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Goals And Drama But No Winner

Newcastle Jets 3-3 Canberra United

By Ben Gilby (30/1/22)

Above: Newcastle Jets celebrate after Marie Dølvik put them ahead in the opening minute against Canberra United. Photo: Newcastle Jets.

Newcastle Jets and Canberra United shared six goals in a thriller at McDonald Jones Stadium, but the outcome does neither side any favours.

This is the time of the season when teams harbouring Finals hopes, in the Jets case, and those looking to move away from the lower-reaches of the table, in Canberra’s case, need maximum points. Ultimately, neither side’s aims progressed forward.

This was a game that exploded into life from the start. Jets’ Taren King started a move that ended with Marie Dølvik in possession out on the left wing. She cut in and Canberra youngster Mikayla Vidmar failed in an opportunity to tackle which allowed the Norwegian to progress and crash home a sensational effort into the far corner of the net with 50 seconds on the clock.

The home side remained on the front foot, with the visitors taking six minutes to offer anything from a shot-on-goal perspective.

Jets almost doubled their lead on 14 minutes when visiting defender Ally Haran dwelt on the ball just outside her own box and was dispossessed by Jemma House. House hit a shot that rolled narrowly wide of the far post.

However, within four minutes, Canberra was on level terms. Allira Toby found Hayley Taylor-Young on the right. The local product beat Kirsty Fenton and hit a low ball in which Hannah Brewer got a touch on. The ball fell kindly to Ash Sykes to hit first time into the net.

Chances came and went for both sides with Cassidy Davis blocking an opportunity for the visitors and Ash Brodigan also saw an effort go over. Dølvik was also prevented from getting a shot on target.

It was Canberra who came the closest to taking the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Ally Haran sent a long free-kick down the left which was nodded on by Michelle Heyman to Toby. The former Sydney FC star hooked a ball through to Margot Robinne who took a touch away from Davis and crashed a shot in which came back off the bar right on the half-time whistle.

Newcastle responded after the interval by fashioning an early chance when Brodigan got a ball in which needed to be dealt with. Canberra had an opportunity of their own two minutes later with a cross-shot that went exceptionally close.

**Above:** Sophie Harding fires Newcastle Jets ahead once more. **Photo:** Newcastle Jets.

Seconds after that latter effort, it was the home side who re-took the lead. Dølvik’s long ball through found Sophie Harding in space to run into and fire home into the left-hand corner.

Jets had a chance to increase their lead five minutes later with Dolvik breaking through again, but Canberra goalkeeper Keeley Richards held the eventual shot.

Canberra made the home side pay for missing that opportunity when Haran’s free-kick came into the box and rebounded into Sykes’ path via Heyman, and the 30-year-old rolled a shot into the left-hand corner for her’s and Canberra’s second.

Within two minutes, the visitors took the lead in an incredible turn of events. Robinne curled into the near post from the right, and Toby was allowed to rise highest to direct a header into the net for her first goal in almost two years of W/A-League Women’s football.

**Above:** Alirra Toby celebrates her header which put Canberra United 3-2 up. **Photo:** Canberra United.

The drama continued with a third goal in the space of four minutes, and it was another goal from a player who has not been on the score sheet for some time. Sunny Franco, with only four previous goals in the competition from 51 matches, was played in along the left with a superb outside of the foot pass. Franco took a touch, and hit a great finish across Richards to level the scores.

Coelho then had to be alert to prevent Toby from adding to her tally on two occasions. With three minutes remaining, Franco had a chance to seal the win for Newcastle when she was played through on goal. A combination of a great defensive effort by Haran and a save by Richards denied the Queensland-born player a second.

There was one final chance and it went Canberra’s way. Chelsee Washington drove through the middle and unleashed an effort from around 25 yards which Coelho tipped over magnificently.

Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (4-2-3-1): Coelho, Jaber, King, Brewer, Fenton, Eddy, Davis, Harding, Brodigan, Dølvik, House. Substitutes: Andrews, Andrews, Boric (GK), Franco, Gordon.

Scorers: Dølvik 1′, Harding 51′, Franco 63′.

CANBERRA UNITED (4-2-3-1): Richards, Ilijoski, Haran, Vidmar, Taylor-Young, Hughes, Washington, Toby, Robinne, Sykes, Heyman. Substitutes: Grove, Lincoln (GK), Maher, Middleton.

Scorers: Sykes 18′, 60′. Toby 62′.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 2,546.

Rebekah Lake and Mulbarton: On A High

By Darrell Allen (30/1/22).

Above: Mulbarton Belles’ Rebekah Lake (left) challenges Norwich City’s Izzy Collins during last season’s Norfolk Women’s Cup Final. Photo: Cyan Fullbrook/Norfolk FA.

One of Norfolk’s form teams of the season has been Mulbarton Belles and this week I spoke to club captain Rebekah Lake.

Our conversation began with the Belles number 10 charting her career up to now: “Previous to playing for Mulbarton, I played from a very young age for Thorpe United FC where I had many successful seasons and was lucky enough to play in the Eastern Region Premier (Tier Five).”

A big story in the Norfolk Women’s Football scene saw the bulk of the Thorpe St. Andrew side breaking away and setting up Mulbarton who is a fairly new side. Rebekah was extremely open and told me about the reasons behind the transition and the unsung heroes who have helped make it happen.

“The move to Mulbarton Ladies was a collective although difficult team decision after circumstances at Thorpe changed. The changes were made by the committee without consulting with us as a team.

**Above:** Rebekah Lake leads her Mulbarton team out for the 2021 Norfolk Women’s Cup Final. **Photo:** Cyan Fullbrook/Norfolk FA.

