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A-League Women Round-Up

Ben Gilby brings us all the news from this week’s media conferences in Australian women’s football. He starts with the announcement of a big international double header from the Matildas. He then hears from three overseas signings, a Newcastle Jets stalwart, Brisbane Roar’s latest signing and Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis.

Above: The Matildas will be coming together again soon to face the USWNT. Photo: Joseph Mayers.

MATILDAS:

Australia have lined up a blockbuster two-match home series with two-time defending FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions and world number one, the United States Women’s National Team.

Australia will host the USA for the first time in 21 years at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday, 27 November 2021, and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Tuesday, 30 November 2021.

With venue capacities for both matches now lifted by the NSW Government, Football Australia can confirm that playing at Stadium Australia will present an opportunity for Australian and USA football fans to collectively break the previous record for a Matildas crowd in Australia, being 33,000 fans who watched Australia play Sweden during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

With Australia last month successfully leading the return of international sports and major events to New South Wales, the matches against the U.S. Women’s National Team will be one of the first major events in regional NSW following the swift progress of the COVID-19 reopening roadmap.

Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, said: “The exhilarating football played by the Matildas against Brazil in October once more highlighted why this team is loved by Australians. With over 27,000 combined supporters at CommBank Stadium and over 465,000 watching on Channel 10, Australia’s ‘Home of Football’, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas have demonstrated their box office appeal. This was only the beginning, and I now encourage all football fans to celebrate with us again and help us break our previous attendance record at these upcoming games in Sydney and Newcastle and see some of the world game’s biggest superstars.”

“Hosting the U.S. Women’s National Team for the first time in over two decades is another great taste of what the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ will look and feel like at Stadium Australia.”

Following Australia’s positioning in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, Commonwealth Bank Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson spoke of the importance of the matches against the U.S. Women’s National Team and the November FIFA Window in relation to their preparation for Asia’s continental championships.

**Above:** Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson will be facing the USWNT – a team he has lots of experience of working with. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Football Australia.

“This is a vital and final opportunity to see the players against an extremely high-quality nation before we select the final squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup,” Gustavsson said.

“Meeting the U.S. Women’s National Team on home soil will mark the sixth unique opponent in the top ten that this team would have faced in 2021. With each match, we are continuing to get one day better as a team, and at the same time providing invaluable experience to the younger players in the roster. The U.S. Women’s National Team are a team with quality across the park and will mark another great challenge for the playing group.”

“We can’t be more delighted with the support which has been provided in scheduling these tough, unique opponents to further the development of the playing squad ahead of major international tournaments.”

Australia and the U.S. Women’s National Team have enjoyed a healthy rivalry in recent years with the last meeting of the two sides in the Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medal match.

NEWCASTLE JETS:

Norweigan International Signs:

Newcastle Jets have signed Norwegian international Marie Markussen.

The 24-year-old attacker has signed a deal for the upcoming A-League Women’s Season, arriving from Vålerenga where she recently helped her side win Norwegian Women’s Cup Final with a goal.

The young talented winger has managed 33 goals from her professional career so far, and also recently made three appearances for the national team.

She will be on her way to Australia in the coming week.

Head Coach Ash Wilson was ecstatic to be able to welcome Markussen to the Club and believes she’ll bring a formidable, attacking prowess to the team.

Wilson said; “She brings experience, quality, and versatility in the attack which will be important for consistent winning performances.

“I expect her addition will also increase the tempo, quality, and competition within the training environment.

“She is dynamic, likes to threaten defences with her pace, has an eye for goal, a great assist-ability and she is a fierce competitor.”

As one of only a handful of A-League Women’s signings coming from overseas in 2021/22, Wilson believes her top experiences will help develop the whole squad.

“I want to give our team every opportunity to be successful and part of that is to bring in players that have played at higher levels and who have qualities that are capable of adding value to not only the performances but also the environment we want to create,” she said.

“Marie has had success through the national Youth and Senior setups in Norway, has played in the top leagues of Germany and Norway, and is coming to us with UEFA Champions League experience and cup success with her current team at Vålerenga.

“She is also motivated to come here and do well so I’m sure she will bring much energy and drive.”

Going into the process of the transfer in more depth, Wilson revealed: “Marie’s arrival is an exciting time for us. We’ve been sitting on it for a little bit. She had to finish her Cup Final and commitments with Vålerenga.

“At the end of the day, after last year, we wanted to add a bit more depth and experience. I’m thankful that the club and the owners have heard the things that we’ve been talking about and we’ve had the opportunity to bring her in.

“She’s been scoring goals recently in her league, she scored in the Cup Final. She’s proven that she can do those things on a quality stage and the hope is that she’ll come here, enjoy her football here and add a little bit more of a threat upfront for us.

“An agent reached out to us and she was on our list for a while. We started watching her games, keeping an eye on her week in, week out. Every time she was scoring, I was getting sent things. The more we watched her, the more we liked what we saw. Knowing that she’s had some consistent performances and coming here off the back of them, I’m excited. She was looking for a good experience and to come and get more game time. Building access to agents is a big help in adding to our tools.”

Wilson discussed how she sees Markussen adding to her team’s offensive opportunities. “The attacking third is about executing the key moments, but also allowing players the freedom to know where to get into spaces to hurt teams.”

The Jets head coach revealed that the Norweigian will arrive in the country by 12^th November and will not have to quarantine for any period, but this will not be the last addition to the squad that the club will announce.

“We’ve still got a few players to finalize, but in the coming weeks, everyone will see what we’ve got.”

Wilson was asked if the arrival of Markussen would help Jets star Tara Andrews. The Newcastle head coach felt that the Norwegian international would have a wider impact.

“Yes, but we’ve got a lot of players around Tara too. Bringing Marie in will add to that and to the training environment. At the moment (speaking on Tuesday) we’re four days and six sessions into training. We’ve got people now to play off each other. The more time the players get together, the better the relationships will form and that will transfer into being more clinical and effective upfront.”

In terms of how the early training sessions have gone, Wilson identified “Laura Allen and Sunny Franco have come back pretty fit, but to be fair, we did fitness testing on the first day and all the girls were pretty fit. A lot of them surprised me in how they had come back from lockdown and all of them are motivated.

“At this level, you want the players who have the drive and internal motivation. We can give them all the tactics in the world and you have to be able to technically execute what you want to do, but you have to have the drive to have those standards day in, day out, and to drive others. Everyone is behind that.”

**Above:** Hannah Brewer of Newcastle Jets who spoke to the media this week. **Photo:** Newcastle Herald.

Hannah Brewer Faces the Media:

Also talking to the media this week was Jets stalwart Hannah Brewer. The 28-year-old was part of the club’s inaugural squad as a 15-year-old in 2008. It’s clear that the right-back is raring to go for her fourteenth season in the competition.

Brewer first spoke about how happy she is to be back on the training field with her teammates after the difficulties she experienced training by herself down on the Central Coast during the five months of lockdown. Although Brewer revealed that she had one of her teammates in her ears during those solitary days.

“One week back, it’s exciting, the girls are fighting fit which is really good to see, especially during the Covid period. It was a very difficult time doing fitness in isolation. Some of the girls had running partners at the Oval here which was nice for them, but down on the Central Coast, I was isolated which made it hard. I gave Cass(idy Davis) a call whilst I did running which really helped and we got through it.

“I’m not going to lie, it was really tough, but Cass was amazing. She’d call me every other day and say ‘Come on! You gotta get out of bed and do this!’ Then I had to juggle it with working from home as well, so yeah, without Cass and my teammates around me, I would have struggled. I did know though that I had to come back fit. I’d have my air pods in my ears whilst out running around the field and she’d be yelling at me! She’ll be a great coach one day. I’ve still got her voice in my head!”

“There is huge excitement all around – as a squad coming back together and to see the new faces. From the first week back in training they’ve fitted in well and now the news of Marie Markussen joining. We’ve been waiting years to get an international signing and it’s finally happened which is super exciting for us as a club and it can only help us to have a successful season.”

Brewer has been playing in the competition since it started. She highlighted what still motivates her to play at a high level.

“I love playing a team sport and being motivated by those around me. Newcastle is a great city to play in. The fan base is huge and we really feel it. We have a great bunch here and even when results don’t go our way, we don’t drop our heads and that shows the sort of character we have in the team and we work for each other which is nice. That keeps me going.

“Last year we worked really hard but our results and where we finished on the table was disappointing. We know how hard we work and with the new additions and having a chance to gel more, we feel we know we can achieve more.”

“A lot of the younger girls who have come through are really showing it in training. The vibe here is better than last year because we’re so excited to be able to be out to train together and see each other again. Mind you, we’ve always had a great vibe here and not always had great results, so hopefully this year is our year!”

CANBERRA UNITED:

Two NWSL Players Sign:

Canberra United this week announced the signing of two international players, with Ally Haran and Chelsee Washington joining the squad for the upcoming A-League Women’s season.

