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On Sunday at Wanderers Football Park, Western Sydney, the Philippines (blue) met Papua New Guinea in a friendly match that ended 5-1 in the Phillippines’ favour. Impetus’ Kris Goman captures the action (12/12/22).
Ben Carey was at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre to hear the venue revealed as the Matildas World Cup training base. Plus all the news of the other qualifiers bases (12/12/22).
Above: The Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre – Australia’s training base for the World Cup. Photo: Ben Carey for Impetus.
The Matildas will call Brisbane home during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, setting up camp at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The news was announced this morning by James Johnson, the CEO of Football Australia.
Johnson said that Australian football was in its “golden era”. He was delighted that Australia had come together to watch the Socceroos in Qatar and hoped to see that support continue into the Women’s World Cup next year. “The Women’s World Cup will be the biggest sporting event that our nation has hosted since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.”
The media event was attended by veteran Matildas and proud Queenslanders, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop. When they entered the building, they made their way past many excited young girls and boys in local club jerseys who were chatting and kicking around soccer balls. The next generation of Australian footballers perhaps.
“I’m really excited to call Brisbane home,” Polkinghorne said. “In previous World Cups we’ve been to, we’ve travelled around a lot. So as players it’s nice to have a place that we can call home, come back to after every game, and feel settled.”
“To come back to Brisbane, a place where I grew up, [played] a lot of my youth football at, with QAS, and right here is close to me,” Yallop said. “It’s close to a lot of the Matildas.”
Queensland is indeed a place that is dear to much of the team. In the past year, 16 of the 40 players that have attended Matildas training camps were either born, raised, or played their junior football in Queensland.
“This is different for a World Cup,” Yallop continued. “We haven’t had a basecamp before. So, I think it’s really important to be somewhere that people are really comfortable in, and Brisbane is definitely that place for us.”
Matildas head coach, Tony Gustavsson, commented on the decision to base the Matildas in Brisbane. “With a high-level gym, on-pitch training facilities, and excellent recovery solutions off the pitch, QSAC provides an optimum performance environment for our FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 preparations prior to and during the tournament.”
Other Nations Training Bases:
Also revealed today were all the training centres for the qualified nations so far:
New Zealand: Auckland, Norway: Auckland, Philippines: Auckland, Switzerland: Dunedin, Spain: Palmerston North, Costa Rica: Christchurch, Zambia: Hamilton, Japan Christchurch, USA: Auckland, Vietnam: Auckland, Netherlands: Tauranga, Sweden: Wellington, South Africa: Wellington, Italy: Auckland, Argentina: Auckland, Australia Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre (Brisbane), Republic of Ireland: Goodwin Park (Brisbane), Nigeria: Lions FC (Brisbane), Canada: Olympic Park (Melbourne), England: Central Coast Stadium (Gosford), Denmark: Kingsway Reserve (Perth), China: Croatian Sports Centre (Adelaide), France: Valentine Sports Park (Sydney), Jamaica: Victorian State Football Centre (Melbourne), Brazil: Moreton Bay Sports Complex (Queensland), Germany: Central Coast Sport & Recreational Complex, Morocco: Galvin Park Reserve (Melbourne), Colombia: Marconi Stadium (Sydney), South Korea: Campbelltown Sports Stadium (Sydney).
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 (12/12/22)
KIERAN YAP: Grace Maher. One amazing goal and a brilliant run to set up another. When Maher is in the zone there’s no stopping her. The game is played at the exact pace she wants, and your only hope as an opponent is that her radar is off. It wasn’t against Wellington. There’s a handful of players who can chip a keeper at that close range through a crowd. She’s a privilege to watch.
BEN GILBY: Back to her best with a bang. Melina Ayres’ struggles with injuries last season was a big loss for Melbourne Victory – the impact she made on her return for the home straight showed her worth, but the last fortnight as seen Ayres approach her peak once more. Two goals at Perth, the first a delightful angled poke, highlight the return of one of the competition’s best.
JONATHAN TAY: Sarah Hunter again had her fingerprints all over another Sydney FC victory on Saturday. Whilst Madison Haley featured heavily on the highlight reel, Hunter was the orchestrator of so much of Sydney’s possession and attacking play, as Brisbane chased shadows through the middle of the park in their 4-0 drubbing. The 19-year-old provided the through-ball assist for Haley’s wonder-goal, and capped her performance with a very well-taken finish of her own late on. Hunter continues to prove she’s arguably Australia’s best young midfield prospect at present.