“The Thorpe committee wanted to change the management of our team which went against our opinions. This caused many of the players to feel disillusioned and at the time with the global pandemic starting to surface the decision affected the mental health of some players. Martin (head coach) was already a manager of a boys team at Mulbarton who didn’t have a ladies side at the time, this move seemed like a perfect opportunity to all stay together and form a new team with Martin as the manager whom we trusted and had faith in.”

“Duane James, Mulbarton’s chairman, and Jeff Nurse, Mulbarton’s secretary were exceptional. They fought tooth and nail to get us over to them and went the extra mile to fight our corner to get us accepted into the league. Even when the first vote went against us, we all kept trying so hard. So, we owe a lot to these men. Not only did we start a new 11-a-side team we have also formed a seven-a-side team which just shows the commitment to a future at Mulbarton.”

The club have recently made headlines in the Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Finals famously knocking out the county’s highest-ranked team Norwich City of the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East. The match at the Canaries home of The Nest ended in a dramatic penalty shootout. The two sides had previously met in the 2021 final, with Mulbarton losing 7-0.

Rebekah told me the secrets behind the upset “We went into the game being the underdogs, knowing the previous score to Norwich in the final last year. If I am honest the main aim was to not concede as many goals. We went out to just relish the occasion and enjoy the game. Every single player on the pitch gave it their all considering we hadn’t played a game for nine weeks. We stepped up and played our football. I don’t think any one player stood out as like I said everyone played their part in this result and I am very proud and still a little in shock.”

Mulbarton’s reward for winning in Norwich City’s backyard will be a semi-final tie at tier five Eastern Regional Premier side King’s Lynn Town.

**Above:** Rebekah Lake (right) goes up against Norwich City captain Millie Daviss in last season’s Norfolk Women’s Cup Final. **Photo:** Cyan Fullbrook/Norfolk FA.

Rebekah told me that after the Norwich win, the semi-final brings few concerns. “Mulbarton don’t generally fear any team, we just go into each game as another challenge. King’s Lynn has a decent side but after beating Norwich the current cup holders to get into the semi-finals we will just go out and enjoy the occasion. Hopefully, there is a good turnout and we put on a good display.”

Cup pedigree is something that stands out from Mulbarton. Rebebak outlined some of secrets behind this success.

“After all the team has been through, I think it’s mainly the team spirit and the unbreakable bond they have for football. We are more like a football family than just a football team. These ladies go out of their way for each other and really play for the badge. I think cup games are a lot more exciting as you play different standards of teams, so you never know what is going to happen.”

Rebekah was also full of praise for the impact of head coach Martin Francis. “Martin is honestly such a positive role model as a manager, I don’t think I have ever heard him shout or complain about anything on the pitch. He goes out of his way to help players improve and become better.

“His knowledge of the game is second to none, he will always prepare tactic sheets and different scenarios prior to each game. We were not surprised when he was awarded coach of the year due to his commitment to us through such a hard year as a team.”

**Above:** Mulbarton Belles pictured after the Norfolk Women’s Cup Final. **Photo:** Cyan Fullbrook/Norfolk FA.

Mulbarton has achieved eight wins from as many games in the step seven Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One. Rebekah revealed how the team are keeping their feet on the ground, focussing on the here and now.

“We just take each game as they come, and we go into all of them with positive attitudes. We are currently top yes and looking at the table there is a lot of teams that have improved. Every team in our division is a challenge and we go into each game with a positive mental attitude.”

To many in the Norfolk game, Mulbarton Belles are regarded as being too good for the Norfolk Women and Girls League, I put this to Rebekah. “Mulbarton are a newly formed team and have only been in the league for a season and a bit. We are yet to win the league with Mulbarton as last season was null and void. We could possibly agree with the above statement but at this moment in time, the girls have no desire to compete higher mainly due to family commitments.

“Although we only play football for fun and love playing locally so we can still socialize after. There is a lot of travel involved in playing higher and some players cannot commit, but who knows what the future holds for us as Mulbarton, never say never. It would have to be a collective decision and something everyone agreed on.”

In three weeks time, the Lionesses will grace Norfolk as they host Spain in the Arnold Clark Cup on 20^th February at Carrow Road, a special day for the county and Rebekah confirmed it has captured Mulbarton’s imagination.

**Above:** Rebekah Lake lines up (far left) for the pre-match photo at the 2021 Norfolk Women’s Cup Final. **Photo:** Cyan Fullbrook/Norfolk FA.

“Most of the Ladies team have got tickets for this occasion, and I even think the younger girl’s teams are attending too. I believe this is a brilliant opportunity to support and promote women’s football, how often is it that the Lionesses come to Carrow Road?

“We had to re-arrange a league game so we could all still attend, and now the cup game has been rearranged. We are all looking forward to cheering them on they are inspirational. I think the attendance will be quite high which just shows how far the women’s game has come.”

We wrapped up our conversation with a chat about the team’s targets for the rest of the season and personal goals.

“We as a club would obviously love to do the treble but winning the County Cup would be a huge achievement, a lot of the ladies who play for Mulbarton are yet to experience winning a County Cup so for them as well as the club this would be phenomenal.

“Winning the league as Mulbarton for the first time would also be a big achievement. If our newly formed seven a side team who are currently sitting at the top of their league could win. I think as a club that would start our reputation as Mulbarton. On a personal note, I don’t have many personal targets but I am just striving to be the top goal scorer of the season.”

