderers at CB Smith Reserve that was more challenging than the scoreline suggested.

It was the second time in less than a month that these two sides met. The previous encounter was a 0-0 draw in Sydney. For this meeting, the stakes had changed a little. Western Sydney has continued their revival under Kat Smith. Going into Week 14 of the A-League Women, they had jumped to sixth on the ladder, and are appearing as a dark horse for finals.

Melbourne Victory were coming off a 6-3 loss to Sydney FC, it was the final game of a gruelling schedule that saw them play four games in 15 days.

Victory needed to bounce back and a match against the fast-improving giant killers from Western Sydney was seen as a potentially dangerous test.

Amy Jackson started in midfield for the home side. Jeff Hopkins used his Grand Final hero as an anchor in possession and a defensive screen without it. The idea was to cut off easy supply to Sarina Bolden and Sophie Harding.

It meant Elise Kellond-Knight pushed higher up the pitch and Alex Chidiac has more freedom. That produced almost immediate results.

In the fourth minute, Jackson got a toe to a loose ball, Chidiac took possession and darted into space before sliding a perfect lateral through ball into the path of Beattie Goad.

Goad’s pace took her clear and her composure gave Victory the lead with a well-placed finish beyond Jordyn Bloomer.

Western Sydney equalised through Sophie Harding’s excellent run along the left wing and bottom corner finish at full pace. The speedster was proving a handful for Jess Nash. There are few players with the raw pace that Harding possesses. If she can continue to finish in this manner, Western Sydney’s finals chances greatly increase.

The afternoon got harder for the visitors when Young Matilda Alexia Apostolakis was injured after a collision with her own teammate while trying to thwart Goad.

The prodigious defender is more than an up-and-comer. She is already one of the best defenders in the competition and has been in form lately. Angelieu Hristodoulou was brought on as her replacement to try and curb Goad’s influence.

Those two goals came from the best two chances of the first half. Maja Markovski came closest to another with a flicked-on header that the crowd thought was goalbound, but the sides went into the break level.

Above: Melbourne Victory celebrations against Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Keep Up.

The second half saw the return of Catherine Zimmerman. The American attacker has been missed by Victory since she fractured her leg in Round Two. She replaced Markovski at centre forward and Victory sought to use her pace to get behind the Wanderers defence.

Zimmerman’s impact was definitive. She earned a penalty in the 82nd minute, which was smashed in off the cross bare by Chidiac. There did not look to be too much in the contact, but Victory made the most of the opportunity to retake the lead.

Added time seemed to take an eternity. Victory brought on Paige Zois and Tiff Eliadis to help close out the result, with Alana Murphy also replacing Jackson in the holding role.

Western Sydney introduced Sheridan Gallagher into the match in an attempt to unlock the Victory defence.

Victory waited until the final seconds to seal the result. After seven nerve-wracking minutes of added time, Zimmerman broke free down the right and cut into the penalty area. The safest option would have been to play for the corner, but the gamble paid off and she laid it on a platter for Eliadis to tap into the net from close range.

The win keeps Victory in fourth spot, and with Melbourne City and Western United both losing, the top of the table remains as open as the rest of the league.

Chidiac was dominant as always, but Goad was influential, Zimmerman was pivotal, while Jackson and Markovski put in their best performances for the season.

The downside for Victory fans is that time with Chidiac may be running out. It is not known when she returns to the US with Racing Louisville, but as the NWSL pre-season has already begun, it may be soon.

The timing of Zimmerman to fitness could not be better timed. Theoretically, Goad or Zois could take over the playmaker role with Zimmerman and Privitelli occupying the flanks. But no matter how you move the magnets around, Chidiac is a generation talent and if this is the last time Victory fans see her at home, she put on a virtuoso performance to be remembered by.

Western Sydney might regret that final goal. The can recover the three points next week against Wellington Phoenix, but goal difference could prove vital.

But the day belonged to Melbourne Victory, both on and off the field, the club put on a good show. for Dub Week, the members were invited to listen to a pre-match tactical talk by assistant manager Johnno Clemente. Fans were treated to the early release of the starting lineup and given an example of the information the players receive midweek.

After the win, there was an organized meet and greet with the team, and an opportunity to take photos with the last two Grand Final trophies.

