Above: Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder, who both scored twice, celebrate after Chelsea overcame a difficult start to defeat Leicester City 7-0 at Kingsmeadow. Photo: Ben Gilby for Impetus.
Chelsea eased their way past Leicester City to make the FA Cup Quarter-Finals with five goals in 25 second-half minutes.
Australia’s record scorer Sam Kerr and Danish star Pernille Harder both grabbed a brace, but the scoreline doesn’t exactly tell the full story.
When Leicester visited Kingsmeadow in October, they parked the proverbial bus and defended for their lives. Despite mustering almost 80% possession, it took Chelsea 73 minutes to break the deadlock that day.
This time round, City were well organized across the pitch and had the best of the opening 20 minutes. What ultimately changed the momentum was Sophie Howard’s sending off after 17 minutes after going into a tackle studs first on Jonna Andersson. Whilst the Leicester supports correctly claimed Howard took the ball, the fact is you cannot risk going in to tackles like that without receiving a card.
Chelsea gradually asserted control as the half concluded and scored two good goals through Pernille Harder.
The second half was a slow burner until Sam Kerr’s first goal on the hour mark opened the floodgates. The East Fremantle-born star added a second with Ji scoring a cracker from the left-hand side of the box before Aniek Nouwen and Beth England completed the rout.
Ben Gilby’s Photo Gallery From Kingsmeadow for Impetus:
Above: Adelaide United celebrate clinching their first-ever spot in the Finals. Photo: Adelaide United.
By Kieran Yap (26/2/22)
Perfect weather and Coopers Stadium was the stage for Adelaide United to host Melbourne Victory in a match that for all intents and purposes was a final. The Reds sat in third position and a win would guarantee a first-ever finals spot. Melbourne Victory had Perth Glory breathing down their neck in fourth position.
Victory were buoyed by the announcement that Alex Chidiac’s contract was extended until the end of the season. The playmaker was making a return to her hometown for the first time this season in a must-win game against her former club.
The setting was the first Pride Game in Australian football history. The match was a celebration of the LGBTQI+ community, and the league and Adelaide had strongly promoted the concept midweek. The only smoke in the sky was from a series of rainbow flares from behind the goal. All of the ingredients were in place for the perfect football event.
Catherine Zimmerman had the first chance of the game. Courtney Nevin received the ball in space on the left and whipped in the sort of ball that has become her trademark. The header was wide but Victory earned a corner via a deflection that Analee Grove handled easily.
Both sides had difficulty making passes stick early. Chidiac was incisive with her balls into the final third, but it was the home side that scored first.
Dylan Holmes held up the ball well then flicked a pass to Chelsie Dawber on the wing. The low cross found Fiona Worts who took a touch to open up space, then on the second attempt scored past Casey Dumont.
Above: Scenes of joy after Fiona Worts doubled Adelaide United’s lead. Photo: Adelaide United.
Once Adelaide score, they almost always get another. Worts doubled the lead barely five minutes later. Shay Evans carried the ball on the right and played a terrific ball across to Omiya. She was tackled well by Polly Doran but Emily Hodgson recovered the ball and fed Worts.
Dumont saved the first shot but once again, Worts reacted quickly and tucked it away to make it 2-0.
Adelaide kept the pressure up for the remainder of the half but Victory almost pulled one back. Brooke Hendrix met a corner at the back post and it forced the best out of Grove. She was equal to it, and then again straight after when Hendrix almost scored again from the opposite side.
Grove must be one the league’s most improved players this season. Adelaide United have not boasted the run of clean sheets that Sydney has but in their all-out attacking style, she has been essential and excellent.
Victory found themselves 3-0 down within minutes of the second-half kick-off. If fans were late to their seats they would have missed it. It was that combination again, Dawber to Worts, and this time she only needed one strike to put the ball away after another cross from the right.
Victory’s best chances came from set-pieces, Corners and free kicks always posed a threat but none could be put away. Catherine Zimmerman was removed after a rough tackle which made the uphill climb much steeper.
Above: Adelaide United’s Matilda McNamara (right) challenges Melbourve Victory’s Maja Markovski. Photo: Adelaide United.
Chidiac was as industrious and creative as ever. Kyra Cooney-Cross was involved box-to-box and Polly Doran was as consistent as ever. However, the Adelaide midfield was relentless in their pressure and decisive with the ball. Matilda McNamara and Kayla Sharples seemed impassable in defence and Dylan Holmes was tireless in midfield.
Perhaps the biggest compliment that could be paid to Adelaide United is that none of Victory’s players had a particularly bad game. The home side were just ruthless, confident, and clinical.
In a final moment of heartbreak for Victory, fan favourite and star goalkeeper Casey Dumont was stretchered off after a collision for a 50/50 ball. Maja Markovski moved into goal. It was a worrying end to a tough day for the goalkeeper.
One caveat for Melbourne is their schedule that can be best described as punishing. They have played almost every three days, fatigue, injuries and an international tournament have played a part in recent poor results.
Jeff Hopkins’ players have done extremely well to be in with a chance of another top-four position. But now they find themselves in the odd position of barracking for Sydney FC to beat Perth Glory.
