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Hintzen Influence Leaves Phoenix Heartbroken

Perth Glory 3-2 Wellington Phoenix

By Ben Gilby (31/1/22)

Exclusive Photos from: Kris Goman at Wanderers Football Park

Above: All eyes on the ball as Perth Glory launch a second-half attack. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

Perth Glory showed their character in adversity once more to come from behind with two goals in the last 10 minutes to defeat winless Wellington Phoenix in a hugely entertaining encounter in Blacktown, New South Wales.

This is the third time during the season that Alex Epakis’ team has scored goals in the final stages of the game and are now in the top four and on course for Finals football after failing to win a game last year.

The result is rough on Wellington who produced an excellent performance, particularly in the first half, where their youngsters showed real ability, energy. and belief.

Perth went into the game with an unchanged starting line-up, there were welcome returns on the bench for Demi Koulizakis and Cyera Hintzen after injuries. Wellington’s squad showed several changes after head coach Gemma Lewis dropped Te Reremoana Walker and Jordan Jasnos completely and Isabel Gomez to the bench for disciplinary reasons.

**Above:** Alyssa Whinham of Wellington Phoenix against Perth Glory yesterday. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Alyssa Whinham was the best of the Phoenix crop for much of the game. She was busy and full of pace. Her duels with Glory defender Kim Carroll, her senior by 16 years, provided an entertaining subplot.

It was Perth who came closest in the initial arm-wrestle. With 13 minutes on the clock, Kate Taylor’s attempted clearance went straight to Deborah-Ann de la Harpe, who curled in a cross to Hana Lowry. The teenager’s header on the run landed onto the roof of the net.

Immediately afterward, the Western Australians hit the front. Grace Wisnewski’s pass through the midfield was aimed at Zoe McMeeken, but instead found Glory’s Abbey Green. After a pass inside, Green was played in and advanced along the left to play a ball in for Sofia Sakalis who got a shot away which deflected into the net off of Nix defender Taylor.

Phoenix weathered a short-term Perth storm after the goal and, to their credit replied within six minutes. McMeeken played a ball inside from the right which eventually found its way to Whinham. The 18-year-old played a glorious angled pass between two Glory defenders for Grace Jale to finish. It was the first time Wellington have scored a goal after going behind this season.

In-form Deborah-Ann de la Harpe looked to add to her free-kick success of last week with 20 minutes of the half remaining. The set-piece was awarded after Taylor shoved Sakalis in the back despite the Perth attacker facing away from goal with no imminent danger on. The young Wellington defender was not punished as the resulting free-kick was comfortably held by Lily Alfeld.

Phoenix was buoyed by their equalizer, winning several corners and keeping Morgan Aquino busy as they put together one of their most consistent attacking periods of the campaign.

From one such attack, Wisnewski ran through the middle to find Chloe Knott on the left, just outside the box. The ball in towards Pritchard was tempting, but Aquino gathered.

However, the danger had not passed for Perth as Phoenix was presented with a catalogue of errors.

Aquino threw the ball ahead of herself just outside the box to launch a clearance, but the throw was slightly too far which allowed Knott in to challenge. The Perth goalkeeper’s attempted rushed clearance deflected off of Knott and ran to the left of goal where the Phoenix forward slid a shot towards the far post which, as Aquino fell, rolled over the line.

**Above:** Chloe Knott in the process of scoring Wellington Phoenix’s second goal of the game. **Photo**: Kris Goman for *Impetus*

Wellington was full of energy and belief as the half neared its climax. The desire was clear for all to see. If Perth could not counter that in the second half, then Phoenix’s first-ever victory was there for the taking.

The crucial difference in Perth’s performance in comparison to their win over Western Sydney was a less aggressive intensity, and an inability to use the wide areas of the pitch on both flanks to mount attacks.

Glory head coach Alex Epakis responded by replacing Sofia Sakalis for Gemma Craine for the second half. The Derbyshire-born substitute had shown signs of developing a strong understanding with Lisa De Vanna in the early stages of the season before the veteran former Matilda suffered an injury.

