Impetus‘ Kieran Yap was invited to Chelsea’s pre-Cup Final press conference and heard from Emma Hayes, Magda Eriksson, and Fran Kirby on the legacy of those who came before them, the priorities for further growth of the women’s game, and how preparations for the big day have gone(5/12/21).
Above: The Women’s FA Cup. Photo: The FA
A hundred years ago, women’s football was arbitrarily and cruelly outlawed. 50 years ago the first women’s FA Cup was staged, and on Sunday, over 45,000 people will fill Wembley Stadium to watch Arsenal and Chelsea compete for the trophy.
These are the two top teams in England and interest has never been higher in the women’s game. This match features some of the best players in the world, five of the top ten players ranked by the Ballon d’Or judges could take the field and the two clubs are the form teams in the FAWSL.
Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson is eager to step onto the biggest stage in domestic football.
“It doesn’t really get better than that,” said the star defender. “When you explain it like that, we’re really extremely excited. I can feel it amongst the girls coming back now today from the international break.”
The majority of Chelsea’s players are returning from national team duties, but the high frequency of matches is not something the Swede is concerned with.
Above: The two captains – Arsenal’s Kim Little (left) and Chelsea’s Magda Eriksson. Artwork: @VitalityWFACup
“We’re used to playing back to back to back, at the moment. I pride myself in preparing for every game like it’s a cup final.”
Eriksson was a member of the last Chelsea squad to win the Cup in 2018 also against Arsenal. Although she recalls the day fondly, she does not think it has any bearing on Sunday’s result.
“I view it as a nice memory. It was a very long time ago and both our teams have gone through a lot of changes since then. Obviously having the experience of playing in finals are big and it’s really important but you have to utilize it and capitalize it on the day.”
It is the dream of millions of children and adults alike to step onto the turf at Wembley, in front of a packed crowd even just for a moment.
The Chelsea players are hoping to enjoy the moment, but there is serious business to attend to first.
“When I’m walking out it’s going to be all about the game,” she said. “All about starting right, getting the tactical things right, just starting the game we want to. Hopefully, after the game, I can enjoy it more and enjoy a win but before the game, it’s all about focusing on the game itself and getting everything right.”
Attacker Fran Kirby is of the same mindset. She was also on the field in 2018. On that day Chelsea ran out 3-1 winners, Kirby sealed the contest in the 76th minute after Vivienne Miedema pulled one back for the Gunners. She will enjoy the day but has a job to do.
Above: Fran Kirby with the FA Cup in 2018 after scoring for Chelsea in their 3-1 win over Arsenal. Photo: She Kicks.
“It’s always business until you win,” she says without hesitation. “The feeling of playing at Wembley, its amazing. The feeling of walking out onto the pitch when there’s a crowd there is incredible and you do kind of have that moment when you do walk out that wow this is massive.
“Then as soon as you get on to the pitch and that whistle blows, it’s down to business and down to trying to win the game. I’m sure after the game hopefully we come away with the trophy and people can take it in and appreciate what we’ve achieved but until that moment you know that you just have to be on it 110% to make sure that you’re focused on the game at hand.”
It’s been a couple of years now. We fell short last year when we got knocked out in the semi-finals so I think we’re in a really good space at the moment. We know that we want to win and we’re excited but also we’re remaining focused on what we need to do to beat a quality Arsenal side.”
That quality she speaks of is almost too numerous to list, Kim Little, Beth Mead, and Katie McCabe are just three of Arsenal’s in-form stars. But one of their biggest weapons is Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema.
“Miedema is an exceptional striker, “ says Eriksson. She’s a great number nine with a lot of qualities to her and she’s really difficult to stop…it’s going to have to be a team effort. “We’re going to have to do it as a team like we do with everything else really.
“They have other players as well that we really have to look after, it’s not just one player.”
“It’s about making more history but it’s about the recognition of everybody that’s come before.“
Chelsea’s manager, Emma Hayes will not be letting the day pass without ceremony. This is a day she wants to make the most out of in every sense.
Above: Chelsea manager Emma Hayes – this weekend is about recognising all those who came before in women’s football. Photo: The Guardian
Hayes was eight months pregnant during her last FA Cup final, her son is now three and has undergone his own preparations for the big day.
“I got him a tracksuit,” says Hayes, “I got him a brand new tracksuit… he’s got a new hat.
“Women’s football has always been a family-friendly environment but to have my son come three years on from the last time I was there is an amazing moment for me as a mother. I hope he remembers some of it when he’s a little bit older, if not I’ll take a load of photographs.”
Hayes has a football match to win but the importance of the occasion is not lost on her. She is a passionate advocate for the growth of women’s football and points out the historical context of the day. Sunday falls on the centenary of women being banned from playing football.
“This is great for people that have been involved in the women’s game from the onset from the start,” said Hayes. “This is the showpiece event. Yes, we’re two fabulous teams both vying to win, but the FA Cup final is about history.
“It’s about making more history but it’s about the recognition of everybody that’s come before. To have the game on a poignant date on the women’s football calendar is critical and one that must serve as a reminder that this game won’t be banned again, never. It’s only going to grow and it’s only going to get better.
“This game is about every single person that has made sure that women’s football is a permanent fixture in everybody’s life.”
Hayes points out that it was not too long ago that top-level women’s football was far from the giant that is it emerging as.
“People think it’s a million years ago that those things happened,” she says, recalling her start in the top flight, she had to work to ensure that the right kits were available to players.
Above: Spending her whole career working in women’s football makes Emma Hayes appreciate those who fought so hard in the past for the game to be recognised and respected. Photo: Getty Images.
“We hadn’t got to this point (yet), there’s been a lot of hard work, sacrifice, investment from the club, but there’s still scores of girls and women’s teams across the county that are still facing challenges to get the basics, to get a quality of access to our sport.
“I hope that the FA Cup is just a reminder that women’s football matters, and that girls and women playing football matters.”
Hayes then puts the onus on the media listening to her. She delivers her words like one imagines she does to drive a team to win the trophies that fill Chelsea’s cabinet.
“I hope that you guys do a good job of reminding everybody of the sacrifices everybody made prior to now to put the women’s game in the place that it is and that’s what we have to be thankful and grateful for. “
As for what needs to improve for the state of the game, the answer is instant.
“More prize money for everyone, not (just for) the winning teams. Why is it we don’t get more prize money? We need more money being invested so it can trickle all the way down, it’s the same with TV money.
“That journey has begun but when it comes to prize money, it’s nowhere near where it should be and it’s nowhere near what the men’s game is.”
Hayes has spent her entire career in women’s football and cautions that applying the same practices to growing the women’s game as the men’s is not ideal.
Above: Recognition that developing women’s football needs to appreciate the different needs of girls and boys is a key part of Hayes’ message. Photo: Getty Images.
She points out that in her experience, young girls do not travel or catch public transport alone to play. The opportunities need to be brought to them. The sport needs different viewpoints and perspectives at all levels
“We need to come up with better ways to create solutions for girls and women, not just all modeled on the boys and the men’s game. I feel like for us to go another step further in our game we have to get it right. We have to have more diversity in our game than we have right now.”
As for the game at hand, the manager is approaching the contest much the same as she always does.
The downside to a squad filled with internationals is that they are almost all returning from overseas and training loads have to be managed. The team may not be finalized until the day before the match.
However, Hayes is confident her players will deliver, in particular Sam Kerr, fresh from a flight from Australia and a third-place finish in the Ballon d’Or.
“Sam is a top professional and we have sleep plans, recovery plans for these players and Sam will follow that. I spoke with her an hour ago and she said she feels much better than she did last time she returned so, she’ll give what her best can be on the weekend because these players are used to doing that even if it’s not what’s best for them.”
As kickoff approaches, there are no nerves from Chelsea, they’re used to must-win matches but Hayes is truly excited.
“It’s a special day in the women’s football calendar and I want to celebrate that for not just my own team but for everybody who’s been involved in this competition in their lives.
“I salute every single one of those women that have provided the opportunities, the pathway, the gateway and they’ve sacrificed so much so that the women’s game can be where it is.
“I just hope for everybody watching it’s a brilliant spectacle and one where everybody can celebrate the leaps and bounds we’ve made in women’s football.”
The Aussie Connection
Above: Some of the world’s greatest players and coaches will be on display at Wembley today. Artwork: Sky Sports.
Sam Kerr is currently one of the world’s best players. According to the Ballon d’Or judges, she is the top centre forward on the planet, and the statistics back that up.
Although she has circumnavigated the globe in the past week and played two games for Australia in between, she is expected to make an impact,
“Where do I start?” says Magda Eriksson when asked about the goal-scoring marvel. I think Sam’s been a great addition to our Chelsea team. I think she fits in our system perfectly, both as a person and as a player.
“I played against her in the Olympics with Sweden and I could really feel how difficult it is to play against her. She’s such a talented player, she has so many qualities to her. She’s both strong aerially, she’s good on the ball, she’s fast. It’s a player that’s really difficult to stop.
“How important she is in how we press, how we defend, how she’s such a team player as well, I have nothing but praise for Sam.”
Above: At the top of her game – Sam Kerr. Photo: Sky Sports.
Part of what has made Kerr so effective is her near-telepathic link with Fran Kirby. The duo were devastating last season and combined for 37 goals and 18 assists in the 22 games WSL season.
Kirby is comfortable playing with anybody up forward but her understanding with Kerr is the most dangerous partnership in English football.
She says being surrounded by the best forwards in the world at Chelsea like Kerr, Pernille Harder or Beth England makes her a better player.
“When you are playing with world-class players, it only increases your ability and you have to get alongside them and perform at the same level.”
While Kerr is the most famous Aussie export at Chelsea, another will take her place alongside Emma Hayes in the dugout.
Former Perth Glory player and Bristol City manager Tanya Oxtoby has joined Chelsea as an assistant. Hayes says she brings something different to the club.
Above: Tanya Oxtoby, someone who Emma Hayes believes is adding more to Chelsea’s coaching. Photo: James Chance/Getty Images.
“Tanya is a remarkable young coach who is journeying through the levels and coming to us at Chelsea with some really really good experiences.”
Oxtoby is a psychologist and a former head coach, Chelsea hope to harness that expertise.
“She’s a good communicator I think she’ll bring some different things in terms of helping building relationships with players to her work that she does around opposition analysis.”
“I want to be able to provide an opportunity to get the best out of Tanya but also to develop Tanya because I think that’s it’s important that she can bring her different experiences and her background will offer us different viewpoints of my staff.”
For Australian football fans, it could be Caitlin Foord, Lydia Williams, and Steph Catley lining up for Arsenal while Oxtoby plots to stop them and Kerr does what she almost always does.
Above: Perth Glory’s influential English centre–forward Gemma Craine drives for goal against Brisbane Roar tonight. Photo @PerthGloryFC
Perth Glory hit an incredible two goals in the final three minutes to earn a dramatic win against a promising Brisbane Roar side at Macedonia Park.
Whilst Alex Epakis’ team looked impressive offensively in the opening forty-five minutes, they were ineffective for much of the second half with Georgie Worth only troubled in the final five minutes.
Perth attacker Gemma Craine, hailing from Derby in England’s East Midlands, popped up along the left-hand side in the opening seconds, looking reassuringly sharp, which brought an instant reminder to Glory fans of what she did in the opening weeks of last season before her devastating injury in the first home game with Adelaide United.
Hana Lowry, looking to step up towards Matildas selection this season offered herself impressively in the early exchanges with her back to goal, linking up with Sarah Carroll outside her despite Brisbane’s attempts to suffocate the teenager with markers.
