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 (27/2/23).
Player of the Week:
Above: Michelle Heyman speaking to the media about Pride Round on Friday. Image: Canberra United.
BEN GILBY:Michelle Heyman. For reasons both on and off the pitch. The A-League Women’s all-time top scorer increased her tally by another two in her side’s 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, but more than that was her integral role in the competition’s inaugural Pride Round. In her pre-game media conference, Heyman spoke openly about how she, in conjunction with Heather Reid had been campaigning for such a round for many years and how parents have come up to her after games to comment on how her status as a hugely successful openly gay has helped them to understand their own children. Heyman is an all-around legend and role model par excellence.
Above: Adriana Taranto. Photo: Forza Football.
BEN CAREY:Adriana Taranto. Her performance for Western United against Newcastle Jets was stellar. She provided three assists for three different goalscorers and created even more opportunities. Taranto is beginning to establish herself as one of the best midfielders in the A-League.
Coach of the Week:
Above: Njegosh Popovich. Photo: Canberra Times.
BEN GILBY:Njegosh Popovich. After two successive 5-0 defeats, Canberra United’s season could have fallen apart big time. But the reaction has been phenomenal. Three wins in a row with eight goals scored and just one conceded. He’s motivated his team superbly and they are in a major race for Finals.
Above: Natalie Lawrence, Wellington Phoenix head coach. Image: Wellington Phoenix.
BEN CAREY:Natalie Lawrence. Despite a tight 1-0 loss to Sydney FC, she inspired her team to perform exceptionally well for the full match. Wellington defended very well and created some fantastic opportunities. They were always in the match and made Sydney work hard for the win.
Event of the Week:
Above: Signage at Perth Glory’s Macedonia Park on Saturday. Photo: Perth Glory.
BEN GILBY: Pride Round. At last. And, how good!
BEN CAREY: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory. It was a very exciting and competitive match, one where the momentum swung back and forth. There were great moments of teams working together and moments of individual brilliance.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: So much for Newcastle Jets to celebrate today at Newcastle Jets. Photo: Keep Up.
League leaders Western United destroyed Newcastle Jets getting revenge in style for their 2-0 defeat to the same team just over two weeks ago.
The visitors, led by assistant coach Helen Winterburn after Mark Torcaso suffered an injury himself, punished Newcastle from the off. Khali Johnson finally broke her duck for the season dispatching a ball in from Hannah Keane after a set-piece with just six minutes on the clock.
It got worse for Jets on 18 minutes when Emily Garnier was given a red card for pushing Adriana Taranto as the Western United player ran through.
What a hit!! 💥
Tyla Vlajnic goes bang and @wufcofficial are running riot in Newcastle.
Johnson added her second 10 minutes before the break, firing home after pushing up the left wing. Shortly afterwards, it was three as Jets keeper Georgie Worth could only direct Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s corner into her own goal. Vlajnic herself got on the scoresheet just prior to the halftime whistle when she rocketed a shot into the net.
Western United added two further goals in the second period. First, Dani Steer scored from close range after 55 minutes with Keane celebrating her new contract at the club by grabbing her 11th of the season with 12 minutes left.
This victory now sets up next weekend’s game with Sydney FC, a battle between the top two perfectly. It’s going to be huge.
A goal-of-the-season contender from Catherine Zimmerman rescued a point for Melbourne Victory against Adelaide United in the final match of Pride Round.
Things were looking positive for Victory when a hopeful Melina Ayres ball caught Annalee Grove by surprise. The attempted cross snuck in at the near post to give the home side an early lead.
It wouldn’t last long as Adelaide United defied the early momentum to score twice for the first time this season.
When Chelsie Dawber is allowed any amount of time to face goal, it spells trouble for even the best defences. Her pass inboard was flicked on by Isabel Hodgson, then cut back by Paige Hayward for Meisha Westland to tap in at close range.
The second came soon after. Victory failed to clear a corner kick. Jess Nash’s header fell to Dawber who prodded past Casey Dumont to give Adelaide the lead.
On the balance of play, Victory deserved more than their slightly fortune goal. This was their first match since the departure of Alex Chidiac, and while they looked comfortable in midfield they were missing the type of final pass the Matildas playmaker can provide.
To make up for Chidiac’s absence, Beattie Goad seemed to take on more responsibility. She started on the left but roamed freely and enthusiastically. Goad was at the heart of Victory’s most promising moves, but the offside flag denied them an equaliser on two occasions to the frustration of the home bench.