Above: Fiona Worts’ goalscoring run has helped to cement Adelaide United’s spot in the top four this season. Photo: Adelaide United.
Should they make the finals, they will be a threat, they have the attacking talent to deliver on any given day and the tactical nous to grind out wins against the odds. But their destiny has slipped from their own grasp for now.
This day was all about Adelaide United, on-field and off. They achieved this win minus Emily Condon and Paige Hayward, two of their best creative player this season.
Adrian Stenta has outperformed last season, which was to that point their best on record, without Charli Grant and Mallory Weber, who were two of their best players in 2020/21.
Whatever happens next, they have guaranteed finals. They have done it in style and they will fear nobody in the coming weeks.
Above: A battle for possession at Viking Park yesterday. Photo: Anthony Caffery Photographyvia Canberra United.
Canberra United 3-0 Newcastle Jets
By Ben Gilby (26/2/22)
Canberra United continued their fine run of results in the final weeks of the season by sweeping Newcastle Jets aside in wet conditions in the national capital.
Eleven minutes were on the clock when Canberra hit the front. Lauren Keir’s corner on the left was originally headed away by Sophie Harding. Possession was recycled back via Jets’ Bethany Gordon to Keir who returned the ball back into the mix for Michelle Heyman.
The league’s all-time record goalscorer managed to extricate herself from the close attentions of Cassidy Davis and lay off for Allira Toby to fire home from close range.
Jets had a half-chance to reply within three minutes when Sasha Grove lost possession to Lauren Allan who hit a long-range effort that lacked the power needed to bother Chloe Lincoln in the Canberra goal.
Just before the half-hour mark, another Keir corner from the left led to Canberra doubling their lead. It came in high into the mix. Ally Haran got up highest to nod across the box towards Heyman who flicked a header into the net at the left-hand post.
There was still time for things to get even worse for the Jets as they were swamped by a Canberra high press in stoppage time when trying to play out from the back. It was Heyman once more with the finish as she robbed Tiana Jaber of the ball, rode off an attempted challenge from Kirsty Fenton, and slotted the ball calmly past Claire Coehlo for her sixth goal of the season.
Jets came out after the break and claimed the first chance of the second half on 50 minutes. Liz Eddy hooked a ball through on the half volley to Ash Brodigan, who beat Emma Ilijoski in a footrace, but as Lincoln advanced out of goal the forward put her shot well wide of the far post.
Ten minutes into the half, Ilijoski was given too much space on the left to advance before finding Toby inside. The former Sydney FC star was unmarked and able to hit an effort from almost 30 yards which narrowly cleared Coelho’s crossbar.
Above: Alirra Toby celebrates her goal that put Canberra United 1-0 up. Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography via Canberra United.
Shortly afterwards, Coehlo’s clearance was nodded back from where it came from by Chelsee Washington who found fellow substitute Margot Robinne who advanced before lofting an inch-perfect ball into the path of Caspers whose shot was smothered by the Newcastle keeper.
Canberra were pushing hard for a fourth with Washington being determination personified to persist with her challenge on Eddy, eventually succeeding to get away and win a corner. Heyman was also looking for her hat-trick, and with Jets still affording Canberra too much space, the 61-cap Matilda was able to escape down the left and cut into the box where were effort at the near post was repelled by Coelho’s foot.
After waiting for so long to pick up their first win of the campaign, Canberra have now won two of their last three, recording seven points and scoring ten goals in the process. The Viking Park faithful may well be contemplating a far different ending to the season had those wins started racking up a few weeks earlier.
Above: Adelaide United captain Isabel Hodgson speaks to the media ahead of this weekend’s Pride Game against Melbourne Victory. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from Adelaide United players Isabel Hodgson, Dylan Holmes, and Matilda McNamara ahead of Saturday’s Pride Game against Finals rivals Melbourne Victory(25/2/22).
Adelaide United captain Isabel Hodgson spoke about how excited she is about the feedback she is receiving from all over the country about the A-League’s first-ever Pride match this weekend.
The women’s team sees United host Melbourne Victory with the men hosting Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s going to be amazing and a wonderful day. There are so many great things coming up leading to the game. We’re all excited by having rainbow numbers on the back of our shirts.
“Sport brings us all together. It is not about race or sexuality and something we can all come together to do. Players from other teams are asking for the sizing of jerseys to buy the special Pride jerseys.
Above: Isabel Hodgson speaks to the media with her Pride Game shirt on display along with Josh Cavallo’s. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
“There is a lot of interest from both South Australia and interstate. Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne City’s 86 cap Matildas goalkeeper), who is married to a man has been in touch for a shirt with rainbow numbers on.
“Girls have been messaging me for shirts and they are also openly gay and so they are happy that our club are doing it.”
Saturday’s match is also important from the perspective of the Finals race with two teams well entrenched in the top four coming head to head. Hodgson highlighted the fact that a lot has changed since the two sides last met.
“Victory are a great side and we’re looking forward to playing them. Obviously, we played them on the opening day and lost a lot of goals (Adelaide were defeated 5-1), but we are ready for them now. We are putting the goals away ourselves – eight against Brisbane and four against Wellington!”