With nine minutes on the clock, Brisbane captain Ayesha Norrie pushed through the midfield and played an inch-perfect ball into the feet of Margraf in the box, but Sarah Carroll paid close attention to the midfielder ensured that she couldn’t get a shot closer on target. Shortly afterward, a deflected cross found Mariel Hecher, but she couldn’t trouble Morgan Aquino on her return to Perth’s goal.
Above: Home town hero Lisa De Vanna, who had an impressive first half. Photo: @PerthGloryFC
As the half moved towards the 20 minute mark, local hero Lisa De Vanna grew ever more into the game. The Perth native showed some outrageous skill down the left-hand touchline to beat her markers and play in a dangerous ball to the delight of the fans. With 18 minutes on the clock, Craine popped up on the right this time and put on the afterburners to cruise her way through and play a ball in towards Sophia Sakalis who couldn’t quite get on the end of it.
The early signs were that De Vanna and Craine could build a dangerous partnership, if they can continue to develop their pairing then that duo plus the ability of Janczewski, Lowry and Susan Phonsongkham means that Perth could create something special this year.
Despite Western Australian skill creating half-chances, it was the Roar who took the lead. Liz Anton’s fine tackle gave the visitors a throw on the left, around 15 yards from the by-line. The resulting throw saw Shea Connors get away from Anton too easily and play a low ball across the box. Margraf and Sarah Carroll went in together for the ball and it looked to be the Roar star who just got the final touch.
Above: Brisbane celebrate Anna Margraf’s goal, with Hana Lowry looking disconsolate (left). Photo: @brisbaneroar
Perth hit back as De Vanna shot from an acute angle along the left which bounced off the bar, and there was no doubt that the 37-year-old is still in possession of her magic wand.
The home side came close once more ten minutes from the break when Alana Janczewski’s free-kick curled in on the strengthening wind and just went over the bar.
The final chances of the half both went Roar’s way as Norrie played in Connors who hit a low shot across goal from the left-hand side which Aquino had to stretch as wide as possible to hold.
Above: Larissa Crummer (9) and Perth Glory’s Kim Carroll in a battle for possession. Photo: @PerthGloryFC
Shortly afterwards, from a similar position on the left, Connors got away from Rigby and Anton and hit another low shot that Aquino got down to push away for a corner.
The 25-year-old from New Haven was the pick of the Brisbane crop in the opening half along the left showing all the skill required to mark her out as a player to keep an eye on this season.
She started the second stanza impressively once more as she was allowed too much time on the ball and earned her side back-to-back corners. The second of which saw Margraf’s flag-kick curl in on the wind and Aquino did well to push it away.
Above: Perth Glory’s new A-League Women home ground of Macedonia Park. Photo: @PerthGloryFC
The Perth goalkeeper did well to deny Connors once more ten minutes into the second half when she had to stick out a foot to deny the increasingly impressive US-born star.
De Vanna came off in the aftermath with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Poppie Hooks, a player at the other end of her career, as the 16-year-old local product stepped out for her A-League Women debut.
Margraf came close once more as the game approached the hour mark as she took advantage of her side’s increasing ability to get behind the Glory backline. The midfielder’s powerful effort came back off the bar.
The Queenslanders were now well on top. They were dominant in midfield ensuring that Lowry and Sadie Lawrence gained very little in the way of possession.
Above: Perth fans were loud and proud in support of their team tonight. Photo: @PerthGloryFC
With just over 20 minutes left, Roar vice-captain Katrina Gorry entered the pitch, marking her return to senior football.
Susan Phonsongkham’s arrival for the final quarter of an hour brought some increased energy along the right-hand side for Glory.
Then came the sequence of events which turned everything on its head as the Western Australian youngsters showed they have all the character needed to match the ‘Winning Mentality’ banners that surrounded pitchside.
Above: Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby, who was part of the build-up for the equalizing goal. Photo @PerthGloryFC
Sarah Carroll played a ball up the left for sub Deborah-Ann de la Harpe who then spread the ball out to Rigby via Sarah Cain. The midfielder then latched a pass into the path of Craine whose low ball across the box was aimed towards Hooks and Phonsongkham. The former couldn’t quite reach it, but the latter certainly did and Perth were level.
Just a minute later, Macedonia Park exploded with joy as Craine’s pressure told once more. The English star kept breathing down the neck of Jessie Rasschaert who was trying to direct the ball back to her goalkeeper Worth, and in the uncertainty that Craine caused, the ball rolled into the net and the Western Australians clinched a sensational win amidst incredible vocal scenes around the ground.
Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis and his team salute the home fans after an incredible win. Photo: @PerthGloryFC
Don’t miss Impetus’ EXCLUSIVE post-match chat with Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis on the site in the coming days.
Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-4-2): Aquino, S.Carroll, K.Carroll, Rigby, Anton, Lowry, De Vanna, Sakalis, Lawrence, Janczewski, Craine. Substitutes: de la Harpe, Phonsongkham, Cain, Hooks, Newbon (GK).
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Above: Wellington Phoenix (yellow and black) take on Western Sydney Wanderers in their first-ever A-League Women match at Wollongong yesterday. Photo: @ALeagueWomen.
Wellington Phoenix produced a promising performance to take a point from their first-ever A-League Women’s match.
The game, which was delayed due to lightning in the Wollongong area was played in difficult breezy conditions and never really caught fire. This was generally to the credit of the competition debutants who controlled the midfield, particularly in the first half.
It was an arm wrestle of an opening period with Phoenix looking particularly keen to play a high press and focusing attacks along the left-hand side with Grace Jale seeing a lot of early action.
Above: The first group of players to take to the field in the A-League Women for Wellington Phoenix. Photo: @ALeagueWomen
The New Zealanders were comfortable on the ball with the pacey Zoe McMeekan a real threat. On the other side of the ledger, Phoenix were prone to playing passes which could at best be described as hit and hope at times.
Wanderers took 13 minutes to fashion the first opportunity of the game, and it was one that they were desperately unlucky not to take. On the left flank, around 40 yards out, Teigen Allen took possession and squared a pass to Bianca Galic. Her ball through to Sheridan Gallagher, who came across the box, danced past two defenders, and crashed a shot off of the top of the bar with Lily Alfeld beaten. It was so close to a memorable debut goal for the striker.
Further first-half chances were thin on the ground and Wanderers’ Olivia Price and Galic were finding it hard to create for their side in the midfield area.
Ava Pritchard also caught the eye for Wellington across the first forty-five. The 18-year-old forward with some pinpoint passes in her link-up play.
The Kiwis fashioned the only other chance of the opening stanza with five minutes remaining. Chloe Knott won a throw down the left. Jale chested the ball down and played in Knott whose turn and strike was comfortably saved by Sarah Willacy.
Phoenix had the first chance in the second half when McMeeken’s cross was met by a thumping header by Knott which went just wide of the right-hand post.
Above: Sheridan Gallagher hits an effort for Western Sydney Wanderers against Wellington Phoenix. Photo: @WSWanderers
Wanderers hit back shortly afterward when Halloway came into the box late and hit a sidefooted effort after Gallagher’s cut back, which Alfeld did well to stop at her near post.
With three minutes to go, Halloway had another chance from outside of the box, but her effort was always rising over the bar and that was that.
A proud Phoenix Head coach Gemma Lewis hailed an “amazing” performance from her team when she spoke to the media after the match. “They did exactly what we wanted them to do…, super proud of them, and couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“They’re on a high. We knew there wasn’t any expectations on us going in but the girls want to show what they’re made of. The girls want to show that they’re here to compete. They want to show that they’ve got the calibre to be in this league.
“They had a little something to prove as well and I think you could see that. We got a draw and we got a point but I think they want to push for even more. They want to show people they can really keep improving.”
Above: Bianca Galic on the ball for Western Sydney Wanderers, looking to escape Wellington Phoenix’s Isabel Gomez. Photo: @WSWanderers
Lewis was reluctant to single out any players for special praise but had to highlight the performance of the youngest member of her squad, right back Zoe McMeeken.
“Zoe’s 17 and…you can’t look at her CV and expect her to come outperform like she did today like it was nothing. She was the constant workhorse for us and her crosses into the box as well were dangerous. And she was constantly getting forward, even though I was asking her to get back as well, and she did it for the whole game.”
The Wellington Phoenix head coach is well aware that her side will no longer be an unknown for opponents now, which will make things tougher next time out at Newcastle Jets. “The surprise has gone now. I think everyone kind of knows what to expect.”
Wanderers’ midfielder Rosie Galea spoke of her team’s disappointment with the result: “Yeah, it’s not the result we wanted. A lot of things didn’t come off the way we wanted them to.
“Our midfield movement and getting out of tight spaces were things we couldn’t produce today.” When asked if the result felt more like a loss than a draw, Galea was certain. “Yes, definitely, but we’ll have to take it in our stride and move forward for our next game (the derby against Sydney FC in Parramatta).”
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Above: Michelle Heyman (left) and Winonah Heatley compete for the ball at Viking Park last night. Photo: @MelbourneCity.
By Kieran Yap(4/2/21)
Canberra United have started off their season with a costly loss to Melbourne City.
The day started off with bright news for Canberra fans. Matildas defender and former captain Karly Røstbakken announced that she was returning to the club. Michelle Heyman lead her team out to face a heavily defensive Melbourne City and the home side also boasted French attacker Margot Robbine in their new lineup.
Canberra made the unusual choice of starting Grace Maher in central defence, with American imports Washington and Haran in midfield, the number 10 was shuffled back to mind the threat of Hannah Wilkinson and Holly McNamara.
Above: Canberra United (left) and Melbourne City (right) walk out at VIking Park last night. Photo: @ALeagueWomen.
Heyman’s touches of class were the main highlights of the first half. In contrast to her hattrick in the opening game last season, she could not find the target.
The Canberra captain attempted to beat Melissa Barbieri with a half volley that flew high and was pressing energetically from the kickoff.
Up the other end, Wilkinson was not being given much space early, Her best chance came after Rebekah Stott turned skillfully and flicked a pass through. The New Zealander was able to get around Keely Richards but could only hit the side netting.
Above: Rebekah Stott back in action for Melbourne City. Photo @MelbourneCity.
It was a nice moment of class from Stott to set up the chance. The defender was in her first game back from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and while just being on the field was remarkable enough, her performance would be highly encouraging for Rado Vidosic.
Stott is known for her defensive abilities but demonstrated her skill and experience in midfield. While City are set up more cautiously than they are known for, they still have quality players like Stott who can make an impact.
Ashley Sykes’ probably should have taken the lead for Canberra. It would have been the fairytale return for the striker but her volley from point-blank range missed the target.
Her powers will return as the season continues but this miss proved costly for Canberra in a game where opportunities were scarce.
Above: Melissa Barbieri saves for Melbourne City in the midst of goalmouth action from last night’s game. Photo: @CanberraUnited.
Wilkinson grew more into the game in the second half and the match momentarily became a duel between her and Keeley Richards in the Canberra goal.
The new City forward hit multiple shots on target but Richards was equal to each of them, it would take something special to beat her.
As the game looked destined for the second draw of the afternoon, Holly McNamara had other ideas.
On debut, the 18-year-old striker took the ball from the left flank and after driving to the edge of the box she curled a shot beyond Richards to win the game.
Above: Melbourne City celebrate Holly McNamara’s winner. Photo: @MelbourneCity.
It was a strike worthy of settling any contest, made all the more impressive that it was in the teenager’s first A-League Women’s appearance.
The confidence and technique to shoot and score from that range in a close game was remarkable. Instantly a new “Dub” star was born.