Craine’s worth was emphasized within minutes of coming on. de la Harpe muscled Taylor off the ball to put a cross in from the right for the newly arrived attacker to put a shot just wide of the near post.

Phoenix were using a high block in a bid to keep Glory at arms length at the start of the second half. Just before the hour mark, USA-born Hintzen made her return from injury as Epakis looked for another weapon to counter the Phoenix defensive structure. de la Harpe moved back to her previous position in the back four with Green withdrawn.

A frustrating period for Perth got worse with 20 minutes to go. Craine looked to get a shot away and fell awkwardly onto her wrist. The English attacker was in real pain and was forced to leave the pitch. After suffering a season-ending injury in Round Two last season, this was devastating for her.

Koulizakis was introduced for her first start for Perth after recovering from a knee injury. In adversity, once more the Glory showed their fight. Hitherto struggling to create chances in the second half, with 10 minutes to go they began to turn the screw.

Lowry curled a free kick in from the far right which Alfeld superbly tipped onto the bar before the ball fell into the path of Koulizakis who fired over from close range.

**Above:** Mie Leth Jans, left of shot turns the ball across the area for Cyera Hintzen to draw Perth level. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Within moments, sub-Sarah Cain gained possession 25 yards out on the right and squared a ball for Liz Anton. The Kiwi put a high ball into the box first-time which bounced before being turned back in from the left by Jans to an unmarked Hintzen to nod home her second goal in three games this season.

Phoenix responded with a rare chance of their own in the second 45 as Talitha Kramer’s ball in from the left was not dealt with and Gomez fired narrowly over the bar.

Hintzen’s quality was apparent in the final five minutes as she received the ball in the box with her back to goal, beat Mackenzie Barry, and fired just over the top.

Having scored the equalizer, Hintzen turned provider for Perth’s winner. Saskia Vosper fouled Koulizakis on the far left, parallel with the 18-yard box. de la Harpe’s free-kick curled into the back post where it was touched back into the mix by the American for Jans to fire home.

**Above:** Mie Leth Jans fires home Perth Glory’s late winner. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Phoenix had one last chance to get a point. Knott squared a ball for Wisnewski, positioned centrally in the box in stoppage time, but there was no power in the shot and Aquino gathered comfortably.

Perth Glory Alex Epakis was pleased to get the win, but not happy with his team’s efforts in the first half.

“I’m really happy that we found a way to win that game, that’s the sign of a healthy team – not playing well but still getting a win – and in the context of the season and getting to where we want to be, it was a result we needed.

“We were really flat in the first half and it was a bit disappointing. We said what we had to say at half-time. We cleared the air and the second half showed a lot more energy.”

The Perth head coach went into more detail about where he felt things had gone wrong in the opening 45: “We really highlighted all week that they (Phoenix) are a team with good energy because they are so young and naïve. We knew we had to match that energy and in the first-half we didn’t. We created a lot of turnovers which gave them chances and they took them.

“The second half was for the team to respond like a top-four team, because that’s what we want to be, a top-four team.”

The response also came in the impact of Perth’s substitutes, and Epakis emphasized their influence. “If it wasn’t for their energy and desire, I don’t know if we would have gotten out of here with the three points. I highlighted that post-match (with the squad).

**Above:** Demi Koulizakis made her first appearance for Perth Glory, and impressed head coach Alex Epakis. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

“The fact that those players are all coming back from injuries is inspiring and fills me with a lot of hope for what they can offer for the rest of the season.”

One of those substitutes, Gemma Craine picked up what looked to be a broken wrist or hand the Perth head coach was devastated for his player. “It’s not a good injury. I’m thinking about her, we all are. There will be more news in the coming days.”

Summarizing the evening, Epakis said: “I think we need to highlight how impressive the opposition were today. They played with a lot of energy and a lot of spirit and they will make their mark on the competition in due course.

“Today was the first opportunity that we had to see our two nines that we signed (pre-season) Demi (Koulizakis) and Cyera (Hintzen). To have them both on the field at the same time was a telling sign and we hope that partnership can build for the rest of the season.”

Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis was frustrated that her team were not able to get over the line to win their first three points. She reflected: “It did feel like we had the win in us this time around. Again we got into that mindset of defending the win, rather than playing, rather than sticking to our own game. You can’t spend 45 minutes trying to defend a 2-1 lead.”

**Above:** Despite plenty of effort, as seen in Grace Wisnewski’s excellent sliding tackle on Perth’s Lisa De Vanna, Wellington Phoenix came up short again. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

As Perth continued to build pressure in the final stages, Lewis saw parallels with her team’s game with Brisbane Roar when they previously let a lead slip.

“We’ve seen us do it in the past so it’s frustrating that we’re not learning from that and realizing we can’t let opposition dictate especially when we’re leading and having good positive moments in the game.

“If we stuck to our game plan and focused on us rather than focussed on defending the lead I think we would have taken the sting back out of it and controlled the game a bit more.

“It’s something we’ve going to have to address and something we’re going to have to work out how to move through because we want to be leading in games, we want to be winning and we want that not to be a terrifying aspect for us.”

Kris Goman’s Exclusive Photo Gallery From Wanderers Football Park:

Click on the arrow at the right-hand side of the photo to advance the slide show

Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-3-3): Aquino, Rigby, Anton, K.Carroll, Green, Lawrence, Lowry, Jans, de la Harpe, Sakalis, De Vanna. Substitutes: Newbon (GK), Koulizakis, Cain, Hintzen, Craine.

Scorer: Taylor 14′ (OG), Hintzen 81′, Jans 88′.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): Alfeld, McMeeken, Barry, Taylor, Kramer, Whinham, Jones, Wisnewski, Pritchard, Knott, Jale. Substitutes: Edwards (GK), Vosper, Gomez, Martin, Lancaster.

Scorers: Jale 20′, Knott 39′

Referee: Rachael Mitchenson.

Attendance: 84.

Gorry On Move To Vittsjö and Becoming a Roar Centenarian

Above: Katrina Gorry in action for Brisbane Roar against Canberra United this season. Photo: Brisbane Roar.

Brisbane Roar midfielder Katrina Gorry has announced that she will be moving to Sweden’s Damallsvenskan at the end of the A-League Women season to join Vittsjö.

The Swedish side, the home club of Gorry’s fellow Brisbane Roar legend Clare Polkinghorne, agreed to let the former Matilda see out the season with the Queensland side ahead of their league season kicking off in March.

“I’m really excited about it the move,” enthused Gorry. “Obviously, I spoke to Polks (Clare Polkinghorne) when she was here and she only said good things about the club, they’re a family club and that’s important.”

The midfielder explained how the process behind accepting the move to Sweden began a while ago with a conversation between herself and baby Harper.

“I promised her and myself that I’d do what it took to get back into the national team and be in contention for that 2023 World Cup.”

**Above:** Katrina Gorry talking to the media today about her move to Sweden. **Photo:** Brisbane Roar.

Any move overseas is a challenge, both professionally and personally, particularly for a single Mum, but Gorry knows that she has a lot of support behind her.

“It’s going to be hard, being a solo Mum, but we’ve got Polks over there and the club (Vittsjö) have been awesome about it. It’s going to be an awesome adventure. She (Harper) is going to be speaking Swedish and I won’t know what she’s saying!”

Unlike some of last seasons’ transfers from A-League Women clubs to Scandinavia, Gorry will be remaining in Queensland until the end of the season. Something that was very important to her.

“Brisbane Roar have been a massive support for me after coming back from having Harper and I wouldn’t want to leave them halfway through the season. This group are special for me.”

The 29-year-old spoke about how her return to the game after giving birth to Harper had gone. “I didn’t realise how quickly my body would recover. I didn’t put any pressure on myself, but it all came naturally. I haven’t enjoyed playing football as much since I was about 12 years-old and I think it’s showing in my performances.”

With Gorry becoming one of the competition’s elite club of players to make over a hundred appearances, something even more special as they are all with one club, the Queenslander summerized the frustrating campaign that her side has had so far.

“We’ve had disappointing losses, but we’ve stayed together and we want to move on and put games to bed. We’re so hungry to win. We need to be clinical in attack and finish our chances. It’s my tenth season with the Roar and something I’m really proud of.”