BEN CAREY: It’s a tight one again this week, but I have to go with Sydney midfielder Sarah Hunter for her incredible contribution in the game against Brisbane. Hunter had one goal, one assist, and created four goalscoring opportunities.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Madison Haley of Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar played absolutely brilliantly. Her two goals that really gave Sydney an advantage, but her overall performance during the match, really emphasised the class that she has been continuously showing since the start of this season for Sydney.
JOHNATHAN STACK: Madison Haley scored two goals for Sydney FC and the second was a superb solo goal with a beautiful chip over the goalkeeper to round it off.
KRIS GOMAN: Maddy Haley for the player. Two goals and the second was superb. Zipping around everyone then lobbing it into goal. She’s not a big celebrator, much like Vivianne Miedema, but that goal raised a smile.
KIERAN YAP: Jeff Hopkins. That was a hard-fought and convincing win by Melbourne Victory away to Perth Glory. Victory’s midfield has been not so functional in recent weeks, but he made some crucial changes, trusted Alana Murphy, and got the result.
BEN GILBY: Jeff Hopkins. Listening to him in the media after the game at Perth on Sunday emphasised why. He’d asked his team to specifically focus on keeping the ball and their intensity. They did it in spades – these were the keys to their win at Macedonia Park. With promising young stars starting to link up well with experienced heads, the champs are coming good again.
JONATHAN TAY: Njegosh Popovich looks to be building something tangible at Canberra this season. After a dismal 2021/22, the new head coach has overseen a win and two draws to open this campaign. Against Wellington this weekend, Canberra were relentless; constantly pressing high, forcing turnovers, and restricting the Phoenix’s ability to get out of their own end. Their first and third goals of the 3-0 victory came from winning the ball in the attacking third of the pitch. With legitimate difference makers in attack and midfield, it will be interesting to see if they can sustain this form over the course of the season and against tougher opposition.
BEN CAREY: Dario Vidosic, in his third match as coach, managed to put together a team that steamrolled a strong and attacking Newcastle Jets.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Dario Vidosic of Melbourne City. The way that City have been playing under their interim head coach has really been quite amazing to watch. Their convincing performance against Newcastle Jets personified it.
JOHNATHAN STACK: Njegosh Popovich guided his team to a first win of the season after two draws in Canberra’s first two games.
KRIS GOMAN: I’m going with Kat Smith this week. Despite the loss, the Wanderers played very well and really should have beat Adelaide. They still have problems scoring, which is frustrating, but they are creating good chances, applying heaps of pressure and defending well. Enjoyed watching some of the younger ones get a run too. They only lost on a debatable penalty.
KIERAN YAP: Caitlin Karic. If I say anymore I’ll be talking all day. She’s been touted as the next big thing for some time. Against Newcastle, she showed why.
BEN GILBY: Madison Haley’s second goal for Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar showed why she is one of the biggest handfuls for any defender in the competition right now. An explosive run that left Jamilla Rankin for dead and ended with a sublime finish toe-poked over Hensley Hancuff. Sensational.
JONATHAN TAY: Madison Haley’s and Sydney FC’s second goal against Brisbane will be a strong contender for goal of the season. The 23-year-old American has stood out in each of her performances, and on Saturday put an early exclamation point on her campaign thus far. Latching on to a through ball, she burst past Roar centre-back Jamilla Rankin, leaving her tumbling in her wake. The striker drove into the box, before deliciously chipping the ball past goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff, onto the far post and into the net.
BEN CAREY: Alex Chidiac scoring a goal from an incredible, high curling corner kick, reminiscent of the Kyra Cooney-Cross corner from the 2021 final.
RYAN MILLER WOODS: Madison Haley’s second goal against Brisbane Roar. The whole move was great to watch from the build-up of the through ball to Haley who then left Brisbane’s Jamilla Rankin in the box and then finally chipped the ball over Hensley Hancuff to cap off what was a great play and a brilliant goal by Haley.
JOHNATHAN STACK: Melbourne City 5 Newcastle Jets 1. I have picked this game for two reasons. Firstly, there were two worldie goals – the opening goal from Kaitlyn Torpey was a torpedo of a strike and then an audacious chip from outside the area from Caitlin Karic after she was played in by Leticia McKenna. Secondly, Melbourne City remain only one of two teams with a perfect record and go top of the league on goal difference.