Haran and Washington join United from Orlando Pride, after the side played their season finale in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) last Friday.

Haran spent one season with the Pride, the 25-year-old defender also making brief appearances with Houston Dash and North Carolina Courage.

Speaking to the media via Zoom this week, Haran explained her reasons behind joining Canberra United. “I have lots of teammates who have played in Australia and they have no bad words at all about playing out there. When the opportunity came up I was all for it.”

“I see Australian soccer as a chance to learn and grow plus a chance to play against players I haven’t played against before. Learning a different style and seeing new places is also good.

“Getting game minutes is such a big thing for me. Canberra did really well last season and I want to help them go all the way this year.

“Vicki (Linton) reached out to me and said that she had a spot in the team available. I had a teammate who played with Canberra in 2019, Kayleigh Kurtz, and she absolutely loved it. I talked about it to her a little bit. She said the city was awesome and it was a great group of girls. I liked the way that Vicki talked about the team and what their goals were for the year and it fitted well with what I want to do.

“Coming over with Chelsee is really exciting, we actually lived across the hall from each other this year and it’s great I’ll know someone already which will help with the transition.”

In terms of her favoured position, Haran said how she likes to “play with an organized backline so we don’t have too many ‘oh no’ moments. I’m pretty speedy so I’m good at shutting down things when we need to.”

Chelsee Washington was then introduced to the media on Zoom. The midfielder was selected by the Orlando Pride in 2020 out of Bowling Green State University. She made 10 appearances for Pride in 2021, and started two matches. She spoke of her excitement about making the move to Canberra.

“The women’s league in Australia has been known to be a catalyst for development and an overall incredible opportunity for younger players like myself to grow and learn,” Washington said.

**Above:** Canberra United’s new signing Chelsee Washington.
**Photo:** Bowling Green State University Athletics

“I’m especially excited to play for Canberra because from what I’ve seen, this team has an incredible fan base and prioritizes unity which are two exciting components to be a part of.”

She outlined her hopes for her time in Australia’s capital: “Basically I want to end the season as a better player to the one I start with. I haven’t played many games. I’ve done a lot of concentrating and growing off the field and get experience in another country.

“I hope my time at Canberra will do everything for me in making me a better player. It’s been very inconsistent for me at Orlando Pride for the last two years, first with Covid last year and this year with coaching changes.

“I am a natural midfielder, but this season with Pride I found myself in a wide forward position which is not, in my opinion where I’m best. When I spoke to Vicki she said that she sees me as a holding midfield and dictating the tempo of the attack. I’m excited to play a deeper role.”

Washington then spoke about some of the frustrations she has experienced at Orlando Pride over the past two years which have made her so excited to get game time in the A-League Women competition.

“I would say that the last two years have taught me a lot about mentality. There has been a lot of training with few games, so there’s been little payoff. Vicki asked me about bringing competitiveness to the club when I come and I was like, ‘Don’t worry about that!’ When you train for months and there’s no games for you the slightest thing makes you competitive!

“There’s been some questionable calls by our coaching staff (at Orlando Pride) and it’s been frustrating. This (coming to Canberra United) is going to be like a breath of fresh air. I’m excited to get games and not be so bottled up I guess.”

In terms of how contact was first made between Washington and Canberra United coach Vicki Linton, she revealed it was in the form of an early morning text. “I saw it and shot up on my bed and she asked if I could get on a call with her right away. The timing of it in Australian time I think would have been around two hours before midnight. I spoke to her for about an hour before I had my first morning coffee so I had to pitch myself the best I could! The club sounds a really good fit for me, so I can’t wait to just get going.

“Coming over with Ally is great. She said to me ‘I heard you were going to Canberra!’ and I was like ‘Who told you that?!’ We’ve been talking about it for a few weeks and we’re super excited. We hang out a lot already, so it is super cool to know someone already.

The pair will arrive in Australia at the end of the week and will join the squad on Monday.

BRISBANE ROAR:

Experienced Queenslander Tathem Returns Home:

Brisbane Roar has welcomed another experienced Queenslander back into its A-League Women’s squad with Natalie Tathem returning to her hometown team.

Tathem, 25, returns to the Roar for her fifth season in orange following a stint with Grand Final winners Melbourne Victory. The versatile defender or midfielder enjoyed Premiership success in Brisbane in 2017/18 and now reunites with Head Coach Garrath McPherson, who was an assistant to Mel Andreatta at that time.

“I’m super pumped to be back. It’s home being here, which is nice,” Tathem said.
“I only left last year for a new experience, a new challenge. This year, coming back from injury, I think it’s going to be better to be around the people I know, and know that I’m supported and at home, and in a familiar environment. It’s home to be at the Roar.”

Though her time in Melbourne was impacted by a Round one injury, Tathem has now been part of two successful squads at the top level and looks forward to sharing her wisdom with younger team-mates.

“I think being involved with that Premiership-winning team four years ago, and even last year being around those girls through to the Championship, I’ve been around enough teams now to know what it takes to get to that end product,” she said. “That’s what everyone wants. I think I’m going to be able to help the younger girls and new girls bring that winning mentality, that intensity you need every session, the one-percenters to put in to get us, hopefully, to the Grand Final.”

McPherson said: “It’s awesome to have another Queenslander return home for the season. Nat brings experience, leadership, and positivity to our team. She is another player who was developed in Queensland and made her debut at the top level for Brisbane.

“I have admired her dedication and love for the game that has been on show as she returns from the injury she sustained last season.”

WELLINGTON PHOENIX:

Further Three From NSW Added:

With the Wellington Phoenix A-League Women’s team now based in Wollongong NSW, the inaugural squad continues to take shape with Australian players Brianna Edwards, Jordan Jasnos, and Hannah Jones signing with the team on Wednesday.

Edwards is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who played in the Football New South Wales (FNSW) Institute programme last season. Edwards has been involved with both the Junior Matildas and Future Matildas programmes and in 2020 was selected into the NSW’s inaugural Women’s State team side for a ‘State of Origin’ clash against Queensland. As a dual citizen, Edwards will be eligible to play for New Zealand at the U20’s Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in 2022.

Jasnos is an 18-year-old Australian attacker who has also progressed through the FNSW Institute setup – playing alongside Edwards last season – and in 2019 appeared in the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship where she scored three goals over in matches, including the winner against Vietnam which secured the Matildas’ qualification.

In June this year, Jasnos participated in the 2021 NSW All Schools Championships for Westfields Sports HS, earning a place on the All Schools Merit Girls Team, while also appearing with Edwards for NSW in the State of Origin match versus Queensland.

Jones, 19, has been involved with the Newcastle Jets development side since the age of 14 where she has trained alongside the Jets A-League Women’s team, before joining Sydney University FC for the 2021 WNPL Season. Jones also gained national attention in 2019, when she participated in the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship held in Thailand.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis spoke of her delight of securing these three youngsters. “It’s great for the Club to have these three talented Australian players – all with Junior Matildas experience – onboard for the coming season,” says Lewis. “Given their ages, what these three girls have achieved in the NSW football space over the past several years is impressive; they’ll now be taking the next step in their careers with the Phoenix and we’ll help them to continue developing their skills as professional players.”

The Phoenix Women’s squad now stands at 18 players heading into the pre-season, with the team’s first match scheduled for Friday 3rd December versus Western Sydney Wanderers at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

First A-League Women Kit Revealed:

For the first time in Club history, Wellington Phoenix have launched a range of Paladin-branded retail kits and team apparel for both its men’s and women’s teams for the upcoming A-League 21/22 Season.

The home jersey brings back the iconic black and yellow stripes design that has been popular with the club fanbase over the years. The women’s kit is currently blank, pending confirmation of a major sponsor. The away kit continues with the aqua look first launched by the Club last season, with a fresh new design introduced by Paladin in September which was well-received by fans across Australasia.

Phoenix’s David Dome said: “We absolutely love the look of this season’s playing kit – we think it’s the best kit in the league – and it’s exciting for us to be launching a women’s-specific kit for the first time; it’s an important step in the right direction for this Club.”

The Phoenix Women’s team will take to the field in their new home jersey on Friday 3 December at WIN Stadium, Wollongong when they take on the Western Sydney Wanderers for their first-ever A-League match.

The Swedish Scene

With season’s end approaching, Ben Gilby rounds another week of action in the top two tiers of Swedish women’s football as champions are decided and the Elitettan’s final promotion spot nears confirmation.

DAMALLSVENSKAN:

Above: Rosengård celebrate lifting the title. Photo: @fcrosengard

Kristianstads’ third place hopes took a major dent after they went down 1-0 at home to already relegated Växjö. Emmi Alenen’s strike after 73 minutes ensured that Växjö recorded only their second win of the campaign in front of a frustrated crowd of 692.