**Above:** Brisbane Roar head coach Garrath McPherson speaking to the media today about Katrina Gorry’s move and hundredth game. **Photo:** Brisbane Roar.

Brisbane Roar head coach Garrath McPherson was full of pride in Katrina Gorry as her move to Sweden was announced.

“I’m always pleased when European clubs come after our players. We knew it was a matter of time for her. Part of our role for ‘Mini’ (Gorry) this year was to help her get back to full fitness after giving birth to Harper

“She was always going to go and had our blessings to go. She knows that she still has work to do to be fully ready for that level of competition (the Damallsvenskan). She’ll use everything in our environment to make sure that she is strong, fit, and healthy before she goes. The extra time here will help her.

“Our high-performance staff have been working with her for the past four or five months and she is reaping the rewards for that.”

McPherson closed by revealing how the club marked Gorry’s hundredth appearance. “Ah! We had a morning tea and a special cake! We also know that the Roar Corps (fan group) are looking to do some special things at our next home match next week against Adelaide.

Matildas Need To Learn But Expectations Need To Change

Above: The Matildas gather after the final whistle in Pune yesterday which signalled their exit from the Asia Cup. Photo: Football Australia.

After their shocking exit from the AFC Asia Cup at the Quarter-Final stages, Kieran Yap considers whether it is time to evaluate what success at next year’s home World Cup would look like (31/1/22).

Tournament football is a funny thing. The Matildas played four games, scored 24 goals, conceded twice, and lost once. If that record was taken into the fifth round of a league campaign the club’s supporters would shrug it off.

Despite the end of a winning streak, they would be happy with that start to a season, the foundations of a good team are there, they just had an off day.

Obviously, the Asian Cup is different. There is no next week, it is a four-year wait until the next opportunity. The Matildas are out despite going in as favorites, an off day, or even a poor moment can have generational consequences.

The problems in this game were easy to spot. Poor finishing, an overreliance on Kerr, and a lapse in concentration at the back.

Nobody will be harder on themselves than manager Tony Gustavsson and Sam Kerr. The ever-heroic superstar had multiple chances to take the lead or draw level. While her shots were near-misses, Ji So Yun took her one clear opportunity and scored with a contender for goal of the tournament.

**Above:** The frustration is apparent on the faces of Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy as another chance goes begging yesterday. **Photo:** Football Australia.

In the aftermath of this early exit, we should be careful in how we value The Matildas and anticipate the 2023 World Cup.

They are popular among fans for more than just their wins, and they represent many people from society in many ways. Their impact on football in this country and the sporting landscape has been their legacy so far.

People enjoy football in their own way. There will be many dissecting the games, the lineups, and the tactics because they love to, and others enjoy the game as entertainment, as an unpredictable, dramatic spectacle, and for the community among fans.

When the tournament starts, we will all benefit if we can enjoy it as a celebration.

But the 2023 World Cup should not be judged as a success or failure based on a Matildas win.

The World Cup is an event with the purpose of leaving a legacy beyond the actual matches. The aims of 50/50 participation and the hopes that the game can grow at all levels are high on the list of priorities, regardless of if Australia lifts the trophy.

The future of the women’s game in Australia cannot rest on the result of a penalty shootout.

**Above:** Alanna Kennedy’s reactions at the final whistle were mirrored across Australia. **Photo:** Football Australia.

The Matildas most impressive World Cup run in 2015 came on the back of hope, not expectation. Somewhere along the way, some supporters started to demand success instead of enjoying it.

An 18-0 win became a cause to look for problems, in the quest for perfection it was hard as fans to savor the victories and now only have shared misery and frustration to unite us.

In the shadow of a home World Cup, the initial elation of hosting has shifted to the realization that this is a good chance to win it, to frantically worrying that this is the ONLY chance to win it.

This is born of hype not reality and the thrill of having a FIFA World Cup in Australia is at risk of being smothered by the expectation on our team.

A look back at history shows that our chances were never really enhanced by being one of the home teams, let alone this being our “best ever” opportunity.