Kris Goman was pitchside at Wanderers Football Park for Impetus today to capture the best action from Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United (11/12/22).
Above: All eyes on the ball as Western Sydney Wanderers face Adelaide United today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
To read Kieran Yap’s report of the game, click here: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/12/11/another-win-for-adelaide-under-the-sydney-sun/
Perth Glory 0-3 Melbourne Victory
Report by Ben Gilby. Pitchside photos from Tom McCarthy at Macedonia Park (11/12/22).
Above: Melina Ayres opens the scoring for Melbourne Victory today. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Melbourne Victory made it back-to-back wins with as the reigning A-League Women champions produced a ruthless ability to turn chances into goals in Perth.
This result extends the Western Australian’s winless start with Glory having taken only two points from a possible 12 to open the season.
As promised earlier in the week, Perth head coach Alex Epakis made a number of changes to his squad. Morgan Aquino and Sadie Lawrence made their first starts of the campaign as both Bella Wallhead and Kim Carroll dropped out due to illness and family commitments respectively. Demi Koulizakis was on the bench and Alana Jancevski came back into the starting line-up with Gabrielle Coleman among the subs.
Melbourne Victory were without Catherine Zimmerman, injured in the Grand Final rematch against Sydney FC, but Jeff Hopkins was able to call on the vast experience of Gema Simon and talented youngster Alana Murphy in the starting line-up with Maja Markovski among the substitutes.
Victory had all the possession in the early stages, with a particular focus on their left hand side where Beattie Goad was busy. Murphy was looking to put probing balls through which the Western Australians were alert to.
Glory grew into the game with the industry of Rylee Baisden earning back-to-back corners. From the second, Hana Lowry curled a tempter in from the right, and Jancevski directed a header goalward with Liz Anton also looking to get a touch, as the visitors were forced to scramble off the line.
Jancevski showed her outrageous talent shortly afterwards as Perth’s young gun let fly from over 40 yards with an effort that dipped just wide of the post.
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis had identified a non-negotiable pre-game. He expected his team to consistently get their ultra-high press into operation and it was largely successful. Allied to a strong defensive effort, it led to the best opening 45 that Perth have produced all campaign from these perspectives. However, they were not able to consistently unleash their attacking talent in an effective manner.
However improved Glory were at the back, the quality that Victory possess was enough to cause problems. Melina Ayres’ influence grew as she found Lia Privitelli who found Alex Chidiac outside her. The Matildas midfielder played the ball in towards Goad who had an effort blocked before Ayres’ follow-up was dealt with.
Shortly afterwards, the Victory duo combined again to devastating effect. Goad motored along the left and pulled the ball across for Ayres to control, turn, and poke with the outside of her foot into the left-hand corner of the net.
Jancevski remained at the heart of everything dangerous Perth created. From a throw-in on the right, she lofted a ball into the box towards Baisden. It came in at a height that could be headed or kicked which so often leaves attackers betwixt and between. The American went with the latter and it just ran wide of the post.
Melbourne Victory had the brighter start to the second half with Goad having the first opportunity which she lifted over the bar. However, the game was ultimately decided within a 90-second spell.
Sarah Cain received a second yellow card for a foul on Privitelli with 36 minutes remaining, and Perth’s uphill task became mountainous within seconds as a corner curled into the back post and Lowry’s clearance header fell straight to Ayres who fired home.
Victory dialled up the pressure, forcing Perth into errors. The hosts responded by rolling the dice and bringing on Susan Phonsongkham and Coleman, both of whom had an impact and led to a brief shift of momentum. The latter, now part of an all-American front three with Cyera Hintzen and Baisden, was played in by Lowry and got a shot away which hit the side netting.
However, whilst Perth may have pressed, they were not able to turn this into shots on target – and once more they were made to pay in the most ruthless way possible. After earning a corner, midfield maestro Chidiac stepped up and curled a sensational ‘Olympico’ into the far corner.
The remaining 15 minutes saw Victory comfortable in possession to seal their second straight win of the campaign. Indeed, 16-year-old sub Ava Briedis could have extended the Victory lead when her sensational long-range effort from the left of centre from over 25 yards troubled Aquino, but just failed to hit the target.