Adelaide also had their own changes to adapt to. With Fiona Worts on the bench, Adrian Stenta shifted Hodgson and Melinda Barbieri further forward than usual.
It seemed unorthodox on paper but produced the best-attacking display of their season so far. Barbieri’s role was similar to her positioning at Box Hill United during the NPLW season. She is a naturally attacking player and pressured the Victory defence when they had possession. Adelaide looked dangerous when they had the ball, but Victory maintained control over much of the match.
Above: Wild scenes after Catherine Zimmerman’s equaliser. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Victory went into this game needing a win. They are in fourth position, but Perth Glory are quickly rising up the ladder and have a game in hand. Canberra United’s win also means the pressure is on Jeff Hopkins’ side to maintain their position, and if they can jump above Melbourne City, their chances of defending their title increase.
Aside from the first goal, Grove was in solid form between the posts for The Reds and it took a wonderful strike to level the scores.
Zimmerman was as close to the halfway line as she was to the goal when she struck a thunderbolt into the back of the Adelaide net. It was a stunning goal, and equal to any other scored this season. Victory were without the American striker for much of the campaign so far, and this was an example of the firepower that still remains even after Chidiac’s departure.
It would be the last goal of the game, although the home side continued to test Adelaide’s luck and composure. Elise Kellond-Knight set up goad for a good opportunity and then hit the woodwork with a well-hit effort, but to no avail. As the game neared the end, both managers made changes, Emilia Murray and Fiona Worts came on for Adelaide, while Tiff Eliadis and Lia Privitelli were introduced to good effect for Victory.
Privitelli’s impact was immediate and obvious. She has pace and tenacity few defenders can match, and Victory look a stronger side with her on the pitch. Victory almost snatched a late win, but Kayla Morrison’s close-range effort skidded wide in the dying seconds.
In the end, the draw does not really suit either side. Victory remain in fourth spot but lost the opportunity to gain ground on City who now have a game in hand over their local rivals.
Adelaide United remain in eighth spot. However, they did rediscover some of their attacking verve in this match. They took their chances when they came and their midfield competed evenly with Victory’s.
Although Victory had almost twice as many shots on goal as Adelaide, it was a fairly even game statistically elsewhere. Possession was split 49% to 51%, and there were only 18 passes separating the two sides.
It is still too early to determine what impact this will have on the end of the season. Neither side will be happy with the draw, although it was imperative that Victory did not lose. This game is likely to be remembered for the success of the Pride Round, and Catherine Zimmerman’s incredible goal.
Above: Tottenham Hotspur’s Celin Bizet plays the ball in against Liverpool earlier this season. Photo: Spurs Women.
Tottenham Hotpur are on a seven-game losing streak in the WSL. This is relegation form. Yet, ironically, with the addition of Mana Iwabuchi and Bethany England, plus Ashleigh Neville’s return from suspension, Spurs’ are looking better and, in contrast to their pre-Christmas games, scoring goals.
The problem has been that Spurs’ strengthening has coincided with a run of games against top-four teams (Chelsea twice; Manchester United once). Losing to these teams is not a disgrace and should not be season-defining. But when these losses follow on and extend a poor run, the losses can contribute to general feeling of malaise. Playing better but not getting anything out of games is disheartening. It also makes it hard to evaluate the team or the manager.
Above: Bethany England scores against Manchester United. Photo: @Spurswomen
That is why the next four games are crucial, both for how Spurs finish the season, but also perhaps, the future of manager, Rehanne Skinner. Indeed, the four games – Reading (home) in the FA Cup, Manchester City (away), Liverpool (away) and Leicester (home) in the WSL – may now be season-defining.
The following looks at the games one-by-one. It concludes by reflecting on where we may be once all four are played.
1) Reading (home) FA Cup 26th February
Reading are two points and two places below Spurs in the WSL. They have also lost their last four WSL games. In other words, they are exactly the kind of WSL opponents Spurs should be savouring the opportunity to play.
Additionally, Tottenham have already played Reading twice. Both games were away. The first, in the Conti Cup, Spurs won 2-1 (with goals from Ashleigh Neville and Nikola Karczewska and a late Reading penalty from Natasha Dowie). But Reading won the second in the WSL 1-0, benefitting from an own goal from Amy Turner. The positive takeaway from these is, however, that Reading did not score against Spurs from open play in either game this season.
Above: Nikola Karczewska scores against Reading earlier this season. Photo: @Spurswomen
Winning the game against Reading will not affect Spurs’ WSL form. But it would be the first win against a WSL side since beating Brighton in that increasingly anomalous and now long-ago 8-0.