The only criticism that could possibly be labelled at the event was that it was overdue, but it was an interesting and enjoyable occasion that the club should definitely repeat in future. It delighted current fans and would have earned some new ones.

Victory’s next opponent is Brisbane Roar. They will travel to Queensland next Saturday and a win could see them push for second or third place if other results go their way again.

Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-1-2-3): Dumont, Nash, Bunge, Morrison, Tathem, Jackson, Kellond-Knight, Chidiac, Goad, Privitelli, Markovski. Substitutes: Templeman, Zois, Murphy, Eliadis, Zimmerman.

Scorers: Goad 4’ Chidiac (pen) 82’, Eliadis 90+7′.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-5-2): Bloomer, Hunt, Matos, Apostolakis, Gordon, Steinmetz, Harrison, Price, Bolden, Harding. Substitutes: Hristodoulou, Khamis, Caceres, Gallagher, Chlastakova.

Scorers: Harding 15’.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 511.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Perth take the Glory with superb win at Western United

Western United 1-3 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (4/2/23)

Above: Alana Janecvski (right) celebrates her sensational free-kick that put Perth Glory 2-1 up at Western United. Photo: Perth Glory.

Perth Glory have come back from their lengthy hiatus with a superb 3-1 win over A-League Women leaders Western United at breezy Ballarat today.

With three weeks since their last fixture, Alex Epakis’ side could have been forgiven for being rusty, but the potential and form that the Western Australian side were starting to show before their enforced break was there from the start in Victoria as they condemned the league leaders to only their second defeat of the season.

A typical piece of magic from Alana Jancevski, added to Susan Phonsongkham’s early penalty and a debut strike in second-half stoppage time from Football Fern Hannah Blake sealed an impressive win.

Western United went into the game without Chloe Logarzo with a foot injury. For the visitors, Ella Mastrantonio was serving the first of her reduced two-match suspension, with long-term injury victims Claudia Mihocic, Milan Hammond, and Rylee Baisden on the sidelines. This week’s injury replacement signing Blake was on the bench.

After the earliest of exchanges, with 10 minutes gone, the visitors earned territory and Hana Lowry played in a succession of corners from the right. The third in the series was played short to Susan Phonsongkham who looked to advance into the box parallel to the byline and beat Mel Taranto, but the United defender responded with a clumsy challenge that led to referee Caitlin Williams instantly pointing to the spot.

Phonsongkham picked herself up, dusted herself down, and rolled a low shot into the left-hand corner of the net to give Perth the lead.

Glory were crisp in their passing, and Sofia Sakalis was able to find space to play her flicks and tricks to link up with Cyera Hintzen along the left.

Western United were finding it difficult to maintain possession and therefore launch attacks in the opening 25 minutes. It was a real challenge for them to get past Perth’s energetic block. Any home player on the ball was rapidly faced by a white shirt buzzing around to force an error and turnover.

It meant that chances for the league leaders to level were few and far between. Indeed, in this period, there were only two – and Emma Robers was prominent in both. First, she took advantage of a loose pass from Sarah Cain to break into the box on the left and hit a shot that Sarah Langman repelled well in the Perth goal.

The second chance, with 22 minutes on the clock, saw Tyla-Jay Vlajnić cross high into the box from the left. Danielle Steer, Hannah Keane, and Langman went up to challenge for the ball with the three colliding and falling to the ground, which gave Robers an empty net to lift the ball in to level the scores.

Above: Emma Robers celebrates after hitting the equalising goal for Western United. Photo: Jonathan DiMaggio/West Australian.

Perth’s press forced another error from the hosts on the edge of the box, allowing Phonsongkham to rifle in a shot that Hillary Beall saved well as the visitors continued to enjoy the bulk of the play before the break with more quick, crisp passes leading to Lowry getting a powerful effort away from the right-hand edge of the box.

Western United looked to develop a stronger foothold in the game in the second period, and had a penalty shout seven minutes into the re-start claiming Keane’s run into the box was cut off by Kim Carroll but referee Williams was unmoved.

Then United came alive as Beard broke through the centre and found Keane outside her. Beating two defenders, Keane played a low ball in, but Izzy Foletta dived in superbly to clear. There was still time for a follow-up from Jaclyn Sawicki.

However, the home side never quite built on this potential foundation, and with Jess McDonald no longer around to create and dispatch in attack, Mark Torcaso’s team paid the price.