In the end, it was an unremarkable match won by an amazing moment. For Canberra, they might have lost more than the three points, Michelle Heyman limped off in the second half sending murmurs of concern through the stadium.
Above: A frustrating night for Canberra United’s captain Michelle Heyman – her team’s fans will be keeping everything crossed she has no serious injury. Photo: @CanberraUnited.
But the headlines belong to Melbourne City and their new star forward. It was a moment that won the game for City and one that she will remember forever.
Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard Canberra United’s Karly Røstbakken speak to the media after the game: “Having half hour on the pitch was really nice. It’s good to get the legs ticking over again.
“The first half – the girls did really well. We created chances and should have taken them if I’m being honest. In the second half, all credit to them (City). We gave them too much time and too much space.”
Speaking about her return to Canberra ranks, which was only publicly announced on matchday, Røstbakken said: “I love being back at home, I’m such a homebody. I’ve really missed it. It was a quick and rushed decision, but I’ve been talking to Vicki (Linton, Canberra United head coach) for a while.
“Obviously, it is our off-season in Scandinavia, so it was a perfect time to get some games in and spend time with the girls. I’ve signed as a guest player so I’ll head back in January, it’s six games for me here. Having not played many games, not a full 90 for a year through injury, it’s really important to be back playing.”
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Ahead of the 2021/22 season’s big kick-off tomorrow, Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from eight of the competition’ ten clubs and a total of 17 players and eight head coaches as the season launch media events were held.
SYDNEY FC: Named Australasia’s Best Female Sporting Team
Above: Sydney FC A-League Women defender Ally Green pictured along side the club’s A-League Men’s Rhyan Grant. Photo: Sydney FC.
Sydney FC’s women’s team were named Australasia’s best for 2021 on Tuesday by Platinum Asset Management, together with GAIN LINE Analytics after the presentation of their yearly analysis.
The outcome saw Sydney’s women’s team come fifth out of almost 200 professional teams and is a reward for them making four out of the past five Grand Finals, winning one Championship and one Premiership, in an outstanding period for the club. Sydney FC’s men’s team finished top of the list, completing a special double for the Harbour City club.
Chief Executive Officer Danny Townsend has previously gone on the record citing a “vision to be the best sporting team in the country of any code” and this award recognises that.
In winning the award, Townsend said: “To have the highest rated men’s and women’s teams of all codes in Australia and New Zealand is a huge achievement.
“Over the last five years our Men’s and Women’s teams have competed in eight out of ten Grand Finals and it is this consistency that has delivered this accolade. It is an outstanding achievement to celebrate and we will look to challenge for the title again next year.”
Sky Blues A-League Women’s Head Coach Ante Juric has been in charge for the past five years. “All of the recognition should go to our players and staff, as well as the club for their great support.
“We have had a policy of believing in and promoting our excellent young Australian female players and it has paid off.
Above: Ben Darwin, Gain Line Analytics Director announces Sydney FC’s success on Tuesday. Photo: Sydney FC.
“It was fantastic to win last season’s Premiership and go so close in the Grand Final, we look forward to going one better this year.”
Sydney’s A-League Women defender spoke of her pride in the announcement of the reward: “It’s a huge credit to the club, and shows the real family like culture that we have. We have to credit the board for always supporting the A-League Women’s team.
“We have such a great future ahead and to have the men’s team beside us supporting us as well is great. To be recognised as the best women’s team across all sports is incredible.”
Sydney FC have nominated the Sydney FC Foundation to receive a $10,000 grant from Platinum, in recognition of their success.
The Sydney FC Foundation seeks to enrich the lives of young people through the power of football and education. The grant will specifically go towards the Foundation’s community pillar and support the Sydney FC Powerchair football team.
Powerchair football is a modified version of football for people with physical disabilities and utilizing electric wheelchairs.
LIBERTY ANNOUNCED AS A-LEAGUE WOMEN SPONSORS:
The A-Leagues announced on Wednesday that non-bank lender Liberty, has become the first-ever naming rights partner of the newly rebranded A-League Women’s competition for the 2021-22 season, which kicks off tomorrow.
The multi-year deal, commencing today includes naming rights partnership of the A-League Women’s competition, Final Series, and the Official Lending Partner of the A-Leagues. Liberty will also be an official Partner of the Isuzu UTE A League, A-League Youth and A-League eSports,
The investment also marks a milestone in women’s professional football, with interest in the game increasing in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
Announcing the partnership, A-Leagues Managing Director Danny Townsend stated, “The A-Leagues is proud and excited to welcome Liberty as a new naming rights partner. The team shares our passion for football, for diversity, and for empowering women to pursue their dreams.
“We have seen a significantly expanding interest in women’s football – from grassroots through to the Matildas. By investing in women’s professional football through Liberty A-League, we offer more pathways for emerging players, ensuring our world-class competition is truly sustainable”.
And Liberty is delighted to further its support and involvement in Australian sport.
“Through the Liberty A-League we reaffirm our support for women in professional sport,” said Liberty CEO, James Boyle. “We are passionate about helping to provide the platform that women’s football deserves.”
Liberty’s investment in the women’s competition is the latest milestone in the A-Leagues’ ambitious growth and commercial development strategy.
“This is an exciting and important moment for the game of football in Australia and for the growth of the women’s game in particular. At A-Leagues we want to see equality and equity across football, including fair access to facilities, coaching, pathways into the game, as well as equal coverage. We know this is a work in progress, but the partnership with Liberty is a great step on the journey,” said Ant Hearne, Chief Commercial Officer.
In another milestone, from Friday 3 December, the A-Leagues will unify its Facebook and Instagram channels, reinforcing its commitment to providing the best football fan experience, across all Leagues.
MELBOURNE CITY: Late Capture of Young Star Heatley:
Above: Winonah Heatley, who will be turning out for City this season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Melbourne City FC.
Melbourne City FC announced the signing of defender Winonah Heatley on Monday ahead of the new A-League Women season.
The 20-year-old joins City from Vaxjo DFF in Sweden’s Damallsvenkan – the top flight of the game. Heatley has made 16 A-League Women since debuting for Brisbane Roar in 2020 and started every match for the Queenslanders last season.
A versatile defender capable of playing both centrally and as a full-back, she was called into the Matildas squad for the first time in September this year ahead of the national team’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
Her addition to Rado Vidosic’s squad will ensure that there is plenty of competition for spots in defence ahead of City’s A-League Women season opener against Canberra United on December 3.
Speaking about her move to Victoria, Heatley said: “I’ve always admired City for their style of play and for the professionalism that’s ingrained in the Club, so I’m very excited to now be a part of it.
“I remember coming here to visit my extended family as a kid and going to a doubleheader at AAMI Park. It was the first time I had watched a women’s match live and it was the first time I could really imagine myself playing out under those lights. It was pretty special, and it just feels right to finally be able to play for this Club.
“I’ve always heard a lot of good things about the way City is run and the unity between both the Men’s and Women’s teams. I think that City is a Club that provides player support, resources, and facilities at a level that the other A-Leagues clubs aspire to.”
Head Coach Rado Vidosic was delighted to capture Heatley. “We’re very excited to welcome Wini to Melbourne and are looking forward to seeing the impact she can have on the pitch for us.
“Her versatility across defence will be a big asset for us this season and provides our squad with plenty of depth.
“She’s been impressive in training so far and despite being the fact she is just 20-years-old, she already has plenty of experience both here in the A-League Women, as well as overseas and as part of the Matildas set-up.”
Emma Checker & Leah Davidson Media Conference:
Above: Leah Davidson (left) and Emma Checker outline their aims and expectations for Melbourne City’s A-League Women season. Photo: Melbourne City.
Ahead of Melbourne City’s first A-League Women game of the season, the two defenders spoke to the media.
“We can’t wait to kick off!” exclaimed Checker, “You always start pre-season thinking that you have a long time to go, but it’s almost time to go. We’ve had at least a month together now and I’ve never had that long before in this competition.
“Our sport is growing, the fact that we have Liberty (new A-League Women title sponsors) onboard is massive. We are attracting big companies and we are showcasing something special this year.”
Checker was questioned directly on City’s opening game at Canberra United. “It’s a tough start, they have some of the best fans in the league. If you are in the Canberra United team it’s amazing, if you’re against them it’s difficult, but it’s a challenge that we need to rise to.”
After their tough time last time, Melbourne City are almost universally expected to be a serious contender in Finals football this season, something the 25-year-old centre-back agrees with. “Look, I can’t stop raving about the girls this year, it’s really easy for me to speak highly of our team this year as I think we’ve got the perfect puzzle (put together). It’s thanks to the club and Rado (Vidosic, head coach) for putting in some serious groundwork.
“We know that last season didn’t go to plan and there’s a lot that we’ve had to rebuild from. We’ve got a good mix of experience and young talent so we are in a good position to get to where we set our bar.”
“We have depth now and people have to fight for their spots in every position. No one can be complacent and there are no easy decisions for the coaches every week now.
“We are in a good place to redeem ourselves for last season and I think we can go all the way. On a personal level, I want to make sure we concede as few goals as possible.”
Davidson spoke of her own personal aims for the campaign: “I hope I can take a lead from my season last year and build on that so we can succeed a lot more.”
She also identified the benefits of having a long pre-season together. “I feel we have really gelled as a team already. Everyone is able to work hard for each other on and off the field so that means it will be a great season.
“I think we really have the potential to do well. I want us to make semi-finals, final and see what we can do. Personally, I want to cement a starting position and play as well as I can.”
Rado Vidisic’s View:
Above: A view from Rado Vidisic’s virtual press conference on Thursday. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidisic met with the media on Thursday ahead of the club’s opening A-League Women game with Canberra United.
“This has been my longest pre-season and I’ve been here four years now. We’ve had 95% of our players in training for five and a half weeks. It was good because they had been in a lockdown. I do feel though that, because players haven’t had many games because of lockdown, we are about three weeks short of where we need to be.
“In terms of pre-season games, we were only able to have a game against our academy kids. We originally organised games with Melbourne Victory, and got one in the end. We are probably two or three preparation games short.”
Vidosic confirmed that goalkeeper Sally James would be out until January with a broken thumb. “She had a freak accident when a ball was hit hard into her and she broke her thumb. She had surgery and is starting to train again. She is young, she will recover and will then be integrated into our squad.”
This means that 41-year-old Melissa Barbieri will start the season in goal, as the City head coach explained: “Melissa Barbieri was very happy when Sally got injured! Coco Majstorovic has also come in from Brisbane for us as an injury replacement.”
In terms of his wider squad, Vidisic was optimistic. “It is a similar squad to two years ago (when City won the Grand Final), we two very good number tens, we have good sixes, we have good defenders.
On the subject of defenders, the Melbourne City head coach went into detail about Emma Checker. “This is a big season for her. Two years ago she was the rock of our defence. Last season she had a tough experience in France and a stress fracture and she was always going to find it hard. Now we have the real Emma Checker back. I hope the national team take notice. She is second to none. Having someone like her around is so important.”
Vidisic identified one of the difficulties he has with the A-League Women as a competition. “At the end of the season, a lot of our players go overseas. Are they ready for the overseas experience? Is it worthwhile for them? Can we keep them here with a longer season? Is it right to go overseas when you are 19 or 20? Quite a few of them are not getting much game time overseas. At the moment the only other option is to play NPL here and the standard is down, so we need to look at that.”