Above: Adelaide United midfielder Dylan Holmes speaks of her admiration for club team-mate Josh Cavallo and her club for providing such an inclusive atmosphere. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
Adelaide United’s Matildas capped midfielder Dylan Holmes has spoken of her huge admiration for United men’s left-back Josh Cavallo coming out as being openly gay in October 2021.
“The reaction that Josh received all over the world and different organizations just shows that the football community is right behind Josh and is becoming a more inclusive space. This Pride game is really important to share that message and hopefully, it will inspire people to live their true life and be comfortable.
“When I see Adelaide United embracing this, I feel really honoured that I represent a club with these values and one who is willing to go out publicly to support their players. A lot of my team-mates are gay and a lot of players I’ve played with over the course of my career are gay.
“This Pride game is a chance to celebrate these differences. Feeling safe when you do something you love enables you to feel like yourself and perform at your best. The best moments in my career have happened when I’m feeling comfortable within the team. It translates into your on-field experiences.
“This game day will feel a bit different. Through my career, I’ve never played in a Pride round. I definitely don’t take it lightly. Lots of teammates I’ve had in the past have never been accepted for who they are, so it’s a big step for football, not just in South Australia, but the whole of Australia. Football is a game for everyone.”
Above: Matilda McNamara speaking to the media about the Pride Game and a huge encounter with Finals rivals Melbourne Victory. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
Defender Matilda McNamara emphasized the double importance of this weekend’s match with Melbourne Victory.
“We’re excited for Saturday not just because of the Pride match, but because it is such a massive match for our season.
“Women’s football is such an inclusive environment for the girls for so long, so now we can push that for the men’s game now too.
Adelaide United know that a victory on Saturday will virtually assure them of a Finals place, but McNamara does not feel any extra pressure on the game compared to the last few weeks.
“Realistically, for the past three or four matches, it has felt like we have to win to stay in the Finals race. All the girls are really up for it. We know what is on the line, but we know that if we play at our best, we can beat any other team.
Above: Adelaide United’s Matilda McNamara. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.
“We’re not really talking too much about Finals as that just puts too much pressure on. We are all aware of the fact, but we are going into the match with a view that it is just another game. We were all here last year so know what the pain was like missing out by such a small margin (just one goal).”
The Adelaide defender is also keen to put things right after the South Australian side’s defeat to Melbourne Victory in the opening round. “It wasn’t our best performance, but the scoreline (5-1) wasn’t a completely fair reflection on the game and the girls aren’t going to let that happen again. We are aiming to give Victory a beating on Saturday.
“We play a way that means we are always looking to score goals. We were 4-0 up against Brisbane at halftime but still went out for more (Adelaide eventually won 8-2). We want to take every chance we get in front of goal.”
McNamara has had a strong run of form this season with many starting to push her name towards national team selection, but the defender knows that she just needs to focus on her own game.
“Over the past few years I feel I’ve definitely improved so much with my game and I’m glad that people have noticed it. I know I’ve got more to give and I will keep my focus on that. If those people outside of my control can notice too, then that is great as well.”
Photo: Post match celebrations or Brisbane Roar. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
by Kris Goman (24/2/22)
Brisbane Roar made the trip south to spoil the party for Melbourne City and in front of a vocal Roar Supporters group, made up mostly of players’ families, they achieved that aim and redeemed a bit of pride.
With Brisbane coming off an 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Adelaide United, no one held much hope of the Premier contenders, Melbourne City not winning easily and capturing top place on the ladder. Just a win and three points would see them leapfrog Sydney who have held the top position the whole season.
For most, it was a fait accompli. City had just beaten Sydney last week. The only team in the comp to have done so this season. Brisbane only had two wins the whole season and were beaten convincingly in their last outing. But things are never so straightforward in the Dub. And one key factor is the absence of a couple of key players for City with Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson playing for New Zealand in the She Believes Cup and Holly McNamara out with an ACL injury.
Melbourne start strong and get an early free kick on the left not far from the byline. Rhianna Pollicina curled it into goal but it was cleared by Roar defence successfully.
Then things change and Roar get a bit more possession and start to make some damaging runs. There’s a series of Roar players caught offside before Larissa Crummer has the first shot on goal for Brisbane at 15 minutes in. It’s the first on-target shot for anyone.
TJ Vlajnic sends left-footed shot to the centre of the goal from a corner and Jamilla Rankin heads it away and out for another corner. Taken from the other side, Pollicina directs it to the near post but it’s straight into the side netting.
Katrina Gorry sends in a cross after a short run which results in a corner, only to see it headed away in front of goal by Tori Tumuth.
At 26 minutes into the match, Roar get a throw in that goes long to Shea Connors and she twists, chests it down and takes it towards the box, and shoots. Mariel Hecher gets a toe to it flicking it over Melissa Barbieri’s hands. Bubs releases an expletive, letting everyone know how she feels and it’s repeated on every replay of the goal. Brisbane are ecstatic and celebrate appropriately. They take the lead 1-0.
Above: Brisbane Roar showing their joy against Melbourne City. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
City ambitiously go for goal from the kick-off but Shuttleworth catches it and launches another attack that sees Crummer get tripped up just into the box. No penalty but City are rattled and Roar and invigorated. Will they spoil it for City?