With the game entering its final 20 minutes, Lowry looked to break through before being brought down by Mel Taranto around 25 yards outside the box to the left of centre. Substitute Jancevski reached into her extensive box of tricks as she stepped up and curled an absolute stunner over the wall and into the top of the net. It was the 19-year-old starlet at her absolute best.

Western United were unable to respond in the closing stages, with only Keane’s header over the bar from a corner coming remotely near to levelling matters. Indeed it got worse for the home side.

Six minutes into stoppage time, hometown product Foletta threaded the eye of a needle to release Blake who ran through into space to comfortably slot home on her debut to make it 3-1.

Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis was understandably delighted when he spoke after the game.

“It was a very proud performance,” he said. “We stuck to the structure that we wanted to play, we were focused and got the reward for playing good football for 90 minutes. It was a complete performance because the players looked comfortable and managed the transitions. They are top of the table for a reason, but we were able to nullify them in attack.”

Above: Celebrations after Alana Jancevski’s sensational strike. Photo: Keep Up.

With the victory coming after his team had an extended lay-off brought about by Sydney FC not being able to find a venue to play Perth a fortnight ago, followed by the club’s scheduled bye, the Glory boss was enthusiastic about how his team responded in very difficult circumstances.

“It is sweet for a number of reasons. The APL made decision with our scheduling and we haven’t been able to play for a few weeks, and we had to flip our thinking and try and make it a positive.

“The players stepped up, we’re really proud for them individually. We know that every performance is going to matter…things can go right down to the wire, and we want to put ourselves in the picture.”

“I’m really hoping that this is a season-defining performance. I’m really confident in that. We have a run of games at home now, and we can use the momentum from this to drive us.”

Alex Epakis, Perth Glory head coach.

Epakis highlighted the influence of two of his substitutes in turning the game. “Alana (Jancevski)’s goal – such a sensational strike. I’m so happy for her. She is such a weapon. The ability to come on and do that when it is needed is something that we are very lucky to have. Hannah Blake slotted in seamlessly to the group late last week.

“Every player did their job and they were outstanding.”

Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Medwin, Cerne, Cummings, Beard, M. Taranto, Sawicki, Robers, Steer, Vlajnic, Keane. Substitutes: Dall’Oste (GK), Iermano, Johnson, Sardo, A. Taranto.

Scorer: Robers 22′.

PERTH GLORY (4-2-3-1): Langman, Foletta, Carroll, Anton, Rigby, Cain, Lawrence, Sakalis, Lowry, Phonsongkham, Hintzen. Substitutes: Aquino (GK), Blake, Green, Jancevski, Koulizakis.

Scorers: Phonsongkham (pen) 11′, Jancevski 72′,

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: 545.

Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.

Jonas Eidevall on Arsenal’s Transfer Window travails

by Ben Phillips (3/2/23)

Above: Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, who spoke to the media today. Photo: Arsenal Women.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall reflected in depth with the media today about his club’s transfer window with the North Londoners failing to land a striker to replace ACL victims Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema.

Eidevall had earlier this month had admitted his desire to add a striker in this window to add goals to his side after losing Mead and Miedema with long-term injuries. The club subsequently has been reported to have made two world record bids for Manchester United striker Alessia Russo, rumoured to be around £500,000 but the Red Devils declined the offers, stating that their Lionesses star is not for sale at any price.

The failure to land Russo was an example of the North London side failing to boost their ranks with some additional firepower. Asked in his media conference today if this will have an adverse impact on his side, Eidevall said: “The squad we have currently have I have a lot of belief in and we have a lot of potential…that we can focus on. We need to keep the higher standards expected of us and the consistency, even if we don’t have enough time to rest between games.”

There was also lots of speculation that Chelsea made a substantial bid for the club’s Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe ahead of the close of the window. McCabe has 18 months left on her current contract, but Arsenal were not keen to sell to their WSL title rivals.

Eidevall was asked about the speculation around McCabe, saying: “Potential players leaving and going out was nonsense, we as a club are not able to lose players. My role at Arsenal as the coach is not to be directly involved around transfers and recruitment, but the key decisions are my remit.

“Recruitment is always key to a successful team; we must look at things going forward and how we can improve things in the transfer windows as a club.”

Arsenal are back in WSL action when they travel to West Ham United this weekend after an emphatic 9-0 win against fourth-tier side Leeds United last time out.