Bryleeh Henry: Hitting her targets and aiming for the World Cup

In our latest of our weekly Midweek Dub interviews with top A-League Women players, Melbourne City’s Bryleeh Henry spoke exclusively to Impetus’ Kieran Yap about her move to Melbourne City, experiences at the U20 World Cup and how she’s aiming for a place in the senior World Cup squad next year (14/12/22).

Above: Bryleeh Henry making progress for the Young Matildas in August’s FIFA U20 World Cup. Photo: Football Australia.

When the move starts, Bryleeh Henry is not visible to the cameras, but she is already on the move. As Maria Rojas carries the ball forward for Melbourne City, the Young Matilda is wide and high up the ground. By the time the cross comes in, she is free at the back post to tap home for her first goal for Melbourne City.

The Wellington Phoenix defenders appeal to the assistant referee, but Henry was almost five yards onside when the cross came in. She moves forward, then wide, before arriving in the six-yard box seemingly unmarked amid a crowd of defenders.

That movement, patience, and composure in front of goal is why so many observers admire the new City striker. The 19-year-old has always shown impressive guile around goal. After an injury-hit season at Western Sydney Wanderers, she is eager to recapture her best form at City.

“Last year I wasn’t happy with my season,” she told Impetus.

 “It wasn’t my best season. I thought a chance to get out of my comfort zone to City who have been a successful club (would help.)”

“We have quality strikers at City. Which makes it even better because it makes it more competitive trying to fight for a spot. I’m really excited to play with Willkie (Hannah Wilkinson), the two Americans we’ve got on the wings, and Hollie McNamara when she comes back, I’ll be excited to play with her.”

Henry first gained attention in the A-League Women with a brace in 2020 against her new club. Then aged just 17, she was trusted to lead the line at Western Sydney. Although injury stalled her 2021/22 season, she calmly scored a crucial penalty to earn the Wanderers their first win of the season.

For much of her A-League career, Henry has been used as a lone striker, or centre-forward. With City’s attacking and playmaking options, her role has changed. But as the Round One goal, and another in Round Three demonstrated, she will have support to be even more dangerous.

“I gravitated towards ‘nine’,” she says, “But with the Young Matildas I played more on the wing. I don’t really have a preference, it depends on the team that you’re playing. Sometimes you’re going to be more useful more as a nine or winger. I really like either, as long as I’m trying to score goals that all that matters.”

Henry started all three of Australia’s games at the Under 20 World Cup. It was her goal that gave them the lead against Costa Rica in the opening match. Once more, the goal was a result of clever anticipation, and breakneck speed capped off with a composed finish.

Although many of her goals come from around the six-yard box, her involvement usually begins further up the field, sometimes off the ball. It is a trait that has earned her comparisons with Matildas’ captain Sam Kerr.

By the end of Round Four this season, Henry has scored three times in as many games. Her knack for being in the right place, and ability to pounce on any opportunity makes her a dangerous forward. The 19-year-old’s increasing consistency is turning her into one of Australia’s best strikers of any age.

“I love being involved in the play then turning, getting forward, and hopefully being on the end of things. That’s how both Leah (Blayney) and Rado (Vidosic) liked the team to play

“There’s a lot that I took from the World Cup, especially against Brazil and Spain. We got world-class opponents and hard teams. Like (Immaculada) Gabarro from Spain, the way that she moves herself around and can score goals against any opponent.

“I was pretty happy with my tournament. I think learning I could compete at that level was a good confidence booster.”

Henry has joined some familiar faces at City. Naomi Chinnama, Daniela Galic, and Sally James were all part of the World Cup Squad. That established chemistry will help all of them this season.

“We’ve played over there and in the conditions. The chemistry that we’ve built is so important and will only build further in this season when we train together every single day. I think that’s important.”

The Under 20 World Cup was not the striker’s first high-profile experience in Green and Gold. She already has two senior caps to her name. She featured for The Matildas against Brazil and was in the squad to face the USA.

“I’m so grateful for the time that I got to go in against those two opponents. USA and Brazil are world-class, so to go into camp and get that experience, to be able to get minutes was just amazing.