A convincing win (by at least a two-goal margin) would signal the team’s progress, not only in the context of the current losing run, but also in comparison to the stuttering wins that marked Spurs’ early-season (Brighton excepted). It would also provide a much-needed, confidence boost before the team returns to the WSL.
More practically, a win would mean Spurs progressing in the FA Cup, giving the team something (other than a highly unwanted relegation battle) to play for as the season draws towards a close. Indeed, a cup run is not unthinkable with the fifth-round draw meaning that at least one of Chelsea or Arsenal go out this round (as they play each other) and that at least two lower league teams are guaranteed a berth in the quarter-finals.
Conversely, a loss to Reading would be a bad sign, suggesting that the team has not found a way to translate the improved play we have seen in 2023 into results.
2) Manchester City (away) 5th March
Manchester City are in blistering form. Their front three (Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw, and Chloe Kelly) made a starry Arsenal defence look utterly chaotic in their last WSL game. Meanwhile, their midfield, which struggled a little at the start of the season is coming together, with Yui Hasegawa and Filippa Angeldal (both new arrivals last summer) now settled.
When the two sides last met in mid-October, Spurs were beaten 3-0. It was not the North Londoners worst performance, but the score was fair: Spurs were clearly second best. This was also the game in which Ellie Brazil was injured in the eighth minute while playing in the nine position. Her substitution meant a not-fully-fit Jessica Naz was required to play out of position for 80+ minutes. Unsurprisingly chances were few and far between.
Since then, both sides have improved. Manchester City’s already impressive front-three seem to have reached another level. But Spurs are also finding ways to score and if both Bethany England and Niki Karczewska are available should be able to find the back of the net.
Which is to say that the odds are in favour of Spurs racking up an eighth successive WSL loss. But other things are possible. And a close(r) game than last time out would be a reasonable expectation. If Tottenham were to get a point, it would feel like a win. And be a massive sign of progress. In short:
A draw or a win would signal a significant turnaround in the season.
A loss to Manchester City in which Spurs played well, if it came after a win against Reading, would be disappointing but not reason to lose optimism.
A very bad loss to Manchester City (by 3 goals or more), or a loss that came without a win in the game against Reading, could damage confidence.
3) Liverpool (away) 12th March
When fans looked at Spurs’ fixture list in the new year, especially after the cancellation of the home game against Leicester City, the away game at Liverpool stood out as the next obviously ‘winnable’ game.
That is not to diminish the opposition in this game. But Liverpool lie just two points ahead of Spurs in the WSL and are one of only three teams that Tottenham have beaten this season in the league. That victory, a one-nil win in October was Spurs’ first home game of the season and first-ever game at Brisbane Road.
That day the home side were entirely dominant for the first half but could not find a way to increase an 11th-minute lead that had come from an own goal (Niamh Fahey tapping in a Celin Bizet cross from the back-line). Spurs then faded badly after the break and Liverpool were perhaps unlucky not to equalise, but were also poor in the final third.
Above: Celin Bizet crosses the ball for a goal in Spurs last game against Liverpool. Photo: @Spurswomen
Since then Liverpool have had a busy January transfer window, bringing in five players (three from the US) and strengthening across the pitch. That includes the return of former-captain, Gemma Bonner in defence and the introduction of highly-rated Japanese international, Fuka Nagano in midfield. In the first game back after the break, they lost 6-0 to Manchester United, but as new signings have bedded in they have steadied with a couple of close losses and a win against Reading.
For all that, this is the best opportunity Spurs have for drawing a line under their WSL losing run (assuming the Manchester City game goes to form and they do not do it then). Given the length of the run (potentially eight games by the time of this fixture) it will be critical that it ends decisively. That makes this a must-win game. Anything less than a decisive win here will feel like failure. Practically, it would also mean that a relegation battle is more likely.
4) Leicester City (home) 15th March
This is the game that should have been played on the 22nd January.
If it had been played then, and, if Spurs had won it their losing run would have ended after five losses (before outings against Chelsea, Manchester United, or Manchester City). But a frozen pitch meant that wasn’t to be.
Above: Eveliina Sumanen in Spurs 2-1 win over Leicester to start the season. Photo: @Spurswomen
Spurs began this season winning away at Leicester with sumptious goals from Ashleigh Neville (a shot from 40 yards out that won Goal of the Month) and from Drew Spence. For Leicester, that game kicked off a nine-game losing run, after which they looked nailed on for relegation.