Double Delight For Dawber Adds To Wanderers’ Woe

Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Adelaide United

Words and Pictures by Kris Goman, pitchside at Marconi Stadium (29/1/22)

Above: Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United battle it out in the penalty box on Friday night. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

A disappointing outing on a gorgeous balmy Sydney night for Wanderers fans as Adelaide handed the women in red and black the biggest loss of the season.

The kick-off was delayed by twenty minutes due to an issue with the turf. A giant hole was dug and then patched before play could start.

Adelaide started the night on the right foot with an opportunistic first goal during an early corner. Mayhem in front of goal saw Sarah Langman save twice before the ball was cleared and ended up with Fiona Worts again, the corner taker. Her lofted cross was headed by Chelsie Dawber, beating Langman, and dropping right in front of goal to be touched in by Kayla Sharples.

**Above:** Celebrations for Adelaide United on a tough night for Western Sydney Wanderers. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Emboldened by her first goal, Sharples had another close look with a header from another corner but Langman was able to stop this one and Matilda McNamara’s follow-up on the deflection.

Wanderers retaliated with a very long-range cross from Teigan Allen that nearly went in but landed on the roof of the net. Annalee Grove probably had it covered but it would have been spectacular if it went in.

Things changed for the Wanderwomen when Clare Hunt left the field with a shoulder injury. Hunt has been the lynchpin of the defence and her absence was immediately noticed.

Alex Huynh came on as her replacement and nearly drew level with an on-target shot saved by Grove. A Rosie Galea corner was cleared to Huynh standing at the top of the box and she created a rocket from nothing with a spin and one touch. Grove had to dive to her right to punch it outstretched and one-handed for a terrific save.

**Above:** Eyes on the prize. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Wanderers had another chance very soon after with Bianca Galic when a defensive header by Sharples arrived at her feet. She got a shot away quickly but it skimmed the crossbar and landed in the stands.

The first half ended with Adelaide in front 1-0 and looking the stronger side.

Nearly ten minutes into the second half, the ball was given away by Galic to Worts who passes forward to Dawber, who’s in the clear. Caitlin Cooper’s in hot pursuit but can’t catch Dawber. As Langman comes out to reduce the angle, Dawber manages to put it past her and into the back of the net. Adelaide has taken control of the match and the score sits at 2-0.

Minutes later Worts is released by Dawber and is off through the centre. Huynh is keeping up and executes a perfect sliding tackle to clear the ball safely.

**Above:** Battles were fierce at Marconi Stadium, but Adelaide United took the spoils. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

United seal the match just before full time when the ball goes to Worts on the left who slides it to Reona Omiya. Her pass to Dawber finds the striker unmarked and in the clear on the right. She absolutely threads the needle on the acute angle past Langman and slips it into the far left of the goal untouched by the Wanderers defence.

This wins puts Adelaide into third place on the table and, for the first time, has left the Wanderers defence looking wanting. Adelaide looked good in this match proving they have what it takes to get to the finals. Their passing was good, they created chances, they kept a clean sheet and they looked tight and organized.

The Wanderers are still having problems scoring. While they were unlucky with a penalty call this match, the only chances were individual moments rather than coordinated team attacks.

Their passing and possession let them down in this match too. With it later revealed that Hunt’s shoulder is in fact broken, their defence is likely to suffer going forward. While the defence is solid across the board and Huynh is certainly able to fill Hunt’s shoes, Hunt was having a breakout season and it’s terribly sad to see it end this way.

Adelaide meets the Newcastle Jets next Friday at home while the Wanderers are away to Melbourne City on Sunday, COVID permitting.

Kris Goman’s exclusive photo gallery for Impetus from Marconi Stadium:

Click on the arrow on the right side of the picture to see the next image

Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS: Langman, Apostolakis, Cooper, Hunt, Allen, Gallic, Galea, Copus-Brown, Halloway, Gallagher, Henry. Substitutes: Khamis (GK), Matos, Collister, Steinmetz, Huynh.

ADELAIDE UNITED: Grove, I. Hodgson, McNamara, Sharples, E. Hodgson, Sasaki, Holmes, Condon, Dawber, Worts, Hayward. Substitutes: Omiya, Beaumont, Varley, Templeman, Murray.

Scorers: Sharples 5’, Dawber 55’, 88’

Referee: Isabella Blaess

Attendance: 515

Taylor-Young’s Joy At Being Back In Action

Above: Hayley Taylor-Young (right) in action for Canberra United against Brisbane Roar last season. Photo: Canberra Weekly.

Ahead of their Round Nine Liberty A-League game with Newcastle Jets, Ben Gilby heard from Canberra United’s Hayley Taylor-Young about getting back in the saddle after the club’s recent COVID cases.

With a COVID outbreak hitting the capital city club over the last week or so, 19-year-old Hayley Taylor-Young spoke of her joy at finally being out of quarantine.

“We were back at training at the start of the week (for the first time since the outbreak) and everyone was a bit hyper!” she laughed.

“Our physio set us gym programmes and that was the main thing I was focussing on. Apart from that, there has been a lot of Netflix and being in bed. This season things are a bit more intense with COVID. We had our own programmes at times last season, so we all know how to do it more now.”

With the quarantine period providing a natural punctuation point in Canberra’s disappointing A-League Women season so far, the locally produced youngster sees the time away as a natural opportunity to re-set.

“We’re using the isolation time as a fresh start. We can use the time to relax and refresh. It’s like coming back into pre-season and focusing now. We’re doing everything in training that we need to work on. The end product, scoring goals, is what we are lacking. We need to all get around each other and keep our heads up. We need to be positive during the games.”

Taylor-Young is deployed in a far more defensive position this season, and she reviewed the process. “First I was nervous, the defending side of things is different for an attacking player. It is helping me to develop more confidence in myself and comfort on the ball.