**Above:** Emmi Alenen, who struck Växjö’s winner. **Photo:** Goalzz

KIF Örebro took advantage to keep their hopes of third place alive, now two points behind going into the final round of matches after a 2-1 win at home to Piteå in front of 333 fans. Emilia Pelgander put Örebro ahead after 13 minutes with Heidi Kollanen doubling the advantage with just under 20 minutes to go. Hanna Andersson netted a consolation with seven minutes to go.

Rosengård lifted the Damallsvenskan title after their final home game, which resulted in a 3-1 win over Eskilstuna United in front of 2,548 fans. Mimmi Larsson put the hosts ahead after nine minutes with Sanni Troelsgaard making it 2-0 ten minutes before the break. Jelena Cankovic increased it to a three goal lead before Noor Eckhoff got one back for Eskilstuna. The visitors will now need to get a better result than Kristianstads on the final day to overtake them in third place.

**Above:** Rosengård players acclaim their fans post-match. **Photo:** @fcrosengard

BK Häcken ended their difficult run by dispatching Djurgården comfortably 4-0 in their final home game of the season in front of 882 spectators. Stina Blackstenius’ hat-trick plus a goal from Elin Rubensson completed the rout.

Hammarby rounded off their home campaign by drawing another impressive crowd – 2,173 for their clash with Linköping. The visitors continued their improved run of results by coming away with a 3-1 success. Uchenna Kanu’s hat-trick earned the points for Linköping with Nina Jakobsson’s effort being the sole strike for the Stockholm-based hosts.

**Above:** Uchenna Kanu, who scored a hat-trick for Linköping at Hammarby. **Photo:** Linköping media

AIK signed off their home campaign with a victory when they dispatched Vittsjö thanks to Kaisa Collin’s strike after just nine minutes in front of 233 fans.

Round Twenty-Two Fixtures:

Växjö v Hammarby

Eskilstuna United v BK Häcken

Vittsjö v KIF Örebro

Linköping v AIK

Djurgården v Rosengård

Piteå v Kristianstads

ELITETTAN:

Umeå IK clinched the Elitettan title with two games to spare after a 2-0 win over Morön BK. Henna-Riikka Honkanen and Alexander Sandstrom’s goals sealed the trophy in front of 518 fans. Also confirmed was IFK Kalmar’s promotion to the top flight after they gained a 1-1 draw at home to IK Uppsala. Angelina Thoresen gave the visitors, who still have hopes of taking the third and final promotion slot, the lead before the prolific Tabby Tindell levelled just after the break to the delight of the gathered crowd of 541. IF Brommapojkarna are fourth on goal difference after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Mallbackens IF Sunne. Mathilda Splendor gave Bromma the lead with 19 minutes on the clock before goals from Linnea Berger and Irvana Bajamovic on either side of the break put the mid-table visitors ahead. With eleven minutes to go, Splendor grabbed Brommapojkarna’s equalizer in front of 156 fans. Lidköpings FK are still in the mix for the third and final promotion spot after a 3-1 win at home to Älvsjö AIK FF. Two goals from Evelyn Ijeh in the first 27 minutes put the hosts in the driving seat. Alice Bergstrom gave Älvsjö hope when she scored just after the half-hour mark, but Lidköpings secured the win that puts them just a point adrift of third-place when Emilia Bengtsson scored just past the hour.

**Above:** IFK Kalmar’s result confirmed their promotion to the *Damallsvenskan*. **Photo:** Damallsvenskan

Latest Results: IFK Norrköping 1-1 Borgeby FK, Umeå IK 2-0 Morön BK, Sundsvalls DFF 0-2 Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, Lidköpings FK 3-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, IK Brommapojkarna 2-2 Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Kalmar 1-1 IK Uppsala.

Next Fixtures: Bollstanäs SK v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v IFK Norrköping, Alingsås FC United v Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal v IK Brommapojkarna, Mallbackens IF Sunne v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FK v Morön BK.

NEWS ROUND-UP:

Eskilstuna United have announced the retention of two key players as both team captain Matilda Plan and experienced wingback Anna Oskarsson have extended their contracts with the club.

Janice Cayman: The “Belgian Knife” of Women’s Football

Olympique Lyonnais and Belgian international Janice Cayman spoke EXCLUSIVELY to Impetus’ French editor Jean-Pierre Thiesset about her career, life off the pitch and how she got her unique nickname.

Above: Janice Cayman in action during Olympique Lyonnais’ game against Fribourg (Switzerland) on July 31, 2021. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

Janice Cayman was born on October 12, 1988, in Brasschaat, Belgium and she started to play football with the boys’ team at Ossmim, her hometown club at the age of six.

Janice played for several Belgian clubs up to 2009 including the TKV Tienen with which she played three games in Women UEFA Champions League in the 2008-2009 season. Then, before joining Olympique Lyonnais on June 18, 2019, Janice also played for:

2009: Pali Blues, California, USA (10 games)
2009-2012: Florida State Seminoles, USA (48 games, 16 goals)
2012-2016: Juvisy (now Paris FC), France (90 games, 13 goals); 1 semi-final of UEFA Women’s Champions League
2016-2017: Western New York Flash, New York, USA
2017-2019: Montpellier, France (52 games, 18 goals)

Janice won three titles in France with Olympique Lyonnais in 2020: France D1 Arkema Championships, France National Cup, UEFA Women’s Champions League. Since 2019 with Lyon, she has played:

18 games (2 goals) in France D1 Arkema Championships
3 games (1 goal) in France National Cup
9 games (1 goal) in Women UEFA Champions League.

In international football, Janice played for Belgium U17 from 2003 to 2005 (three games, one goal), U19 from 2005 to 2007 (18 games, three goals), and the national senior team from 2007 onwards (115 games, 42 goals). Janice became only the second to earn 100 caps with the Belgium squad.

Janice has a bachelor’s degree in STAPS “Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives” (Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sport Activities) from KUL (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – Catholic University of Leuven), Belgium and a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Florida State University, USA. Right now, she is in progress to follow the courses of the UEFA A level (highest level before the PRO level) to becomes coach.

Interview:

Jean-Pierre Thiesset (JPT): What is your preferred position and which other positions could you play?

Janice Cayman (JC): My preferred position is offensive right or left as it is my training position, but I can play in defence on the right too. It is what is good with Lyon because it is a team which often dominates, we can go forward and use the right-hand corridor. I think that it is very good also to play several positions because we learn how a striker and a defender think and what they will try to do. I play mostly on the right because I am right-handed even if I play sometimes on the left even as a defender when the left defenders were injured last season.

JPT: Is it true that your nickname is the “Belgium Knife” (in reference to the “Swiss Knife” with which we can do everything) because you can play almost everywhere?

JC: Yes, some people say that (laughs). It is the coach Jean-Luc Vasseur that gave me this nickname when he started to make me play in defence.

Above: Janice Cayman, during the game against Reims on August 27, 2021. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

JPT: Who/what inspired you to become a football player? It is my family because my father and my three brothers played football and I joined them in a men’s team. We also watched a lot of football on TV, and it was the happiness to be the whole family together.

JPT: What are your favourite women players? (French and foreign)

JC: It is difficult to say because I know so many players but at Lyon there are great players, and it is an honour to play with them daily. We have also several good young players in Belgium squad that I like.

JPT: Who is your role-model if you have one?

JC: It was more men players than women players because in my time there was not a lot of women football on TV. When I was young, I liked Romário (Brazil) and then Diego Forlán (Uruguay).

JPT: What is your greatest challenge on the pitch?

JC: It is to succeed in my game for my teammates and that we do a good collective match. I am rather a team player.

JPT: What is your greatest challenge off the pitch?

JC: It is to do as much as possible of my days and to have a good time with my teammates off the pitch. There is a lot of focus on football because it is our job, but we are very lucky because it is also a passion. In the past I worked in a supermarket, and it is different to wake up to go there than for playing football.

JPT: Who are your closest teammates? JC: I get along very well with everybody, but it is true that between the foreigners we are a little bit closer.

JPT: What do you like to get up to off the pitch?

JC: I like to listen to music; I do that a lot. I like a bit of everything. I also read a little bit. I have a guitar, but I need to take lessons, what I hope to start soon.

JPT: What makes Olympique Lyonnais such a great club to play for? JC: It is the best club in the world. I played against Lyon with Juvisy (now Paris FC) and Montpellier and it was difficult, now I am pleased to be on the right side and it is only happiness. There are good players at every post, and we must be at the best of ourselves during the week in the training sessions to play the weekend; it forces us to progress.

JPT: You have been Captain for 20 minutes, how it feels?

JC: Yes, it was an honor for me and above all it was a special moment with Wendie (Renard) for her 400^th game; it was a great pleasure when she gave the armband to me for the rest of the game. I would never have thought in my career that I could be captain even for only 20 minutes.

**Above:** Janice Cayman, with the Captain Armband during the game against Dijon on September 12, 2021. **Photo:** Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

JPT: What would you like to do when you stop football?