Speaking to the media after the game, Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis said: “I’m proud of my players. I’m proud of the way we went after the reigning champs. The first half, we went in 1-0 down, but I was still confident we could get something out of the game. Once the red card happened…we didn’t drop tools. We kept going for them and that’s why I’m sat here with a level of dignity and respect for the players and what they did.”
In terms of player availability and usage, Epakis continued to be positive, saying: “We’re struggling for numbers, (but) everyone gave 100%. Hana has a free role and we want her to find spaces. We’re happy for her to roam. When you have a talented player like her, you don’t want to shackle her.”
Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins spoke of his pride in his players’ ability to meet the specific targets he set them ahead of the game. “Intensity and keeping the ball – we definitely did that. We came in at half time reasonably comfortable. The sending-off changed the game completely. Scoring straight away settled us down.
Hopkins was full of praise for two-goal Melina Ayres, convinced that the attacker is back to her best after a frustrating run with injury: “She scored a great goal last week, and she trained so well this week. When we get forward we need to get the ball in and around her area. She is back to the form she was in the year before last.”
The Victory boss underlined the progression he is seeing in his side and the further yards that he expects them to make in the weeks ahead: “We understand we’re not where we want to finish. We have a lot of improvements (to make) in our play.
“We have a number of new players, a number of young players in the squad, and its exciting for me that we can put a performance like that together this early in the season, we’re only going to get better.”
Jeff Hopkins, Melbourne Victory head coach.
Perth Glory have not yet managed to produce a performance that has combined their bread and butter high press defence with the best use of their raft of attacking talent. With Canberra United travelling to the West next Sunday, the purples need to fix the connections to ensure the potential that this squad has can finally be unleashed.
Melbourne Victory will be confident of keeping their winning run going when they welcome Newcastle Jets to AAMI Park. The champions are shifting into gear, and that’s ominous for the rest of the league.
More of Tom McCarthy’s photos from Macedonia Park:
For more of Tom’s photos, visit: nplphotos.com
Teams: PERTH GLORY (3-4-2-1): Aquino, Anton, Mastrantonio, Lawrence, Green, Lowry, Cain, Rigby, Jancevski, Baisden, Hintzen. Substitutes: Coleman, Koulizakis, Langman (GK), Phonsongkham, Sakalis.
MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Dumont, Simon, Bunge, Morrison, Nash, Kellond-Knight, Murphy, Chidiac, Goad, Ayres, Privitelli. Substitutes: Briedis, Eliadis, Markovski, Templeman (GK), Zois.
Scorers: Ayres 25′, 58′. Chidiac 75′.
Referee: Lara Lee.
Attendance: 700.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Adelaide United
By Kieran Yap (11/12/22)
Above: Chelsie Dawber scores the only goal of the game for Adelaide United. Photo: Adelaide United.
A Chelsie Dawber goal from the spot was enough to earn Adelaide United a 1-0 win away to Western Sydney Wanderers.
It was another game played in oppressive heat. The winless Wanderers were faced with an Adelaide side that was eager to bounce back from an injury-time loss in Round Three.
Jenna McCormick returned to the starting lineup for the Reds. The central defender came into the 11 in place of the injured Ella Tonkin. Fullback Emily Hodgson was also a welcome sight on Adrian Stenta’s squad. She started on the bench.
Up front, The Reds boasted more firepower than Western Sydney. Dolan Medallist Fiona Worts started centrally between Emilia Murray and Dawber.
In contrast, Amy Harrison was often the furthest forward for the home side. The former PSV Eindhoven star is a classy footballer, but The Wanderers lacked a striker to occupy Adelaide’s defence.
It took only five minutes for The Reds to open the scoring. There was chaos in the Western Sydney penalty area, and it led to Dawber being clipped. The referee signalled immediately to the spot, and the Australian Under 23’s striker calmly slotted the penalty home for her second goal of the season.
While the teams looked determined to press, the heat meant that the tempo of the game never ramped up. Both sides tried to be disciplined in possession. Adelaide goalkeeper Annalee Grove saw plenty of the ball and was comfortable holding possession until her sides shape returned.
Western Sydney struggled to maintain possession, but Adelaide created few clear chances in the first half. The floodgates never opened, but The Wanderers were only really a threat from Harrison’s set pieces.
The South Australians came closest to doubling their lead through their best move of the game. Dawber cut inside from the right and found Worts whose back heel put Murray in space. The shot skidded wide and the half ended 1-0.