“In training, we have an attacking group and a defending group and I’m kinda like in the middle and thinking ‘where do I go?’ But I’ve been pushed back into defence. It involves more responsibility.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s game at Newcastle Jets, Taylor-Young expects the New South Wales side “to come out strong, but if we keep doing what we’ve done in training, we’ll do well.”

Lyon Sent Packing By PSG

Paris St. Germain 3-0 Olympique Lyonnais

By Jean-Pierre Thiesset (29/1/22)

Above: Paris St. Germain celebrate during their superb performance in defeating Olympique Lyonnais today. Photo: PSG Feminines.

In a game without any Lyon fans, because Paris St. Germain decided to play in a stadium where only 250 spectators were allowed, the home side ran out winners in this French Cup last sixteen tie due to simply wanting the victory a lot more than Lyon.

**Above:** Midfield action in this afternoon’s Paris St.Germain v Olympique Lyonnais French Cup tie. **Photo:** PSG Feminines.

PSG put a lot of pressure on Lyon players all through the game, not letting them put in place their game based on passes. The home side was also more efficient when they won the ball and found themselves easily and quickly in midfield. Lyon strikers were rarely found by their midfielders.

This loss is quite worrying when we look back at the last Lyon defeat against Bayern Munich (1-0) – another game where players put a lot of pressure on Lyon players and prevented them from plating their game.

We can think that these two teams, Paris SG and Bayern Munich have found how to beat Lyon. Warning signs were there for Lyon against Levante but they were still able to win both games 2-1.

**Above:** Paris St. Germain celebrate this afternoon. **Photo:** PSG Feminines.

Lyon will be hoping that other teams will not learn too much from this or coach, Sonia Bompastor will have to work hard to find a solution to these problems.

Throughout the game, PSG was impressive and showed themselves to be a mature team that was confident in their capabilities to win the game.

Goals for Paris St. Germain: Sandy Baltimore (49), Kadidiatou Diani (76), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (85).

More Roars Of Frustration At The Death For Brisbane

Brisbane Roar 1-2 Melbourne City

By Kieran Yap (29/1/22)

Above: Hannah Wilkinson in possession for Melbourne City at Moreton Daily Stadium today. Photo: Brisbane Roar.

Melbourne City returned to winning ways and Brisbane Roar suffered another heartbreaking defeat on Saturday afternoon.

Brisbane began the stronger of the sides. The midfield anchored by Ayesha Norrie and dominated by Katrina Gorry controlled the game and created the first chance of the game. Rie Kitano and Gorry combined to play through Larissa Crummer.

Melissa Barbieri in the City goal was quick to come off her line and block what looked like a certain goal.

More neat interplay nearly resulted in a goal to Gorry but her shot was hit over the bar with Barbieri beaten.

Crummer missed another opportunity when she outpaced the City defence. Her chip cleared the onrushing Barbieri but bounced wide of the post despite the commendable effort of Shea Connors to turn it goalward.

Brisbane was playing with confidence and purpose. Their passes in midfield were quick and almost always forward. Anna Margraf was being used in place of Mariel Hecher upfront and was engaged in an entertaining duel with City defender Winonah Heatley.

They had the momentum but not yet the lead and given their history so far this season, they needed to score before City could compose themselves.

The visitors first shot on goal came from Rebekah Stott. Her long-range shot was tipped onto the bar by Mia Bailey. The Brisbane goalkeeper was making her second start for the season and does not look out of place at the top level.

Bailey was once again called into action to deny Rhianna Pollicina’s effort. Once again she was equal to the shot and the teams went into half-time level. Brisbane had the upper hand on the balance of play and created the most chances against a tough City defence. If not for Barbieri they would likely have been at least one goal up.

Brisbane kept up the pressure in the second half, Shea Connors had two consecutive chances to take the lead. First, she robbed Emma Checker of the ball and raced into the area. Her second touch gave Barbieri the half a second that she needed to race out and collect the ball as the players collided.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar’s Ayesha Norrie (left) looks to get away from Melbourne City’s Leah Davidson. **Photo:** A-League Women.

It was to the relief of all that were watching that they both escaped injury after Connors’ shin crashed into Barbieri’s head.

The lightning-fast winger bore down on goal again shortly after but her shot flew agonizingly wide. Of the three attackers for the Roar, Connors was looking the most dangerous and the least hesitant in front of goal.

Brisbane’s control of the match wavered when their captain Norrie went down injured. Brisbane has the depth in midfield to cover for her, but she is a key player and was one of the match’s best performers up until that point.

Meaghan McElligott came on for her with Hollie Palmer entering the game moments before. McElligott’s impact was almost instant. As she reached to get on the end of Connors’ cross she was bundled over in the box and earned a penalty.

For the second time this season, Gorry stepped up and scored from the spot in the 71^st minute with a shot that never looked like missing. Let’s all hope those penalty-taking skills are not missed by the Matildas in India.

The lead was deserved but did not last long. Rhianna Pollicina leveled the scores eight minutes later with an incredible free-kick. There was nothing Bailey could have done to stop it. The shot was perfectly hit and curled in with pace. It is unlikely to be beaten for the goal of the round and was a reminder that even without Holly McNamara, City still had the weapons to change the game in a second.

Pollicina had been having one of her quieter games of the season so far, but she has the technique and confidence to score beautiful goals against the run of play.

Connors and McElligott both had chances to take back the lead for Roar. Connors skillful turn created the chance out of nothing, but on her left foot, she fired over the bar from close range.