JC: I do not yet know exactly what I want to do next, but what is certain is that it will be something in football (laughs).

JPT: What is your favourite animal?

JC: A dog. When I was younger, it was more a Dolphin, but it is difficult to have one in a house; I think it would not enter in my apartment (laughs). I had a Dalmatian when I was with my parents, and I will have a dog for myself when I stop football.

JPT: What are your preferred foods? JC: I am vegetarian, and I like grilled tofu so I cook Thai pasta with grilled tofu.

JPT: What is your main quality?

JC: I try to see the good in everyone. I always focus on the good and I am positive.

JPT: What is your main fault? JC: I am too nice sometimes.

JPT: What do you need to improve in your game? JC: There are many things (laughs). I think that I could improve my depth management because it is something special to defenders.

JPT: Is there a message you would like to give to your fans? JC: I am so happy that they can watch us again. They are present at the matches and their support warms our hearts. After the game, it also very nice that they are still there to say hello and speak to us. The fans are there for us every game, so I think it is normal that we be available for them too.

Pride Park Preview

‘Boot Room’ provides us with a full preview of Impetus Partner Club Pride Park’s Derbyshire Ladies League Division One encounter with Chesterfield Inspire Blues.

This weekend brings a first up for Pride Park, with a home fixture against Chesterfield Inspire Blues. The teams have never met previously, so represent something of an unknown quantity.

The Blues came into Division One this season after winning the Division Two title last tie round, with only two defeats and 11 wins from 13 games, in which they scored 45 and conceded just nine times. The Blues finished three points clear of Sandiacre Town, who were also promoted.

The Blues currently lie sixth in Division 1, with four points from four games. The transition to Division One hasn’t been plain sailing, but after a couple of heavy defeats in their opening fixtures, against Belper Town and Draycott, the Blues have steadied the ship, with a draw against Sandiacre and a win and clean sheet last week against Mickleover, suggesting they may now be finding their feet in the division.

The Blues’ main goal threat comes from Kim Harrison-Sinclair, who scored 13 in last season’s title campaign, and has maintained that form of around a goal-a-game with five so far this season.

Both teams come into the game with wins behind them and unbeaten in two games and will be looking to continue that form and build momentum, so it promises to be a good game. Kick-off at Moorways is at 1.30pm.

Form Guide (most recent results first):

Pride Park: WWLWLL

Chesterfield Inspire Blues: WDLL

Partick Thistle: Hard Work Rewarded After Late Promotion

Craig Walker, media officer for Partick Thistle Women spoke to Ben Gilby about the journey that the club has been on, their successes last season, and the challenges that they faced having gained promotion to the top flight in Scottish Women’s football at the eleventh hour.

Above: Partick Thistle group together for a positive start to their top-flight campaign Photo: @ThistleWFC

“It’s been an incredible journey since the team was started around eight years ago,” Craig began. “In that time we’ve built the club up and gained promotion through the league to where we find ourselves now in the top tier of Scottish women’s football. A lot of hard work has gone on to gain that both on and off the pitch and I think we have what is regarded as a very professional setup.”

Last season saw Partick Thistle finish third in the SWPL2, Craig summarised their campaign.

“It was a very stop-start season due to COVID so very much a season of two halves. It’s been tough with the split season that the pandemic caused last season and lockdowns affecting training, but I think we managed quite well. Not having fans last season was obviously a challenge but I think we did well to keep fans involved and interested in the team.“I think we did very well overall and were up fighting for the entire season, a few results early on and towards the end cost us a place in the top two but the girls did extremely well and were disappointed at that point to miss out on a promotion place, although of course later on that situation changed.”

It was a real tussle with Aberdeen, Hamilton Academical, and Dundee United in the top four of the SWPL2 last season. Craig detailed how the games went against their other promotion challengers.

“Our result of the season was probably the 5-1 home victory over Aberdeen when they were unbeaten. We were excellent that day and deserved our margin of victory. We were disappointed in our showings against Hamilton which probably contributed to them finishing second rather than ourselves.”

Above: Action from Partick Thistle’s (red, yellow and black) most recent SWPL 1 game against Spartans. Photo: @ThistleWFC

Promotion came late in the day for Partick Thistle, and in unfortunate circumstances due to difficulties at Forfar-Farmington which led that club to withdraw from the top flight. The knock-on impact of having to build for a top-flight campaign at very short notice was very tough.

“We’re obviously very sad for Forfar and what happened to them, you never want to see that happen to a fellow club and we hope they are back as soon as possible. The opportunity however was one we couldn’t turn down and one as a club that we relish and believe we are ready for. We have a very hard-working squad with plenty of togetherness and team spirit so while it’s a challenge it’s one they’ve all gone into together and one they are determined to meet.

“We’d obviously started putting a squad together for SWPL2 so we’ve had to swivel slightly with recruitment, it meant we were a little behind some clubs round about us while also having to get things ready off the field for a higher league. It’s been challenging but one we are determined to be successful in.”

The next step, competing with the top sides in Scottish Women’s Football is an exciting one for the club, and Craig is positive that Partick has what it takes to be competitive and ensure that higher-level football is sustainable.

“I think we’ve got all the ingredients to be successful. A hard-working talented squad with a mix of experience and youth and a manager that knows how to get the best out of the players and has been there and done it in the men’s game so has a lot of footballing knowledge and experience.

“I think believing in ourselves and staying together is important. There are a lot of tough games in the division that might not always go our way but the team will always give it their all.”

Above: A tussle for possession in Partick Thistle’s (white shirt) away derby to Glasgow City. Photo: @ThistleWFC

Partick Thistle’s promotion to the top flight now means that four of the division’s ten clubs are based in Glasgow. There are plenty of exciting local derbies for the Jags this season as Craig highlighted.

“The three other Glasgow sides are obviously fighting for the title and are full-time. So while these games will be hard, having them as Glasgow derbies make them that little bit more exciting for the supporters.”

Partick Thistle has a good pathway in place to bring girls through to the senior teams at the club.

“We have a good partnership with Drumchapel United, a local girl’s team where some of their players come to train with our squad and there is a pathway for them to move up to our senior team. We also have some of their younger players as ball girls on match day which allows them to come and watch and be involved in match day.”

Another positive is the ties between the men’s and women’s teams at the club. “We have two of the men’s squad in the coaching staff. Manager Brian Graham is the men’s top scorer while coach Ross Docherty is the men’s captain. So there is a close link between the two sides,” Craig highlighted.

The club has clear aims to be a long-term member of the SWPL1 as Craig underlined: “Staying in the top division is the main goal for the team. To stabilize at that level and build each year, always moving forward. Growing interest and support of the team while giving young girls something to look up to and aim for is also important.”

Above: Midweek action from Partick Thistle’s (right) most recent game against Spartans. Photo: @ThistleWFC

The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the seventh round of D1 Arkema.

Above: Fleury celebrate. Photo: @FCF91_feminines

Fleury won 1-0 at home against Reims. In a game between two teams who are fighting to get to fourth place. The game was marginally dominated by Reims (58% of possession for Reims), but Fleury were more efficient and could even have scored more goals if Léa Le Garrec was a little bit more successful. With this win, Fleury is now fourth in the standings while Reims stays in the middle at the eighth place. Léa Le Garrec had a very good game, scoring a great goal with a shot just under the crossbar from around 25 meters (57′) and had three other big opportunities to score at the 41^st minute (shot from 20 meters deviated from the corner), 50^th minute (shot just to the left of the goal), 55^th minute (shot stopped by the Reims goalkeeper).

Without another great performance from Katriina Talaslahti, the Fleury goalkeeper, who did not let any ball enter the Fleury goal and allowed her team to make another clean sheet, one goal would not have been enough to win this game. Katriina made five stops (10^th minute on a long shot, 28^th minute at the feet of Reims striker, 43rd-minute ground stop at her left post, 65^th minute on a cross at the first post, 80^th minute on another long shot), and three clearances (21^st minute with her fists on a corner, 35^th minute with her foot on a back pass from one of her teammates, 53rd-minute clearance with her foot just in front of Kessya Bussy ready to score). Goal for Fleury from Léa Le Garrec (57).

Paris FC won away from home 5-0 against Issy. There was no suspense at all in this game as it was fully dominated by Paris FC (73% of possession). Even if we had to wait the 21^st minute to see the first goal for Paris FC, with only three shots Issy were never able to bring any danger to the Paris FC goal. Paris FC consolidates its third place in the table only three points adrift of Lyon and Paris St. Germain but with already six points clear of the fourth place. Goals for Paris FC from Julie Soyer (21), Mathilde Bourdieu (32), Ouleymata Sarr (37), Clara Matéo (90), Oriane Jean-François (90+2).