CANBERRA UNITED:
Heyman and Linton With The Media At Season Launch:
Artwork: Canberra United
Speaking to the media about how she discovered she would be captain for 2021/22, Michelle Heyman said: “Being captain is super important, this club is super important. Vicki (Linton) took me on a coffee date and it was quite sweet! I think five years ago it would maybe be too much, but not now.
“I like to lead without speaking. This year I just want to run around, kick some goals and have a smile on my face. We’re in a really good place as a team.”
“Pre-season was about hurting yourself as much as possible so you are ready for Round One. My philosophy has changed. Five years ago I had the Matildas knocking on my door telling me how to play. Now I can play the way that makes me happy, it drops pressure. I just want to go out wanting to enjoy playing and score.
“I do what I do for the crowd. Me walking out with the armband is for them. I’m going out to win the league this year. Go high or go home is what I think. We are ingraining this in the team. It’s fun making Finals, but what is the point if you don’t win?”
With Melbourne City first up for the capital city side, there’s a real chance to make a statement. “Every player wants to play for them. They are very professional. They have lots of cash! Beating the best is what is about. I can seeing it being a fun game! Having Ash Sykes back alongside me, it’s like she’s never been away.
“Things are falling to our feet. It’s coming naturally. I’m pumped. I called my Mum to tell her Ash was back and she was excited too! The old legends are back!”
Above: Canberra United head coach Vicki Linton. Photo: Canberra Times.
Speaking about her choice of Michelle Heyman as captain, head coach Vicki Linton said: “It was the natural choice. We have a lot of players with leadership qualities, but I’m really proud of her. It’s just about her being her.
“It was an easy conversation over coffee, like ‘I know you don’t want this, but…’ but it was easy. I don’t necessarily want her to speak out more. Michelle will speak when she needs to. What she brings is strong. There is no issue in how she does that.
“One of the best things she brings is her positivity. She always has a smile. She drives players at training. She sets standards. She drives the team in games. She cares about the team and club. She often talks about how we can be better as a team to me.”
Talking about the squad for this campaign, Linton observed: “We’ve had a lot of new faces coming in, but we are in a very good place. We played TSP (Talent Support Program) Boys in a trial match. A couple of games were played in torrential rain and on soggy, dead fields. We’re ready!”
Whilst Heyman has the armband, Linton recognises that there is a big leadership group in her squad. “We have core players – those who have been here for a few years and senior players, those with wide experience. Ash Sykes adds to that now. She is driven and competitive. We are looking to win the league. Ash has that experience and mentality and is bringing that edge to the group.”
In terms of how she sees the opener going with Melbourne City, Linton feels it will be a tough battle. “They are a lot stronger than last season. It’s tricky. I think if we execute, we should be able to win the game. We’re grateful for a first game at home. We are looking at the first block until Christmas – home, away, away, home. This first block is vital as it is a short season.
“Having said that, it would not be a disaster if we didn’t win the openers. Brisbane didn’t win for a fair while last year and they had a great season, so we’ll see!”
ADELAIDE UNITED:
Shadeene Evans & Isabel Hodgson At Media Season Launch:
Above: Shadeene Evans in front of the media this week. Photo: Adelaide United.
Adelaide United’s new attacking star Shadeene Evans told the gathered media at Coopers Stadium that she is “so excited to be part of this A-League Women’s season and with this team. I’m hoping to have a good season and for us to finish top four, top five.”
“It is one of my dreams to play for the Matildas and there are opportunities coming up. All the young girls want to be part of that. Hopefully one day I will be part of that.”
For Evans and her team-mates first though is a tough opener against many people’s Grand Final favourites Melbourne Victory.
“I think we’re ready for them, we want to go there and get a win. Pre-season has been tough. We’ve been working together well. I think we have a great team and we believe in each other.”
Above: Isabel Hodgson was clear in her determination to make Finals this year. Photo: Adelaide United
Isabel Hodgson was clear that this season’s aspirations all boil down to making Finals. “For sure, coming so close last year still hurts a bit and that is the motivation for us. We don’t want that to happen again. It is still in the back in our minds.
“It’s so important to have the core group of players from last year. We have belief. Chelsie Dawber has come out to say she wants the Golden Boot and I think she will.”
Looking ahead to their round one clash, Hodgson recognises the challenge they face. “It’s always tough to face the top team first, but we’re more than ready. Playing away makes it difficult too, but it is something we are ready for.”
Reds Loan Kayla Sharples:
Artwork: Adelaide United.
Adelaide United confirmed on Wednesday the signing of United States defender, Kayla Sharples, on loan from National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Chicago Red Stars for the Liberty A-League 2021/22 season.
Hailing from Naperville, Illinois, the 24-year-old has played 16 matches in the American top-flight since making her debut in 2019. This year she is currently experiencing a breakout campaign starting in 12 of her 14 appearances.
The commanding centre-back is strong in the tackle, has great positional awareness to anticipate danger, and is excellent at playing out from the back.
Prior to joining Chicago, Sharples played her college career at Northwestern University between 2015 and 2018. She amassed 87 matches which included starting 86 consecutive games, scoring nine goals.
In 2020, Sharples also had a brief stint in Finland with Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS), registering six appearances.
Speaking on her decision to join the Reds, Sharples said: “I’m really excited that my footballing journey is taking me to Adelaide United.
“Getting the opportunity to play in Australia has been a goal of mine, as I’ve heard lots of good things about the quality of the competition. After talking to Adrian (Stenta) it was an easy choice for me to come to Adelaide and I can’t wait to get to work and enjoy a successful season.”
Adelaide United’s Liberty A-League Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, said: “Kayla is a fantastic player who has made great strides this year in the NWSL. She is a dominant defender and I’m confident she’ll bring more experience and leadership not only to our defence, but the squad in general.
“The season’s approaching fast, but we’ve still got a few more exciting additions to announce in the coming days.”
Sharples will join her new Adelaide United teammates upon the completion of her government-mandated quarantine.
Brisbane Roar confirmed the appointment of Ayesha Norrie as captain and Katrina Gorry as vice-captain of the club’s Liberty A-League side for the 2021/22 season on Thursday.
The new leaders were announced at a media conference at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre a day out from the team’s flight to Western Australia for the Round One game against Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Norrie, 24, inherits the armband from club legend Clare Polkinghorne and becomes just the third player to be named captain on a full-time basis after Polkinghorne and inaugural skipper Kate McShea. The midfielder said she was proud to step into the role at the club where she made her professional debut as a teenager in 2013.
“Obviously it’s big shoes to fill but I’m hoping to do it my way as well and lead the team with ‘Mini’ alongside me,” Norrie said, “I want to be someone that leads on and off the field. I feel like I’m an approachable person and I’m transparent with the girls as well. “There are heaps of players here that have played together already, that know each other’s strengths, and it’s just about bringing everyone together and gelling.”
Gorry, now in her tenth season with the Roar, echoed the importance of continuing Polkinghorne’s leadership legacy.
“It means a lot to me,” Gorry said. “This is my 10th year and I’m really proud to be a born and bred Brisbane player. Like ‘Eash’ said, there are massive shoes to fill with Polks. But I’ve spent a lot of time with her (Polkinghorne) and watched her grow into the leader she is, so I’m hoping I can do the same. This is going to be a learning experience for me as well and I’m excited to help lead this group.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson said he spoke to Polkinghorne prior to Thursday’s announcement of the new captain and vice-captain, who will be supported by a wider senior leadership group.
“We have a set of values and I asked the staff around who they felt would be the right person to lead that leadership group and have the experience and confidence to have open and frank conversations about where we’re going,” McPherson said.
“And then I spoke to Clare after that staff input. I spoke to her on the phone around the decision, picked her brain, and was really pleased to hear that the two we have announced today were front of mind for her when asked about who could lead the team and the club moving forward.”
Norrie will lead the team out for the first time at Macedonia Park in Perth this Saturday, before the Roar return home to host the same opposition at the Gold Coast Croatian Sports Centre on Friday, 10 December.
Former Junior Matilda Stamatopoulos Added ToSquad:
Above: Nia Stamatopoulos, added to Brisbane Roar’s squad for this Saturday’s opening game with Perth Glory. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar announced the addition of midfielder Nia Stamatopoulos on Thursday to its Liberty A-League side ahead of this weekend’s Round 1 match away to Perth Glory.
The gifted 18-year-old comes to the Roar fresh, fit, and with top-flight experience to her name following two seasons with Melbourne City.
The move reunites Stamatopoulos with her former Junior Matildas team-mates Jamilla Rankin and Mia Bailey, while she also played alongside Annie Haffenden at Victorian side Alamein FC.
“It’s been really good coming in with some familiar faces here to help me meet everyone and settle in quickly,” the midfielder said, “To be playing with them again is great, and having that history can only help us on the field now.
“With the team we have here, it’s such a good group – a very encouraging, close group of girls. It makes things easy going into the games. I feel like I can adapt to the game style well and hopefully I can have an influence. I’m feeling fit and ready to play. It’s very exciting.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson praised Stamatopoulos’ qualities as a player and person and said she would be ready to make an impact in Perth on Saturday night. “Nia is a very skilful player, very game intelligent,” McPherson said.
“After two or three sessions with the team she was able to fit into our structure for an internal game just off a team talk and some video. She’s good on set-pieces as well, which is great, and the most noticeable thing is her character. She’s friendly, positive, and she wants to learn, so she’s fitting in well.
“Nia has been around these environments before and been away at international tournaments as well, so she has experience and she knows what’s expected.”
PERTH GLORY:
Head Coach and Captain Launch Season:
Above: Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby, and new signing Mie Leth Jens pictured on Thursday in Perth. Photo: Perth Glory.
Alex Epakis and Tash Rigby spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of Perth Glory’s season opener at home to Brisbane Roar at Macedonia Park this weekend.
“We’ve really stepped it up since last season,” Rigby observed, “Alex and the team have put in so much preparation to ensure that we have the best possible squad, and that’s really showing in training.
“Lisa De Vanna coming in has lifted standards so much. Mie (Leth Jens) came in this morning and she’s a beautiful person. We’re in a much better place than last season. We got a little bit stitched up last time (in terms of circumstances), but we’re really prepared this year. We are prepared for any hub we might have to go into as well.”
When asked about her aims for the season, Rigby shot back instantly: “Win it, baby! Look, we want to improve on last season but give it everything. The girls here last season have a real hunger. With the squad we have, we’re definitely in contention for Finals.
“Lisa (De Vanna) is so quick, no-one can catch her!” Rigby exclaimed. “She is so smart on the ball that it adds experience to the team.”
With Brisbane Roar up first on Saturday at the Glory’s new home venue of Macedonia Park, the Perth skipper said: “We want to focus on our game. They have a different squad to last year, which makes it hard to analyze them a bit. We know the general structure they have, but we want to focus on our own game.”
Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis speaking to the media on Thursday. Photo: Perth Glory
In his own briefing with the media, a relaxed Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis outlined his expectations for the new campaign.
“I don’t want to put a ceiling on this team’s ambitions. The expectations are more on ourselves. We want a strong performance in every match and if we can do that, there will be no need for a ceiling.”
Epakis emphasized how the players still at the club from last season have an obvious extra spark about them this time round: “They are determined to get off to a good start. They deserve to get off with a win and have a good campaign. Last season was tough for reasons that were mostly out of our control. We have a clear idea of how we will play, we are strong as a team of people.
“We are really privileged to have Lisa (De Vanna) join us. She brings a lot of experience both on and off the field and she is a larrikin and it lightens up the mood. You go through so many emotions in professional sport. She felt this was a great environment for her to get back focused on football. She’s a joker, pulling jokes on players and staff. She has a glint in her eye, she hides and all sorts! She’s in unbelievable shape and ready to go.
“I think it’s good that we have that mix of experience to get the best out of our younger players. I’m pretty confident that many of the players here will be well known around the country and pushing for higher honours before the end of the season.”
Epakis outlined the sort of style he is looking for from his team this season. “I like aggressive play, getting forward. We have spent a lot of time bringing that style to life. For our supporters, I’d look forward to coming to watch us play.”
In terms of players unavailable for the season opener, Epakis revealed: “Demi Koulizakis picked up a bit of an injury in her first session out of quarantine. It’s gut-wrenching for her, but it won’t be for long. Cyera Hintzen, our American is still in quarantine and young Claudia (Mihocic) is still in Melbourne, but we’re looking to get her over here soon.”
In terms of how he sees Saturday’s game going, Epakis is focused on his own team rather than Brisbane. “Look, I think if we give it everything, we’re more than in with a shout.”
The future fixtures for Glory, in terms of venues are still far from certain. “We go to Brisbane next weekend, but after that, it is a bit of an unknown. What we learned last year is every week changes. We know we need to be prepared for everything.”
Teenager Hooks Added To Glory Squad
Above: Murdoch University Melville star Poppie Hooks in action. Photo: Fotoenzo
With Demi Koulizakis ruled out for the first two months of the new Liberty A-League Women season, Perth Glory confirmed on Thursday that Poppie Hooks has been added to their squad.
Koulizakis is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after sustaining a knee injury in training.
16-year-old Hooks is a former Women’s NPL Under-23 Player of the Year who enjoyed another standout campaign with Murdoch University Melville FC earlier this year and Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis is confident that she can successfully make the transition to A-League football.
“It’s obviously very disappointing to lose Demi,” he said, “but her injury is not as serious as we initially feared and she is working hard to be back in action at some point next month.
“Her absence has created an opportunity for Poppie which I’m sure she will seize with both hands.
“She is a very talented young prospect who has been training with us throughout pre-season and we are all excited to see her taking the next step in her development.”
NEWCASTLE JETS:
Eddy Announced As Second Overseas Jet
Artwork: Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets ended speculation about bringing in a second overseas player on Wednesday by announcing the signing of veteran American midfielder, Elizabeth Eddy for the upcoming A-League Women’s season.
Eddy makes her way to Newcastle on a loan deal from Gotham FC in New York where she played in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The 30-year-old also recently spent time playing in the top level of Sweden for Vittsjo GIK and will be looking to use her wealth of experience to help the Jets challenge for trophies this season.
Eddy said the move to Australia is one she’d been hoping to make for some time.
“For the past four years, I’ve been trying to come here to play and it hasn’t worked out, but this year it did and I think it will be one of the most impactful seasons of my life,” Eddy said.
“This season with the Jets, I want to win – win on the field and win off the field.
“I love to compete so I’m looking forward to playing and getting to know my teammates and the rest of the staff.”
Having scouted Eddy for a while, Head Coach Ash Wilson was delighted to finally have her at the Club, in time for the start of the new season.
“I expect Eddy will have a large impact on the playing group,” Wilson said.
“She is a competitive player who is not only technically gifted but has a strong work rate and versatility.
“She loves to contribute in attack and that suits the way we want our team to play. I think the fans will love her competitive mentality.”
Cassidy Davis andMarie Markussen At Season Launch Event:
Above: Cassidy Davis in action for Newcastle Jets against Melbourne Victory last season. Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
In Newcastle Jets’ season-opening event, Cassidy Davis spoke of her excitement about the campaign opening at last.
“Pre-season has been tough, we had it a bit different to last year, and so I feel a little bit fitter. We’ve also played a couple of trial games against the men’s team and also Western Sydney Wanderers, although results didn’t go our way, I felt there are a lot of positive signs and Ash (Wilson – head coach) is happy with us.”
She also spoke of the benefits of having two overseas players in the squad now. “It adds something to everyone’s game but also we can learn from them as people too. Ash has done really well with recruitment.
“Ash has said to us that now there are no excuses for us. We have experience, we have overseas talent, now is the time. We can’t say we’re building and we’ll be strong next year, the time is now.”
Looking ahead to Jets’ opening clash with Sydney FC, Davis expects a tough test. “Sydney are Sydney. They’ve played together for years. It is always one we want to win and we will do everything we can to win. You can’t get away with losing too many games from the start in this competition.”
Above: Marie Markussen, Newcastle Jets Norwegian international signing. Photo: Remo News
Markussen began her first detailed Australian media event by revealing how the settling-in process has been going and mentioned a minor injury issue that she is looking to overcome.
“Pretty good,” she said, “I’ve been here two weeks now and am really enjoying it. The girls are welcoming me and they are really nice. The quality is good and things look promising. The league will be good. I hope to add something and score some goals. I have had a bit of a heel injury recently due to playing on different, synthetic pitches in Scandinavia, so I need to get used to grass again. My body is just adjusting, it will get used to it and will pass.”
“I came to Australia because the league looks fun and people have said lots of nice things about it. I was looking to come overseas to play and my agent fixed this up. I really wanted to come to Newcastle, when I had the chance I straight away packed my bags, and here I am!”
In terms of her personal aims for the season, Markussen identified: “I want to help the team and get some good games to help me with Norway. This is a good league, so it will help me a lot. I have played in Germany in the past for a year and half before going back to Norway, but this is exciting to be here. I have friends who have played here and they have really enjoyed it, so it was a really good choice for me.”
WELLINGTON PHOENIX: Alfeld Named Inaugeral Captain
Above: Inaugeral Wellington Phoenix captain Lily Alfeld speaks to the media after the announcement. Photo: Wellington Phoenix
Experienced goalkeeper Lily Alfeld has been appointed captain of the Wellington Phoenix for their maiden A-League women’s season, following a vote by her teammates. The same process saw 18-year-old defender Kate Taylor named vice-captain.
Adopting a model used by other high performance teams such as the Silver Ferns, New Zealand’s national netball team, the players were asked to answer a number of questions about the team’s leadership in an anonymous survey.
“We tailor-made it to the Wellington Phoenix and the team we wanted to select,” head coach Gemma Lewis said.
“What kind of person builds confidence for you? Who do you trust? Who do you respect? Who leads on the field? Who demonstrates work ethic and the principles that we want to represent as a team?
“And ultimately one of the last questions was who would you vote for as your captain?
“It was a very open process…really engaging the playing group because I think it really needs to be a role that can kind of be a go between myself and the players and also somebody that can take charge on the field and within the playing environment as well.”
Alfeld was Lewis’ first signing and quickly emerged as the obvious candidate to lead the team.
“We took a bit of time before announcing because we wanted to make sure it was the right person, but from the moment we started the team…she’s really stood up as a leader within the group,” Lewis said.
Above: Lily Alfeld believes that Phoenix will shock a few people this season and saw many positives in their 2-0 loss to Sydney FC in a trial match. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
“The players really look up to her, they come to her for advice both on and off the field so it ended up being quite an easy choice for us and the players.”
The former New Zealand age-group representative is the oldest player in the inaugural squad at 26 and joins the club from Perth Glory, where she started all 12 of their matches last season and led the league with 53 saves.
She says she didn’t see her appointment as captain coming.
“It’s a huge honour,” Alfeld said. “Being named as captain for any team is a huge honour but to have the opportunity to lead the girls out on that pitch for the first time in our inaugural season…it’s a very special moment for me.
“This will be another first, captaining at a professional level. It’ll be a huge step up but it’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
And Alfeld is humbled to have been voted captain by her peers.
“I’m very proud of to know that my own teammates would see me in that position and see me capable of doing this role.
“That gives me the confidence going ahead.”
Young defender Kate Taylor has been named the Phoenix’s vice-captain.
Taylor is one of eight 18-year-olds in the squad and joined the club from the successful Canterbury United Pride side that won its third successive national championship last year.
Gemma Lewis acknowledges appointing such a young vice-captain will surprise some.
“I think people would definitely raise their eyebrows at it, but anybody that knows Kate probably isn’t that surprised,” Lewis said.
“And if you look at the demographic of our team she is probably not a super young person within our team. She’s looked up to a lot and…she comes up highly across a lot of those things we asked within the survey.
“She leads by example on the field. She’s starting to really develop her leadership qualities. She holds people accountable. Her work ethic within training and games is outstanding and people really look up to her.
Above: Kate Taylor, whilst she is young in years, Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis believes she has all the necessary qualities to be vice captain. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
“I think she’s going to be a really good complement to Lily in terms of their leadership styles. With the two of them it really helps cover the demographic of our team and really produces a leadership team that is really going to benefit the group.”
And Taylor has the backing of the new captain.
“I can’t speak more highly of Kate. She’s such a talented player with a huge career ahead of her. I think she’ll go on to play for New Zealand for many years,” Alfeld said.
“I think it’s definitely a massive opportunity for her to not only develop as a player, but also as a leader for women’s football in New Zealand.”
The Wellington Phoenix play their historic first match against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday.
Kramer Announced As Final Phoenix Player
Artwork: Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix have finalised their inaugural squad on the eve of their maiden Liberty A-League Women season.
The Phoenix have signed experienced defender Talitha Kramer as their 20th and final player.
Kramer brings invaluable experience to the team, having played 21 matches for the Western Sydney Wanderers over the course of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 W-League seasons.
She trained with her teammates for the first time in Wollongong this morning, ahead of their historic opening match against the Wanderers at WIN Stadium tomorrow night.
It is a homecoming for Kramer, as she played for the Illawarra Stingrays in the New South Wales Women’s competition during the winter.
“It’s great being a local player and I’ve played in the W-League previously so I’m hoping to help the girls in any way I can,” Kramer said.
“I know for a lot of the girls this is the first professional competition they’ve played in so I’ll help guide them along.
“I know a lot of the players in the league because I’ve played with them before. I know how teams are structured and their style of play so I’m hoping I can help in that way with insight into the other teams.”
Kramer hasn’t featured in the W-League for the past two seasons because of serious groin and knee injuries, but made 12 appearances for the Stingrays this year and scored five goals.
“I had a really good season, the body feels really good and I’m so excited to get back into the A-League again.
At 30, Kramer is four years older than the next eldest Phoenix squad member, which has an average age of just 20.
“I’m a bit above that average age, that’s for sure,” she quipped.
“I’m definitely looking forward to meeting everybody and having a chat with the coaches.”
Because of her late addition to the squad, Kramer won’t be considered for Wellington’s maiden match against the Western Sydney Wanderers tomorrow night.
Phoenix Land Sponsorship At Last
Artwork: Wellington Phoenix.
Two Wellington businesses have answered the call to support the inaugural Wellington Phoenix women’s team.
New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) has signed on as the principal partner for the Phoenix in the 2021/22 Liberty A-League women’s competition, while Comrad Medical Systems has also stepped to become a premium partner.
It comes just three days after the club put out a public plea for commercial assistance as the Phoenix women faced starting their historic first campaign without any sponsorship.
NZCIS owners Malcolm Gillies and Kevin Melville reached out to the club on Monday night after talking to their general manager Jamie Tout.
“Seconds after the story broke Monday night, I had a call from Jamie asking what do you think? Well, it’s the right thing to do,” Gillies said.
He shared phone calls with Melville and Phoenix general manager David Dome in the next 30 minutes and the deal was done.
“A partnership with the Phoenix women is not about the feel-good factor, or if they are going to win the competition,” Gillies said.
“It’s a young side with an average age of 20, who have an opportunity to play professionally, inspire others and they deserve that chance as per their male counterparts.”
Dome has welcomed NZCIS and Comrad on board.