It was a terrific opportunity, forged from a half chance by the American attacker. Connors has been used almost exclusively on the wing this season, but she can play centrally and with her back to goal she controlled and created an opening almost out of nothing.

McElligot’s chance was probably easier, but that is a relative phrase. There is nothing easy about berating Barbieri this season. She had time and space, probably more than she realized but her shot was straight at the in-form City goalkeeper.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar’s Jamilla Rankin (left) tackles Melbourne City’s Tyla-Jay Vlajnic

The scene was set for a draw and as the game entered added time, Brisbane started to lose composure. They looked suddenly rushed in defence even though there were five minutes to play. When Rhianna Pollicina stood over a free-kick deep into injury time, what happened next seemed inevitable once it did.

Pollicina’s free-kick was whipped in with venom and Hannah Wilkinson met the outswinger with a perfect header. It was textbook, nodded back across goal against Bailey’s momentum, and nestled in the bottom corner. Brisbane had conceded from a winning position yet again, once more in the dying minutes of the match.

Wilkinson had been quiet for most of the match. It was not her game, but it was her moment. The league’s top scorer only needed one opportunity to change the headlines and the fortunes of both teams.

Hollie Palmer almost levelled the scores when she launched a long-range rocket in the final moments. Barbieri was able to make the save again, then once more from Crummer after the resulting corner kick.

Brisbane has the artillery to score from long range, they have had luck with those sorts of efforts this season and it was only the skill of Barbieri that denied them another goal.

The Melbourne keeper was easily the most influential player of the game. She was equal to everything that Brisbane threw at her and prevented at least four certain goals.

**Above:** Melbourne City’s Leah Davidson in possession. **Photo:** Melbourne City.

Brisbane needs to overcome their déjà vu and reset. The upcoming flurry of matches in quick succession may be beneficial for them as they try to find some momentum.

They are not playing poorly, just missing opportunities. Defensively it is a worry that they continually concede late in games and this match felt particularly harsh.

The team that they lost to is shaping as a trophy contender. Sydney FC looks unassailable at the top of the ladder, but City has the potential to win a Grand Final. There is no shame in losing to them for Brisbane, but there will be frustration.

It does not get any easier for the Roar with an away trip to Sydney FC coming up before hosting top-four hopefuls Adelaide United. With Norrie’s injury, it will be difficult, but Palmer should be ready to step into her role. She was guilty of giving away a costly foul but was otherwise creative and decisive on the ball. Her shot at the end was an example of what she is capable of and her passing was quick and aggressive.

Melbourne City faces Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory within five days of each other. On current form, they will expect to win both of those matches. They have the best center forward in the competition in Wilkinson and in Pollicina, a playmaker who can change a match in two touches.

City are hard to score against and harder to prevent from scoring. They are deservedly high on the ladder and although they were beaten by Sydney FC last week, they responded perfectly this week.

Brisbane was the better team over 90 minutes, City was the winner. It was a relentlessly entertaining match.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (4-3-3): Bailey, Tathem, Haffenden, Rankin, Clough, Gorry, Norrie, Kitano, Margraf, Crummer, Connors. Substitutes: Gett, McElligott, Palmer, Rasschaert, Shuttleworth.

Scorer: Gorry (pen) 71′.

MELBOURNE CITY (3-4-2-1): Barbieri, Heatley, Checker, Tunmeth, Blissett, Vlajnic, Davidson, Torpey, Scott, Wilkinson, Pollicina. Substitutes: James (GK), Karic, Malone, Westland, van der Meer.

Scorers: Pollicina 79′, Wilkinson 90+4′.

Referee: Rebecca Mackie.

Attendance: 1,132.

Job Done And New Hope Emerges

Above: Australia’s starting line-up against Thailand on Thursday, including four players making their full debuts. Photo provided to Impetus by: Football Australia.

Kieran Yap reviews the performances of the Matildas debut making players in the Asia Cup along with those who have come into the squad under Tony Gustavsson’s tenure (28/1/22).

Australia got the job done, and they did it comfortably. The score read 2-1 and on the surface that gives the impression that it was a tight game, but Thailand’s goal was in the literal final second of play. Whilst impressive, it was a consolation goal in the truest sense of the word.

Australia dominated play and when Emily van Egmond struck from the edge of the box it was reward for a first half that should have included more.

Sam Kerr entered the play in the second half and scored what would be the winner after Kyah Simon’s shot was spilled by the Thailand keeper.

The match itself was notable for the unfamiliar starting lineup. Nine changes were made from the 4-0 win over the Philippines. With qualification assured and only a draw needed to secure top spot, this was the perfect game to give the young players a chance against an opponent that poses a historical challenge for The Matildas.

Tony Gustavsson was effusive of his starting line-up. He was pleased that despite the vast difference in experience, they all played the same style and with the same intensity.

With that in mind, the best way to judge this game is by the performances of those players.

**Above:** Charlotte Grant made her starting debut against Thailand on Thursday. **Photo:** Football Australia.

Charlotte Grant has been around the team for most of Gustavsson’s tenure. She was included in the extended Olympic squad but did not see game time in the tournament.

After impressing against Brazil with some tidy footwork and against the USA with a run and inch-perfect cross, she was given her first start against Thailand.

Grant’s value goes beyond her considerable skill. She is a natural fullback who can play on either flank. She started the game as a replacement for Ellie Carpenter and ended it in Steph Catley’s usual position.

She has pace, control, and a serious engine for somebody still eligible for the U20’s squad.

Grant’s versatility means that she provides double the depth another fullback would. Against Thailand, despite one or two wayward crosses, she showed that she was ready for serious internationals.