**Above:** Paris FC had plenty to celebrate during their match with Issy. **Photo:** @PFC_Feminines

Montpellier won 2-1 away from home against Saint-Etienne. In a strange game which was pretty even in terms of possession and passes as shown by the statistics (For Montpellier, 54% of possession and 301 passes with 71% successful; For Saint-Etienne, 46% of possession and 292 passes with 71% successful), Montpellier shot 20 times (9 on target) while Saint-Etienne shot only four times (two on target). However, as Saint-Etienne scored first in the sixth minute and as Montpellier was not able to put the ball in Saint-Etienne goal despite their great number of shots, we could have thought that Saint-Etienne would win this game. Unfortunately for Saint-Etienne, and hopefully for Montpellier, Sarah Puntigam and Lena Petermann scored both in the last minutes of the game giving the win to their team. There were also two red cards in this game: Kelly Gago, Saint-Etienne (60); Nérilia Mondésir, Montpellier (85). Goal for Saint-Etienne from Esther Okoronkwo (6); Goals for Montpellier from Sarah Puntigam (90), Lena Petermann (90+4).

Bordeaux won 3-0 at home against Guingamp. Another equal match, and even slightly dominated by Guingamp in terms of possession and passes (For Bordeaux, 46% of possession and 370 passes with 73% successful; For Guingamp, 54% of possession and 427 passes with 70% successful), but not in terms of shots (For Bordeaux, 20 shots with eight on target; For Guingamp, five shots with four on target). Bordeaux were more efficient, scoring three times. With a little bit more realism, Claire Lavogez, who still delivered a good performance in this game with one goal (39′) and one decisive pass (13′), could even have scored another goal in first half. Goals for Bordeaux from Maëlle Garbino (13), Claire Lavogez (39), Katja Snoeijs (68).

**Above:** Action from Montpellier against St. Etienne during week seven. **Photo:** @D1Arkema

Paris Saint-Germain won away from home 3-0 against Dijon. Paris SG dominated this game but still didn’t scored as many goals as we could expect when we look at the statistics of the game: For Paris SG, 73% of possession, 653 passes with 89% successful, 21 shots with six on target, six corners; For Dijon, 27% of possession, 249 passes with 65% successful, seven shots with one on target, no corner. Sara Däbritz, Paris SG, missed a penalty at the end of the game (90+3). Goals for Paris SG from Kadidiatou Diani (24), Léna Goetsch (58 Over Goal), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (60).

Olympique Lyonnais won 6-1 away from home against Soyaux. Lyon were totally dominant and could have scored a lot more goals if they were more efficient in attack. Statistics of the game: For Lyon, 68% of possession, 506 passes with 84% successful, 20 shots with 10 on target, seven corners; For Dijon, 32% of possession, 253 passes with 62% successful, three shots with two on target, three corners. Selma Bacha, who played on the left of Lyon attack in the first half and as a left back in the second half, delivered another good performance with the following personal statistics (recorded by Jean-Pierre Thiesset during the game): almost 50 balls played, 29 passes with 89% successful, two decisive passes (a cross for Signe Bruun at the 40^th minute, a corner for the head of Griedge MBock at the 79^th minute), and she was involved in the Janice Cayman goal at the 29th minute with a free-kick at the back post which wasn’t successfully cleared by Soyaux defense. Bacha is always impressive whether she plays in front or behind; not only she is able to adapt herself in these two positions, but she can also do it even in the same game. Very good game also from Catarina Macario in the middle. Goals for Lyon from Catarina Macario (5), Signe Bruun (13, 39), Janice Cayman (28), Melvine Malard (76), Griedge MBock (79). Goal for Soyaux from Corina Luijks (6).

**Above:** High flying action between Olympique Lyonnais and Soyaux. **Photo:** @OLfeminin

For the next round of the D1 Arkema championships, Olympique Lyonnais will receive Paris Saint-Germain in its Groupama Stadium for the first big game of the season on November 14, 2021. I will be in the Stadium for Impetus and hope to bring full photographic coverage from pitchside.

Rapid Two Goal Concession Leaves City Feeling Blue

Manchester City 0-3 Chelsea

By Ben Gilby

Above: Erin Cuthbert (22) celebrates with Guro Reiten after putting Chelsea 1-0 up in the FA Cup Semi-Final. Photo: Getty Images.

Chelsea profited from a dominant first-half performance to send Manchester City to their heaviest home defeat since 2014 in the FA Cup semi-final at the Academy Stadium.

In the fifth meeting between the two sides in the last seven seasons of the Women’s FA Cup, the ultimate difference on the day was Chelsea’s greater ability to take the chances that came their way, aided by two errors by Manchester City goalkeeper Karima Benameur Taieb.

City were still without ten players through injury and head coach Gareth Taylor was forced to name 16-year-old keeper Grace Pilling on a bench of five players compared to Chelsea’s nine.

Notably, for the defending champions, Lauren James was named in a matchday squad for the first time since joining the club in the summer from Manchester United, although Chelsea boss Emma Hayes indicated that she was not yet ready to play . Pernille Harder’s quad injury picked up during international action for Denmark kept her out of the line-up.

Above: Pre-game scene at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium. Photo: BBC.

City, who had the benefit of a strong wind in their favour in the first half, made a solid start with Khadija Shaw and Ellen White combining well down the flanks, with Dutch international defender Aniek Nouwen doing well to keep alive to the danger for the visitors. However, Chelsea, backed by a large group of vocal supporters who could be heard throughout the afternoon, gained their first chance in the opening five minutes when Kerr found Fran Kirby in the box, but the Lionesses’ star’s header was well wide.

Lauren Hemp was in typically rampaging form, targeting runs at Jess Carter down the left. Just after the quarter-hour mark, the City flyer skipped past her Chelsea shadow and got a low ball in for Ellen White coming in at the near post in the six-yard box, but she hit her shot narrowly wide.

The South-West Londoners replied from a free kick on the right-hand side of the box after Demi Stokes felled Erin Cuthbert at the cost of a yellow card. The Scottish international floated in a free-kick which Nouwen nodded the wrong side of the far post.

Chelsea pressed on 22 minutes when Cuthbert combined with Melanie Leupolz on the right. The German international played an angled pass into the path of Kerr who, as she was about to shoot was denied by a superb tackle from Jill Scott.

Above: Erin Cuthbert is embraced by team mates after putting Chelsea ahead. Photo: Getty Images.

The resulting corner came in directly to Cuthbert on the right-hand side of the box. The Scot took a touch, got away from Lauren Coombes, and smashed a shot that went through the raised hands of City keeper Karima Benameur Taieb.

Ultimately, the deciding moment of the game came five minutes later as Chelsea doubled their lead with Benameur Taieb culpable once more. The move began with a throw on the right from Carter. Cuthbert was involved before the ball found its way back to Leupolz in the ‘D’ who got between two markers and hit a low shot which Benameur Taieb got a hand to but the ball squirmed into the right-hand corner of the net.

Chelsea were rampant now and did not give the hosts a single second to settle on the ball and executed their relentless high press. The visitors had a penalty shout when Hemp had Carter by the arm as she advanced into the box and looked to tug the Chelsea midfielder down, but nothing was awarded.

With ten minutes to go before the break, Benameur Taieb redeemed herself when she denied Kerr after the Matildas star was played in with a beautifully angled pass from Kirby. Carter held back by Hemp

Kirby could have made things worse for City with six minutes to go in the half when she had all the time in the world at the left-hand post and a powerful effort was saved at point-blank fashion from Benameur Taieb.

Above: Melanie Leupolz (right) and Sophie Ingle pictured after Leupolz put Chelsea 2-0 ahead. Photo: Getty Images.

City ended the half on the front foot. With three minutes to go before the break, Carter lost possession to Hemp who was fouled by Leupolz left of centre around 25 yards out from goal. Alex Greenwood played in the free-kick towards the back-post. Scott tried to side foot the ball across the box but Chelsea cleared, albeit awkwardly and it remained 2-0 at the break in the Londoners’ favour.

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor looked to shake things up by changing to a 4-4-2 formation and also bringing on 20-year-old Jess Park for Shaw, who faded after a promising start.

Chelsea continued to press with Benaumeur Taieb called upon to stop Cuthbert whose fierce shot was denied from point-blank range after she was played in by Kirby.

Just before the hour mark, Kerr was replaced by Beth England. City forced a corner shortly afterward as Park was played in via a long ball from Greenwood down the right-hand side and forced Ann-Katrin Berger to palm an effort away. The resulting corner found Caroline Weir who played the ball back at the near post towards Hemp who lost Cuthbert, but put an effort well wide of the right-hand post.

Matters became increasingly scrappy through the middle period of the second half which favoured the visitors due to their lead on the scoreboard. Whilst Hemp continued to offer the most threat, City still lacked the creativity to unlock the Chelsea defence as too many of the home side’s attackers, notably Janine Beckie and White saw very little of the ball. With the hosts having limited numbers of the bench, their options to look for game changers were limited compared to the massed talent which included Beth England, Jessie Fleming, and Ji So-Yun on Chelsea’s substitute list.