Gorry has a little run around on the right before passing back to Natalie Tathem but Connors is offside.
Kaitlyn Torpey takes a long-range shot and Shuttleworth dives to save it towards the bottom right corner.
Roar get another serious attempt when a short corner is sent in and bounces around but Connors deflects it away from goal instead of into the open goal. Barbieri comes out to grab it just as Connors is trying to kick the ball in and cops a knee to the chest. She’s hurt and arguing with the ref that she had the ball in her hands. A good three minutes of injury time is accounted for here.
Gorry intercepts the resulting goal kick and takes a long-range shot but it’s out to the left.
Connors launches another attack down the left and shoots but it hits the side netting.
Back down the other end and Isabella Shuttleworth, who hasn’t been that busy, has her pass is intercepted by Caitlin Karic but she loses her footing. Pollicina tries to take over but then dives and it’s cleared.
Leah Davidson gets a little run through the centre and shoots but it hits Karic who then takes control and shoots but it skims the crossbar.
A Gorry free kick goes into the box and is cleared before Tatham lobs a high one that goes out.
Above: Shea Connors looks to get away with possession with team-mate Jamilla Rankin looking on. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
They hit the change rooms with Brisbane in the lead 1-0.
Before she leaves the field, Hecher says they are happy and that she thought they’d be struggling. She thought they needed to be more compact and that the game was a bit scrappy but they are happy with the lead. She said they had nothing to lose and no chance to make the finals but want the winning points and are doing it for pride.
During halftime, Caitlin Karic comes off for Chelsea Blissett to go on.
In City’s closest chance of the match, Torpey creates a good run down the right to produce a corner. Vlajnic’s flag kick is directed to Meisha Westland. Her shot bounces up to hit the underside of the crossbar, then was kicked back in to hit the post. Shuttleworth grabs it amidst shouts for a goal but it didn’t cross the line.
Hecher sends Crummer off down the field and Crummer is in a one on one with Barbieri but she shoots straight into her arms. It was a genuine squandered chance to go up 2-0.
Davidson gets a yellow for a foul on Gorry as she gets nutmegged. Gorry takes the free-kick and it goes to the far post but Barbieri has it then drops it and gathers again.
Roar send a nice through ball that Connors runs on to but Barbieri gets there first and scoops it up.
Up the other end and Torpey centres and Vlajnic pops it up and does a half bicycle kick but it’s caught safely by Shuttleworth.
Despite having 60% possession, City just aren’t making the same decisive runs that Roar are. They also are not connecting in the final third.
Barbieri comes right up near to the halfway line and Checker, who’s also pushed forward, has a shot from the top of the box but she’s hooked it slightly and it flies out to the left of the post. There’s a sustained press by City as they get desperate to equalize at the very least.
Above: Fast-paced action from Brisbane Roar’s win at Melbourne City today. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
We’re into stoppage time and City need to win which means two goals in five minutes and they are getting increasingly desperate. Brisbane are just sending long balls out to clear rather than attacking.
Pollicina is shown a yellow for a foul. Checker gets it on the left and shoots another big ball from the top of the box and hits the cross bar beating Shuttleworth.
Torpey has a final run on the left but on transition, Gorry runs down the right and Barbieri comes right out and appears to handle the ball on two occasions outside the box but only gets a yellow. Gorry to take kick. She slides it to Norrie at the corner to waste time and then whistle goes.
Incredibly, Brisbane hold a clean sheet and win and it means Sydney stay top of the table. It’s a big come back from 8-2 loss the previous match. Bizarre.
In the post-match interview Gorry said that Brisbane had been working hard and had some disappointing losses so wanted to ruin a few people’s finals.
Torpey acknowledged that Brisbane fought for the win. It was disappointing. If we won, we would have been top but will keep fighting.
Garrath McPherson said he was proud of Bella Shuttleworth in goal. It was exceptional to keep a clean sheet.
Teams: MELBOURNE CITY: Barbieri, Torpey, Tumuth, Checker, Heatley, Vlajnic, Westland, Davidson, McKenna, Pollicina, Karic. Substitutes: James (GK), Blissett, Chinnama, Malone, Van der Meer.
Above: Leah Embley (far right) in action for Brighouse Town thisseason. Photo supplied by: Leah Embley
Impetus are exceptionally proud to sponsor Leah Embley, midfielder for FA Women’s National League Northern Premier side Brighouse Town. Leah caught up with Ben Gilby recently to discuss how the season has gone since Christmas(24/2/22).
Leah was last featured on Impetus towards the end of last year playing a prominent role in raising awareness for the work of our charity partner Moriarty Foundation’s Indigenous Football Week.
The Brighouse Town midfielder joined her head coach Rob Mitchell and myself on a discussion programme with the charity which was broadcast on SBS television in Australia and on Facebook globally.
Leah highlighted why she was so keen to participate in the event. “I wanted to learn more about the Moriarty Foundation and what they did. I was impressed by how successful they’d been. It’s a really beneficial charity, not just for young people but also for their families too. It was very interesting to speak with the workers there and get more insight on the good work they do.”