And then came new manager, Willie Kirk, and five new January signings, perhaps most critically, goalkeeper Jamina Leitzig. Leitzig is on loan from Bayern Munich and is a top keeper with experience in the Champions League and a save percentage in the 99th percentile. She has, arguably, been as transformational for Leicester as Rachel Daly was at the other end of the field for Aston Villa. For instance, she made 15 saves against Manchester City (despite Leicester eventually losing 2-0) and kept clean sheets against Brighton and Liverpool to ensure Leicester won these games.
In short, even with a Beth England-powered attacking line-up, Leicester will be a difficult team to score against.
But before they face Spurs, Leicester have two tough WSL games: against Manchester United and Everton. That means that they may also be targeting this fixture as a possible place to pick up the points they will need to avoid the drop. In other words, this could be a classic six-pointer.
On the upside, if Tottenham do win at Liverpool and then again here, it would put the team on a clear upwards trajectory and, on 15+ points, likely clear of relegation trouble. For comparison, at season end the bottom two teams in 2021-22 were on 11 and 13 points; in 2020-21 they were on 12 and 14.
Conversely, irrespective of what happens against Liverpool, a loss here could pull Spurs back down into or close to the relegation zone.
Where might Spurs be after these games?
Having taken each game one at a time, what should Tottenham fans be looking out for when they think of them as a block? Based on the logic laid out above I suggest the following ‘mood-ometer‘ – for Spurs fans based on the combined results of these games.
Spurs’ outcome from the four games
Mood
More than six points gained AND still in FA Cup
Optimism-a-go-go
Six points AND still in FA Cup
Realistically upbeat
Six or more points BUT out of FA Cup
Calm if unexcited
Four-Five points AND still in FA Cup
Intermittent nail biting and hope
Four-Five points BUT out of the FA Cup
Mild gloom
Two-Three points, whether in FA Cup or not
Proper fretting
One or fewer points, whether in FA Cup or not
Panic stations
As noted at the start of this article, there are good signs and cause to hope that these games will leave Spurs fans in a much better place than they now find themselves (relatively secure in the league and still in the FA Cup). But until all four games are done, most Spurs fans, will be anxiously watching on.
Not least because the game that follows on from the last of these four, is the home North London Derby. And everyone knows that Spurs need to come into that game in winning form.
Above: Princess Ibini tries to get the ball past Claudia Cicco. Photo: Sydney FC.
Sydney FC overcame a defiant Wellington Phoenix side on Sunday afternoon at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium.
Due to the recent international break, neither side had played in two weeks. The first half hour of the match was quite competitive, with a few attacks from both sides, but each attack was successfully shut down by the other team’s defensive line.
After the clock ticked past 30 minutes, both sides started creating some real opportunities. Wellington Phoenix had a good chance of scoring, with both Grace Wisnewski and Kate Taylor taking shots at Jada Whyman’s goal. Soon after, up the other end, Sydney had a chance to score as well, with Rola Badawiya taking a shot.
Perhaps the best chance of the half was in the 40th minute, after a great build-up from the hosts, Michaela Foster hit a good ball into Marisa van der Meer who tried to head it into the goal, but drew a great diving save out of Whyman. Five minutes later, Taylor hit a through ball to Michaela Robertson, who tucked it home, only to see her effort immediately ruled out for offside.
Within two minutes of the re-start, Wellington conceded a corner. Mackenzie Hawkesby delivered a good ball in that drew a defensive header that bounced up high. There was a scramble and the Phoenix couldn’t clear the ball, which was headed back into a dangerous spot by Sarah Hunter, and tucked past Brianna Edwards by Rachel Lowe, her first goal of the season.
Talk about a super sub! 🦸♀️
Rachel Lowe pokes home with her first touch of the game to give @SydneyFC the lead!
The rest of the game was competitive, but Sydney definitely had the advantage. There was a flurry of action around the 70 minute mark, but they were all shut down in defence or missed.
Sydney really ramped it up in the final 20 minutes, keeping possession, pinning the Phoenix in their defensive half, and piling the pressure on their back line. Cortnee Vine and Rachel Lowe drew some spectacular saves from Brianna Edwards, who fought to keep her team in the match. But Sydney proved a bit too strong and closed out the match for a win.