This is a player who could be very important if her career trajectory continues.

Courtney Nevin also played two positions in this match. The Melbourne Victory fullback started on the left where she was defensively solid while using her impressive left foot to deliver some good long passes.

In the second half, she switched to centre-back. She had impressed in the role in the second USA friendly and looks at home in either position.

Nevin started the move that would produce the winning goal. Her vision and technique were on full display when she switched play to Kyah Simon. The pass was stunningly accurate and helped pull the Thailand defence out of formation enough for The Matildas to forge an opening.

Nevin featured in the other group games, but this was her first start at the Asian Cup and she was excellent.

**Above:** Clare Wheeler, pictured during an appearance for Australia off the bench against the USA last year. **Photo:** Football Australia.

Clare Wheeler is in the side primarily for the defensive steel and ball retention that she brings to the midfield. Following her first game against Indonesia and her game-changing cameo against the USA, Wheeler is no longer a fringe player. She is a vital member of the team.

In this game, she was allowed to push forward more. After skipping a tackle and surging into the area, she was unlucky not to score. A volleyed effort in the second half was more difficult, but both attempts were reminders that Wheeler is more than just an enforcer.

Kyra Cooney-Cross is another who has been used in a deep role by Gustavsson. In her last two appearances, she has played more like she does in the A-League Women. Against both the Philippines and against Thailand, she used her pace and power to cruise through midfield in a familiar style.

Her first goal for the national team awaits, but she came very close in this match. The Thai player who blocked the shot immediately regretted it and sadly had to be stretchered off.

**Above:** Cortnee Vine had a hard-working first start for the Matildas. **Photo:** Footbhall Australia.

Cortnee Vine was fantastic and lived up to the considerable hype that has generated around her involvement in the tournament.

She looked as dangerous and creative as she does for Sydney FC. Vine gives the Matildas another speedy option on the right to go with Hayley Raso, Carpenter, and Grant.

The Matildas have depth and quality on that flank.

Holly McNamara ended the game the victim of a still unknown injury. She hobbled off the field in the second half and was replaced by Caitlin Foord. However, McNamara has effortlessly carried her domestic form to the national team.

Like Foord, she is a clever dribbler with tidy footwork and a few tricks in her boots. Also like Foord, she loves to cut inside and shoot off her right foot.

**Above:** Holly McNamara was full of promise before leaving the pitch with an injury. **Photo:** Football Australia.

She is a creative attacker that likes to play on the left-wing. Australia has had few options for that position since Lisa De Vanna. Holly McNamara looks like a long-term prospect for the job who can still make an immediate impact.

Finally, there is Remy Siemsen. Other than Kerr, she is the only other centre-forward in the squad who is regularly completing 90 minutes in the role.

Australia has plenty of players who can fill the gap if Kerr is unavailable, but none have been consistently delivering as the spearhead.

**Above:** Industrious and full of running – Remy Siemsen. **Photo:** Football Australia.

Kyah Simon has had limited game time for Tottenham Hotspur and Foord is used in a variety of attacking positions at Arsenal. Emily Gielnik prefers to play centrally but has missed some football for Aston Villa with injuries. Mary Fowler is something of a super-sub in France but is needed as a playmaker for The Matildas.

That leaves Siemsen. She was good against Thailand and will be disappointed that her second-half shot did not go in. Her movement up front was as good as it is in the national league and she was willing to shoot when given the chance.

Remy Siemsen is important for depth upfront, and also has the quality to impact games. Her career has been on a steady incline over the past few years and if that continues she could be a valuable Matilda in the future.

Overall, the Thailand game saw some pretty impressive contributions from these new faces. Australia now has options, depth, and new possibilities as a result of this game.

Up next, they face South Korea in the quarter-final. This will not be an easy match but Australia is the favourites and there are no simple paths to the final.

The group stage performances and the emergence of the new players against Thailand show that as dangerous as the Koreans are, they also have plenty to worry about.

Vidosic Looks Ahead To Roar After Blunt Assessment On Loss

Above: Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic made his disappointment about last week’s performance against Sydney clear when he spoke to the media on Thursday. Photo: Melbourne City.

Ahead of Saturday’s Liberty A-League Women trip to Moreton Daily Stadium to face Brisbane Roar, Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic (28/1/22).

A much depleted Melbourne City side travel to face Brisbane Roar on Saturday looking to get back on the winners’ rostrum after suffering a 3-0 loss at leaders Sydney FC last weekend.

Vidosic highlighted the difficult preparations that his side face for Saturday’s game in Queensland. “We’ve got only the bare minimum to travel with. We’ve got a few injuries, a few Corona cases, and one (player), obviously with the Matildas. So we’re travelling with 16, the minimum number and we just hope that everyone will be negative on rapid tests.”

Whilst declining to reveal which players are injured or have tested positive for COVID, City’s head coach revealed how those with the virus are doing. “One is feeling well and the other only received their positive test back this morning (Thursday). She’s feeling sick, but this is as she is in the first few days, so hopefully, in a few more she will be OK.

Reviewing the loss at Sydney last weekend, Vidosic was blunt and detailed. “You have to take some lessons from losing. It came down to (the fact that) they (Sydney) wanted it more. They managed to put their game on top of us, so we were not capable of stopping them and we did not play our game.

“It came down to, in the first half, that we were second best in effort, intensity, and attitude. We were just not at the races. We acted a bit better in the second half, we had a goal disallowed and then didn’t mark properly from a corner. That is disappointing.