Above: Leah (in Brighouse’s away kit) on the charge against Newcastle United. Photo supplied by: Leah Embley.
The half-hour programme can be watched by clicking here: fb.me/e/1VL81dlkg
Turning to on-field matters, after a spell with Blackburn Rovers in the FA Women’s Championship last season, Leah joined Brighouse Town for this campaign. She had previously played in the division for Burnley and has noticed some real increases in quality in tier three in her absence.
“I think the league has definitely improved since the last time I was in it. More money has gone into it and there’s a good group of teams wanting to gain promotion so it’s been tough.
“Every team is challenging in their own way really, Huddersfield is always a big test as they’ve got some good players, and obviously with it being a local derby for us, there’s that as well, which adds a bit of a buzz in the lead up to the game.”
On a personal level, the midfielder has hit top form scoring some outstanding goals as her team continues to impress in their debut season in the FAWNL Northern Premier.
Above: Leah Embley looks to get away from a Leeds United challenger. Photo supplied by: Leah Embley.
“Things have been good. We’ve had a few games called off with the bad weather, but I’ve continued my goal-scoring form which is what I wanted to do to help the team succeed. Off the pitch, I’ve been keeping busy and been doing my own training.
“I went through a spell of scoring some good goals! I’ve been buzzing with it because I’ve been working hard and it feels good to see some results come from that. I’ll keep working hard to make sure it continues.”
Leah sees nothing but positivity in the club’s progression in tier three, but still room for continued improvement.
“I think we took a few teams by surprise at the start of the season, obviously being new into the league nobody really knows what to expect from you. The second half of the season is a bit more challenging as most teams have already played you so know a bit more about us as a team.
“I think it’s been a solid season so far and we’ve taken points off teams nobody probably expected us to, but we’ve also dropped points against teams we wanted to beat so it’s had its ups and downs but it’s been enjoyable.”
Above: Leah Embley looks to escape from the close attentions of her marker against Stoke City. Photo supplied by: Leah Embley.
Now that she has been at Brighouse for a fair few months, Leah is loving life at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and recognizes that she is becoming a better player for making the move there.
“This is probably the best goal-scoring form of my career so far that I’ve been in. I think it comes down to confidence and the coaches believing in me, I don’t think I’d have scored the kind of goals I have without that.
Obviously, being in the Championship with Blackburn was a great experience for me and was a very intense, high standard of football and I’d love to get back to that level again, but I’d like to stay here for a few more seasons as I’ve been enjoying it.”
With the season now entering the final stages, Leah identified her aims between now and the end of April.
“I want to keep scoring, but really as long as we win I’m not bothered who scores. I’ve set myself some personal targets which I want to reach before the end of the season but also as a team I think we can just keep pushing and try to win as many games as possible from now until the end of the season.”
Above: Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Lily Alfeld in training this season.Photo supplied to Impetus by: Wellington Phoenix via Wollongong Mercury.
Lily Alfeld, was the first player to sign for the new Wellington Phoenix club after they joined the A-League Women competition and was announced as their inaugural captain. For this week’s #MidweekDub feature, Lily spoke to us about her footballing journey, an impressive season at Perth Glory last year, and life at the Phoenix(23/2/22).
Alfeld first began playing football when she was five-years-old at home in Christchurch where she remained playing until she was 18.
“Then I was playing at U17s and U20s for New Zealand. In 2014 I went to the United States and played college football for Louisiana State University before coming back to New Zealand in 2018 when I trained with the Football Ferns domestic program before last year when I had the opportunity to go and play with Perth Glory in what was then the W-League.”
Above: Lily Alfeld playing for New Zealand at the U20 World Cup. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
Perth was a tough place to be playing your football last season, but Alfeld shone as one of their brightest stars. The team only had the go-ahead to compete in the competition late on due to Western Australia’s covid border restrictions and so they put together a squad that consisted largely of talented local teenagers.
“It was good, but a huge challenge. It was my first professional gig and I’ve taken a lot of learning out of it. I didn’t really know what to expect. It was a big challenge, especially coming together late with so many youngsters – pretty similar to the situation we found ourselves in at Phoenix this year.
“It was a difficult season as there were so many experiences that we hadn’t faced before, but we took a lot from it. Alex Epakis was fantastic at guiding us through it and helping us find our feet in our first year of playing.”
Alfeld reveals that she came close to staying in Western Australia for another season: “I spoke to Alex about the possibility of staying on. I loved Perth and the club were fantastic. The Phoenix were in the back of my mind about that possibly happening. Alex did have another goalkeeper from Sydney (Courtney Newbon) who he was interested in signing, so in the end, we parted ways.”
This then led to the goalkeeper becoming the first player to sign for Wellington Phoenix’s women’s team with their entry into the A-League Women competition finally confirmed.
“There was no hesitation at all from me when it came to signing for the Phoenix. As soon as I heard the team were coming into the league, I was making phone calls! When the opportunity came to be their first signing, that was a huge honour.
“It’s huge – New Zealand’s first professional women’s team, it’s such a significant moment. I’d grown up watching the Phoenix. They were the one team that I grew up as a child watching and supporting. I always loved pulling on their shirt as a kid.