Wellington Phoenix put up a hell of a fight, worked really well as a team, and created some good opportunities, but they just lacked the firepower in the frontline to cause Sydney any real problems. Kate Taylor had a great day, playing as a defensive midfielder. Additionally, Barry, Foster, and van der Meer performed exceptionally well in the backline.
“We’ve become a little bit like one-nil specialists,” Lawrence told media post-game. “That one felt almost harder than the one against Western Sydney. There is just something about this Sydney team. They’re so successful, they have some really good players and we wanted to be really, really hard to play against.
“To concede again from a set piece. It’s just those little moments where you lose concentration and good teams punish you. We’ve just got to be more switched on. I thought we’d been starting the second halves particularly well, better than the first halves, and today it was the other way around.
“I thought first-half we were outstanding. I thought we had better chances. I haven’t seen the off-side goal, but everyone said that it was, so I’ll trust this one. But she hit that amazingly. I thought Mickey Robertson had a fabulous game. Last season it was three-nil, five-nil, today 1-nil [and] we really, really competed. We keep going. The season’s not done for us, we keep going right until the end.”
For Sydney, Vine was sensational, bringing her recent Matildas form to Sky Blues. She was fast, played with intent, set up some dangerous opportunities, and took a few shots herself. Tobin was wonderful in the back line, defending well, and taking a few shots at goals also, which kept the Phoenix guessing.
Wellington Phoenix will next play Brisbane Roar at home next Saturday and Sydney FC will take on Western United in a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
Above: Canberra United celebrate after a goal against The Wanderers. Photo: Canberra United.
Canberra United kept their hopes of reaching the finals alive this weekend with a 3-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers to push them to three wins in a row and keep them within the race for a spot in the finals.
This game was the first back for the two sides after the most recent international break and it was always going to see interesting to see if they could keep recent momentum going or if they would need to settle back into a rhythm to push for the remainder of the season.
They might not have had the most possession throughout the game with 46.6% of possession as opposed to the 53.4% for Western Sydney Wanderers but Canberra made the most of what they did have in scoring three times.
Crucially, Wanderers were without attacker Sarina Bolden. The Phillippines international has been such a focal point of their team since her mid-season signing, offering a target up front that has long been missing for all Western Sydney’s impressive approach play.
The early exchanges offered no clues as to the conclusive final scoreline as it was end to end with plenty of energy for both sides however, the home side were just that bit more threatening every time they had the ball and were moving forward.
Just four minutes into the game Canberra hit the front when, after a bit of a battle for possession, the ball which eventually found its way to the feet of Michelle Heyman, and there was no way the league’s all-time top scorer was going to be missing from there.
It did look like there could have been a shout for a free kick in the buildup to the goal but Heyman showed the prime example of why you play to the whistle as she never slowed down and had the back of the net in mind all through the piece of play.
Despite remaining second-best in the possession count, Canberra doubled their lead in the 25th minute, and again it was Heyman who found herself on the scoresheet with a brilliant solo goal.
Above: Canberra United celebrate – they are on a roll and chasing fourth place. Photo: Canberra United.
This time, the Canberra icon used her strength to outmuscle the Wanderers defence and slotted the ball into the back of the net calmly showing us all why she is still a threat after all these years. The back of the net was the only place that ball was going.
It wasn’t just the weather that was heating up in the game either as things got a bit hot on the pitch with Laura Hughes and Sheridan Gallagher both receiving yellow cards for their little tussle in the middle of the pitch.
The Wanderers came out for the second half a little stronger than they ended the first half but again they just couldn’t seemed to find that breakthrough to get a goal to get back into the game.
In the 54th minute though the game was all but done for the Wanderers as Canberra wrap up the scoring with a third goal as Sasha Grove grabbed her first senior goal for the team.
Starting off the game in a right-back position however, Grove moved out to the left wing after Grace Jale’s departure. Having experience at youth level as an attacking player who has been moved into an right-back role since entering the senior team, Grove’s goal was the consequence of some fantastic link-up play which eventually found the feet of Grove to put the game out Western Sydney Wanderers reach.
Wanderers seemed prone to sit back rather than pressing like they had in the early minutes and they just seemed to be passing the ball around the pitch rather than all out attacking. This plus the loss of attacking target Bolden rendered and hopes of a consolation unrealistic.
There is so much talent is in these two teams, it was great to see Clare Hunt in action after her impressive first taste of international football.
With Heyman being one of the leading advocates for a Pride Round, it was fitting that she played such a major role in the outcome of this game. She still has it after all those years.