Since the women’s World Cup started, It has been won by the host just once, the USA in 1999. For the men, it has been 24 years since France lifted the trophy as the home side.

Brazil’s men’s side went into their home World Cup in 2014 with a similar build-up to Australia’s for 2023. The exuberance of hosting covered over the cracks in the national setup that were obvious to objective observers, a lack of depth, and an overreliance on Neymar (sound familiar?)

**Above:** The overreliance on Sam Kerr is one of the many problems that Tony Gustavsson needs to solve quickly. **Photo:** FootbalL Australia.

When they spectacularly imploded 7-0 in a semifinal it was surprising only by its scale.

Australia will not similarly implode in 2023, but there are cracks in the on-field setup. The coaching staff are clearly aware of them, that is why they have introduced so many players in the last year.

However, the football public needs to remember that we have no right to success. Statistically, being the home side actually gives us less chance of winning the World Cup.

This is not to say we need to adjust our hopes, or even re-evaluate the team’s potential. They can beat anybody on their day, and they will rightfully back themselves on game day.

But The Matildas will now go in as underdogs, it is a position they are more accustomed to and the pressure should be relieved slightly on and by us as a football public.

The notion that the tournament will be a disaster if they do not win it is wrong and has the potential to add pressure when they should be able to focus on one game at a time.

As a football community, we have the chance to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience together. To support the Matildas, (hopefully) welcome fans from across the world, and watch many other brilliant teams. We should not lose sight of this

If we do, it may be a more costly missed opportunity than any of the chances that went begging against South Korea.

**Above:** The Australia team that took on South Korea yesterday line-up pre-game. Photo: Football Australia.

FA Cup Fourth Round Review

Above: Southampton celebrate their outstanding win over Bristol City in front of a big crowd at St. Mary’s Stadium. Photo: Southampton FC.

By Darrell Allen (31/1/22)

A busy weekend of Vitality Women’s FA Cup action saw 16 ties take place across the weekend.

The first two were on Saturday as Manchester City and Chelsea had no problem progressing ahead of their league meeting with each other next weekend.

Georgia Stanway became Manchester City Women’s top scorer of all the time with her hat trick the highlight of an 8-0 win at tier three Nottingham Forest. A brace from Bunny Shaw and other goals from Caroline Weir, Lauren Hemp, and Filippa Angeldal sealed the win. An impressive crowd of 3,994 gathered at the City Ground.

**Above:** Georgia Stanway pictured with the match ball after becoming Manchester City Women’s leading goalscorer at the City Ground. **Photo:** Manchester City.

Chelsea won comfortably 3-1 at Aston Villa. A brace from Guro Reiten and a penalty from Pernille Harder had the visitors in command. Villa got a late consolation goal when Ramona Petzelberger scored from the spot in front of 1,093.

On to Sunday’s 14 ties, and Arsenal overcame FA Women’s Championship side London City Lionesses 1-0. Vivianne Miedema on target.

Step Four Billericay Town took Championship side Coventry United to penalties, but it was the visitors who avoided the upset by winning 4-2 on penalties.

FA Women’s Super League strugglers Birmingham City needed extra time to see off ninth-placed Championship side Sunderland 2-1 after extra time. Veatriki Sarri opened the scoring for the Blues before Keira Ramshaw equalized for Sunderland four minutes from time to force an extra half hour. Lucy Whipp scored the winner in the 100th minute to send the home side through.

**Above:** Action between Manchester United and Bridgwater United in front of a packed house at Bridgwater’s 2,500 capacity stadium. **Photo:** Manchester United.

Manchester United were 2-0 winners at third-tier Bridgwater United with Hayley Ladd and Ella Toone on target to help them overcome a tricky cup tie.

A dramatic game in Crawley between FAWSL duo Brighton and Hove Albion and Reading saw the visitors get the better of a five-goal thriller. Justine Vanhaevermaet and Olympic Gold medallist Deanne Rose put Reading in control before Emma Koivisto and Kayleigh Green levelled it up for Brighton. Tia Primmer won it for The Royals in the 83rd minute with 638 spectators present.