“I’ve known Gemma (Lewis – head coach) and Nat (Lawrence – assistant coach) for a few years and I knew it would be fantastic to play under them.”
Above: Lily Alfeld pictured after becoming Wellington Phoenix Women’s first-ever signing. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington Phoenix’s pre-season began with few players initially, with more joining at regular intervals once they had signed to the club.
“It was a massive challenge, but the staff managed it well and a lot of time was spent helping us to gel. The Kiwis and the Australians hadn’t met each other. A lot of work was done in terms of seeing how we all played and putting that together. With lockdowns in both Wellington and Sydney, a lot of players hadn’t played for a long time so there were a lot of yards covered in that pre-season to make sure we were up to running for a full 90 minutes in the Australian heat.”
With Wellington Phoenix unable to host home matches in New Zealand, the players and staff have all been in a hub in Wollongong, New South Wales, over 1,000 miles away from home. The Phoenix captain revealed what living with your teammates and coaches full time is like in reality.
“I’ve actually loved it. It’s pretty much like being on a school camp when you were a kid with your classmates with you all the time. It’s been a lot of fun. We are managing it carefully though. It’s not a normal thing to be in a camp like this where you don’t get to go back to your families and friends.
“We are making sure that we have our own individual downtime and getting out to do different things. We need to be conscious that it’s a lot of time to spend together. A lot of us, the Kiwis, had known each other for a long time, so that’s been good.”
Alfeld also spoke about her added responsibility as captain. “It’s awesome, a massive step up for me as I’ve never captained a team before, and it has been a massive learning curve. I’ve taken away new experiences and seeing what the demands are and what is expected of me. We have a fantastic support staff around us and a great core-leadership group. A lot of the girls have international experience, youth international experience.
Above: Lily Alfeld gets down bravely to save from Newcastle Jets’ Sunny Franco whilst playing for Perth Glory last season. Photo: Perth Glory FC.
“These girls bring different leadership characteristics and it’s been great to be able to learn from than and take different things from them.
“Being a goalkeeper, it is a juggling act between encouraging the players and wanting to keep a clean sheet. We’ve all got behind Gemma (Lewis)’s ideas of wanting to be brave in our play. In terms of our first matches, we started off well against Western Sydney, but I think we went into our shell a bit against Newcastle and it was good to see that if we are not brave on the ball, then we will get punished. Then against Sydney, it was a good indicator that if we are brave on the ball, we will find opportunities. That starts from us at the back as goalkeeper and centre-backs. We need to make sure we’re not just lumping the ball forward, actually building things up and creating our own chances.”
The Phoenix star then spoke about her own aims for this season. “It’s definitely putting in performances that can earn a clean sheet for the team. We want to win as many games as we can and that starts with me as we can’t lose if we don’t concede!
“I also want to grow into this captaincy role and refine my leadership skills to leave a positive legacy for this club going forward. It’s a massive opportunity and we have a chance to shape where Wellington Phoenix’s women’s team goes. We need to start off on the right foot and make a positive impact on where women’s football goes in New Zealand.”
In terms of wider aims for the Phoenix’s first A-League Women campaign, “If we can go out there every week and improve from week to week and take the learnings that we’ve taken from each game into the next, then I’d be over the moon. It’s a huge challenge for the girls to be expected to perform consistently each week, but I think it’s definitely our goal to go out there and build each week. We recognize that we are the underdogs, but if we can get some wins and upset a few teams then that would definitely be success in our book.”
A strong run of performances with the Phoenix has brought Alfeld to the attention of new national team coach Jitka Klimková and she has been in the USA with New Zealand competing in the SheBelieves Cup.
“International honours have always been my goal. I had a little bit of experience with the Football Ferns on national team tours in 2014 and 2019, but I hadn’t been in the mix since. I would love to get into the squad, and with a home World Cup coming in 2023 and the Olympics following that, if I can play well this season then hopefully I will get an opportunity. That’s the overall goal.”
Above: Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic pictured today at his media conference. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City face Brisbane Roar as Round 13 of the A-League Women gets underway tomorrow. Impetus’Ben Gilbyheard from the Sky Blues’ head coach Rado Vidosic ahead of their match – one that if they can win gives City a realistic chance of finishing top of the table at the end of the season (23/2/22).
Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic began his media conference by addressing the devastating news that Holly McNamara, one of the competition’s star players this season, will not play again after suffering an ACL injury against Sydney FC at the weekend.
“We are all trying to rally around her and support her. She remains an important part of our team,” Vidosic emphasized. “She is such a lovely person, one of the youngest members of the squad. Holly is contracted to us for next season, so she will do her rehab with us ahead of returning.
“She has been a breath of fresh air and someone that we can build our whole football style around. Someone like that is priceless. We believe that she has a long future ahead with our club and the Matildas. She will probably go and play overseas with a big club at some point, but we want to have a relationship with her so she knows how much she is admired and loved here.”
Reflecting on his team’s achievement of being the first side to defeat Sydney FC this season at the weekend, City’s head coach said: “We hadn’t changed anything (in our game plan). We played our game and pressed them high, looking to make them uncomfortable in the first half. We could have scored more goals. Then it changed in the second half and they dominated.