This was actually my first time sitting down and watching an A-League Women game and I have to say I was very impressed with what I saw and the league has a new follower here in the UK, there is so much potential for the league and I am looking forward to keeping a closer eye on it and discovering a whole host of new talent that have been hiding away in Australia.
Ben Phillips reports from Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall‘s media conference ahead of tomorrow’s huge FA Cup 5th Round tie at Chelsea (25/2/23).
Above: Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall who spoke to the media yesterday ahead of his team’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea tomorrow. Photo: Arsenal Women.
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall’s preparationsfor their vital FA Cup last sixteen tie at Kingsmeadow against holders Chelsea come with added complications following the international window.
Eidevall confirmed as he spoke to the media yesterday that not all of his players are back yet from the international break. Under new FIFA rules players are allowed an extra 24 hours before returning to clubs, with Eidevall commenting: “We’ve had one day less preparation and many players in different continents, not just Europe, and FIFA rules allow them to have 24 hours and longer to be back at clubs. It is a challenge for both clubs though” (Chelsea are also impacted).
Ahead of his preparations ahead of the fixture against last season’s double winners, the Arsenal coach was asked what lessons he and his team learned from their previous encounter with Chelsea.
“It’s the beauty of the game and you play against each other and you evolve and both teams have played different games after that. Also, its never going to be exactly the same games and there will be elements in it that we have a lot of good use to use against them on Sunday.”
Above: Caitlin Foord takes on Chelsea’s Niamh Charles when the two sides last met. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Arsenal managed to come through the international break pretty much unscathed in terms of players picking up injuries with only a couple of concerns for this weekend’s fixture.
Sabrina D’Angelo had to come off representing Canada after sustaining an injury that the Arsenal medical team are needing to investigate further. Forward Lina Hurtig also had an injury and couldn’t play for Sweden. With regards to long term injury victim Beth Mead, the Gunners boss said: “Beth is doing fine and the reports I am getting from our medical team is that Beth’s recovery is progressing as it should be and she will be back for us next season”.
Arsenal hasn’t had the best start to 2023 results-wise and asked what factors have contributed towards the poor run, Eidevall said: “We also have to say look at the playing schedule, we went in to play late Sunday night against West Ham, playing midweek then a Saturday at lunchtime, I think is a really tough playing schedule and I can’t see any other women’s team in England currently been asked to play on a schedule like that for a whole season.
“When the fixture schedule gets that congested there is a disadvantage for a team that is forced to play those games, this can’t be Arsenal all the time that get into this situation, it should be divided amongst more clubs.”
Arsenal wil now go into a double header against Chelsea playing them on consecutive weekends in cup fixtures. After playing in the fifth round of the FA Cup, they will face each other on 5th March at Selhurst Park in the Conti League cup final.
Impetus‘ Ben Gilby reports on Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis‘ post-match media conference and Tom McCarthy provides a superb photo gallery from Macedonia Park (25/2/23).
Above: Hana Lowryis embraced by her captain Tash Rigby after scoring for Perth Glory today. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis hailed his players’ efforts and ethics after the Western Australians extended their winning run to four in a row with a 2-0 victory over Brisbane Roar today at Macedonia Park.
“Very happy. It’s four on the trot, it’s one goal conceded in the last four or five. We look threatening in every game.
“It’s all about the players. They have come in with the mindset to work hard. We have an identity about how we play, how we train, and how we act as a group. If you come in with that intent to perform to work hard and play hard, it makes my role fairly easy.”
Above: Two of the game’s most talented midfielders – the experienced Katrina Gorry (10), and Perth Glory teenager Hana Lowry. Photo: Tom McCarthy,
Perth’s 2-0 success came courtesy of two pieces of individual brilliance for locally-born teenager Hana Lowry, who punished Isabella Shuttleworth to instantly lift the ball over her and into the net after the Roar goalkeeper lost her footing when trying to clear. Less than 10 minutes later, Lowry curled home an Olimpico from the right-hand corner. Epakis was effusive in his praise.
“We definitely haven’t seen the best of Hana and she just does moments of magic and can manipulate the body and ball to do special things under pressure, and she can then do what she does today. She has a lot of composure. We’re so grateful she is on our team as she is bringing out the best in others.”
Another stand-out youngster today was Sofia Sakalis, who followed a strong NPLW Victoria season with Box Hill United, by hitting the heights in the A-League Women with the Glory this season. It was another afternoon of intelligent runs, cutting inside and unleashing powerful shots – two of which came back off of the crossbar.