“We’re very happy to announce two new sponsorships,” Dome said.
“With a few notable exceptions corporate New Zealand is missing in action when it comes to sponsoring women’s sport,” Dome said.
“Fortunately some proud Wellingtonians have stepped up to sponsor the Wellington Phoenix women.”
“Malcolm, Kevin and NZCIS are great supporters of the Wellington Phoenix and they have answered the call when we needed them the most.
“We are also very appreciative of Glenn Stewart and Catherine Savage from Comrad Medical Systems for stepping up.
“It was looking rather bleak at the start of the week, but now New Zealand’s first professional women’s football team has two commercial partners.”
The club has been working around the clock to get the new shirts printed in time for the team’s inaugural game against the Western Sydney Wanderers at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday night.
“They are the first professional women’s football team in New Zealand and they need to look the part for their debut,” Dome said.
“It is the first game of the new season and it is live and free-to-air on Prime so there will be a lot of eyes on our young team.”
The Wellington Phoenix already have a partnership with NZCIS and will move the club’s offices and training base to their world-leading high-performance sports hub in Upper Hutt, when it opens next year.
Dome says NZCIS is a perfect fit as the women’s principal partner.
“Like the Phoenix, NZCIS place the utmost importance in gender equality, with their new state-of-the-art facility built with both men’s and women’s sports in mind.”
Impetus kicks off our third season covering the top tier of women’s football in Australia with Kieran Yap (KY)’s assessment of each of the club’s best close-season signingsand Ben Gilby (BG)’s predictions of where the teams will finish.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Key Signing: Shadeene Evans
Artwork: Adelaide United.
Adelaide have mostly tried to keep their team from last season together. Although they have lost Dylan Holmes and Charli Grant to Europe and Cote Rojas to Sydney FC, the majority of the players have returned.
One of their most significant additions is young striker Shadeene Evans. The prodigy of the John Moriarty Foundation is poised to make a big impact after joining the Reds.
She has a singular A-League Women’s appearance with Sydney FC in 2019 but has been in the Young Matildas setup and will provide Adelaide with another dimension to their attack after the loss of Maria ‘Cote’ Rojas.
Alongside Chelsie Dawber, she will get playing opportunities at Adelaide, expect her to make the most of them (KY).
Prediction: The loss of Grant, Holmes,and Rojas is going to make it harder than the club would have liked to make their first-ever place in the Finals. 6th (BG).
BRISBANE ROAR
Key Signing: Katrina Gorry
Artwork: Brisbane Roar
She’s back. In a huge boost for Brisbane and for the league, Katrina Gorry has returned to the squad.
“Mini” was in sparkling form in the first half of last season and following the birth of baby Harper, she will once again don the number 10 for the Roar.
In an article for the PFA, Gorry said that had recently started training at Football Queensland. In another comment both inspiring and ominous, she stated that pregnancy and childbirth had made her feel “unstoppable.”
Gorry might not be ready to play by round one, but she is a player of rare talent. A pure playmaker, she is quick-footed, has incisive passing ability, and has a rocket of a right boot.
The former AFC player of the year is simply one of the best midfielders Australia has produced. Her experience and ability will be even more valuable in a new-look Brisbane side (KY).
Prediction: This is a very different Brisbane Roar side to the one that had such a strong season before the Finals last year. Their 2021/22 campaign depends on how the large number of local youngsters gel. I’m going for a conservative prediction of 7th but if everything clicks they will be dangerous (BG).
CANBERRA UNITED
Key Signing: Allira Toby
Artwork: Camberra United
Canberra’s impressive run last season was cut short in the semi-final by Sydney FC. The swashbuckling side struggled in the absence of Dolan medalist Michelle Heyman after she was ruled out by injury.
Manager Vicki Linton has addressed this issue with some experienced support for the all-time leading scorer.
Allira Toby has two Golden Boot’s to her name from her time with Brisbane Roar and after a goalless season with Sydney FC can be expected to thrive alongside or as back-up to Heyman.
Canberra are missing their other star attackers. Paige Satchell has gone in the opposite direction to Sydney and Nikki Flannery is yet to return from a knee injury.
Toby is not the same type of player as these two but she will play a vital role if Canberra United are to challenge again (KY).
Prediction: Despite the loss of Paige Satchell and Jessika Nash, Canberra still have a large number of exciting and threatening players. For me, they are likely to be part of a log-jam of three clubs trying to claim the last spot in the finals and ultimately I suspect it will come down to them or Perth. With the Canberra side that slightly bit more settled I am just going to edge them ahead, but it could go either way. 4th (BG).
MELBOURNE CITY:
Key Signing: Sally James
Artwork: Melbourne City
Melbourne City has always had a top-level goalkeeper at the club. Last season Tegan Micah was the shining light in a difficult year, before her Lydia Williams donned the gloves.
This season, they have one of Australia’s most promising young players under the tutelage of Rado Vidosic and fellow keeper/coach Melissa Berbieri.
Sally James has been signed to take over from Micah. After a breakout season at Canberra United she has joined City in the next step in her still very young career.
The 18-year-old struggled toward the end of last season with injuries but did enough to earn a place in the Matildas Talent ID camp and then the transitional squad before the Olympics.
James’ arrival is also a sign that despite the difficult last season, City remain a destination club. They are still capable of attracting some of the most sought after players in the league (KY).
Prediction: It will take something special to prevent the honours this season being a straight fight between the two Melbourne-based sides. A City team with Emma Checker rallying them and the late announcement of Winonah Heatley will ensure that the Sky Blues are back to their best this season. 2nd (BG).
MELBOURNE VICTORY:
Key Signing: Courtney Nevin
Artwork: Melbourne Victory
Jeff Hopkins has worked hard to keep the majority of his Grand Final winning side together. The defence was essential to Victory’s season, after a 6-2 loss to Brisbane Roar they went on a succession of 1-0 wins to ensure their top-four position.
The newly assembled back four formed a quick chemistry but when Angie Beard departed for Europe it meant that Victory had to replace one of their best players, captain and left back.
Victory soothed any supporter worries in the best possible way. Courtney Nevin is an experienced A-League Women’s player, a specialist left-back and now a senior Matilda.
She may not be as quick as Beard or as likely to surge into the penalty box but she is an excellent defender who can deliver a good long pass or cross.
It is a case of one Matilda out and another one in for Melbourne Victory. They remain as strong as they were last season (KY).
Prediction: On paper they have the strongest squad. Courtney Nevin is an inspired signing and along with the superstar that is Kyra Cooney-Cross and strong leadership from Kayla Morrison, they are going to take some stopping. 1st (BG).
NEWCASTLE JETS:
Key Signing: Tara Andrews
Above: Tara Andrews. Photo: Newcastle Jets
It is not really a surprise by this stage. Along with Gema Simon, Tara Andrews lacing up for Newcastle is a reliable part of the pre-season.
That does not mean it should be any less celebrated. Andrews is a loyal Jet and also one of the best centre-forwards in the country. Her power inside the penalty box often overshadows her finesse in other areas.
She can drop deep, drag defenders out of position, and link play through the middle.
Andrews is a difficult match-up for defenders and only needs half a chance to score with either head or foot.
She is coming off her best season so far at Newcastle and at the age commonly considered to be the peak years for a footballer.
Newcastle will need to sign some support for her upfront with the departure of Rihanna Pollicina to Melbourne City but retaining their best attacking asset is a big win for the club and the fans (KY).
Prediction: Newcastle are a side who are capable of producing results far better than their league positions consistently suggest. They were a team I really enjoyed watching last season and are a side who have potential to push for Finals, but it will be results in the games with teams around them in the table which will decide their fate. If these go well, then top six is possible, if not, 9th (BG).
PERTH GLORY:
Key Signing:Susan Phonsongkham
Artwork: Perth Glory
Perth Glory have recuited more aggressively than almost any other team this season. Alex Epakis identified the players he needed to improve the team and secured them early.
Among the exciting talents that Perth have added to their roster is striker Susan Phonsongkham.
The Young Matilda in full flight is an entertaining and explosive talent. The prospect of her linking up with Gemma Craine, Hana Lowry and Alana Jancevski is an exciting one.
Of the young recruits, Phonsongkham is one of the more experienced. She has four seasons under her belt at Western Sydney and won the Golden Boot in the NSW NPLW in 2019.
After missing last season, she is fit and primed to light up the league and Perth Glory will give her the stage to do it (BG).
Prediction: Perth are a team on the rise and there is a sense of real excitement about how Alex Epakis will blend a team of youngsters and experience. The arrival of Lisa De Vanna late in pre-season will have a great deal of impact one way or another. The only question mark for me as to whether or not Glory can make Finals is how all the new faces will come together. My heart says Perth will do it, but the closer the season draws, my head cannot help but think Canberra may edge them out. 5th (BG).
SYDNEY FC:
Key Signing: Sarah Hunter
Artwork: Sydney FC
The 2020/21 season was one that outperformed most people’s expectations. Following the exodus of national team players and the restrictions on recruiting from overseas, young players were given the chance to start more games and show what they could do.
One of the standout beneficiaries of this was Sarah Hunter. Then at Western Sydney, the midfielder was trusted with a role in central midfield and announced herself with a brace against Adelaide, aged just 17 at the time.
Beyond that game she was an energetic, dangerous and combatative midfielder. Her performances were particularly impressive given that she was completing high school at the same time as she was beginning her senior football career.
Sydney FC finished top of the table and reached the Grand Final with significant contributions from Clare Wheeler and Theresa Polias in midfield.
In the absence of both these stars, Hunter should again be given opportunities to show what she can do.
She has unimaginably big boots to fill in the centre of the park and is a different player to the other two. However she is a huge talent in an area of the pitch that Sydney need to reinforce and is unafraid to impose herself on a game (KY).
Prediction: This Sydney FC team is packed full of exciting players. With Cote Rojas, Remy Siemsen, Jessika Nash and Paige Satchell, they are going to take some stopping and offer the best chance of denying a Melbourne based side another Grand Final win. 3rd (BG).
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Key Signing: Lily Alfeld
Artwork: Wellington Phoenix
Lily Alfeld was the first signing by the competition’s newest team. She was often spectacular last season as the last line in a busy Perth Glory defence.
Wellington remains somewhat of a mystery for their inaugural campaign but with Alfeld between the sticks, fans can be confident that opposition strikers will have to earn their goals.
Alfeld was one of the top three goalkeepers last year alongside Tegan Micah and Grand Final winner Gaby Garton. She is a strong first signing by Wellington and will provide confidence and leadership for the newly assembled squad (KY).
Prediction: The greatest of the unknowns in the competition, but a largely very young squad have lost the opportunity to maximise the biggest weapon up their sleeve – home matches – until February at the earliest. It’s going to be tough, but their long term success is the most important thing. 10th (BG).
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Key Signing: Bianca Galic
Above: Bianca Galic. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong.
Galic’s signing is one that strengthens The Wanderers while weakening a potential top-four rival.
Western Sydney will be aiming for a finals position and have taken one of Canberra United’s best performers. Galic is a skilful, composed midfielder. She will combine with Libby Copus-Brown in the centre of the pitch and provide stability and passes for the pacy attack to do their thing.
Galic was one of Catherine Cannuli’s first signings as new coach of the Wanderers as a sign of the esteem that she is held in.
This is a good signing by the Wanderers that will more than soften the blow of Sarah Hunter’s departure (KY).
Prediction: Wanderers are a tough side to predict, I feel. Like the Jets, they do possess a Finals chance and everything will come down to the games against the likes of Newcastle, Brisbane and Adelaide United. Win them and the dream is alive. If not, then 8th beckons (BG).
Once more Impetus will be covering the A-League Women season in-depth. Our writing team of Ben Gilby, Kris Goman and Kieran Yap will provide you with:
Match reports and photos.
Profiles and interviews with top players and coaches from the competition.
For the first time this year, we have access to all the club media events to bring you even closer to the action.
AND look out for our NEW weekly #ALW Impetus Impact Awardsfor player, coach, and incident every Monday!
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
After their back-to-back friendlies with World Champions USA watchedby record crowds, Impetus‘ Kieran Yap considers how things stand after a tough 2021 for the Matildas. With the 2022 Asia Cup coming in January, he also looks at the depth in different positions ahead of the competition.
Above: The Matildas group together after a run of matches against the world’s top teams. Photo: Football Australia.
The Matildas recent results have been humbling, to say the least. In 2021, they have lost almost all of their friendly matches. A 3-1 win over Brazil last month being the only outlier.
Looking at the scorelines alone is misleading though. So far this year, Tony Gustavsson’s first in charge, Australia has played five of the top 10 teams on earth.
We all know that FIFA world rankings are not always reliable (Belgium currently sit atop the men’s rankings despite having won nothing). But in the case of women’s football, it feels pretty accurate.
European sides have a statistical advantage in the FIFA rankings because they play competitive games more often. But this also means they are match fit, battle-hardened, and in sync as teams.
The rankings might not be fair, but they are pretty accurate.
Australia has chosen to play these games. To be able to compete with the best, you need to test yourself as often as possible.
To quote a (non-football playing) famous American, “We are doing these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Having said that, Australia has a major event next year. The 2022 Asian Cup is Tony Gustavsson’s first opportunity to coach the team in a tournament that they not only can win but are expected to.
Looking at the three areas of the pitch, how prepared is Tony Gustavsson’s side to win the 2022 Asian Cup?
Forwards
Above: Generational star Mary Fowler. Photo exclusive for Impetus: Kris Goman.
This is the area of the pitch that Australia is not lacking for depth. At Gustavsson’s disposal are a range of dangerous and versatile attackers. Hayley Raso is lighting quick and committed to the point of concern, Emily Gielnik can score from seemingly anywhere, Caitlin Foord is in form at Arsenal and Kyah Simon may not be scoring at Spurs but continues to pop up with vital contributions for The Matildas (even after one nearly impossible miss).
Mary Fowler is turning into a generational talent and waiting in the wings are Bryleeh Henry and Remy Siemsen. Of all these players only Siemsen and Henry have yet to score at international level, but their quality is evident to anybody who watches them play.
There is also Sam Kerr, but what more can be said?
This is an area of the team that only causes positive headaches for Gustavsson. Who does he choose and where do they play? The possibilities are countless, but that is a good problem to have.
Midfield
Above: Clare Wheeler – an immediate answer as a defensive midfielder. Photo: Football Australia.
The unavailability of Chloe Logarzo and Elise Kellond-Knight remains an issue.
We have seen some clues as to how Australia is approaching this problem. The crisis in the middle of the park has turned into an opportunity, but some questions still remain.
Clare Wheeler did enough in a five-minute appearance on Tuesday to suggest she is the immediate answer in defensive midfield, but beyond her, there is not much depth.
Emily van Egmond, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Tameka Yallop are all attackers by instinct. Katrina Gorry has stated she is aiming for a comeback to the national team but she is another creator.
Currently, the midfield has plenty of artists, not enough graft-ists.
The answer might lie in the A-League Women’s season. A player might suddenly go up another level as Wheeler did for Sydney FC or Dylan Holmes did for Adelaide United.
It remains surprising that Holmes has not been selected since a mixed but overall impressive first cap against The Netherlands. She can do a bit of everything in midfield and is Logarzo-like in her shooting and passing.
Brisbane Roar’s Hollie Palmer has indicated that she might play in a more defensive role this season, If this is successful she could join her former U19 teammates in the senior squad.
The midfield was formerly stacked with options but the retirement of Aivi Luik and the injury woes to Kellond-Knight and Logarzo have left this as an area of concern depth-wise.
Wheeler was magnificent though.
Defence
Above: Courtney Nevin – impressive. Photo: Football Australia.
The priority here is fitness. Either Clare Polkinghorne or Alanna Kennedy must be injury-free for the tournament. Unless somebody can rush through Kayla Morrison’s citizenship and convince her to wear the green and gold they are still the two best center backs Australia has.
Gustavsson and Mel Andreatta’s discovery of Courtney Nevin has been remarkable. She was somewhat of a surprise in the Olympic squad after a solid but unspectacular season at Western Sydney.
Her time in consecutive Matildas camps has helped develop her as a player. She is becoming that player that Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter have sometimes been forced to be, the fullback who can fill in at center back.
She was occasionally beaten by pace against the U.S.A but her positioning was great and her ball-winning and distribution were excellent.
Her genuine versatility will be a huge asset for the Asian Cup. Nevin’s emergence as an international footballer has been one of the best Matildas stories of 2021.
Jessika Nash was at fault for the first goal of the series against the U.S.A but recomposed herself to produce a confident and competent performance.
Her time is coming, but unless there is an emergency, It is not just yet.
Angela Beard is another who looked very good against Ireland and also famously “did a slide tackle on Marta.”
Like Nevin, she has shown she is ready for international football.
Guatavsson has looked at different personnel and systems to compensate for the lack of defensive depth. Nevin is a terrific discovery but somebody else needs to be found in case Kennedy or Polkinghorne are unable to play.
A with the midfield, the ALW might hold the key. Another consistent season from Matilda McNamara of Adelaide United might see her in the mix.
Goalkeepers
Above: Teagan Micah – number one at the Olympics, what about the Asia Cup? Photo: Football Australia.
As with the strikers, The goalkeeping stocks are excellent. Lydia Williams’ performance against the U.S.A was her best in a Matildas shirt in memory. Teagan Micah is a league champion in Sweden and Mackenzie Arnold’s last Matildas appearance may have ended in calamity but she has been excellent for West Ham United.
There are probably no bad options here, but Micah still has a lot of credits in the bank from her Olympic heroics.
This is another of those positive headaches for Gustavsson.
In today’s pre-game press conference ahead of Australia’s second friendly in four days with the USA, Ben Gilby heard Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson address his team’s defensive issues and outlined what he is aiming for between now and the end of the Asia Cup(29/11/21).
Above: Tony Gustavsson speaks to the media today ahead of the Matildas’ game with the USA in Newcastle tomorrow. Photo: Football Australia.
Tony Gustavsson opened the conference by outlining the review session to Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the USA in Sydney.
“We probably had one of our better review workshops so far yesterday, with players working in groups. There was a lot of dialogue and we have built all of that into our game plan. In training, we looked at trying to get those back into contention – those who missed the game on Saturday.
“There are still question marks over who will be available and one of those players is Polks (Clare Polkinghorne). As always, it’s a balance between experience and building depth in the backline.
“Some will say we were naive to look at players in defence in the last game. I would say brave. The young players responded well to going behind so early. We also have to credit the experienced players. It is not easy to step onto the field with a completely new centre-back pairing, play the US and I said we were going to treat it like a World Cup Final too.
Above: Tony Gustavsson clear that Jess Nash is in a good place after Saturday’s game. Photo: Football Australia.
“Jess Nash bounced back so quickly after the first goal. In fact, we conceded two when she went off. She was not subbed because of what happened, it was a planned move and I wanted to look at different options. She grew into the game. I would never give game time to her if I didn’t think she wasn’t ready for it mentally. This is the start for her. She showed tremendous promise. We are taking care of the young players but also explaining what it takes to win things.
“We need to learn about the stress and pressure of these situations and playing on home soil ahead of the World Cup when the spotlight is on us from the world.”
Gustavsson was pressed further on the defensive set-up of the Matildas and the number of goals that have been conceded since April.
“We have been looking at our defending for a long time now. We need to fix it. It is probably unfair to hold the players accountable for the ten goals they conceded in April due to the constraints we had on selection then. If someone needs to be criticized then maybe it is me in terms of handling it wrong.
“I believe in the preparation process. I am all about tournament football. After the Olympics when things were better, we had a look at what we wanted to do between then and the Asia Cup.
Above: Tony Gustavsson was pressed on his team’s defensive set-up. Photo: Football Australia.
“I’m trying to balance experience with boosting the roster. I made the choice to go with young inexperienced players on Saturday to give them a chance. In terms of how quickly can I fix the defence, the game tomorrow will be one isolated game. When it comes to the Asia Cup it will be all about tournament play and winning it through defending well enough. I am aiming to say I fixed it and I won something.
“We are trying to look at different defensive strategies. Our issues are not about just our backline. Can our nine cut the field in half? We are looking at how to get the most out of this team to get the best out of the players. It would be an easy fix to sit compact and close the space, but that is not who we are. I am an attacking coach.
“I am wanting us to play scoreboard blind – that is not being influenced by what the score is. That does not mean that we are not trying to win. We are doing everything we can to go out and win tomorrow’s game. If I wanted to build false confidence, I would schedule less challenging games and people would be saying how good things look but that would be naive as when it comes to tournaments and playing the best teams, you are not really ready.
“When I came into the job, we looked at statistics about how many games the Matildas played against higher ranked teams and what the results were for the last decade. It was apparent that we have to play these games more often because the majority of those games had only been played in tournament mode and, to be honest, the results hadn’t been too positive.
“Now we are playing them on a more consistent basis, it means we are losing more, but we need to get exposed, we need to develop this ahead of the World Cup. That is the way to build confidence – we have done it over and over and so know what to face.”
Above: Being on it from the start – the biggest learning point that the Matildas head coach hopes his players took from Saturday’s game. Photo: Football Australia.
Australia’s head coach also addressed the early concession in Saturday’s game by saying: “You have to be on it from the very start, especially against the best teams in the world. You have to be checked in and on. That is the biggest learning for us from that game. The US always want to open fast and go for the first goal. We need to learn from that and be on our A-game from the start.
“We lacked getting numbers into the box as well. We need to create even more. If we can get back to the passing game we had against Brazil, then we can do better.”
He was questioned about the outstanding performance of US goalkeeper Casey Murphy. “She was player of the match, right? She kept the US in the game. We should have been 2-1 up at half-time if it wasn’t for two brilliant saves for her. She was great in the air. Whilst our crossing wasn’t as great as normal, she came for everything and did well.
“The US play a direct running game and get in behind. That hurt us twice and also for the penalty. We need to deal with that direct way far better. Once they are in, they are really good. We need to do everything we can to block shots. We need to be mindful of their transition game.
Gustavsson was also questioned again about the goalkeeping position, whether he knows yet who will be the first choice for the Asia Cup. “At this point, no, I don’t. I wanted to use the September, October, and November windows to see all of them in action and then be a bit of review. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see two goalkeepers used in the Asia Cup.”
Above: The Matildas training today at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. Photo: Football Australia
Impetus was represented at Wales’ media conference prior to departure to France for Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifier by Jean-Pierre Thiesset. He and Ben Gilby summarise the views of head coach Gemma Grainger and Chelsea’s Sophie Ingleahead of their trip over the Channel.
Above: Wales head coach Gemma Grainger pictured in her media conference before the game against France. Photo: FA of Wales.
Wales go into their game against France in Guingamp tomorrow on the back of a 5-0 win over Greece, something which pleased head coach Gemma Grainger, along with no injuries or suspension being picked up in the game.