Adelaide began the second half with more intensity than the home side. Paige Hayward had two good opportunities to score in quick succession. Against teams with more firepower, these misses might end up being costly, but the fullback deserves plaudits for getting into that position considering the heat.
Worts found space on the edge of the area, but her shot flew marginally past the right post. Soon after, Dylan Holmes charged into the area but her close-range strike was blocked and then cleared by The Wanderers’ defence.
In an effort to change the outcome, Kat Smith introduced Sheridan Gallagher and Alexia Apostolakis. The pair of Young Matildas were effective out wide, but were unable to trouble an unflappable Grove.
Apostolakis in particular was Western Sydney’s most dangerous attacking threat. She used the space opened up by Sophie Harding well, and her pace got her into good positions. Her crossing was too close to Grove but her confidence prevented Adelaide from having control of that flank.
This wasn’t a classic match, but it was an important win for The Reds. They returned to the winners list and maintained their top four position. They are winning games and looking comfortable.
Finishing their chances is the most obvious room for improvement, and as Worts returns to match fitness, they may add more goals to their tally. The return of Emily Hodgson should free up Hayward to play up front and reunite the successful attacking trio from last season.
Western Sydney defended well for most of the game, but as with last season, they need a dependable striker. Adelaide looked to have an extra player at times because their defenders were not under much pressure.
It is a problem without an obvious solution, but Kat Smith achieved wonders at Alamein FC with limited resources. With time, she can do the same at Western Sydney.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-3-3): Bloomer, Hristodoulou, Hunt, Keir, Matos, Steinmetz, Price, Gordon, Harding, Harrison, Caspers. Substitutes: Chessari, Chlastakova, Khamis, Apostolakis.
ADELAIDE UNITED: Grove, I.Hodgson, McCormick, Waldus, Hayward, Condon, Barbieri, Holmes, Dawber, Worts, Murray. Substitutes: E.Hodgson, Westland, Bowler, Xiao, Wilson.
Scorer: Dawber (pen) 5′.
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.
Attendance: 423.
Kris Goman was at Allianz Stadium for Impetus to capture the best of the action from pitchside (11/12/22).
Above: Sydney FC’s Sarah Hunter rifles in a shot on goal. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Check out Ben Carey‘s report on the match by clicking here: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/12/10/sydney-fc-demolish-brisbane-roar/
Kris Goman dialled into Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall‘s media conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the Midlands to face Aston Villa (10/12/22).
Above: Vivianne Miedema is all smiles and in sensational form after three weeks off that have revitalised her. Photo: Arsenal Women.
With Viviane Miedema’s spectacular return to form after around three weeks off, it was revealed this week that she spent two of those weeks in Adelaide visiting her friend and ex-teammate, Maruschka Waldus from the Liberty A-League’s Adelaide United. There’s a photo circulating with her at an Isuzu A-League match with Isabel Hodgson and Josh Cavallo in the background.
She has said, “I feel physically a lot fitter, I think you can see that in the games, and I think by being physically fit, then the game becomes easy again for me. I think you’ve seen that over the last two games and I hope I can at least hold that in the next four games, until Christmas.”
Miedema has scored three goals in four games since she’s been back including a half-volley absolute rocket against Juventus mid-week in the Champions League. She clearly has a lot of discipline to be able to travel, get fit, catch up with old friends and deal with jetlag and then come back firing.
Impetus asked Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall whether he’d ever let someone take a break like that mid-season and whether it was something he would have thought to do if she hadn’t asked for it herself.
As usual, Eidevall was very candid and replied that, “It’s a kind of new situation. The honest answer – and I think this is a weakness of me and also many – is that if a player or person working with us doesn’t make us aware of how they are feeling, it’s really tough to take those decisions.
“Sometimes that’s not a starting point in how you try to think about things and I think that’s what makes it difficult at times when you’re dealing with humans, you have to rely on them telling you the information that you’ll need to make the decision. But then it’s about finding that relationship, that honesty, and that transparency that they feel confident enough to share that information with you. But no, I haven’t done it before, and no, I probably wouldn’t have done it had the player not asked.”
The Gunners head coach admitted that he could see that Miedema was struggling and it’s well documented that she got Covid during the Euros and didn’t really get time to recover fully from that. He said that it was exceptional circumstances with an exceptional person that understands their body and recognised the need for a break.