“She’s turned a corner this season,” said Epakis of Sakalis. “We’re talking about a player who was sitting in the grandstand with an A-League club for a number of years and she made the decision to take herself out of her comfort zone and move to the other side of the country at a very young age.
Above: Sofia Sakalis (right) had another superb afternoon for Perth Glory. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
“She’s applied herself to develop as a player, as an adult, and as a person and she is reaping the rewards now with a string of great performances and the sky is the limit for her, and the same could be said for so many of our young players.”
In speaking more widely of the pleasure he took in his side’s achievements today, the Perth head coach said
“They (Brisbane Roar) have national team players there and we were very aware of what they are good at and we dealt with it and nullified it. It shows how well the team is doing.”
Perth continue to climb the table, but Epakis remains grounded when it comes to looking too far ahead. “The reality is we’re going in needing to win every game (to make Finals). That result (today) is done, and we’re already thinking about the next result. There are still more steps for us to go, to achieve to reach our goal, which is to reach Finals.”
Above: Perth Glory’s hometown hero Hana Lowry celebrates after scoring both of her side’s goals today. Photo: Keep Up.
Perth Glory maintained their Finals charge after two pieces of individual skill from hometown star Hana Lowry ensured that the Western Australian side won their fourth game in a row and extended their unbeaten run to five.
This was a hugely important game that served as a virtual knock-out for the loser in the chase for fourth place. Glory’s win emphasised the Macedonia Park mentality that has seen the purples keep three consecutive clean sheets, scoring eight goals in the process at the venue in Balcatta.
Perth Glory boss Alex Epakis handed a first start to recent signing Hannah Blake, with Susan Phonsongkham out of the squad. Ella Mastrantonio returned from suspension on the bench. Sarah Langman was also named as a substitute after returning from concussion.
For the Queenslanders, head coach Garrath McPherson gave his Matildas stars Katrina Gorry and Larissa Crummer a start. Isabella Shuttleworth also started in goal with Hensley Hancuff on the bench.
Above: Perth Glory’s Sarah Cain (left) battles with Talitha Kramer. Photo: Keep Up.
With the A-League Women returning after the international break, neither side could be excused for the disjointed nature of the opening. Passes were off target and attempts on goal few and far between.
Floating above the disconnect at the start was Gorry with intelligent runs into channels and some outstanding touches with instant control.
For the Glory, it was the link-up play between Izzy Foletta and Cyera Hintzen that offered the best route to goal. The pair have built up an excellent understanding since Foletta was added to the squad. Hintzen bends her runs along the left to link up with the Western Australian native before receiving possession and cutting in towards goal.
From one such link-up came the game’s opening goal – albeit one with a major slice of luck about it. Foletta found Hintzen, but Shuttleworth dealt with the danger. However, a moment of disaster followed as the Roar keeper lost her footing whilst making contact with the ball. The consequences were as bad as they could have been as the weak clearance rolled to Lowry just outside the box and the talented local looked up and lifted the ball instantly into the net to put the home side ahead.
The momentum shifted into Perth’s favour and within nine minutes, they doubled their lead. Once again, it was another unconventional goal that highlighted the talent that Lowry has.
Above: Cyera Hintzen (left) leads the charge towards Hana Lowry after the local star doubled Perth Glory’s lead. Photo: Keep Up.
Glory had earned a corner on the right-hand side, and the 19-year-old stepped up. Shuttleworth was lost in a big crowd of players immediately in front of her in the box as Lowry curled an Olimpico into the far side of the net.
There was more work for the Roar defence to do shortly afterwards as Blake perplexed Kajsa Lind on the edge of the box before dinking a ball over the top for Hintzen to run on to, but Shuttleworth got down well at her near post to save.
Perth were relentless and energetic with their press and the Roar struggling to clear as the game rolled around to half-time.
Brisbane earned a chance within seconds of the second half beginning with Kim Carroll conceding a free-kick and receiving a yellow card as a result, but the resulting set-piece didn’t trouble Morgan Aquino.
Within five minutes, Perth thought they had extended their lead further. Lowry was initially fed by Sofia Sakalis from the left. Possession was pulled back to the edge of the box where Roar captain Ayesha Norrie was brought down by Foletta before the ball came through for Lowry to guide the ball home, but referee Isabella Libri hauled play back for the foul.
Above: Sofia Sakalis on the ball – the Perth youngster had a superb second half. Photo: Keep Up.
Brisbane responded as Connors was unmarked along the right and played a one-two before firing in a cross-shot that Aquino had to get down quickly to.