“Friday was a great opportunity for us to keep building on what we needed to. Conditions were tough, but we adapted well and the girls were brilliant in terms of their approach to the game, how they delivered the game and how they got stronger throughout the game. They are the things that made me happiest from the game and it sets us up well for Tuesday.”
Grainger was questioned about her approach to the game in France, with the home side being red hot favourites to take the three points.
“Look, the way we are viewing it is that we are the underdogs, there are no expectations on us outside of the camp. It’s a French game in France and the expectations may be pretty low. But our expectations are very high in terms of the performance that we want to put on. It’s a real opportunity for us to see where we are as a team and to go out there and continue the form that we have had. Why would we change that going to France? Its a real positive. For me personally, we will know a lot about ourselves as a result of the game.”
The Welsh head coach also sees the game as another step in her bid to give her team the toughest possible opposition as often as possible, after they took Canada who would go on to win Olympic Gold just under four months after their friendly with the Welsh.
Above: Gemma Grainger: focussed on her team delivering their game plan on Tuesday. Photo: FA of Wales.
“A combination of games against top opposition and the World Cup campaign is something we need to bring together. For me as a coach, these are the types of games that I want to coach in. These are the games that you really get to see the progress that you are making. We know why this game is going to be different, they are a highly ranked opposition and one of the best teams in the world. We have a lot of respect for them, but it’s a chance for us to go there and see where we are.”
With the Welsh side under Grainger noted for their attacking philosophy, the coach was asked if she would keep that mentality against the French who are renowned for multiple attacking threats.
“We’re really well prepared, we know what they do and what they are strong at. We’ve also got a few ideas about how we can bring our strengths to the game. We have to leave that pitch on Tuesday night knowing that we’ve delivered the game plan and delivering the game plan for us comes in terms of what we do both in and out of possession. We’ll have some targets set and we’ll make sure during the game that we are delivering on that. That will be the key measure of success after the game.”
With Grainger now just over eight months into her role as head coach with Wales, she spoke about how she thinks her side has progressed in that period.
“It’s a balance. We’ve played a lot of friendly games against higher-ranked opposition and we learned what we needed to learn from those games. More recently, we’ve been playing against lower-ranked opposition in the World Cup qualifying campaign and we’ve learned a lot about ourselves from them. We’ll only know where we are at after the game on Tuesday.
“We are playing France, but for us, this is game six of ten (in the qualifying campaign). It’s about how we execute. We’ll use the underdog mentality to go out there and be brave. At the end of the game we will know the answer to the question about where we are as a team.”
So far in the qualifying campaign, France are averaging seven goals a game and Grainger was asked what she plans on doing to ensure Wales don’t go the same way on Tuesday.
Above: Gemma Grainger knows that whilst France are a team in transition, they still pose her side a major threat on Tuesday. Photo: FA of Wales.
“The first thing is I want to bring their average down! The foundations in this team are all about how defensively sound we are. We’ve built on that strength and the players have absolute clarity on what they need to deliver. We work hard together and that is something we can control. We have to defend well in all areas, but we will make sure we are fully prepared to deliver a game plan.
“France are a brilliant team and they are clearly on a mission. Yet, we will be the highest-ranked team that they have played so far. They will want to compete and play well. We have worked at bringing out the best in the players we have. They have incredible resilience and work ethic and we have created an environment that brings that out further. We are competitive and we want to qualify for major tournaments. Whatever game we are in, those characteristics need to come out and do so.”
So far in the group, Slovenia gave France their sternest test, going down to just a 3-2 defeat. Grainger was asked what she took out of their performance in a bid to emulate or go further on the Slovenes’ result against the French.
“We’ve watched that game and having played Slovenia ourselves (a 1-1 draw away from home), we can also put their performance into context. There is a big difference between playing home and away and France played them in Slovenia. Having been there ourselves in October, we know how hard it is to go there. You also don’t know what was going on with France at that time as well.”
France go into the game without Wendie Renard, Amandine Henry, and Eugenie Le Sommer, who have been key components of their national side for many years, but Grainger does not think this makes Wales’ task any easier.
“Obviously I’d rather play France without those players, but I’ve coached against France before and seen their U17 players coming through and then at U19s. Although they are in a transition, they are in a very strong transition with strength in depth. The players coming in have very similar qualities whether they’ve learned them from around the national or club scene.”
Above: It was a happy and positive Sophie Ingle that spoke to the media prior to Wales’ game with France. Photo: FA of Wales.
Sophie Ingle also spoke to the media at the same event and began by highlighting her thoughts on the win over Greece on Friday, a game in which she scored her country’s opening goal after just seven minutes.
“It was positive, keeping a clean sheet was good. I still think that we could have pressed a bit better, obviously, we always want the perfect game, but we got in and around Greece. When we lost the ball, we reacted well. There were three or four of us around them. They still managed to get out a few times, but luckily they didn’t really cause us too many problems. An early goal against a team like Greece makes it a little bit easier, and to score two or three more in the first half also helps.”
Ingle was asked about her new role in the side which sees her linking up with Angharad James and Jess Fishlock in the midfield.
“It just comes natural to us. We were actually all laughing about it the other day as we don’t do much talking between us on the pitch because we don’t have to as we know where each other are just from checking over our shoulders. I know that if Jess wants to come low, I’ll get out of the space and that doesn’t always come natural with players. There usually is a lot of communication, but it just seems to flow nicely for the three of us.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s match in Guingamp against France, the Chelsea midfielder said: “It’s going to be a very different match. They will have a very big crowd as well. We know what sort of team they are and the strengths they have. So it’s all about us and trying to get at their weaknesses. We have to play with a bit of freedom, we have nothing to lose. We’re unbeaten too in qualifying at this stage too, so we’re happy about where we are as a team. It is about showing who we are and going away from home to play France is perfect for that.”
Wales can point to holding England to a draw in Southampton and very positive performances away to Norway when it comes to facing top European opposition, so is everyone right to be writing off Welsh chances in France so quickly?
Above: Sophie Ingle believes that her side have the character to trouble France. Photo: FA of Wales.
“We want to build on those games and results we’ve had when we’ve played top opposition,” said Ingle, “It’s all about us believing in what we are doing right now as a team and show who Wales are. We don’t want to turn up to France on Tuesday and not give a good account of ourselves as the Welsh national team and that is what we have been speaking about since the Greece game finished the other night.”
With Wales now about to go past the halfway mark in this qualification campaign, Ingle assessed how the team has performed so far.
“The last three camps (September, October and November) have been so close together that it feels like we’re always on Welsh camp which is great! We’re unbeaten and so are in a good place right now. Going away to Slovenia and getting a draw that we deserved was great. We have to build on that now. We need to go into the back-to-back games with France (the return game in Wales is in April) and be who we are, get on the ball and be positive. Having said that, we know we need to defend really well to get any sort of result against them.
“When we have the ball, we need to be creative against them. We know we won’t have as much of the ball as we’ve had in other games, but when we do have it, we have to be brave with it and get it forward. Our number nine might need to hold it up until others of us can get up in support, because realistically we may be in a mid-block and waiting for those turnovers.”
Ingle also identified a ruthless streak that has come into the Welsh side over the course of recent months.
“In training, we have spoken about that and we have to be ruthless against all opponents. We don’t just want to score one goal or two goals, we want to get as many as we can. In the past we were happy with a 1-0, everyone is, it’s a win, but now, if we can score more goals and create more chances, it will only help us as a team.
Above: Sophie Ingle – she strongly believes that Wales have the players to hurt France in transitional moments. Photo: FA of Wales.
“There has to be a level of respect about who we are playing, but at the end of the day, we want to do everything we can to win and, if sometimes that means ignoring another player on the floor, then so be it.”
In terms of her own thoughts on the French team, Ingle was nothing but impressed: “They are relentless. They are scoring goals for fun. They don’t hold off with who they are playing. They are bringing youth in and doing very well. There is a long way to go in the group, but we are realistic. France will probably come out on top of the group, but that is not to say I don’t think we can get a result against them. I just want us to be brave on the ball and solid at the back.
Impetus’ Jean-Pierre Thiesset then asked Ingle two questions, firstly about how Wales have prepared for the game with France. “We don’t prepare any differently compared to how we would if we were playing a team ranked lower than ourselves. We respect every opposition. Obviously, there will be little tweaks in our tactics because of who we are playing and we will have to be a bit more defensive than how we have in previous games, but we don’t change the way we are preparing just because we are playing a top opposition.”
Jean-Pierre then asked the midfielder what she believes Wales need to do to win in France. “We have to be solid in defence and midfield and try to limit the opportunities that France have, They have really fast, athletic players who can whip balls into the box but also go one v one in our wide areas. When we have the ball, I think that we can hurt them on the transition as they leave a lot of space in different parts of the pitch. The Slovenia game showed that where Slovenia scored on a transition and ran the length of the pitch to score. We have enough quality in our side to do that.”
Ahead of tonight’s game with North Macedonia, Northern Ireland head coach Kenny Shiels outlined what he is looking for from his side. Copy kindly provided by the Irish FA (29/11/21).
Above:Rachel Furness, who levelled Northern Ireland’s all-time international goalscoring record with a hat-trick in Skopje last week. Photo: Presseye/William Cherry.
Kenny Shiels insists on taking one game at a time, and he will doing that again tonight when the Northern Ireland senior women’s team face North Macedonia at Seaview.
Northern Ireland registered their biggest ever victory home or away when they defeated the Macedonians 11-0 in Skopje on Thursday.
But Shiels says his players must forget about that match and focus on tonight’s game instead in a front of a full house at the home of Crusaders (7 pm start).
“Naturally, I was delighted with our performance in the first game of this double header with North Macedonia. The girls played some excellent football in Skopje on Thursday as they registered a record-breaking win.
“But we must segregate the two games because it’s going to be incredibly difficult to put in another performance like that, and to match such determination, quality, and endeavour tonight.”
However, he further points out that his players are well prepared for the second encounter with North Macedonia.
He also says: “It’s going to be tough for our players because we have never been in this position before where we have come off the back of such a huge victory and now we are having to consolidate that. It will be hard but we will endeavour to do that.
“My players show tremendous commitment and desire every time they pull on that green jersey and I am certain they will be up for it again in Belfast.”
Above: Kenny Shield, Northern Ireland boss. Photo via: FAI
And he adds: “We have had an incredible year in 2021, qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Euros and starting our World Cup qualification campaign strongly, and it would be great to end the year with another victory under our belts.”
The Northern Ireland Women boss may not be saying it, but he will want his side to score goals tonight.
The emphatic victory in Skopje, coupled with table toppers England’s 1-0 home win against Austria on Saturday, means Northern Ireland currently have a goal difference of 15 and the Austrians have a goal difference of 17 in European Qualifying Group D. Both countries currently have 10 points from five games.
Going forward goals in the bank could prove crucial, especially given that Austria are away to Luxembourg tomorrow and they will be expected to rack up goals in that match.
Shiels and his players believe North Macedonia’s players will be “wounded” after such a heavy defeat on home soil and will be keen to put up a much better performance at Seaview.
The visitors continue to be without some key players due to injury, however, they may shuffle their pack and bring in younger players in the squad who will want to prove they can do better than their more experienced teammates.
One Northern Ireland player who is very much looking forward to the game is attacking midfielder Rachel Furness, who equalled David Healy’s goalscoring record – 36 strikes – for Northern Ireland while bagging a hat-trick in Skopje.
Healy has already been in touch with Furness to say well done on notching so many goals at international level and equalling his tally. Shiels will be hoping Healy will be sending her a text after tonight’s match congratulating her on breaking the record.
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