“Learning from them, and getting everything can playing and training with the senior girls was something I look back on a lot.”

A taste of senior international football and a goal in front of 30,000 Costa Rican fans has only increased Henry’s appetite for more. Although she has barely had time to let it all sink in, she is not one to rest on her achievements.

That should be music to the ears of City fans and spells trouble for their opponents.

“This is the last season before the World Cup, and an extended season with more games gives you more of chance to showcase yourself and put your best foot forward. I want to score as many goals as possible. That’s all I’m thinking about when I go onto the pitch.

“Last season I didn’t do that. This season I just want to build for the World Cup and go into this season with confidence and help the team in any way I can. We’ve got the coach, we’ve got the players, we’ve got everything around us to have a successful season. I want to put my best foot forward for this World Cup if I can.”

A-League Women News

Ryan Miller-Woods on Canberra United’s media conference with Michelle Heyman and Kennedy Faulknor, plus all the details on Perth Glory‘s new injury replacement signing which sees a hometown hero return (14/12/22).

A more ruthless attack and keeping the defence watertight: Canberra United’s priorities for Perth

Above: Michelle Heyman is thrilled by the attacking threat that Canberra United pose – but wants her team to be more ruthless in front of goal. Photo: Canberra Times.

In Canberra United’s first three games of the season, their attack has been quite impressive to watch having had 63 shots already this season.

Speaking to the media today, the club’s all-time A-League Women record goalscorer Michelle Heyman reflected on how her team’s attack has been coming together so far this season.

“It’s been the most creative team that I’ve been a part of in a long time, so for myself personally, it’s just a lot of fun when I get out there, just to be able to have combination play in the final third, we’re creating so many chances but now we’re starting to finally put them away and it’s something we need to continue to improve on within our side because it’s still lacking.

“I think we still had 22 shots (against Wellington) on the weekend and only to score three goals is not the stat I like to see, so I’m just hoping we can continue to grow every single game.”

With Canberra’s convincing win against Wellington Phoenix and the fact that they have been able to score in all of their matches so far this season, the striker spoke about the confidence that the capital city side has from an attacking perspective.

“There’s multiple players scoring each week and different players all the time, so it’s just going to help boost the confidence in that final third knowing that anyone can take that shot and anyone can score the goals this season, so for the other teams it’s kind of scary, so for us, we’ve got a lot of confidence now in that final third, so it’s going to be fun playing Perth.”

With one of the typical quirks of the A-League Women calendar, Canberra will be meeting Perth for the second time this season with only five rounds of matches played. Their first encounter was on the season’s opening day at McKellar Park where Canberra twice led, but were pegged back to 2-2.

Whilst Canberra have been creating a large number of chances all season, converting has been an issue. Heyman underlined the importance of this situation changing.

“It is something that we’ve improved on last game (against Wellington), so hopefully, we can continue with that and just start putting them into the back of the net. I think our defence has improved, I think the way that we hold ourselves as a team, our structure in the build-up is really impressive, so we’ve done all those big things, so it’s now just up to the forwards to start knocking them in.”

Above: Canberra United’s Kennedy Faulknor told the media that she is determined for her team to continue to keep clean sheets. Image: Canberra United.

Also facing the media today at was Canberra United’s Kennedy Faulknor. After two consecutive draws to open Canberra’s season, they were finally able to get that first win against Wellington. Something that Faulknor was delighted to achieve.

“It was a great team win, great team effort. I’m proud of all of us for finally getting it done, I think each game we’ve grown as a team and so I think that was just a statement game and we’re ready to keep it going.”

As well as achieving a first win against Wellington, the capital city club also kept their maiden clean sheet of the campaign. This is a trend that Faulknor hopes will continue in Perth, against a team who have multiple threats up front.

“I said before the game (against Wellington), ‘I’m like guys, this game let’s get a shutout, let’s get our clean sheet’. I feel like we deserve it, we communicated a lot, seen areas of growth and we really wanted to work on that, this game and just get that done.

“Playing Perth from our first game to now (in Round Five), I’ve seen a lot of improvements with this team, and being that we’ve already played them, we kind of know what to expect, they have speed up top, (they are a) transitional team, so I felt like defensively we’ve grown a lot since that game and so I felt like we’ll be ready for them.”

Hometown hero’s return is a big boost for Perth

Artwork supplied by: Perth Glory

Perth Glory today announced that local born defender Isabella Foletta has joined the club on an injury-replacement contract for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.

The versatile player returns to Perth for whom she previously made five appearances over the course of the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons.

Now 22, Foletta has also represented Brisbane Roar and Canberra United and plied her trade in Europe with Italian side Lazio, where fellow Western Australian and Glory team mate Ella Mastrantonio also played.

She is thrilled to be returning to the club where her professional career began. “I’m really grateful and excited to be back playing in purple for a club I have been supporting ever since I was a little girl,” she said.

“I’m ready to get out on the park and make my mark in the A-League with my hometown club. This team has so much potential and definitely has the ability to go all the way and that makes me excited to be a part of it. Alex Epakis [Head Coach], the staff and all the girls have been nothing but welcoming.”

Epakis believes that the new recruit is a great pick-up for the club. “It is great to have Izzy return to her hometown club and bring with her the experience from playing overseas and for other ALW clubs in recent seasons,” he said.

“She has been training with the team for a few weeks now and I have been really impressed with her strong character and work ethic. On the field, she brings a defensive skill-set and versatility across several positions which will add to our depth and options.

“She is very happy to be back home and eager to help the team continue to evolve and progress. I am very excited to work closely with her and prepare her to be ready to contribute to the team over the coming weeks.”

Poppy Payne & Millwall Lionesses: Pushing For A FAWNL Return

by Ben Gilby (13/12/22).

Above: Impetus sponsored Poppy Payne in action for Millwall this season. Photo: Keith Gillard.

Impetus recently announced an exciting content partnership with tier-five London and South-East Regional Premier side Millwall Lionesses, one of the great names of English women’s football. As part of the partnership, Impetus is proud to be sponsoring Millwall defender Poppy Payne this season.

The Lionesses, formed in 1973, became the first-ever women’s team to affiliate with a professional men’s side in the mid-1980s. Additionally, Millwall became the first team to have a female centre of excellence. A regular side in the top tier of the English game, the Lionesses were FA Cup winners in 1991 and 1997 and have produced some of the game’s most famous names over the past 40 years including Hope Powell, Pauline Cope, Mary Phillip, and Katie Chapman.

The South-East London side are now looking to return to the FA Women’s National League, currently topping tier five.

Impetus sponsored Poppy Payne speaks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey and life at Millwall Lionesses.

Poppy’s footballing career started early, and locally in South-East London. “I started playing football for a boys’ team called Darent River when I was five years old after watching my brother play,” the defender began.

“When I was about eight, one Friday night our team went down to the Charlton Athletic training ground for a training session with one of the boys’ coaches there, where myself and my mum were asked if I wanted to come down to the Charlton girls training the following week and that is where my three to four-year spell at Charlton Athletic began.

Above: Millwall Lionesses’ Poppy Payne. Photo: Keith Gillard.

“After Charlton, I went to Gillingham for a couple of years before then joining Millwall in 2014 for four seasons. Unfortunately, at the end of the 2018 season, I took a year out from football as I had fallen out of love with it for various reasons. Of course, I missed playing so started back up at Kent Football United (in tier four) in 2019 to find my feet again. after two half seasons there due to covid interrupting both years, I found myself back at Millwall in March 2022.”

Poppy credits both of her parents for being the keys to her footballing success. “My mum and dad are the two main reasons as to why I was able to play football at a higher standard than Sunday League as they are the ones that drove me to training twice a week and all around the country for matches once a week for about 10 years. Without them, I would not have been physically able to commit to playing.”

That support helped Poppy to get over one of the biggest challenges she has faced in her footballing journey so far, as she reflects: “I remember after leaving Charlton, a couple of my friends moved on to Chelsea whilst I was at Gillingham. I told my parents I wanted to play with them again at Chelsea so they took me down to the trials (two years in a row) but I never got in.

“To be rejected from somewhere is hard, especially as such a young child. At this point Millwall however accepted me, and so that was a huge positive to get my confidence back again.”

Millwall, this season particularly, is full of great personalities all round. Each and every one of the girls and the staff care about each other and want to do well in the team for each other. The atmosphere in the team at training and matches as well as on our team nights out is great, we have a brilliant team bond.”

Poppy Payne on the secrets to Millwall’s success this season.

Whilst Millwall have had a strong start to the campaign, Poppy is well aware that the South-East London side has a battle on their hands to claim the sole place in the FA Women’s National League Division One South-East for next season. “The league is so competitive, as well as being part of many cup competitions like the FA Cup,” but she is grateful for the one club ethos at The Den which includes “the men’s team also support us women in many aspects too which makes us feel more a part of the major sport.”

The Lionesses were part of an incredible FA Cup First Round tie which saw them host tier three Gillingham, one of Poppy’s former sides, at St. Pauls. Millwall produced a sensational performance that saw them only denied a famous win by an equalising goal with 10 seconds of extra time remaining and then go down at St. Pauls in the resulting penalty shoot-out. Looking back on the game now, the defender said:

“The game against Gillingham was important for many reasons, some personal reasons for a few of the players who previously played there as well as for us to make a statement to the league. It was a bittersweet feeling – amazing to know we can all come together and put on a performance like we did and bring the game to a team two leagues above us only losing on a penalty shootout but also gutting to have put so much into the game to then lose something we were so close to winning.

That was a game that proved that Millwall are more than capable of mixing it with higher-ranked teams. That only makes Poppy and her teammates even more determined to clinch a place back in the FA Women’s National League at the end of this season. “The key goal for us this season is promotion,” said Poppy. “We want to be the best in this league and prove that we can sit in tier four and compete there too.”

To see all of Impetus’ sponsored players and partner clubs for 2022/23, click here: https://impetusfootball.org/partnerships

Scottish News Round-Up

SWF Championship & League One Cup Final report, plus the latest SWPL Player of the Month Award winners revealed (13/12/22).

Above: FC Edinburgh lift the SWF Championship & League One Cup after their dramatic win over Dryburgh Athletic. Photo: FC Edinburgh.

FC Edinburgh lift cup after tense penalty shoot-out

From Tom Freeman – Scottish Women’s Football

FC Edinburgh have lifted the Championship and League One cup after winning a tense penalty shootout 5-4 against holders Dryburgh Athletic.

It was a cagey 120 minutes in Alloa which saw both midfields successfully disrupt the rhythm of their opponent, although FC Edinburgh had last-gasp chances at both the end of the regulation time and in the last gasp of extra time.

Dryburgh midfielder Hannah Innes, on loan from SWPL club Aberdeen, picked up the player of the match award for preventing FC Edinburgh dominating the midfield in a way that they have done all season on league duty, but it was the Edinburgh side who would carve out an early chance.

After only three minutes, a wicked ball was sent across the box by Jayden Simmons but FC Edinburgh captain Danielle Forsyth missed her swipe at it with the linesman’s flag staying down.

The ball was moving quickly, and at the other end, a good breakaway by Alma Codegoni was followed by a neat pass to Derrian Gollan, but she needed an extra touch, allowing Alix Wilkinson to intervene and make it safe.

The capital city side had a chance when a silky one-two fed in FC Edinburgh top scorer Emma Mitchell, but the ball rebounded off the defender into Dryburgh keeper Chantelle McKay’s hands. Eight minutes later, Wilkinson floated a free kick straight into McKay’s hands, but FC Edinburgh were starting to impose themselves on the game and set the tempo.

At the other end, Gollan fed in Rob on the left by FC Edinburgh keeper Schenai Gamrot held onto the shot in her near top corner.

The rest of the first half saw a tempestuous midfield battle, with Dryburgh’s Kiah Innes seeing yellow for a robust collision with Forsyth that saw the Edinburgh skipper requiring treatment and limping off at halftime.

At times a talismanic figure of the capital club, Forsyth came out for the second period but was clearly in some discomfort and was quickly replaced by former Hibs teammate Nicole Rutherford after only two minutes.

Left-back Niamh Fellenger was outpaced by Codegoni a couple of times and was replaced by the experienced Ash Clark.

Dryburgh, too were forced to change things with 16 to go, with Mel Gormley who had frustrated Edinburgh on their left picking up a knock and being replaced by Katie Hasset.

With FC Edinburgh shading possession for the first 80 minutes, Dryburgh began to impose themselves, with Zoe Moreland showing some good composure in the middle of the park and Megan Robb and Codegoni causing problems out wide.

But Hannah Markley saw a shot go inches wide after Jayden Simmons had used her pace to win a corner, then a free kick from Dryburgh by Hannah Innes was just to high and too fast for Megan Robb at the back post to reach it.

FC Edinburgh almost grabbed an injury-time winner through Deborah McLeod as she met an inswinging corner, but it agonisingly cleared the crossbar and the game would head into extra time.

It was the capital club who kept up the momentum into the additional time, using the ball well and capitalising on some tired Dryburgh legs. But Hannah Innes almost caught Gamrot off guard with an impressive shot from almost 40 yards out which just dipped too late and shaved the crossbar.

Louise Vaughn was left head in hands as she saw her shot at the back post in the final minutes go just wide of the upright, then a stamash saw McKay pull off an incredible point-blank save before a header came back off the bar and the game would be decided by a penalty shootout.

McKay pulled off a sublime save in the shootout but it wasn’t to be for Dryburgh, and the League One leaders would go on to win their first silverware.

Tajonar makes it back-to-back awards for Celtic while Callaghan picks up SWPL 2 prize

From Robert Wilson – SWPL.

Above: Celtic goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar with her Player of the Month award. Photo supplied to Impetus by: SWPL.

Pamela Tajonar and Abby Callaghan have collected the November 2022/23 Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) Player of the Month awards.

Tajonar becomes the first-ever goalkeeper to win the award after keeping two clean sheets from two games in November, including an outstanding performance in their 0-0 draw away to Rangers.

The Mexican ‘keeper was signed by Celtic in August and has become the starter for her side. In the 10 games she has played, she has only conceded two goals, both against Glasgow City. She currently leads the SWPL for most clean sheets.

Above: Abby Callaghan of Queen’s Park with her award as SWPL2 Player of the Month for November. Photo supplied to Impetus by: SWPL.

In SWPL 2, Abby Callaghan’s Queen’s Park won all three matches in November with scores of 2-1 against Kilmarnock, St Johnstone, and Boroughmuir Thistle. Their form means they are currently fourth in SWPL 2, seven points away from second place.

Callaghan played over 75 minutes in all three matches, scoring the opening goal for her side against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone. She then scored the winner against Boroughmuir Thistle, ending the month with three goals and one assist.

The nominees for the November SWPL award were Rachel Donaldson (Partick Thistle), Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Motherwell), and Krystyna Freda (Hibernian) and for the SWPL 2 award the nominees were Holly Daniel (Montrose) and Lauren Kerr (Gartcairn).

Aston Villa v Arsenal Photo Gallery

Impetus’ Suvadeep Biswas was at Villa Park on Sunday to capture the action from pitchside as Aston Villa hosted Arsenal in the Barclays Women’s Super League (13/12/22).

Above: Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson (right) holds off the challenge of Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.

Welsh Weekend Wrap

Impetus’ Martin Townley rounds up all the weekend’s action across the FAW Women’s Cup, and the three Adran Leagues (13/12/22).

Above: Lowri Baker of Briton Ferry and Cardiff Wanderers’ Rachel Beare in action during their FAW Women’s Cup Quarter-Final tie. Photo: Creative KF(@creativekf). 

Just two of the FAW Welsh Women’s Cup quarter-finals survived the freezing weather across Wales this weekend.  Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cardiff City booked their spots in the semi-finals with wins over Cardiff Wanderers and Abergavenny respectively. 

There was also one game that went ahead in the Adran South as Cascade YC beat Pontardawe Town to keep the pressure on leaders Briton Ferry. 

FAW Women’s Cup

Cardiff City 6-0 Abergavenny

Holders Cardiff City went safely through to the semi-finals with a comfortable win over Abergavenny. 

Lisa Owen opened the scoring for the Bluebirds on her first start of the season in the 22nd minute. The goal came after Evie Hughes played a one-two with Phoebie Poole and crossed to the far post where Owen turned the ball into the net. 

Cardiff had a penalty three minutes before the break as the ball bounced up and hit the arm of Abergavenny defender Sian Bull.  Poole’s emphatic finish from the spot claimed her 13th goal of the season.

City could have had a third before the break as Hughes was sent in on goal.  Driving into the box she was denied by a fine save from Charlotte Hastings. 

Just after the restart, Hastings made another quality save as she turned Poole’s strike around the post.

Cardiff did get their third in the 49th minute as Hughes’ corner into the near post went in off an Abergavenny defender.

The home side extended their lead when Poole played a clever slide pass into Eliza Collie to send her into the box.  Hastings saved from Collie, but Megan Saunders was first to the loose ball and tapped in from close range. 

A powerful shot from Lily Billingham in the 64th minute made it five for the Bluebirds to finish off a good passing move in style. Another own goal from Abergavenny from a dangerous City corner made it six as Cardiff City go through to the semi-finals. 

Cardiff will face the winners of the Cardiff Met v Llandudno match in the semi-finals.

Above: Cardiff City’s Lily Billingham, scorer of their fifth goal against Abergavenny. Photo: Cardiff City.

Cardiff Wanderers 1-5 Briton Ferry Llansawel

Cardiff Wanderers, the lowest-ranked side left in the cup, hosted Adran South leaders Briton Ferry with the capital city-based side looking to cause a Cup upset. 

Briton Ferry made a quick start to the game and led after just five minutes.  Laura-May Walkley sent a pass behind the Wanderers’ defence to find Lowri Baker who put the ball past Jordan Cleaver. 

Ferry kept the pressure on and after 14 minutes Lucy Powell made it two after she looped the ball over the keeper from distance. 

Just before half time Jade Crofts went close for the home side with her effort going just wide of the Ferry goal. 

Ela Roberts put the visitors three up after 53 minutes.  Lowri Baker sent Roberts in on goal where she put the ball over Cleaver who was able to get a hand to the ball but couldn’t stop it. 

Cardiff Wanderers did come back into the game and reduced the deficit.   Llywela Edwards won the ball off Ferry defender Brooke Llewellyn and passed to Jade Crofts who shot Courtney Young.

Wanderers searched for another but after 74 minutes Briton Ferry re-established their three-goal lead.  Captain Lowri Ridings with a powerful header from Lucy Powell’s corner. 

With 77 minutes gone Olivia Townsend got a fifth goal, scoring on her Briton Ferry debut.  The former Barry Town player stepped past a defender and fired a fine effort past Cleaver. 

Briton Ferry will play either Wrexham or Aberystwyth Town in the semi-finals. 

Adran South

Cascade YC 3-2 Pontardawe Town

Cascade came through a tough test against Pontardawe to go level on points with leaders Briton Ferry. 

They were made to come from behind as Catryn Cook gave Pontardawe the lead just two minutes in.  It took Cascade until the 55th minute to level thanks to Hannah Moger and things got better for the hosts when Jess Pascoe put them ahead with 20 minutes to play.  Georgia Thorne equalised for Pontardawe in the 89th minute as it looked like the visitors would take a point.  It wasn’t to be however as Bethan Lloyd scored in added time to give Cascade a valuable three points.

Table From: Genero Adran Leagues.

Manchester Derby ends even at the Etihad

Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United

by Johnathan Stack at The Etihad Stadium for Impetus (12/12/22).

Above: Laura Coombs celebrates her equaliser for Manchester City. Photo: Manchester City Women.

Manchester City came from behind and keep their unbeaten Women’s Super League record against Manchester United intact after drawing 1-1 with their rivals in front of more than 44,000 fans, a club record for Manchester City, and a record for a women’s game at the Etihad.

City were back playing in the main stadium for the first time since 2019, and were rewarded with the second-highest attendance in Barclays Women’s Super League history.

United went into the match, the final league fixture for both teams in 2022, knowing a win would temporarily move them level on points with league leaders Chelsea. A win for City would see them move onto level points with United. 

But despite the occasion, it was the away side who scored first. Leah Galton opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark as she received the ball on the left, cut inside, and played a nice one-two with Ella Toone on the edge of the box before slotting the ball past Ellie Roebuck.

Above: Leah Galton, Manchester United’s scorer looks to get away yesterday. Photo: Manchester United Women.

Into the second half, City came out knowing that they had to find a goal from somewhere with bragging rights on the line. They took the opportunity when it was presented to them.

Chloe Kelly was able to send in a cross from the right side of the pitch which was missed by the United defence and made its way to Laura Coombs just yards from the goal. The Manchester City number seven was left with the easiest of finishes to head her side level.

Both teams had good chances to win the match as both Khadija Shaw and Martha Thomas had headers well saved by Mary Earps and Roebuck as the game ended level.

After the game, Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor spoke of his pride in being involved in another big event in this WSL season saying, “Today was a bit of a flagship moment, we had it previously in 2019 but you can see the interest that this game drew up,” he said.

“We’ll reflect and see if it was a success, and then if it has, we’ll look to do it more often. We’ve seen it more in the south with Chelsea using their venue, Arsenal and Tottenham. For us it’s great and a real step forward. Hopefully, everyone sees it as a real success. I think (playing at the Etihad more regularly) would help. You’d see hopefully a more normal type of performance than maybe what we saw in the first half because it was completely new.” 

Taylor went on to say that he thinks his side would benefit more if they played in the main stadium in the future saying “The pitch dimensions are the same as the CFA (Academy Stadium) but it looks and feels bigger, bigger stadium and crowd, spaces look massive for both teams.

“I believe if we’re able to use this as a venue more often we’ll do amazing, especially the way we played and the method we use, it’d help us a lot. First half was a bit new to us, we tried to acclimatise as best we could. We couldn’t train here yesterday due to the weather conditions.

The WSL returns in January after a Christmas and New Year break.

Above: Manchester United’s Alessia Russo gets a shot away. Photo: Manchester United Women.

Teams: MANCHESTER CITY: Roebuck, Casparij, Alexandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Castellanos, Coombs, Kelly, Shaw, Hemp. Substitutes: MacIver, Stokes, Houghton, Fowler, Angeldahl, Raso, Morgan, Kennedy, Blakstad.

Scorer: Coombs 58′.

MANCHESTER UNITED: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Parris, Russo. Substitutes: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Tounkara, Boe Risa, Moore, Staniforth, L. Garcia, Thomas, Williams.

Scorer: Galton 27′.

Referee: Abigail Byrne.

Attendance: 44,259.

World Cup Training Bases Revealed

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.

Above: Today’s media announcement of Australia’s training base for the World Cup – From left to right, James Johnson, Graeme Clark, Stirling Hinchcliff, Ann Odong, Clare Polkinghorne, and Tameka Yallop. Photo: Ben Carey for Impetus.

“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:

Above: Central Coast Stadium, England’s training base for the World Cup. Photo: Austadiums.

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).

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 (12/12/22)

Player of the Week:

Above: Sarah Hunter of Sydney FC, who received two votes from our team covering the A-League Women as player of the week. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

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.

Coach of the Week:

Above: Canberra United head coach Njegosh Popovich – who was in a three-way tie in the voting tally for coach of the week. Photo: Canberra Times.

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.

Event of the Week:

Above: Madison Haley – her second goal for Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar was chosen by three of our six contributors as their Event of the Week. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

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.