After the hour mark, the pace dropped and substitutes were called for. Yet, it was one of two of the starting players who combined to create the next opportunity with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Hintzen collected possession on the right and played a low cross-field pass to pick out Sakalis who showed typical skill to cut in and fire a shot that had Shuttleworth beaten, but came back off of the crossbar.
Within seven minutes Sakalis suffered the same fate a second time after receiving the ball to the left of the box. The East Melbourne-born starlet cut inside sublimely between two defenders before curling a shot off the bar once more, but in the end, two goals were enough for the home side.
Whilst this was not the free-flowing performance that Perth have produced in recent weeks, it was another example of Alex Epakis’ side being able to get over the line when their backs were right against the wall.
For all Brisbane’s work and potential, they were never able to create a telling final ball to seriously trouble the Perth defence. Garrath McPherson’s side now face a mountainous task to play Finals football this year.
Prior to the international window, Impetus‘ Ben Gilbyhad the opportunity toput questions 1:1 to Sydney FC’s Australian international Cortnee Vine (24/2/23).
Above: Cortnee Vine in action for Australia against South Africa last October. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Whether it be dancing her way up the flank, supplying pinpoint crosses, or deadly finishes, Cortnee Vine is at the peak of her powers. One of the few domestically based players in the Australian national squad, Vine is making her mark on the international stage, evidenced by a sensational strike against Spain last weekend.
Yet, not so long ago, the Sydney FC star tore her medial collateral ligament which was a challenging experience. However, she returned to have a sensational A-League Women campaign with the Harbour City side which led to her first senior international call-up. Vine reflected on the impact of her injury and how her love of her club got her back on the saddle.
Above: Cortnee Vine driving towards goal for Sydney FC against Melbourne City this season. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
“Going through any injury is always tough,” Vine told Impetus. “You have ups and downs during rehab and motivation comes and goes as well. My motivation came from wanting to get back out there with the Sydney FC girls that I love and enjoy playing with. It’s honestly such an enjoyable environment, it motivated me to be back so much.”
That support network and resulting motivation drove Vine to be the dominant player over the first half of the last A-League Women campaign. She revealed how she benefitted from that saying, “It was really pleasing to look back and realise how big of a season and year it was.
“I had and have so much support around me that fuels me because I know my teammates, family, and friends back me no matter what and I think that started to show last season. As a team, we did so well and have for the last few years. It’s always so nice to win silverware.
Last season netted Sydney FC another Premiers Plate and Grand Final place, but although the club have now suffered three straight Grand Final losses, the 24-year-old doesn’t believe that they need to change much to pick up the trophy this time round.
Above: Saluting another goal for Sydney FC this season. Photo: Sydney FC.
“As a team, we always strive for the Premiers plate and cherish that the same if not more than the grand final. The final series is a whole different game, I think if we get the opportunity again, we just need to keep doing what we are doing and what we’ve done for the last few years, and give it our all if we get the opportunity again.”
Through 2022 the attacker became a regular in the Matildas camp, something that she feels has caused her to consider her impact on the domestic club competition.
“I think it has actually brought pressure to perform in the A-League now that I’m being seen at an international level. Having said that, I think it has helped with my mental side of the game and my confidence.”
Vine has benefitted from having two very experienced coaches in Ante Juric at club level and Tony Gustavsson for country. She made it clear to me that the amount of confidence that both have in her is a major contributing factor to her producing her best football.
“I love Ante. He is one of my favourite coaches I’ve ever had. He is a big reason I am where I am, right now. He’s backed me ever since I joined Sydney FC and has been the reason Sydney FC has been so successful. Tony is (also) great, he’s very nice and welcoming, he backs me and gives me confidence at club land and on the international stage
Above: Cortnee Vine has become a regular for the Australian national side over the past 12 months. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Sydney FC have been so successful for so long – making six of the last seven Grand Finals. One of the keys behind this is an ability to retain the core of their players at the end of each season, and for Vine, it’s the team ethos that ensures this happens.
“We all just get along so well. We are best mates off the field and do a lot away from the field together. It makes training so enjoyable when you get to train with your best mates!”
As the A-League Women heads into its final six weeks of regular season matches, the Sydney FC attacker is happy with how things are going, with Finals football almost certain to be attained once more. However, the Australian international believes that the competition has yet to see the team at their best.
“I think we are still growing as a team each and every game. We have a young squad that is still learning and improving. We have been playing some great football that has been so enjoyable to be a part of!”
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
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