“When you look at the rosters, we have maybe more experienced players than them (Sydney). From an experience point of view, we should have been better, but then again, the bounce of the ball, the reactions, and all those other little things that need to compliment each other weren’t there. I hope it was a one-off and that we don’t have any games like that again.

“We were not making enough forward runs and when that happens, you can’t get behind opponents. That was a problem. Sydney FC mainly played the forward balls over the top of us to get through. We pride ourselves on a similar game, they (Sydney) played theirs, but we didn’t play ours. We have addressed this.

**Above;** Melbourne City in training this week ahead of their trip to Brisbane Roar. **Supplied to *Impetus* by:** Melbourne City.

“They (Sydney) are a good team, full of confidence and they apply their principles to a ‘T’ and we didn’t apply ours. The good thing is that we will play them again, so we get a chance to get our revenge.”

Vidosic spoke about the return of Sally James in goal at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, coming on as a late substitute for Melissa Barbieri.

“It was good to see her back. She had a fracture of her thumb and then COVID. She is someone who had a harder time to bounce back, but now she is OK. Not 100%, but we want to expose her as much as possible and give her as much game time as possible.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s game in Brisbane, Melbourne City’s head coach is clear what his expectations are. “We need to get ourselves back to what we were like before the Sydney game – being relentless, being dominant. I’m quite sure that we will get at least that side of the game right.”

Vidosic also regards the Roar as a team with a number of very dangerous players who are capable of doing serious damage.

“I watched them (Brisbane) here in Melbourne when they played Melbourne Victory and before it you would have bet your house that Melbourne Victory would win that game and they lost, they copped four goals. They (Brisbane) have some good players.

“Larissa (Crummer) and Shea (Connors) are doing really well at the moment. They have a solid backline and a good goalkeeper. Then you have ‘Mini’ (Katrina Gorry), She is a Matilda, a fantastic player, an Asian player of the year a few years ago. She can command that midfield, she can score goals from a long distance. It will not be an easy game for sure.”

Taking a slightly longer-term view on his team’s fortunes, with the season now past its halfway mark, Vidosic said: “Look, we’ll see where we finish. We want to win as many games as we can. Do we want to win the league? I don’t think anyone can win the league, it is up to Sydney to lose now. I am 100% sure that Melbourne Victory will have a good go at them and we will have a good go at them when we meet them (again).

“When you see them play against other teams, they (Sydney) are so much better than anyone, I don’t see them losing many games between now and the end of the season.”

Gustavsson Speaks About Group Stage Positives

Above: Clare Wheeler and Tony Gustavsson pictured at their media conference yesterday. Photo: AFC Asia Women’s Cup.

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson was joined by midfielder Clare Wheeler to discuss the Matildas game against Thailand at the AFC Asia Cup. Photo: Football Australia (28/1/22).

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson spoke about the positives he took from his players’ reaction to the last gasp concession in their 2-1 win over Thailand when he faced the media in Mumbai.

Gustavsson also highlighted the importance of Cortnee Vine to the team and how he sees her as being capable of influencing a game both from deep and in attack.

He first turned his attention to the last gasp goal for Thailand which meant that the Matildas narrowly missed out on navigating the group stage without conceding.

“My first thoughts are how upset the team were after the game. They were upset that we conceded in overtime. We put pride in clean sheets and we have done a phenomenal job defensively. When we lose the ball, we work hard, but the players were really upset that we conceded that goal, and that says a lot about the mission that these players are on now. Instead of celebrating a group stage win, they were upset about conceding a goal. That says a lot about their mindset and that makes me happy.

“The other thing that makes me happy is that we had two clear goals for the group stage, one that we win the group and the other that we have our players fit and in the peak of form. The fact that we have had every one of our 23 players on the park during our group stage sends out a message that we need everyone, and I’m really happy that we have had everyone on the park.”

The Matildas head coach explained in greater detail the thinking behind using all of his available players across the group stage, and the order in which they were selected.

“I’ve been really happy with the way we’ve managed the load of the players during the group stage. The team behind the players has done a phenomenal planning job and spent a lot of hours looking at players who haven’t played for a month coming in and others who have played a lot. Some players needed consistent minutes, others needed heavy minutes at the start and then a bit of a rest. Some players we needed to be careful with at the start of the tournament so they didn’t get injured and so they weren’t used until today.

“I’m happy from both a physical perspective and a football perspective. No matter who was on the park we played the same way. We had an aggressive mindset, we attacked a lot. There were a lot of chances, I think 24 shots again. We could have scored a lot more.”

**Above:** The Australia team that started yesterday’s final Group B game at the AFC Asia Cup against Thailand. **Photo** **provided to *Impetus* by:** Football Australia.

Gustavsson last came up against Thailand during the 2019 World Cup in France when he was part of the USA’s coaching setup. The Swede offered his thoughts on their development over the past two and a half years.

“I think they are a very well-organized team. They have some interesting individual skill-sets and they acted a bit differently (in the match against Australia) than how they were earlier in the group stage when I watched them. They were very conservative in defending and they went a bit longer from the goalkeeper than I have seen before as I was impressed previously with their passing game.

“They took very minimum risks (against Australia) which surprised me because they are very good in their attacking game. I can understand it though as we are good in our pressing game and they didn’t want to take any risks. I see a (Thailand) team that is well organized with a lot of technical players in it.”

Cortnee Vine made her first start for the Matildas in the match, and Gustavsson explained his thinking behind playing her in a deeper role than she has done for Sydney FC in the A-League Women this season.

“We’ve been working in the pre-tournament camp with different options among our roster and different tools. Vine has a really interesting profile as a player. She is an expert out wide taking players on, one-on-one. She was one of the best attackers in this game during the first half, for example. She created a lot on the right side for us.