Above: Beth England pictured after sealing Chelsea’s win with their third goal. Photo: Getty Images.

In the final minute of regulation time, Chelsea put the icing on the cake with a third goal as Sophie Ingle found Fleming on the right-hand side. Her ball in found England in far too much space from a City perspective and the Barnsley-born star headed home.

Therefore, Chelsea were able to clinch their place at Wembley relatively comfortably at the end with Berger having fewer shots to save than she may have expected – but there was time for one outstanding stop in the final exchanges when she pushed Park’s rasping shot which was heading for the top left-hand corner onto the post.

With this being last season’s FA Cup competition, Chelsea are now just one win from clinching a domestic quadruple from 2020/21 as they look to add the final trophy to the cabinet which already contains the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, Conti Cup, and FA Community Shield.

As for City, whilst injuries are a big part of their current malaise, there are enough quality players across the team to be obtaining far better results than they have so far.

Teams: MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Benameur Taieb, Beckie, Scott, Greenwood, Stokes, Coombes, Walsh, Weir, Hemp, Shaw, White. Substitutes: Angeldahl, Raso, Park (for Shaw 46’), Losada (for Walsh 67’), Pilling (GK).

CHELSEA (3-4-3): Berger, Nouwen, Bright, Eriksson, Carter, Ingle, Leupolz, Reiten, Cuthbert, Kerr, Kirby. Substitutes: Musovic (GK), England (for Kerr 58’), Ji, Fleming (for Reiten 73’), James, Charles (for Kirby 79’), Spence (for Leupolz 73’), Andersson, Fox.

Scorers: Cuthbert 23’, Leupolz 28’, England ’89.

Referee: Rebecca Welch.

African Women’s Cup of Nations News

Impetus is delighted to welcome Ghana-based women’s football journalist Esther Owusua Appiah-Fei to our global team of contributors. In this, her first article for us, she rounds up all the action from the first qualifying stage for the African Women’s Cup of Nations.

Above: Nigeria vs Ghana in the first leg of the AWCON qualifiers at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Lagos) Photo supplied by: Esther Owusua Appiah-Fei

African women’s football, though with a few developments needed, has seen a stark improvement over the past three decades since its official inception. The African Women’s Cup of Nation (AWCON) has grown steadily in the past few decades to give women’s football the competitive edge it needs on the continent. The 2022 AWCON qualifiers delivered its share of fun, excitement, lethargic moments as well as the highs and lows from the players.

The two greatest powerhouses and longstanding rivals were in the mix and to the surprise of many, they had to clash way too early in the qualifiers. The Black Queens of Ghana were drawn against the Super Flacons of Nigeria and it was nothing short of a thrill-infested game with all the antics and drama. Desiree Ellis and her Bayana Bayana ladies from South Africa, once again, made a statement that constant investment into women’s football pays off in beneficial folds and that can get you a highly coveted spot in an AWCON tournament.

A record of 44 great teams from Africa were pitted against each other for 11 spots in the final campaign. Prior to the game, there were critiques, who were against the format of the qualifiers but CAF still pushed through with it regardless. On May 10, 2022, the draw for the qualifiers en route to Morocco was done in Egypt, at CAF’S Headquarters in Cairo. The initial date set for the qualifiers were ‘June 7-17’ for the first round and ‘October 18-29’ for the second round.

However, on May 17, CAF distributed an official press release where they stated the immediate suspension of all the games due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and the poor state of some stadiums on the continent. The quality of the game was an element the Federation wasn’t going to compromise on. The new dates for the AWCON qualifiers were also stated in the press release. The first round was going to take place within the month of October from the 18th through to the 26th whereas the second round will start on February 14-23 respectively.

During the international break in the various leagues, all the players together with their compatriots flew down to Africa to serve their international duties. The first leg of the first playoff round ended with quite some interesting score lines. Magnificent amongst them were the cricket scorelines in the mix. Algeria drubbed Sudan in a 14-0 massacre, with Botswana outclassing Angola by 5-1, Kenya also mauled South Sudan by 8-0 with Desiree Ellis’s South Africa thrashing Mozambique by 7-0. The Copper Queens of Zambia shared the spoils with Malawi after a 1-1 thrilling game. Barbara Banda missed this particular round of qualifiers for undisclosed reasons.

**Image supplied by:** Esther Owusua Appiah-Fei

The game that caught the attention of many was Ghana’s encounter with arch West African rivals, Nigeria. Nigeria held Ghana to a 2-0 scoreline with a super brace from Uchenna for the Falcons.

The second leg of the first playoff round was also held over the weekend from Saturday, October 23, through to Tuesday, October 26. Teams like Ghana, Central Africa Republic, Liberia, Mauritania, Benin, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Gabon, Malawi, and Zambia were hoping to overturn their luck and qualify for the second round, slated for February 2022. It was a ‘do or die’ affair and all the teams were in no position to slip up and miss the next round of qualifiers. Ghana played against the Super Falcons of Nigeria on their home turf at the Accra Sports Stadium. Their games were the highlight of the whole Qualifiers considering the fact that they are the pacesetters for women’s football in Africa.

The Black Queens of Ghana played immensely well at Accra and complimented their performance with a great goal by Princella Adubea. They huffed and puffed trying to break the Nigerian defensive line and set the aggregate scoreline all square but it all proved futile. It ended 1-0 in favor of the Queens but on aggregate, Nigeria won by 2-1 and advanced to the second round.

The other round of matches across the continent were also dramatic and left fans on the edges of their seats. The game between Zambia and Malawi was one for the books. They both entered this clash with a 1-1 scoreline on aggregate hence had everything to fight for. Zambia showed their resiliency and tactical prowess and stood tallest after what turned out to be a nerve-wracking match. At halftime, the Copper Queens of Zambia led the scoreline with two goals from Racheal Kundananji 25’, 41’ and Asimeye Simwaka of Malawi scored the first goal of the game on the seventh-minute mark. Malawi leveled proceedings from a screamer by Wezzie Mvula on the 70th-minute mark.

After three minutes, Lushomo Mweeba put Zambia back in the lead from a long-range freekick. It all ended in favor of Zambia and they proceeded to the second and final round of the qualifiers. This time they go head to head with Namibia who emerged victorious over Tanzania.

**Above:** The Copper Queens of Zambia celebrating after scoring Malawi in the first-leg match. **Photo supplied by:** Esther Owusua Appiah-Fei

Kenya and Algeria had the highest scoring aggregate in this qualifying round with their cricket score lines. There were no major upsets as almost all the powerhouses in Africa women’s football qualified for the next round,

Unfortunately, all the teams who were in high hopes of staging a comeback and causing an upset in their second legs fell through. DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea were disqualified. Djibouti, Rwanda, Togo, and Sao Tome E Principe withdrew and the game between Algeria and Sudan was also postponed. With the political unrest still looming in Sudan, it is still uncertain when the second leg between the two would come off.

For what is worth all the teams showed great charisma for their games and had the perks of playing the game they loved most in their national team colors. The tactics employed by the various coaches and the overall player performance rate were at a staggering high. This clearly showed a great renaissance in African women’s football and it was nothing short of thrills, excitement, and a great spectacle of football for women and the continent at large.

A-League Women Round-Up

Ben Gilby hears from Adelaide United’s Fiona Worts & Adrian Stenta before providing the views of Michelle Heyman and Allira Toby at Canberra United’s media day. Tash Rigby and Alex Epakis speak at the unveiling of Perth Glory’s captain for the campaign and we conclude with in depth coverage Wellington Phoenix Women’s first media conference where he heard from head coach Gemma Lewis and General Manager David Dome who provided the latest information on the club’s development, home matches and sponsorship.

Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis speaks during a very honest press conference in New Zealand this week. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Wellington Phoenix.

Adelaide United Re-Sign Worts:

**Above:** Fiona Worts – back at Adelaide United for 2021/22. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United

Adelaide United announced on Monday that Fiona Worts has re-signed with them for the upcoming A-League Women 2021/22 season.

Worts played nine games in her debut campaign for the Reds, scoring two goals and registering three assists.

The English forward was at Fulham United in the local Women’s NPL SA where she scored eight goals in 13 matches.

The 25-year-old has also previously plied her trade with both Leicester City and Coventry United in the FA Women’s Championship – the second division of women’s football in England.

Speaking on re-joining the squad for the impending season, Worts said: “I’m really happy to be back with Adelaide United and looking forward to the new season.

“It was really enjoyable playing for Adrian (Stenta) last year and I’m determined to help the team be successful moving forward.

“We came really close to reaching our finals objective, and I’m confident we can go one step further this time around.”

Adelaide United’s A-League Women Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, said: “Fiona showed last season that she can play at this level.

“Ahead of this season, and with another strong WNPL campaign under her belt, I’m confident Fiona can continue to show her quality and contribute to our team’s overall goals for 2021/22.