In an all Championship tie, Durham saw off Blackburn Rovers 3-1 thanks to goals from Beth Hepple, Liz Ejupi, and Sarah Robson. Annabel Blanchard scored for the visitors on the hour but it was no more than a consolation.

Everton, Liverpool, and Charlton Athletic were all big winners.

Anna Anvegard, a brace from Valerie Gauvin, and Claire Emslie were all on target as Everton won 4-0 at third-tier Huddersfield Town in front of a record crowd of 1,168.

**Above:** Spectacular action involving Everton and Huddersfield Town. **Photo:** @MarkDParsons

A hat trick from Leighanne Robe and goals from Katie Stengel, Meikayla Moore, and Charlotte Wardlaw saw Liverpool beat Lincoln City 6-0, although it was a day to be proud for the fourth tier side who put in an excellent performance.

Championship side Charlton Athletic overcame a potential banana skin winning 6-0 at third-tier Plymouth Argyle. Katie Robinson opened the scoring before second-half strikes from Bethan Roe, Jorja Fox, Lois Roche, Vyan Sampson, and Mia Ross sealed the win in front of 469 fans.

Ipswich Town of tier three overcame a tricky tie at fourth-tier Newcastle United winning 1-0 in front of a superb crowd of 2,700. A solitary goal from Lucy O’Brien was enough to send the Tractor Girls through.

West Ham United were 4-1 winners at Championship side Sheffield United thanks to two goals from Claudia Walker plus single strikes from Megan Filis and Dagný Brynjarsdottir. Bex Rayner was on target for the home side.

**Above:** Claudia Walker in possession for West Ham United at Sheffield United. **Photo:** West Ham United.

There was an upset of sorts as third-tier Southampton beat Bristol City, an FAWSL side last season 1-0 after extra-time thanks to a goal from Ella Morris. However, Southampton is a team on the rise and are expected to be a tier-two side along with Bristol City in the not-too-distant future. The South Coast side were roared on by a superb crowd of 3,638.

Leicester City were victorious in an all-FAWSL clash at Tottenham Hotspur as the hosts took the lead with Angela Addison opening the scoring before Shannon O’Brien equalized for Leicester to force extra time. Sophie Howard and Esmee De Graff scored in the additional half-hour to see the visitors through.

In the day’s final game, it was a 0-0 draw between tier-three West Bromwich Albion and fourth-tier Exeter City which then saw the Midland side progress with a 4-2 win on penalties.

Mutual Respect In Challenging Situations

Above: Perth Glory players deep in discussion during their last visit to Wanderers Football Park when they took on Canberra United. Photo: Kris Goman.

Ahead of Monday’s Liberty A-League Women game between Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix, Ben Gilby heard from both head coaches, Perth’s Alex Epakis and Wellington’s Gemma Lewis plus the Glory’s in-form star Deborah-Ann de la Harpe (30/1/22).

Perth Glory’s head coach Alex Epakis has added constant changes to his team’s scheduling this week to the list of challenges his team are facing on the road.

The APL this week confirmed Perth’s next two fixtures as being against Wellington Phoenix in Blacktown, NSW on Monday and then Canberra United at Viking Park, ACT next weekend. It is yet another change to what was expected for Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis.

“We just add it to the list! There’s so many things. Changing the (Phoenix) fixture from a Sunday to a Monday, yeah, it is what it is.

There was a hint of frustration in the Perth head coach as he went on. “There are a lot of things that have made this trip (into a North Sydney hub) difficult, and this just adds to it. The (Phoenix) game was moved from a Saturday to Sunday and now to Monday. Maybe by tomorrow, it’ll be being played on Tuesday!”

Epakis also confirmed the club’s remaining fixtures to the best of his knowledge. “It should go on as scheduled but games due to be played in Perth will take place on the east coast (due to Western Australia’s extended border closure).”

This means that Perth is due to play away games in Canberra and Melbourne having been permanently based in New South Wales since the end of December. However, their head coach is solely focusing on the here and now.

“It’s too hard to look further ahead than the game coming up. I haven’t given it (the schedule) much attention if I am being honest. I’m just looking at the game I know we are playing.”