On top of that, she had the self-confidence to ask where many others wouldn’t. Eidevall admitted that Arsenal are good at taking care of individuals. Miedema herself has been quite vocal about player care since returning and clearly felt the benefit of the break.
With Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly on fire at the moment and just won player of the month, the Gunners chief revealed that his plans for the opposition surround the whole team rather than just one player: “Villa are a good team – they have a lot of different threats.
“Rachel Daly has been phenomenal so far this season but it’s not only her. We need to focus on Villa as a whole team in order to deal with them and get the result we want.” “We have massive respect for Aston Villa. We see them as one of the teams developing the most in the league and Carla Ward is doing a tremendous job there. We know they will be motivated, they will be ready for Sunday and we need to match that.”
With the return of both Leah Williamson and Rafaelle Souza, Eidevall was quizzed as to how he adjusted defensively without the aerial dominance of Souza. He said that it forced him to focus on how the defensive four were working as a unit, together with the central midfield to solve different situations – and not making it about individuals. “Now that we’ve got players coming in, like Leah and Rafa, we want to keep that foundation of players working as a unit and we’ll be stronger as a team.”
Saying all that, he highlighted that Lotte Wubben-Moy has continued to develop as a player. Not only with her individual skills but also her leadership skills and how she functions in that unit.
“She has shown she can be consistent over a lot of games, where she has been almost forced to re-focus and recover quickly between the games. That’s not easy to do. Every player can play one game at a high level – the hard thing is to do it on a consistent basis.
“I think Lotte has really proved herself during this period and that has been really pleasing to see.”
So, the competition for places is building and depth is returning despite the current loss of Beth Mead, Kim Little, and Lina Hurtig.
Arsenal meet Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday December 11 at 16.15 local time and Monday December 12 at 03.15 AEST
Melbourne City 5-1 Newcastle Jets
By Jonathan Tay (10/12/22)
Above: Caitlin Karic (20) celebrates her goal in Melbourne City’s win. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City beat the Newcastle Jets 5-1 at Casey Fields, to move to the top of the Liberty A-League table in Gameweek Four.
The final scoreline didn’t tell the full chaotic story of a see-sawing game in which the Jets could have had five goals themselves. City made Newcastle pay for a host of squandered chances, the Melbournians overall quality and depth ultimately proving the difference.
City head coach Dario Vidosic went with an unchanged XI for the third time in a row to start the season, persisting with the youthful duo of goalkeeper Sally James and centre back Naomi Chinnama, over veterans Melissa Barbieri and fit-again Emma Checker. Newcastle brought in Ashlee Brodigan in place of Tara Andrews upfront, forming a dangerous trio with Sarah Griffith and Lauren Allan.
Melbourne City had gotten off to a flyer to start their campaign, notching two wins by three-goal margins. Newcastle meanwhile, were also coming off two decent performances, with Griffith’s hattrick helping them to a 4-2 win over Western Sydney in Round Two, followed by a draw with Perth last week, in a match where they probably created the better chances.
The attacking intent from both teams was on display from the off on Saturday afternoon, with each side looking to assert themselves, pressing high to force turnovers, and not holding back their aggression in duels either. The opening five minutes were an emblematic pattern of the whole game: the Jets front three causing turnovers, working their way into prime scoring positions without converting, and then City heading down the other end, and taking advantage of the Jets’ subpar defending.
City struggled to play out from the back for long portions of the match, Chinnama caught out on their very first possession with a heavy touch barely a minute in. The Jets’ Allan was able to nip in and backheel the ball into Brodigan’s path, but her tame shot was straight at James.
Just six minutes in though, City were able to turn the tables and open the scoring, having success of their own in pressuring from the front. A mishit clearance from a throw-in fell at the feet of Kaitlin Torpey 25 yards out; she took one touch to control before hammering the ball past Georgina Worth in the Newcastle goal.
The opening half-hour was played end-to-end at a frenetic pace, and the setback didn’t necessarily perturb the Jets. A Griffith turnover led to Lucy Johnson this time firing right at James, with the Newcastle midfielder moments later also almost dispossessing James attempting to use her feet, all before the 10-minute mark was up. City were uncharacteristically nervous and careless on the ball, as the Jets continued to look to restrict passing lanes and time in possession.