“But also with her pace and her decision making, she could be a backup for us in the outside-back position both with her pace and with her passing. We tried her as a right-back in Dubai in the pre-camp because we want to have a different profile of players and also because of load. Ellie Carpenter had a yellow card going into this game and also load-wise needed a rest.

“Towards the end, we needed to sub her (Vine) out for fatigue and bring Kyah (Simon) on which meant Simon dropped into right-back.”

Gustavsson ended by praising the resilience in his players after Tameka Yallop tested positive for COVID ahead of the game.

**Above:** Tony Gustavsson explains the positives from Australia’s group stage campaign. **Photo:** AFC Asia Women’s Cup.

“We’ve had many camps with COVID safe protocols now. The players’ ability to adapt and change has really impressed me. The players feel trust in our medical team and the COVID protocols that are in place. We have experts around us and we follow their guidance.”

Clare Wheeler was also present at the media conference and outlined her thoughts on the game against Thailand.

“Regardless of your normal starters, you need 23 players to win the trophy, including game-changers off the bench and that is what you saw today. We tried our hardest and with the goal (that Thailand scored), it’s something that we will look to improve on. Everyone has played a role in the group stage and we can be proud of that.”

The Fortuna Hjørring midfielder spoke about the importance she gave to the game as Australia was virtually assured qualification as group winners regardless of the outcome.

“Every match we want to do our best. We have our standards. It doesn’t matter if it’s a group match, a play-off, or a quarter-final, so every game is like a final for us.”

Wheeler concluded by speaking, from a player’s perspective, about team-mate Yallop’s positive COVID test.

“We’re all around Tameka (supporting her). We trust our medical team and all openly communicate about how we are feeling and make changes if we need to. Things like this in the group bring us closer together.

Wanderers and Adelaide Set For Marconi Showdown

Above: Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Catherine Cannuli speaking to the media on Thursday. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.

Round Nine of the Liberty A-League Women kicks off on Friday night with Western Sydney Wanderers hosting Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium. Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from head coaches, Catherine Cannuli of Wanderers, and Adelaide’s Adrian Stenta (27/1/22).

Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Catherine Cannuli emphasized that she is positive her team has what it takes to improve their goalscoring record and make Finals football.

Cannuli began her media conference by addressing the disappointment of last week’s game against Perth Glory. “We’ve reviewed it. We had been getting better and better, but for some reason, we came out against Perth and, apart from the first 10 minutes we got on the back foot. It wasn’t a great performance, but we have to pick ourselves up.”

Asked about the team’s focus in training, the Wanderers head coach said: “Look, it’s no surprise. We haven’t been scoring goals (only two in seven matches this season) and that’s something that’s been the main focus for us over the last few weeks and it is something we will continue to work on.”

**Above:** Western Sydney Wanderers in training this week ahead of their game with Adelaide United. **Supplied to *Impetus* by:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney take this week’s game to Marconi Stadium, the only match scheduled in the A-League Women for the iconic 9,000 capacity venue during 2021/22. It’s a ground that Cannuli can’t wait to get back to.

“It’s got such good football history. As a young girl, I grew up playing at Marconi and watching the old NSL there. It’s special to get a game there, especially for the local community at Fairfield, and hopefully we’ll get a good crowd there. We often get a lot of the junior clubs supporting us there (see mini-article below).”

Cannuli closed by highlighting the aims she has for her team for the rest of the season. “We’re not going to give up. We’ve spoken about what this club is about and our culture. We’re going to go out there and get as many points as we can from every single game and we’re going to keep fighting for (a place in) that Finals series.

Club Welcome Grassroots Players To A-League Women Action

Western Sydney Wanderers FC will be opening the gates to all registered players under 16 at Friday night’s Liberty A-League clash against Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium.

Registered players wishing to claim their free tickets should click on this link.

**Above:** Adelaide United head coach Adrian Stenta pictured during training this week. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United.

Adelaide United head coach Adrian Stenta is determined that his side will produce a more ruthless display in the final third of the field as they travel to face Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night, a team they have never beaten in New South Wales.

He hinted that his team faced a performance from their last opponents, Wellington Phoenix, that they were not quite expecting. “They (Phoenix) played a lot more pragmatically than they had previously, stronger defensively, and were quicker than they had been before. It was a challenging game.

“Some of our build-up play was good and we managed to get ourselves into some good areas, but we were not as good as we needed to be in the final third.”

With the season now just past the halfway mark, Stenta reviewed his team’s progress so far.

“I’m reasonably happy, (but) we need to be more consistent. We’ve found it hard to string 90 minutes together and performances back to back. There’s been some real positives, but there is a lot of work to do.

**Above:** Adelaide United pictured in training this week. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United.

“To be sitting in the position we are (Adelaide are in fourth place) and know that we still have some growth and improvement in us, fills me with some hope moving forward.”

Stenta highlighted his expectations of the game at Marconi Stadium saying, “Any away game is hard. It’s going to be a really tight game. Western Sydney have had trouble scoring goals, but they haven’t conceded many (only five in seven games). It’s probably going to be a game of few chances, so quality in that final third is going to be all important.

“They are a well set up team and defensively very sound. It’s going to be about keeping patient and trying to circulate the ball if we can, but like most matches, it will probably come down to a few key moments. We need to be aware of those and make the most of them when they present themselves.”

Stenta ended his media conference with positive selection news. “We’ve pretty much got everyone available for the first time this season, so it’s a tough week to pick a squad of 16 to travel and play. That’s a good position for me to be in and it’s up to the players to prove their worthiness at training.”