“We managed to get over the line. It wasn’t easy. The second-half performance is something that we need to be proud of. It showed great character and that we can dig deep in the tough moments. If we can put that into tomorrow’s game and future ones, we’ll do well. That never give up attitude. I was so proud of that performance.”
That win means that if City wins every one of their remaining games, they will be crowned Premiers going into the Finals, but Vidosic is not counting his chickens yet.
“We’re just not talking about it. We know how tough and unpredictable this league is. Brisbane Roar have nothing to play for, nothing to fear. They will just come out and get as much as they can. It won’t be easy for us. Expectations are higher for us and everyone expects us to walk through the game and it won’t be like that.”
City will be without three key players for the match with Roar. In addition to Holly McNamara’s injury, Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson have not returned from international duty in the USA with New Zealand yet. Vidosic outlined how he will try and fill the gaps.
Above: Caitlin Karic (right) – expected to be part of the City squad against Brisbane Roar tomorrow. Photo: Melbourne City.
“We have Leticia (McKenna) and she is a fantastic player. Such a good, technical player with great vision. She is also good defensively. There is also Caitlin Karic (16-year-old striker). If she can play to her strengths, we won’t feel a difference in our playing style. Caitlin can definitely give us something that we are lacking with missing those three players.
“She is a fantastic talent and has so many qualities it is frightening. We need to slowly integrate her. She needs to learn how to be a professional player and concentrate. It’s just learning those micro-behaviours on the pitch that she hasn’t learned yet. From a physical point of view, she is big and strong.”
Photo: The French squad pictured with the trophy after their final match against the Netherlands. Photo: @equipedefrancef
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 2022 France Tournament(23/2/22).
France played and won their three games in France Tournament and kept their title for the second consecutive year.
February 16, 2022:
France won 5-0 against Finland. It was an easy game for France (4th in FIFA ranking) against the 28th ranked Finns. France dominated this game (62% possession, 27 shots with 10 on target). Goals for France from Westerlund (12 Own Goal), Melvine Malard (16), Wendie Renard (34, 89), Grace Geyoro (58).
Brazil and Netherlands encounter ended 1-1. It was a close game all round. The Dutch led through Lineth Beerensteyn (62) with Marta levelling from the penalty spot with three minutes left. ]
February 19, 2022:
France won 2-1 against Brazil. Despite edging the possession count with 61% it was a little bit more difficult for France against the seventh-ranked Brazilians. The result of this game could have been different if Leticia, Brazil goalkeeper, had not let the ball go to allow Katoto put France ahead. French goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin, the France goalkeeper made two key saves as well.
Selma Bacha, 21 years old, (from Olympique Lyonnais) produced another good performance as left back with the following statistics. In her 55 minutes on the pitch, she played 55 balls, made 37 passes with 92% successful, nine tackles back, and three crosses. Goals for France from Marie-Antoinette Katoto (23, 59). Goal for Brazil from Marta (19 on penalty).
Netherlands won 3-0 against Finland. It was an easy game for the Netherlands with Finland was never in position to cause trouble to the Dutch goal. Goals for Netherlands from Caitlin Dijkstra (24), Katja Snoeijs (36, 49).
February 22, 2022:
France won 3-1 against Netherlands. This game was level and the score could have been tighter. For the Netherlands, Martens had a huge opportunity at the fifth minute but put the ball over the crossbar from the penalty spot, and Pelova hit the crossbar with a shot from 18 meters at the 85th minute. Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored two goals with a “Madjer”. This type of shot is named after Mustapha Rabah Madjer who did it first in 1987; and it is a strike with the heel with it located behind the support leg. With these two goals, Marie-Antoinette Katoto has now scored 23 goals for France national team at only 23 years old.
For her return to the France squad, Eve Périsset (from Bordeaux) produced a very good performance also as a right defender with the following statistics (recorded by Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus during the game): in 80 minutes (she was replaced at the 82nd minute), 70 balls played, 43 passes with 91% successful, 17 tackles won, five crosses, two saves at the 49th minute (a clearance at the penalty spot and a defensive tackle on the left of the goal without fault). Goals for France from Wendie Renard (20 on penalty), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (25, 74). Goal for Netherlands from Lineth Beerensteyn (50).
Brazil and Finland concluded their tournament with a draw 0-0 in a game where Brazil had opportunities, but without scoring.
Above: Millie Bright and Sarina Wiegman pictured at the Lionesses’ media conference today. Photo: FA.
Ahead of the England v Germany Arnold Clark Cup match tomorrow, Impetus’ Kris Goman heard the views of Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman and defender Millie Bright(22/2/22).
England go into their final Arnold Clark Cup match tomorrow with Germany in Wolverhampton knowing they need a win to have any chance of winning the tournament, but have the positive of the whole squad being available for selection.
In the two games against Canada and Spain so far, lots of players got minutes against different and top opponents. “We got lots of information about how we want to play and how we want to develop our style of play and how the players fit in there,” Wiegman said. “We’ll try again tomorrow to continue what we’re doing and make it even better and we might see some slight changes in positions.”
Germany’s squad has been hampered by both COVID and injuries and the Lionesses head coach recognised that despite this, they will still pose her team a major threat.