“She is a versatile attacker who brings a lot of flexibility to our line-up and we’re very happy to have Fiona as part of our squad again.”

Canberra United Media Day: Michelle Heyman and Allira Toby Speak:

**Above:** Canberra United back in training. **Photo:** Canberra Times.

All-time A-League Women leading scorer Michelle Heyman and new signing Allira Toby spoke to the media this week.

Talking first was Michelle Heyman who was enthusiastic about being back: “It’s surreal to be back here. It’s been the longest wait being in lockdown with everyone doing individual sessions, so it has been so nice to get back out on the field with the girls and have a laugh.

“My body is feeling good again, so I’m happy to push it again and see what I can do. To be back training with people is such a high.

“Everyone has walked in and new faces have slotted right in. Everyone’s working hard. Our physio was helping us with running programs in the off-season. Most of us have been doing it for ten weeks now.”

**Above:** Michelle Heyman pictured at Canberra United’s media day this week. **Photo:** Canberra United.

The former Matilda outlined some of the details that the players have heard about the organisational side of the competition this season.

“We’ve heard that things might be even more challenging than last season, which seems impossible, but I’m hoping things can be more exciting in terms of fan engagements at matches. With travel, the only big issue is Perth and what is going to happen there.

“We’re pretty keen to get back in front of our fans. I love Canberra, I love the fans and I can’t wait, I’m pumped! Our mission this year is to make and then win Finals. Last year we wanted to be top four and we did that. This year we believe we can do it.”

Heyman then spoke about the possibilities offered by expansion teams coming into the competition. “It’s exciting. It’s great that there will be more opportunities for women to play football at a high level. There’s more depth now. The more teams that we have will benefit the league and the Matildas.”

Allira Toby outlined her experiences since arriving in the national capital. “Canberra’s great, it’s a lot colder than Queensland though! I didn’t need to do quarantine, so I was lucky. I’ve been playing football all year. There were no real restrictions in Brisbane so I could fly in and get going.

“I’m football fit ready to go whereas others have gone two months without football or training. I’m in good shape. I’m used to doing double sessions.”

Asked why she particularly chose Canberra United said: “I needed a change. I like to thrive in a different environment. I spoke to Vicki (Linton) on the phone before signing and what she said sounded like it would be a great fit. I realised it was the right choice within the first few days of arriving. I’m excited about what I can do and it was the right choice.

“I’m really excited to be playing alongside Michelle. I’ve been excited to play with her since signing. Now I’ve got six weeks to see how she plays specifically and get out partnership so that come round one we are ready and can score goals.”

Perth Glory Announce Rigby As Captain:

Defender Tash Rigby was confirmed as the club’s captain for the 2021/22 season on Thursday. Speaking to the media she said, “It’s an absolute honour to captain this team and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do it again this year.

“We have an incredibly exciting squad lined up this season and [Head Coach] Alex Epakis and the club have been working so hard to ensure we are set to succeed in our upcoming campaign.

“We are building a specific environment where players feel safe to be themselves and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. We have a lot to prove this year and the players have certainly started pre-season with a bang.”

“Tash is a standout person and leader,” said Alex Epakis, “Her energy is infectious and she has a deep desire to win whilst always leading by example.

“I know she deeply values her leadership role and position within the team and each day she represents the club and our values with the highest of standards. Tash is a great character and the perfect person to drive the team into what is shaping up to be a very exciting season for us. I look forward to working closely with her this year.”

Phoenix Media Conference And Recruitment Latest as They Add Three From NSW, Two Scholars

**Above:** Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis at the press conference. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Wellington Phoenix. Taken by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis faced the media on Thursday. She first spoke about the mostly young roster that the club has put together so far.

“I think we were always going to have a young list mainly with the timing of us entering the competition. However, we would have been looking to get the vast majority of these players into other A-League Women clubs anyway if Phoenix hadn’t been taking part this year. We believe that they are ready.

“The list is not based short term. It’s all long-term. If we look after these players and nourish them, we feel there will be impact in the future years.

“A lot of the players have been in lockdown for the past nine weeks, so we’re getting everyone on the pitch and brushing off the cobwebs. Now the expectation is about getting them ready – physically and mentally about what they will face. We think we’ll be ready for the first game now.

“You need to remember that a lot of our younger players have international experience so they may be in a better position experience-wise than some of the Australian youngsters.”

In terms of why some home-based players with Football Fern experience have not joined the club, Lewis said that: “It’s to do with time. A lot of them have work and playing A-League Women is pretty much a five-month expectation. We understand that.”

The Phoenix head coach was also asked if the pandemic has impacted on their ability on getting Kiwi players back from overseas to play for them. “Maybe, but I don’t think our list would have looked that much different. Maybe we could have brought two or three in but overall it wouldn’t have changed the shape of our team.”

**Above:** Some of Wellington Phoenix’s inaugural squad pose for the cameras on Thursday. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Wellington Phoenix. Taken by: by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images.

In terms of the biggest challenge at present, Lewis was clear: “At the moment, the biggest challenge we have is the squad. Right now we have half of the team here in New Zealand but still the other half to come in. Getting those players together will be our biggest challenge. It’s not a case of Aussies and Kiwis, just getting together. We need to get them together as the Phoenix and that’s key.”

“We want to be here, but Covid brings circumstances that won’t allow that. We’re itching for a doubleheader with the men as a home game. It’s a long shot for us to play at home this season, but it would be massive for the players.”

In terms of what Lewis is aiming for with the squad this season, she was realistic: “We want to be competitive, with the young group we have, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. We will come up against players who have been playing together for a long time. A lot of the W-League teams have retained players from previous seasons. However, a new group with unknowns gives us a competitive edge straightaway. We’ll know after the first couple of games where we will be.”

She did also highlight the fact that the long term benefits are potentially huge for New Zealand women’s football: “Young girls in New Zealand never had a tangible outcome to play high-level football in the country, but now they will be able to see players not much older than themselves playing in this competition. It creates a big shift in the pathway in New Zealand. They see the Ferns but don’t see those players’ club careers as there isn’t the exposure.

“We don’t always see ourselves as a young development side. We came in late to the piece this season and in terms of players were left with what others hadn’t picked up. Going forward, we will always have some youngsters, but we want eventually to get more experience and push for Finals.”

General Manager David Dome was also present and outlined the logistics between Phoenix’s entry into the competition. “We’re in constant touch with the APL and we’re looking at getting over to Australia next week. We have permission not to quarantine, so we can go straight into Sydney.

“We are also working with the APL about working the draw so we can have as many doubleheaders as possible with our men’s team. If our men’s team are allowed to play home games here, then we want our women’s team home too. It is high on our priority list. We need the draw to work in our favour and also the border situation to work in our favour. It also depends on commercial backing. We’ve had some interested parties but as yet no one has come forward to sign on the dotted line and that is disappointing for us.”

The following day he was also able to confirm that: “We will be based in Wollongong and will play home matches at WIN Stadium.

Wellington Phoenix announced the addition of three Australian-based players for the upcoming A-League Women’s 2021/22 Season on Monday.

Te Reremoana Walker, Isabel Gomez and Cushla Rue have all agreed to one-year terms with the Club, and will join up with the Phoenix squad once the team arrives in NSW early next week.

Walker, a 17-year-old Kiwi midfielder, has been based in New South Wales since 2017, racking up over 100 matches played and 10 goals scored over five seasons in the NSW NPL Women’s competition. She spent the 2020/21 Season in the Newcastle Jets Academy setup as they competed in the NSW NPL Women’s competition for the first time, and has also represented New Zealand as an under-17 international player.

Isabel Gomez, an 18-year-old Australian midfielder, joins the squad with A-League experience after spending last season with the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2020/21 A-League Women’s competition – playing five matches. Prior to this Gomez was a part of the Football NSW Institute, where she starred in the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s season over 11 matches.

Cushla Rue is an 18-year-old Australian defender who has also played in the NSW NPL Women’s competition over four seasons for the Football NSW Institute, amassing 19 goals over 75 matches played. In November 2020, Rue was named in the first ever Women’s Talent Identification Camp in Canberra; this led to her being selected for the Young Matildas Squad Training Camp in June this year, after impressing Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney.

Wellington Phoenix Head Coach, Gemma Lewis says that despite their age, all three players bring an intriguing mix of experience and potential to the squad.

“Mona [Te Reremoana] has been on the national team radar for a while so we know what she brings to the table; her time with the Jets has really helped her to grow over the last year,” says Lewis.

“And both Gomez and Rue impressed at the Football NSW Institute last season – with Gomez gaining valuable A-League experience and Rue pegged as a future Matildas star – so I’m excited to see how all three players can positively impact on this squad this year.”

Walker will take up the eleventh and final Kiwi spot in the Phoenix A-League Women’s squad, while Gomez and Rue are the Club’s first signings to be included in the APL-mandated seven Australian spots.