Looking back at Glory’s dominant performance in defeating Western Sydney Wanderers in Gosford last weekend, the head coach reflected with pride:

“The performance…was, in my opinion, the best in the two seasons that I’ve been here. It gives the group a lot of confidence as what we’re focusing on all came to life in that match.

“We’re one point outside of the (top) four and we’ve knocked over a pretty established club (Western Sydney Wanderers) on the weekend. I’m not sure that anyone gave us that respect coming into the season as being something we could achieve.”

**Above:** Deborah-Ann de la Harpe (middle) and Abbey Green (second right) – two of Perth Glory’s key players in recent games. **Photo:** Perth Glory.

Highlighting the form of Deborah-Ann de la Harpe, Perth’s head coach said: “Deb’s a great runner of the ball and a great athlete.

“Her delivery with right and left feet is really good. We played her at left-back for most of last season as a right-footed player.

“To have her skillset across four different positions (right-back, left-back, left-wing, and right-wing) is a huge bonus for us.

“I know the quality that she has and for it to be showcased now is great for her.”

Epakis then mentioned his pride in the recent performances of Abbey Green, a winger who has been playing at full-back.

“As a coach, I think that the most in-form 11 players need to find a way onto the field. Abbey has been doing a lot of good work at training.

“She has natural qualities, she is dynamic running forward. Abbey is robust physically and has the character to really want to go into challenges.

“All of those ingredients, when you put them together, you work out that she can play left-back. It’s something I’ve thought about after working with her closely these last few weeks.

“If you look around the competition, there is a lack of left-footed left-backs. For Abbey’s own development, it’s a good position for her going forward.

“Credit to her, she is embracing it. She marked Erica Halloway last weekend who is one of the most experienced wingers in the competition and did a phenomenal job.

“It could be a long-term option, but at the moment I’m just focusing on Abbey in the immediate games.”

Attention then turned to the specifics of Monday’s game against Wellington Phoenix who Glory’s women are facing for the first time.

Relations are very good between the two sides from their A-League Men’s Long Distance Derby matches. With both teams based in New South Wales this season, the upcoming match takes on almost a local derby angle.

Perth’s head coach revealed his huge respect for the Phoenix, whose experiences mirror a lot of his own team’s over the past two seasons.

“Ah, if I could give them all a hug, I would,” Epakis said. “I know the pain of last year and there are a lot of similarities.

**Above:** Lily Alfeld pictured making s spectacular save for Perth Glory at Western Sydney Wanderers last season. She will face Glory on Monday with Wellington Phoenix. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

“Credit to the coach (Gemma Lewis) and the group. Every game they put in a determined effort. They have my utmost respect for that as the challenges are there for everyone to see.

“We are expecting to come up against a resilient group who, despite some disappointments with heartbreak and goals conceded, fuels…them on.”

The Phoenix team contains one player that Perth Glory is very familiar with. Goalkeeper Lily Alfeld was with the Western Australian side last season and won huge plaudits amidst a difficult campaign.

“Lily’s just unbelievable,” enthused Epakis. “No words can justify the qualities that she has on and off the field.

He emphasized what a tough decision it was not to offer Alfeld a new contract at Perth for this season. “When you can only sign four international players it makes it really difficult to trim and select who those players are. That’s pretty much what it came down to in her circumstance.

“The impact that she will have on that team (Wellington) and on the coaching staff, because she certainly helped me as a coach, will really help set that club up.

Perth Glory does still have one Kiwi in their ranks, defender Liz Anton, a player who has played every minute for the club since she arrived for the 2020/21 season. Epakis was full of praise for her.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for her. She’s really come a long way since she arrived. For someone so young, she has a fixed mind about helping the team, having the right intensity.

“Everything you want as a coach she has. She ticks the boxes well and truly. She has a calming influence on the group.

The Perth head coach highlighted what he wants to see from his own team on Monday. “For us, the key thing is to assert the dominance early and take the energy out of their momentum.

“We have to go in with absolute focus and ensure that our own performances are improving each week. That is the key barometer to our own success as a group.

“If we perform well and take our chances then we know that the results take care of themselves.”

In terms of squad selection for Monday’s game, Epakis revealed that the injury situation is starting to look more positive.

“We’re starting to get closer to having those players back in Susan (Phonsongkham), Cyera (Hintzen), and Demi (Kouliakis). If it’s not this week then I’m hoping next week we will have one or two of them available.

**Above:** Perth Glory defender Deborah-Ann de la Harpe (second left) spoke to the media ahead of Monday’s game with Wellington Phoenix. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Perth Glory star Deborah-Ann de la Harpe, who has moved from full-back to the right-wing with aplomb in recent weeks also spoke at the media conference. She began by emphasizing the strength in adversity within the camp.

“The resilience we’ve build is impressive since it was confirmed that we won’t be returning to Perth this season. It doesn’t defer from our purpose or our goals from being here.

“The vibe in camp is excellent and our form is a response to that.”

The 21-year-old who scored her first ever A-League Women’s goal against the Wanderers last weekend in some style reflected on her incredible strike. “I felt I’ve been hitting the ball well lately. I usually take corners, so the angle was fine.

“Alex has given me the responsibility for the team which I love. I was really happy that I could contribute to the team.”

In terms of reactions to her goal, de-la Harpe revealed: “I just looked at Hana Lowry and she was full of so much passion! I’m really grateful that my family were there as well.”

“I’ve received a lot of advice from the team. Tash (Rigby) and Lisa (De Vanna). Lisa has been giving me a lot of constructive feedback in that position.

“Being able to learn from her, such an experienced player, I really value her opinion. She has helped me in things like decision making, my crossing, and the importance of recovery runs.

“I need to make sure I get back as well as come forward, and those little things are important. You can attack and put in a great ball, but if you are not getting back if you lose possession, they are the one-per-centers and bring the biggest impact.

“With Tash too, it’s really good because we can both play attacking and defensive manner, so we work well together there.”

**Above:** Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis – selection headaches still for a game she believes her team can win. **Photo:** Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis used her media conference ahead of the game to emphasize the parallels that she sees between the two teams. She feels that the Phoenix can draw inspiration from Perth’s growth after a tough season last year.

Phoenix coach Gemma Lewis says the Glory are “doing it pretty hard as well”.

“Their season has been turned upside down halfway through and they’ve had to relocate. And now the WA borders are looking at closing and they don’t know if they’re going to get back,” Lewis told media on Saturday afternoon.

“We can understand and empathize what they’re going through.

“It’s almost like that match-up between two teams that have got a lot of adversity going on, that are trying to improve on performance and improve on results whilst dealing with these things that they’re facing.”

Wellington’s head coach believes her team are more than capable of getting something out of the match in Blacktown.

“It’s one of those games that I look at and I think if our consistency is good, if we execute in the moments that are important in the game, we can win.

“In the opposite scale if we turn up and we’re inconsistent, have one of our more passive games they’ll probably put a decent amount of goals on us.

“I believe we can win it, I believe they’re a good match-up for us and their weaknesses are things we can exploit, but in the same way it could go one way or the other.

“We could end up losing three-nil or we could end up getting our first win. That makes me excited for the game because I think there’s everything up for grabs. I think if they turn up and we turn up then you’ve got yourself a game.”

Looking at her selection issues for the game, Lewis revealed: “There are things we have to work through from a rotation perspective, but we’re also limited in the number of players we’ve got.

Kelli Brown will miss her third straight game with concussion, but the Phoenix head coach explained that she is in the first stages of her potential return.

“She’s been back running (and) she’s back doing passing drills again. She’s actually ticking off her return to play quicker than we thought she would.”

Centre-back Mackenzie Barry has been out for two games with an ankle injury and is likely to play some role on Monday.

“She got through today (Saturday) fine, so that’s positive. Touch-wood she gets through tomorrow fine as well and we’d be pretty comfortable to have Mack back in the squad.”

Fellow defender Cushla Rue was in line to her make her debut, but she suffered an ankle injury at training on Saturday.

“It’s been really poor timing for her, but there’ll be more opportunities I know.”

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).