“They are still a very strong squad. They are always a very good team and even though they are missing some very good players, they still have good players and can bring a very good squad tomorrow so we expect a good Germany – a very competitive game with a lot of speed and power so we prepare as we did against Canada and Spain.”
In terms of the development of her own team, Wiegman noted that there has been some pleasing progress across the two games so far.“Yeah, we’re getting there and taking steps and developing very well. I think the communication and the way we talk about football, how the players are committed and get into conversations and get to learn about each other have been positives.”
The Lionesses’ head coach though still has high expectations of her squad in terms of further improvements. “We just want to take the next step tomorrow so in all the different moments of the game we want to improve again. I think we created so many chances against Spain that we would really like to score a goal and to take that next step. It all has to do with decision-making, with the final connection between the players and just being (more) ruthless too.
Above: Looking to take the next step – Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman. Photo: FA.
“I knew the England squad was very good but it was even better than I thought. Players have already so much experience and there are lots of personalities in the team so I was just lucky to come in and start working with such a good team and good players. We want to add something to the game and get clarity about our style of play and development. Every time we want to take the next step and that’s what we want to do tomorrow.”
Impetus’ Kris Goman asked Wiegman about the crowds for the games not involving her side in this competition, which, due to a combination of unusual kick-off times and poor weather have been very low indeed.
“I think in the Euros there will be crowds because that’s the big event everyone’s looking forward to,” the England head coach said. “I think this tournament is so competitive. I’m not sure if it’s the weather, or it’s the timings. I think that COVID didn’t help like all the previous years and that people have to start up again. That might be it.
“I’ve really had my focus on football and the game itself so I haven’t had a real research myself about what the cause could be but I hope at least we make people enthusiastic about the games because the level’s really high.”
In England’s two matches to date, they have scored one goal – Millie Bright’s superb effort against Canada. Wiegman is looking for a greater sense of sharpness in the final third tomorrow night.
“It doesn’t really matter who scores goals as long as we score a goal. We want to do better in our final third and that’s about decision making, about connection, about scanning how the situation is, and being ruthless, so yes, of course we want to do a little better.
“We created lots of chances (against Spain) and it was very well done and I think we played really well to create those chances and now we want to score on them too and that’s just the final touch which is the hardest thing in football in the final third so hopefully we can show tomorrow.”
Above: Millie Bright – excited by renewing rivalries with Germany again tomorrow. Photo: FA
The Lionesses’ Chelsea defender Millie Bright, who is in some of the best form of her career spoke of her excitement of facing Germany once more.
“These are the games we play for. You want to play against the best, you want to play on big stages, with lots of fans there. For us, we remain focused on our game plan and this tournament’s been about developing as a squad on this new journey and to perform at our best level and that’s our mentality going into this game.
“Everyone’s our rival. I think it’s a good mentality to have as you can’t underestimate any team whether they’ve got players missing. You know, it’s international football and everyone’s got strong squads so for us, everyone is our rival and it’s no cliché saying that but that’s our mentality. To play the same for every game. Every opponent we want beat, we want to play well and keep developing.
England’s goalscorer against Canada reflected on the tough challenges that the Arnold Clark Cup has brought so far. “It’s been brilliant. All the girls are really excited coming into this tournament especially with it being in England. Being able to get our fans to the stadium and move around England as well. It’s been really exciting and I think it’s been really successful and we’ve loved playing against top teams and being challenged.”
Bright was also hugely complimentary about the Lionesses’ debutant goalkeeper Hannah Hampton on Sunday against Spain. “It was a massive moment for her but it’s one that’s truly deserved. I think she’s been playing really well. And yeah, she was just ecstatic like any other player would be.
“She was just really happy and she played really well, kept us in the game, made some good saves, really good distribution so yeah, it’s a dream start for her and just really proud and that’s something we want in this team.
“It’s not just about eleven players, it’s about everybody and everyone developing together. You know we’ve all got the one goal which is obviously to win and by doing that we need everyone together so it was really nice to see her on the pitch doing what she does best.”
Impetus‘ Kris Goman asked the defender about the challenges of coming together with players who, in club world are fierce rivals, and conversely meeting club colleagues turning out for other nations.
“When you’re at club, you’re at club. I think every game’s competitive. If you watch the WSL games, there’s a lot of grit, a lot of fire, there’s commitment and everyone plays at the highest level, same when we come away internationally.
“For me personally, there’s no friends in football so if you’re my teammate at my club and I’m playing for England then I’m representing England so that’s my mentality with it and I think that’s everyone else’s as well. I think the games that you’ve seen, everyone’s committed, there’s some brilliant tackles, there’s a desire to win and to put on a show for the fans so yeah, I think it’s really competitive and I think the level is really high.”
The final line of Germany’s defence is someone who Bright knows very well. Her Chelsea team-mate Ann-Katrin Berger, who is having a superb season. “She’s been doing exceptional for Chelsea. Everyone knows the level she is at as a keeper and she’s in excellent form. I rate her very highly.”
England play Germany at Molineux (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC) at 7:30pm. Canada face Spain at the same venue at 2:30pm.
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