Griffith was a stand-out for the visitors; her nimble feet and speed were eye-catching as she led the Jets’ fast-paced forward three on the transition. Her opposing left-wing and fellow American Emina Ekic was equally as salient, her recent threatening form continuing against Newcastle as well. The two wingers traded first-half chances; Ekic having a tight-angled shot beaten away by Worth, Griffith getting beyond City’s backline, before scuffing her attempt into the arms of James, followed in the next play by Ekic again getting to the byline, and this time pulling the ball right across the face of the goal.
The biggest question for Newcastle however, was whether their rearguard could hold out against an inexorable Melbourne City. As the pressing intensity faded slightly, the Sky Blues were eventually able to find ways into the opposition’s third with more ease, and once there, the resistance they came up against was found lacking.
City found themselves up 3-0 in under 30 minutes, with two goals in quick succession. A glaring mistake from Worth saw her fumble a corner directly into her own net, with the Jets backline caught ball-watching for the third goal, as all three of City’s forwards were able to get shots off on the beleaguered Worth, Bryleeh Henry finally putting home from 2 yards out.
Before the break, Henry mirrored Ekic’s earlier effort by cutting the ball back across the face of the goal from the right side this time, after great play from Davidson and Chinnama to beat the press. But going in at half-time it was a tale of one side taking their chances, and the other not, with City surely holding one of the most fortunate three-goal leads they have had.
Newcastle came out of the interval desperate to get on the scoreboard, making an attacking change by sending on striker Andrews. They picked up the energy and tempo of the game once again and continued to frustrate City in their build-up.
It almost paid off, coming close to reducing the deficit early in the second half, as they hit the woodwork twice. Two sloppy Melbourne turnovers led firstly to another Griffith shot in the 50th minute, this time glancing just the wrong side of the post, before defender Katie Bowen two minutes later gifted the ball to Andrews who crashed a shot off the crossbar from just outside the box.
Newcastle eventually got the goal their play deserved, with Andrews rising highest to nod home a Brodigan free kick in the 70th minute. They almost had their second soon after, this time Brodigan striking iron from 30 yards out from a Griffith layoff.
Henry should have done better to put the game to bed in the 74th minute but skied a near-post chance after some good work from Ekic to find her. City wasn’t left to fret for much longer, however, with another two goals in two minutes sealing the result.
Substitute Caitlin Karic did brilliantly to connect with a long ball and send a first-time chip in off the far post, with Worth hopelessly caught in no man’s land. Not long after, Ekic for the second week in a row drew a penalty, proving too agile for the Jets’ Cannon Clough, who brought her down. Ekic dusted herself off to dispatch the spot kick and City’s fifth goal herself to cap a player of the match performance.
It led to a gaudy final score which probably flattered Melbourne City, but showcased the outcome of having proven finishers in the side. City will look to continue to improve their ability to control games, their possession game somewhat exposed here.
Newcastle will rue their missed opportunities, having had 19 shots, with 10 on target. The Jets will be encouraged by the ongoing impressive work of their forward line but will need their defence to show more competency for them to be considered competitive for the top four.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): James; Torpey, Chinnama, Bowen, Grosso; Davidson, Galic, Pollicina; Henry, Rojas, Ekic. Substitutes: Blissett, Mckenna, Checker, Karic, Barbieri.
Scorers: Torpey 6’, Worth (OG) 27’, Henry 29’, Karic 78’, Ekic (pen) 81’.
NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Worth; Clough, Garnier, King, Puxty; Johnson, Davis, Agnew; Allan, Brodigan, Griffith. Substitutes: Andrews, Stapleford, Coelho, Allen, Konjarski.
Scorers: Andrews 70’
Referee: Rebecca Durcau.
Attendance: 347.
Sydney FC 4-0 Brisbane Roar
By Ben Carey (10/12/22)
Above: Sarah Hunter weaves her way past Hollie Palmer and Zara Kruger. Photo: Sydney FC.
Sydney FC secured an emphatic 4-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening.
The encounter got off to a tentative start with both sides content with hanging back and passing the ball around, testing each other out. The one exception to that came in the eighth minute when American international Madison Haley hit the woodwork after a great high-floating corner kick from Mackenzie Hawkesby.
Brisbane Roar got their own chance for a goal about 20 minutes later with some fantastic build-up play, which saw Larissa Crummer pass out to Ayesha Norrie, who chipped the ball past a few home defenders to find Shea Connors in an acre of space. However, Connors was unable to put the ball in the back of the net.
Despite having had seven corners in just over half an hour, Sydney’s first goal came from open play, after a fantastic quick and low pass from Princess Ibini on the right side of the box to Haley who avoided the post this time and slotted it in the bottom left corner of the goals past Hensley Hancuff.
Just before halftime, Connors found herself in the box again, but her effort was smothered comfortably by Jada Whyman. On the counterattack, Sydney was able to break through the Roar’s defensive line, with Sarah Hunter hitting a great pass to Haley who left Rankin for dead, dribbled into the box, and toe-poked the ball over Hancuff to score her second goal of the match.
In the second half, Brisbane were able to stop the bleeding, at least for a while. The most exciting moment of the match came in the 67th minute when Cortnee Vine hit an amazing ball to Hawkesby, who tried to tuck it in the bottom corner past the keeper. Hancuff had other ideas though, making a diving save and then getting back up quickly to make herself big for the follow-up from Hawkesby, who hit the post instead, before the ball was cleared to safety.
The rest of the match was filled with drama and theatrics. In the 84th minute, Rankin made an excellent sliding tackle in the penalty box on Remy Siemsen to prevent the visitors going down 3-0. The Sydney attacker fell dramatically over Rankin’s outstretched legs, presumably looking for a penalty. But referee Anna-Marie Keighley wasn’t having any of it.
A few minutes later, Brisbane enjoyed a rare spell of possession in the final third after an incredible pass from Margot Robinne over her shoulder and through to Crummer who crossed it into Hollie Palmer in the penalty area. Palmer hit a well-struck attempt on goal, but it hit both corners of the woodwork and bounced out to safety.
Sydney FC did not let up after the match entered stoppage time, in fact, they came at Brisbane Roar’s tired defence even harder. In the first minute of stoppage time, Siemsen, who was running in on goal, cut it back to Sarah Hunter, who was on the edge of the 18-yard box and was then able to put the ball over the keeper’s head.
Two minutes later, Vine played a wonderful chip through several Roar defenders to Charlize Rule who took a shot that looked likely to be saved or cleared, however Siemsen was waiting on the goal line to tap it in for her second goal of the season, and Sydney’s fourth and final of the match.
Sydney FC proved far too strong for Brisbane Roar. The Madison Haley wrecking ball demolished the Queenslanders’ backline in the first half and brilliance from Hunter, Vine, and Siemsen put the match to bed late in stoppage time. Sydney FC’s defence was solid, and their midfield was like a well-oiled machine, working tirelessly to create goal-scoring opportunities, which Sydney FC was clinical at finishing.
Both teams had roughly the same possession, but Sydney FC did a lot more with the ball when they had it, especially in the final third. The absence of Katrina Gorry, veteran Matilda and experienced Brisbane Roar midfielder, was very evident. This meant that the Roar midfield was largely occupied by young and inexperienced players who often looked confused and overwhelmed.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric said: “I wasn’t happy with the girls at halftime, I told them that, we just didn’t play well in my opinion.
“Yeah Madi (Haley) is good, she’s got X-factor… she changed the game for us when it was quite tight.”
Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric on Madison Haley.
“Everyone is fighting against us like it’s their last game,” Juric went on, “and we need to take that fighting from the other team and deal with it and thus far we have done so.”
Although his team suffered a heavy defeat, there are still positives that Garrath McPherson can take away from the encounter. Jessie Rasschaert did a great job keeping Vine quiet for most of the game, matching her in pace, predicting her movements, and shutting down her attacks. Rankin did a great job in defence, making several crucial tackles and clearances. Finally, Connors was full of energy and intent the whole match, and had Brisbane been playing a higher press, her plays may have been more successful.
Things should be a lot more competitive for Brisbane Roar next weekend when they host Western Sydney Wanderers. Sydney FC will have a bye next weekend.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-1-4-1): Whyman, Rule, Mclean, De La Harpe, Fenton, Hollman, Vine, Hunter, Hawkesby, Ibini, Haley. Substitutes: Offer, Green, Stanic-Floody, Lemon, Siemsen.
Scorers: Haley 33’, 43’, Hunter 90+1’, Siemsen 90+3’.
BRISBANE ROAR (4-5-1): Hancuff, Rankin, Rasschaert, Linda, Levin, Connors, Kruger, Norrie, Palmer, Freier, Crummer. Substitutes: Shuttleworth, Haffenden, McQueen, Davern, Robinne.
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.
Attendance: 4,293.
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