Wellington Phoenix have added Kiwi players Charlotte Lancaster and Alyssa Whinham to scholarships with the A-League Women’s team.

Although the Club has filled its allotment of 11 Kiwi players for the upcoming season, it has been granted special dispensation by Football Australia to have Lancaster and Whinham join the team as New Zealand scholarship players.

Alyssa Whinham, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder, has played with the Canterbury Pride in the Women’s National League since 2019 – teaming up last season with fellow Phoenix signings Kate Taylor and Zoe McMeeken as the Pride captured its third successive championship. Earlier this year Whinham played for Coastal Spirit in Mainland’s WPL competition.

Charlotte Lancaster is an 17-year-old defender who hails from Napier in the Hawkes Bay. She debuted for Central Football in the Women’s National League in 2018 at 15 years old, and was named as their Female Player of the Year last season. Lancaster most recently played for Palmerston North Marist’s FC, which finished 2nd in the W-League.

Whinham and Lancaster have experience playing alongside each other, with both players called up into the New Zealand U-20 camps earlier this year. They were also both members of the NZ U-16s side that came in second at the 2019 CFA China International Youth Football Tournament – with Lancaster named as Player of the Match in the team’s 2-1 win over Thailand to claim silver.

Wellington Phoenix Women’s Head Coach, Gemma Lewis, says that this is a great opportunity for these two young players to gain some professional experience.
“I’m really pleased that we’re able to offer Alyssa and Charlotte a chance to be part of this team, it’s great for us and great for their career ambitions too.

“They both know how special it is for them to be a part of our inaugural squad, and that these type of opportunities in the professional space don’t come around often; so I’m confident they’ll put in 110% effort and treat this season as a learning – and fun – experience.”

The Wellington Phoenix A-League Women’s squad now stands at 15 players.

Ballon d’Or: Contenders & Predictions

We highlight the contenders for this year’s FIFA Women’s Ballon d’Or and then four members of the Impetus writing team – Ben Gilby, Jean-Pierre Thiesset, Kieran Yap, and Kris Goman discuss who they think deserves the award this year and who they suspect will win.

Above: The Ballon d’Or. Photo: FIFA

FIFA recently announced the contenders for the 2021 Women’s Ballon d’Or award. The twenty player shortlist consists of:

Stina Blackstenius, Swedish – BK Häcken (Sweden), Kadidiatou Diani, French – Paris Saint-Germain (France), Christiane Endler, Chilean – Paris Saint-Germain (France), Olympique Lyonnais (France), Magdalena Eriksson, Swedish – Chelsea (England), Jessie Fleming, Canadian – Chelsea (England), Pernille Harder, Danish – Chelsea (England), Jennifer Hermoso, Spanish – Barcelona (Spain), Marie-Antoinette Katoto, French – Paris Saint-Germain (France), Sam Kerr, Australian – Chelsea (England), Fran Kirby, English – Chelsea (England), Ashley Lawrence, Canadian – Paris Saint-Germain (France), Lieke Martens, Dutch – Barcelona (Spain), Sam Mewis, American – North Carolina Courage (USA), Vivianne Miedema, Dutch – Arsenal (England), Sandra Paños, Spanish – Barcelona (Spain), Irene Paredes, Spanish – Paris Saint-Germain (France), Barcelona (Spain), Alexia Putellas, Spanish – Barcelona (Spain), Wendie Renard, French – Olympique Lyonnais (France), Christine Sinclair, Canadian – Portland Thorns (USA), Ellen White, English – Manchester City (England).

Of the twenty players in the shortlist, four are Spanish, three Canadian, three French, two Dutch, two English, two Swedish, and one American, Australian, Chilean, and Dane each. In terms of where these stars are playing their club football, seven play in the FAWSL in England, five in France’s D1 Arkema, five in Spain, two in America, and one in Sweden.

My View – Ben Gilby:

**Above:** Christine Sinclair (12) – big achievements with Canada. **Photo:** Getty Images.

In terms of who I believe are strong contenders, Fran Kirby had the best season of her life in club football last season and was an absolute joy to watch, however, her lack of international success during the calendar year with Great Britain exiting the Olympics at the Quarter-Finals, and England having a less than impressive run of results before the Autumn is likely to count against her. Sam Kerr finally showed the doubters why they were so wrong about her in the early part of the 2020/21 FAWSL season as she couldn’t stop scoring for club and found her scoring touch for the Matildas as they made the Semi-Finals of the Olympic Games. Jessie Fleming’s nomination is great to see for her incredible performances in Tokyo, but she did not make many starts for Chelsea during this calendar year. Also well worth keeping an eye out for is Alexia Putellas given Barcelona’s outstanding season which culminated with a breathtaking Champions League Final performance and Spain’s continuing emergence as a force on the European international scene – something that deserves to be rewarded.

This award usually counts international success as a key factor, therefore I have a suspicion that Christine Sinclair might just take the award after she finally achieved major international success with Canada to add to her phenomenal goal-scoring record as she took Olympic Gold with her country.

My View – Jean-Pierre Thiesset:

**Above:** Jessie Fleming, who had an incredible 2021. **Photo:** Getty Images.

I think that to be awarded a Ballon d’Or, the team in which you play, and the trophies won by your team influence the decision a lot. You can be the best player in your category but if your team did not win anything, there is little chance that you have the Ballon d’Or. The teams of the last two recipients had won big contests: Ada Hegerberg, Champions League winner with Lyon; Megan Rapinoe, World Cup winner with the USA.

I think that Christiane Endler is the best goalkeeper, and I would love to see her awarded the Ballon d’Or, but she is a goalkeeper, and everyone knows that it is even more difficult for a goalkeeper to be awarded a Ballon d’Or, and she neither won the Champions League with Paris SG, nor the Olympics with Chile; so, there is little chance that she will win. For the same reasons, I think that Wendie Renard, who is probably the best defender in the world but she won nothing with Lyon last season and will not have it either, except if the voters take into consideration her full career. I could see Sam Kerr who won the England Championship with Chelsea, and had good performances in Olympics Games with Australia, even if they did not win it. But I guess that Jessie Fleming who won the Olympics Games with Canada, the England Championship with Chelsea, and who was in the final of Women UEFA Champions League could be the 2021 Ballon d’Or recipient.

My View: Kieran Yap:

**Above:** Lieke Martens – part of a sensational Barcelona team. **Photo:** FC Barcelona.

Caroline Graham-Hansen was an outstanding player in a dominant side. She was unstoppable and influential against Chelsea in the Champions League Final and is a key player in the all-conquering Barcelona team. Strangely the Norwegian has not been nominated in what can only be a bizarre oversight.

Sam Kerr delivered at every opportunity for club and country. She won the Golden Boot in her first full FAWSL season and scored six times at the Olympics. Her form has rightfully been rewarded with a third straight Ballon D’or nomination. Although she is probably the best centre-forward in the world, voters might not consider that enough to be considered the best player.

The award will go to somebody from Barcelona. The Spanish league is relatively difficult to watch compared to the FAWSL so it can be very easy to forget how good this team is.

But the brutal and stylish way that they brushed aside both Arsenal and Chelsea in the Champions League were reminders that they are currently operating on another level completely.

The award can only go to one player though and that will probably be Lieke Martens.

She has won almost every individual award available to her so far and deservedly so. Martens ticks all the boxes for a Ballon D’or winner. She plays with an eye-catching style but her flair is backed up by impact, she creates goals from wide and scores them when she cuts inside, often spectacularly.

In full flight, Martens is simply unstoppable. She’s the best individual player in the best club team and a strong national side. That should be enough to see her win.

My View: Kris Goman:

**Above:** Alexia Putellas – lynchpin of arguably the greatest team in the world right now. **Photo:** FC Barcelona.

It will be another tight year to win this award. For my money, I’d be very surprised if Alexia Putellas didn’t walk away with the trophy.

She’s had a stellar year with Barcelona winning both their domestic trophy and the Champions League. In my mind, there’s no doubt Barcelona is the best women’s club team on the planet right now and Putellas is the lynchpin of the team. It would be criminal not to recognize this.

Coming hot on her heels is Sam Kerr. As an Australian, is hard not to be nationalistic about this but the facts are that she’s a prolific scorer. She’s won the golden boot in three competitions multiple times, won the League, the Conti Cup, the FA Cup and got to the final of the Champions League with Chelsea and led Australia to the Bronze medal match of the Olympic Games this year. It’s an impressive resume and she’s a very worthy contender.

Outside chances for my thinking, include Fran Kirby who has had an equally stellar club season as Kerr, Vivianne Miedema who’s been on fire for the last four years scoring goals indiscriminately, and Christine Sinclaire who might get the nod for her long term efforts including getting most international goals ever this year, along with leading Canada to a gold medal at the Olympics.

Who do YOU think will win? Add your thoughts to our post on social media (@ImpetusFootball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram)