Impetus editorBen Gilby was born in South-West London but is known to be a long-time supporter of The Matildas, Australia’s national women’s team. He explains his journey from discovering this very special team to interviewing their players and reporting on their games(16/7/21).
Craven Cottage, Fulham FC on 9th October 2018. England v Australia. As a women’s football fan and someone born in nearby Roehampton, it was natural that I should be at the game (pictured above via Football Australia).
For many of my fellow countrymen and women, what was not natural was that I was there in the Matildas green and gold. It was the culmination of a number of years following Australian women’s football which started after becoming aware of Sam Kerr ten years earlier.
The Australian footballing legend grew up twenty minutes up the road from where the Western Australian branch of my own family live so my introduction to the women’s game out there was personal (for more details on this, see forthcoming player profile on Sam).
Above: A very young Sam Kerr, pictured with Emily Van Egmond around a year before Ben first discovered the Australian superstar in 2008. Photo: Sam Kerr
From East Fremantle, Kerr would go on to Perth Glory in the W-League where I saw her play in those formative years. The first Matildas experience for me came in the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup (the Asia confederation’s version of the Euros) when 16 year-old Sam was part of the team that went all the way to the final in monsoon like conditions to take on North Korea. Kerr scored Australia’s goal in the 1-1 draw. Just imagine the scenes in my living room in the early hours of the morning when her goal went in. The team in green and gold went on to lift the title on penalties.
The Matildas therefore started off as the national side with a player I had a connection to. That rapidly developed on a wider scale. As social media developed more recently, the Australian women’s team have led the way in reaching out to and communicating with fans.
The Matildas are a team who, before many other national sides, recognised the importance of building links with their supporters.
Commenting on the player’s Twitter feeds about their performances or achievements will often lead to the players themselves replying to you or DM-ing you. This connection is something which has seen the Matildas become Australia’s most loved national sporting team – an award they won ahead of the men’s cricket, rugby league and rugby union teams – no mean feat.
Above: Ben’s collection of Australian national soccer shirts from 1996 onwards. Photo: Ben Gilby
Regular events for supporters online have been organised including some particularly aimed at Matildas fans overseas which involve players and the coaching staff. This is a group of people who just “get it”.
The longer this connection between player and supporter goes on, the better you come to know each other. Therefore you celebrate those wins even louder, you cry even more tears when painful defeats come round. You experience it together – hence the team’s logo #WeAreMatildas.
Putting fandom aside, since I have been fortunate to be able to write about women’s football, these very same players have been so helpful to supporting my work for both Impetus and Beyond90. It’s like being on a journey together and the next three years with Olympics, the AFC Asian Women’s Cup and a home World Cup mean that journey is going to be more exciting than ever.
Being known as “that English bloke who is obsessed about Australian women’s football” means that I am able to talk up the game Down Under publicly – and believe me, it is well worth talking up.
Above: Ben’s Matildas Active Support Flag has been seen at FAWSL games where Australian women internationals have been playing. Photo: Ben Gilby
The next generation of Matildas are already coming through and some will be on display in Tokyo. Kyra Cooney-Cross has all the makings of a superstar of the future. Having first seen her as a 16 year-old, I can’t wait to see her explode on the world stage. Charli Grant is developing at pace and deserves all the success that comes her way in the future due to her dedication, ability and the fact that she is an example of the fact that genuinely nice people can succeed.
For me the Matildas are not just Australia’s national women’s football team – they are a group who know the struggles they have had to overcome to represent their country and are more than aware that they are inspiring the next generation of Australian girls to wear the shirt after them.
This is why they are my team. This is why that whenever they play England, I’ll be in the green and gold. It’s personal.
Above: Photos of Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Emily van Egmond at major tournaments from 2011 onwards – the period that Ben has been following the Matildas. Photo: @SamanthaKerr20
This match, played at Sanga Stadium in Kyoto saw a limited crowd of 3,000 spectators allowed in due to the Coronavirus pandemic (photo above via YouTube).
The Matildas played 3-4-3 formation with Ellie Carpenter, Clare Polkinghorne and Steph Catley playing the back three, Tameka Yallop, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily Van Egmond and Kyah Simon in midfield and Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Hayley Raso up the front.
Australia wore their Olympic jerseys which are making their debut. It’s mostly green with a gold triangle at the top right at the front with green shorts and from a distance, it looks a bit like a rugby jersey.
Kerr was notably wearing jersey #2. It was explained that as the team was originally 18 members, as per usual Olympic requirements, Sam chose the number two as 20 wasn’t going to be available. Then the Olympic committee changed the rules for the football teams to be 22 players and it was too late to change back, thus Charlotte Grant got the #20 jersey.
Cooney-Cross kicked off and Australia started with possession. Japan stole the ball but the cross to the box goes out and they began to press early.
There’s a long pass from midfield into the box by Carpenter but it went wide of goal with no one taking it. Foord got a run down the left but is stopped. Carpenter sends another long shot to goal which is gathered by the keeper.
Down the other end, Japan cross into the box but it also goes out. There’s a lot of long balls by both teams but no one is there to take advantage. It’s taken down the left by Japan then comes back out and is over to the right. The cross is cleared but comes right back into the box. Australia is calling for offside but the calls are ignored. Matildas need to play to the whistle. It’s cleared and a long ball goes down to Kerr but she is called offside.
Japan have more possession now but a foray into the box is cleared. Japan cross into the box from the left and Yallop clears it straight back to Japan. A shot is gathered by Micah.
The first quarter of an hour of the game has been played in Japanese territory. Van Egmond crosses to Foord in the box but she can’t get a shot away and it’s cleared. Carpenter gets it back and sends it over to Simon who takes a rather ambitious shot that is blocked at the top of the box.
Foord takes a good shot at around 19 minutes in, but it goes straight to the keeper.
Back down the other end and the back three for Australia are passing it between themselves for a while to reset. A pass to Van Egmond goes astray but Carpenter retrieves it.
A long ball to Raso is intercepted by the Japanese keeper who’s come right out. Shortly after, a cross by Raso is too far behind Kerr and goes out. Another attack ends with a foul and Japan get a free kick. Tanaka takes the shot which is blocked and held by Micah. Sugasawa is in the clear and shoots and forces a diving save by Micah. Japan is attacking a lot more now and Sugasawa is forward and makes a run in the clear and brings Micah right out to save but she’s called offside.
Another long ball comes up to Kerr who crosses into the box. There’s a couple of runners in the box but Foord’s header goes wide to the right of goal for a goal kick. It was a good chance. It’s a long goal kick straight to Polkinghorne who heads it back to Simon. She takes a long shot from the right straight to the keeper.
Above: Caitlin Foord (left) battles it out in Australia’s friendly with Japan yesterday. Photo: The Guardian
Van Egmond gets a free kick from an Iwabuchi foul. It eventually gets out to Yallop who does a 1-2 with Kerr before taking a shot which is caught in the top bins by the keeper, Yamashita. Nearly a sensational goal. Soon after, it’s half time and we’re still at 0-0.
Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson has made a lot of changes at half time. It’s easier to just say who is on now than go through the replacements as it’s almost a new team. He’s obviously having a good look at everyone but also sparing some legs. So now we have Williams, Carpenter, Polkinghorne, Luik, Kennedy, Cooney-Cross, Van Egmond, Logarzo, Gielnik, Fowler, Raso.
Carpenter gets things going with a big run down the right flank but her cross is cleared. Carpenter gets another run into the box but is stopped in front of goal.
Not long after, Japan takes a run down the left and the cross hits Kennedy’s arm. She’s in the box and a penalty kick is awarded to Japan. Mana Iwabuchi steps up to take it. She goes hard, fast and low to the left corner and Williams has no chance. It’s 1-0 Japan.
After the kick off, Fowler gets the ball from a long cross and takes a shot. It floats over the top post harmlessly. Australia are on the attack now and Cooney-Cross takes it right up the midfield and passes to Carpenter on the right who in turn passes to Raso. She picks it up but skies it well over the goal.
Japan get a nice run into goal but the shot is neatly cleared by Polkinghorne.
Japan have a more traditional substitution and Iwabuchi is replaced by Endo. Japan attack again but the shot goes wide to the right of goal. Endo makes an immediate impact with a great strike from just outside the box. It’s high and on target and Williams has to jump up to get a hand to it to tip over the crossbar for the save of the match.
The resulting corner is cleared but Japan get another free kick. The home side get down the left and put in a cross which catches the heel of Kennedy and rebounds back. The resulting shot goes wide.
Back in Australia’s half, Gielnik gets in a tangle and despite slamming the Japanese defender to the ground, she gets a free kick. Cooney-Cross takes it and lobs it to Van Egmond. She takes a shot on goal but it goes to the left.
Gielnik then conjures up an opportunity from a long ball and she’s one on one with the keeper but is offside.
Another long ball is sent into the box by Japan and it floats into Williams hands safely. Raso sends a yet another long ball towards goal and Gielnik is there but can’t connect and it goes out.
We’re back and forth and Japan are soon attacking again. A shot sent across goal is sheparded out by Carpenter. The corner is headed away by Kennedy and cleared by Raso. Shortly after a long ball comes through for Japan and brings Williams right out of the box to tackle. Looks like she gets a hand to it so Japan get a free kick at the top of the box. Australia set up a four person wall. Momiki takes it and it hits a Japanese player in the wall and bounces over goal.
The ball is back with Australia and Raso’s cross ends up with Fowler who takes a shot which goes back across the goal and out on the right.
A good cross by Carpenter, who’s run up and down the field all night, is cleared. There’s good pressure at the end but the Japanese defence holds firm and nothing comes of it. The whistle blows and Japan win 1-0.
Defence was solid in both teams but it was a game of a lot of long passes to breach the back lines. The short passing game wasn’t really on target and finishing wasn’t happening either. Still, it’s pleasing not to concede any goals from the field. Three at the back seemed to work OK although it was caught short a couple of times with the long balls. Not sure if it would be as effective against a USA attack but we’ll see soon enough.
Japan have had a couple of big wins lately but this is their first outing against top ten opponent. Japan are in group E with Great Britain, Canada and Chile so won’t have an easy run through the tournament either.
Speaking after the game Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson said: “Japan is one of the most technical teams in the tournament,
“We wanted to press as aggressively as possible, and we did that very well and didn’t let Japan have the ball as much [as normal].
“I do think it was an even game, and when you look at the statistics that shows that evenness. I said to the players after the game that this is a good reminder of what the [Olympic] tournament is going to be about.
“It’s going to be very, very tight games – very even games. It is going to take that one moment to win or lose the games. We have to be there for those moments.”
Catherine Paquette casts her expert eye over Round Eight of the NWSL and highlights all the moments that mattered.
All ten National Women’s Soccer League matches took place last weekend. At this point in the summer, all Olympic bound internationals, except two Kiwis who were controversially held back by their clubs, were missing from the starting line-ups.
While many do ask why the NWSL does not take an Olympic break like the Swedish or Norwegian leagues do, something that could be expected given the more than 30 NWSL players departed for what could be more than a month and a half of international duty, a closer examination of the NWSL schedule easily explains why.
At present the NWSL’s regular season is expected to go until the end of October. The play-offs, which this year has three rounds including the final, will extend the post-season into late November.
Several northern NWSL clubs can expect to have temperatures at that time nearing freezing. The Chicago Red Stars and New Jersey/New York Gotham FC are located in areas that have even had snow on the ground in mid-November. From a climate perspective, it is just impossible to extend the season.
Moreover, for avid long time viewers of the NWSL the lack of World Cup and Olympic breaks have always been a positive thing. The NWSL is a notoriously difficult league to break into for novice players. The parity of the league and intense competition leaves very little leeway for player development.
The World Cup and Olympic summers offer a unique opportunity for players on the periphery, or players who may not stand out when international teammates are around, to break into the first team or even get a chance to shine.
Many NWSL mainstay players got their break during these summer openings. Previous years have seen present day superstars such as Crystal Dunn, Lynn Williams and even Jess Fishlock given the space to individually shine.
For a league often overshadowed by big international names, the World Cup and Olympic game NWSL periods give fans a chance to really see talent that may otherwise go overlooked. This past weekend lived up to this expectation.
The first match occurred on Friday between the Orlando Pride and Racing Louisville. Both teams were coming off a loss, and a tumble in the league table. Expansion side Louisville came out strong to start, dominating the early possession.
Their 20-year-old signing from Bristol City, Ebony Salmon, continued her wonderful NWSL form. Salmon broke the nil-nil deadlock in the twenty-first minute and put Racing up 1-0. It was her third goal of the season.
The real drama in the game came in the fourth minute of second half added time. Looking as if they were headed for another loss, Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris ventured into Louisville’s half to recuperate the ball. Harris then struck a deep cross into Racing’s box. After making contact with Taylor Kornieck’s head, it found the boot of Sydney Leroux who struck it home. The Pride saved the point with seconds to go with the match ended at 1-1.
Orlando keeper @Ashlyn_Harris gives a great ball into the box. @sydneyleroux with a wonderful finish home! She denies Louisville the full three points.
— Her Beautiful Game (@HerBeautifulGam) July 10, 2021
The Saturday match was between the Washington Spirit and the North Carolina Courage. The relatively young Spirit side proved they could compete with a Courage side packed with seasoned players. The final score for the match was 2-0 to Washington due to a brace by Ashley Hatch.
A Washington player who stuck out though during this match was attacker Ashley Sanchez. Sanchez decided to make the daring decision in 2020 of leaving UCLA and declaring for the NWSL draft a year early. While she was surprisingly picked fourth overall, lower than expected, her form in this match showed why she could have easily gone first.
Sanchez created several chances for her teammates during the game, wreaking havoc on the seasoned North Carolina midfield and defence. In total she had seven shots, including three on target. Sanchez was unlucky due to a brilliant stop by Courage keeper Casey Murphy and two post hits. However, should she continue her form during the rest of the Olympic game period, she could easily turn out to be one of the new NWSL breakout stars.
Another player who played very well during this game was her teammate Andi Sullivan. Sullivan has been on the brink of a consistent place in the USWNT for several years now. However, while she has 18 caps for the team, she has yet to make a major tournament squad.
The maturity and vision Sullivan is displaying this season though as Spirit captain may change this in the future. Playing in a more traditional defensive midfield role, Sullivan is becoming the team metronome, essential to both their defensive and offensive capabilities.
Perhaps her best display of this defensive vision and the ability to be an offensive threat came with Washington’s second goal. Spotting a bad pass midway in her own half she stole the ball and then made a half a pitch long run before her assist pass to Ashley Hatch. Like Sanchez, this Olympic period could be her big break.
A great steal and run from Andi @sunshine_sully is then put in the net by @ash_hatch33. Hatch now has a brace as both teams head to the locker room.
— Her Beautiful Game (@HerBeautifulGam) July 10, 2021
The first of the Sunday matches was between the Portland Thorns and the New Jersey/New York Gotham FC. Overall it was a very defensive affair which ended in a 0-0 draw.
While the Thorn’s defence were better at limiting Gotham’s shots, to eleven total and two on goal, the Gotham defence and keeper for their part showed fantastic displays of defensive heroics.
Despite twice as many shots and three times as many shots on goal by the Thorns, none were able to breach Didi Haraicic’s goal.
Both Portland keeper Casey Murphy and Gotham keeper Didi Haracic have long been backup keepers in the NWSL. With their respective first team goalkeepers away with the US and Canada for the Tokyo Olympics, it could give both the opportunity to show their abilities over the next month.
Above: Action from Portland Thorns v New Jersey/New York Gotham FC. Photo: courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer / Portland Thorns FC)
The second match of the day was between the Chicago Red Stars and the Houston Dash. It finished with the most bizarre set of circumstances.
Both teams have shown inconsistent form this season. While the Red Stars did show a more promising start in this game, they still continued to struggle offensively. The Dash for their part struggled with a number of their biggest offensive players away on international Olympic duty.
They did however find a way to break through the Red Stars defence early in the second half. A great long run by forward Jasmyne Spencer past a number of Chicago defenders was then passed to Veronica Latsko who found the back of the net.
However, what then ensued is the bizarre part. A Chicago free kick in the seventy-third minute was accidentally deflected by Houston defender Shea Groom into her own net. Her teammate Katie Naughton then also found the back of her own net three minutes later.
The Red Stars won the match 2-1 despite not having a single shot on goal.
The final match of the weekend was between the OL Reign and Kansas City. The Reign won the affair 2-0.
Both teams have struggled to find form this season. The Reign’s troubles seemed to be due to their inability to find form in the final third while KC has struggled to find form at all.
The Reign looked a lot better this game compared to previous matches. The connection and passing displays that have been on show for a while continued this game but were finally matched with offensive completion.
They opened their scoring account in the third minute of the match. A mistake by an otherwise outstanding KC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart was intercepted and put in by Reign striker Bethany Balcer.
Balcer found the back of Barnhart’s net a second time in the first half. A great team play by OL led to a cross into the box and a perfectly timed Balcer run. Her header put the Reign up 2-0.
Drama occurred in the sixty-ninth minute of the second half. Reign goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi ran out of her net and intercepted a run by KC forward Jéssica Silva. The referee deemed it a denial of a goalscoring opportunity and handed a red card to Bouhaddi.
🟥Drama in Tacoma. Reign keeper Bouhaddi with a denial of a goal scoring opportunity outside the box is red carded.
— Her Beautiful Game (@HerBeautifulGam) July 12, 2021
Despite being up against a 10-person Reign though, KC were not able to capitalize in the final twenty minutes of the game. They barely created any opportunities despite the one woman advantage.
This leads us to this upcoming weekend. Eight teams will meet in four matches. So far each NWSL team has played 9-10 matches. What is striking in the league standings is the parity within the NWSL.
From the first to the seventh position there are only three points separating the teams. There are six points separating first and ninth position. With the notable exception of KC, this league is still wide open.
Towards the end of Spring, a brand new women’s football club was born in Surrey. Ben Gilby spoke to Benson Miyoba, the foundation manager of Guildford City about launching the club and their aims ahead of their first ever season.
Benson began our conversation by outlining the journey behind the formation of Surrey’s newest women’s football club.
“Guildford City Football Club has been in the early stages of a complete over haul since the beginning of the year with new members of the executive committee as well as a new management team for the senior men’s club. The mantra for the club is one club, one vision and one of the key objectives was to introduce women’s football as soon as possible to replicate the growth of the men’s side of the club.
“The community in Guildford has been able to access women’s and girls football at recreational and competitive level for some time. However as a club we aspire to become an all-inclusive community hub that the people of Guildford are proud of and want to become a part of, whether that be on or off of the pitch.”
Launching a new club is exceptionally challenging at the best of times, but doing it in the midst of a global pandemic made it one with unique difficulties, as Benson explained.
“One of the challenges has been the limited amount of time together as a club during the early stages of setting up the administration and staffing side of things. Video calls made it possible to interview and present the club vision to key people.
“We were also restricted in the amount of games that we could access to assess levels and suitable leagues to apply for. We don’t feel that this particularly held us back but it certainly required us to work smart.
“The initial stages of player recruitment have not been heavily influenced by players being eager to get back. If anything players have wanted to stay loyal to their current clubs and see out tournaments that were delayed and presentation evenings before coming and experiencing our setup. I think this shows great integrity from the players and we have extended the opportunity to trial with us in to July for several players so far.”
Above: Benson Miyoba, Guildford City Women’s first manager.. Photo supplied by: Benson Miyoba
With the new season rapidly approaching, Benson highlighted the key areas they are having to concentrate on.
“On the pitch I see the biggest challenge being that we have no benchmark to work against. We are entering a new league set up with a completely new club and squad. However we are approaching this as professionally as possible and preparing ourselves for the highest possible level of competition that can be put in front of us.
“We have a high number of players within the squad that are stepping up to women’s football for the first time. This is through choice and we are excited to blend them in with the experienced players that we have recruited from higher tiers to give a strong foundation for this season and beyond.
Off the pitch we are in an extremely privileged position with a phenomenal level of support from the club. The resources made available to us to make this journey a success are more than we could have wished for. The staff and players plan to repay that support through the level of commitment they put in for preparation and delivery on match days.”
Benson went into greater detail about exactly what this commitment from Guildford City’s men’s team looks like.
“It’s one club, one vision. Everything that we have built so far and that we have planned for the season has been done so in consultation with the men’s team.
“We aim to make all of the performance and analysis resources used for the men’s team available for the women’s team. We also share training facilities at the same time on a Thursday evening so as to bring the whole senior club together and feed off of each other’s energy. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to instil a winning culture within the club.”
Above: Benson (fourth left) with Guildford City Women’s coaching staff. Photo Supplied By: Benson Miyoba.
Recruitment is key when it comes to setting up a new club, and Benson outlined how things are going on this score at Guildford City.
“We have already attracted a number of experienced players from higher tiers within the women’s game. We have also secured the commitment of several under eighteens players that are serial winners in youth football that are ready to take the step up to the senior game.
“Our staff team is well balanced with both manager and assistant manager having experience at high levels within the men and women’s game respectively. We have a female head coach and assistant coach as well as our own dedicated strength and conditioning coach and sports therapist for the women’s squad. We also have a performance analyst and kit manager to make sure we have everything covered off the pitch so that the players can focus a hundred per-cent on the pitch.”
In terms of the competitions that the club will be competing in next season, Benson explained: “We will be entering the newly formed Surrey FA Women’s League. We have also entered the Combined Counties Floodlit Cup as well as all other regional cup competitions.
“This season is about laying a foundation for our goal of two promotions in three seasons. We have every intention of recruiting a side capable of hitting the ground running. However we are also committed to building a culture and a philosophy that supports long term sustainable success and aligns with the overall club vision of growing as a community club.
“We want to finish our first season with a reputation for doing things well on and off the pitch and being a club that the people of Guildford and beyond speak highly of.”
Impetus will be catching up with Benson regularly during the season to find out how Guildford City’s maiden campaign goes.
Above: Peamount United celebrate winning last season’s FAI WNL which ensured they will take part in the UEFA Women’s Champions League once more. Photo: @peamountutd
“We want to give a good account of ourselves, as we’re representing Peamount,” said Peamount United boss James Callaghan as his team’s opponents were revealed in UEFA Women’s Champions League draw.
“It’s occasions like these that I feel it’s important to highlight the need for our league to go semi-professional. A task force should be set up of key individuals and agencies to look into exactly what’s needed to go semi pro with a collective goal to go professional.
“If this was to successfully happen, I believe we would see Irish teams like Peamount progressing a lot further in the Champions Leagues as the Women’s National League would be a lot a stronger, subsequently more of our best players will stay in the country to play their football which will only benefit the senior international team hopefully resulting in qualifications for senior competitions on a consistent basis.” Callaghan added.
Peamount’s UWCL journey so far
In an historic move for the Republic of Ireland, Peamount United were the first team, men or women, to qualify for the knockout stages of a European competition during the 2011/12 season. The South Dublin based side finished second in their group and, as the best runners-up, qualified for the round of thirty-two.
They played the following fixtures:
Rayo Vallecano 1–0 Peamount United
Peamount United 7–0 Krka
Pärnu JK 1–5 Peamount United
With two wins and one loss, Peamount finished second in the table and faced French giants Paris Saint Germain. Incidentally, PSG had also qualified for the UWCL for the first time. PSG secured a 2-0 win in the first leg and a 3-0 win in the second leg, which led to the departure of Peamount from the competition.
Above: The Peamount team that took on mighty Paris St. Germain in 2011/12. Photo: Inpho Photography
Having won the 2011–12 Women’s National League, Peamount United once again qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the season commencing the 2012–13. They were unable to make it out the group stage.
They played the following fixtures:
SFK 2000 4-0 Peamount United
Peamount United 5-0 ASA Tel Aviv University
Cardiff Met. Ladies 0-4 Peamount United
The club put in a great effort in last season’s Champions League when they took on Glasgow City, quarter-finalists in 2019/20. Club secretary Elaine Harrington described that game to Impetus as being: “A surprise to us how well we did (Peamount took City to a penalty shoot-out), we worked hard to prepare but the fact the girls all have to return to college / work can put a little strain on them.”
Looking ahead to the new Champions League campaign, manager James Callaghan said: “Everyone here in Peamount are really excited to be playing in this year’s Champions League. After forcing Glasgow City to the last kick of the game to bring it to penalties, it was brilliant from the girls, however we want to go one step further this year after getting knocked out on penalties.”
Overnight European time, Newcastle Jets announced that Ash Wilson (pictured above via Newcastle Herald) has extended her tenure as Westfield W-League Head Coach for a further season.
Executive Chairman Shane Mattiske said; “We’re very pleased to confirm our continued commitment to Ash Wilson as our W-League Head Coach.
“The W-League is a valued part of our Club and our community, and we see Ash as an important leader for the Jets and for our W-League team.”
The Club’s first female W-League coach, Wilson took charge of the team last season after five years serving as assistant to Craig Deans.
Wilson is one of two female coaches in the nine-team national women’s league and also Head Coach of the Jets Academy 20s female squad, who play in National Premier League NSW Women’s competition.
Wilson said; “I’m very happy to be signing on again for another season as Head Coach of the Jets W-League team.
“It was an honour last year to get my first opportunity, and to be given the support and backing to build on that is something I’m grateful for and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“I think we laid some solid foundations last season and showed a lot of character as a team but I’m not shying away from the work that needs to be done both on and off the field to meet our own and community expectations.”
Abi Ticehurst rounds up all of the action as Peamount United looked to get back off the canvas after their first defeat last tie out. She brings us all the action from the latest round of FAI Women’s National League action.
In the Spotlight:
Despite a fantastic performance from Cork City, it was DLR Waves who ran out 1-0 winners at a sold out UCD Bowl as a limited crowd was allowed into the venue for the first time since the pandemic. The scenes after Ciara Maher’s late stunning winner are shown above courtesy of Peter Minogue Photography.
Second bottom Cork belied their lowly status. They pressed the hosts from the off and kept Eve Badana busy in the Waves goal. It took until just before the twenty minute mark for DLR to have their first real chance when Rachel Doyle’s viciously swirling shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the left hand post.
Waves were looking to play a fast paced passing game, but could not get their dangerous front players into the game enough in the first half. Cork were busy in midfield and enjoyed lots of possession, led by the impressive and highly influential Becky Casson. Despite this it remained goalless at the break.
Cork’s Sophie Liston had a golden opportunity to put her side ahead early in the second half but she missed when it looked easier to score. Just before the hour mark, Liston found Sarah McKevitt who was not closed down and fired in a shot from the ‘D’ which crashed off the bar.
On the hour mark, DLR had their first real chance of the second period when Shauna Carroll hit a long range effort and forced a great save from Cork keeper Abby McCarthy.
As the game entered the final stages, it looked as if Cork might leave Dublin with a deserved point, but with two minutes left, an attempted clearance from the visitors fell to Ciara Maher who took a touch and lofted it into the goal from long range for a glorious winner for DLR Waves.
Speaking to Impetus editor Ben Gilby after the game, DLR Waves head coach Graham Kelly said: ” I’m absolutely delighted with the performance and the three points from the game, Our girls were excellent especially in the second half against a very good Cork City team.
“Every time we play Cork it’s always a close and very entertaining game of football. Huge credit to Paul Farrell and his Cork City team for what was a terrific match and they have shown in recent weeks that they will take points from teams and start climbing the table.
“For us it’s another big three points as we now prepare for another major test next week with the visit of Shelbourne to UCD Bowl.”
FT DLR Waves 1-0 Cork City
Off the back of a late minute defeat to title-race opponents Shelbourne, Peamount United will have gone into their game at home to Bohemians with focus on nothing but securing the three points and that they did.
Captain Áine O’Gorman headed their opening goal home shortly before the half time break and grabbed her second in the late stages of the game to claim a convincing 2-0 win over the Bohs which pushed them one spot down the table. The visitors fought well, but the clinical campaign of Peas marches on and they were able to maintain a clean sheet. FT Peamount United 2-0 Bohemians
Above: Della Doherty unveiled by Wexford Youths after signing from Peamount United. Photo: @YouthsWomen
Absolutely no doubt that Ellen Molloy was running the show for WexfordYouths in their encounter at Athlone Town, netting twice with an absolute peach of a free-kick for the second shot. In addition, there was a stunning strike from Ciara Rossiter. Katelyn Keogh made sure it wasn’t all fun in the Wexford camp as she pulled one back for Athlone Town. A closely contested game, but ultimately Wexford looked the stronger side and the score line reflects that.
Ellen Molloy – in outstanding form for Wexford Youths at the weekend.
A surprise to some, Della Doherty also joined Wexford from Peamount United this week.
FT Athlone Town WFC 1-3 Wexford Youths
Galway looked to have all the prowess in their busy fixture at Treaty United, as Lynsey McKey put the away side 1-0 up from a strike, followed by a Meabh de Burca penalty conversion in the second half of the game. Treaty seemed to struggle to find their rhythm in the game, however not all was lost as Gillian Keenan and Jenna Slattery slotted one home each to share a point each with Galway. It’s evident Galway are still looking to find their feet under new management.
Chloe Logarzo (pictured above via Football Australia) has not played under Australia’s new manager, she has missed recent matches, been replaced by Amy Harrison and a major tournament approaches.
This was the scenario in 2019 before the World Cup and it is eerily similar as the Olympics approach. As it was before France selecting her for a high intensity international tournament might seem risky.
Of course 2021 is a slightly different situation. Logarzo has not only missed games through injury but has not played consistent football since leaving Bristol City in January. Prior to the World Cup she had missed four out of five Matildas games before being selected by then manager Ante Milicic.
In 2019 she was injured playing for Sydney FC in the W-League Grand Final. This time it is combination of factors that have side-lined her.
She had her move to the NWSL stalled by visa issues then suffered a hip injury that has limited her game time for Kansas City.
What is not different is that Australia as in 2019, needs Logarzo. The midfield was overrun in her absence against Germany and The Netherlands. Although there was significantly more control against Denmark and Sweden and even periods of dominance, Logarzo’s momentum altering ability was absent.
Above: Superwoman Chloe with Ellie Carpenter. Photo: Pintrest.
Tony Gustavssson has expressed that he values versaility in his squad. He needs his players to be able to perform in a variety of roles and be able to be tactically flexible during a game.
At different stages of her Matildas career, Logarzo has been named as part of as midfield three, on the wing in a five player formation and played in both deep and attacking roles.
She offers tireless running, defensive pressure, control in tight spaces, the eye and technique for a defense splitting pass and can score goals from midfield.
There are other players in the squad that offer some of these qualities, but possibly only the 19 year old Kyra Cooney-Cross has all of them at once and she does not have Logarzo’s experience on the big stage.
There would be few footballing scenario’s that Logarzo has not experieced. She has been part of thumping wins against Brazil and nail biting finishes against China.
She has played in tight 1-0 and 1-1 contests with Olympic opponents the U.S.A and was the catalyst for Australia’s historic comeback against Brazil in Montpellier at the World Cup.
Above: Chloe in action for Australia against Brazil in the 2016 Olympic Quarter-Final clash. Photo: Pintrest.
In that game the world saw the very best of Australia’s midfield dynamo. Australia’s number six went about changing the momentum of the game, she has the ability.
She set up one goal and scored another to drag Australia from 2-0 down to a 3-2 win before striking her now iconic “Superwoman pose” to celebrate as tribute to her missing teammate Laura Brock.
Brock missed the World Cup through injury, The Matildas hung her number up in the rooms. “She’s always there with us, we never leave a player behind,” Logarzo told the Matildas website in 2019. Even if her game time is limited, her cultural impact on the squad remains huge.
Chloe Logarzo is a team player who will play any position against any opponent and make an impact. She can turn losing situations into winnable ones as she showed in France.
Gustavsson famously calls members of his squad “Game Changers” and it is a phrase that Logarzo encapsulates.
In 2021, Chloe Logarzo has not played under Australia’s new manager, she has missed recent matches and a major tournament approaches.
Is she worth the risk of taking into high pressure, high profile games?
Paige Walder (pictured above via Saltdean United) may be known to regular readers of Impetus for all of the high quality graphics and artwork she provides the site with via Graphics by PW. But she is also an extremely talented footballer and recently joined Saltdean United of the London & SE Regional Premier (tier five). It is only right that Impetus thanked Paige for her fantastic work for the site by sponsoring her for the new season. Paige spoke to Ben Gilby about her career and goals with the Sussex side.
Paige Walder has been involved with Impetus for almost a year providing all of our graphics and artwork, including our site logo.
Additionally, she has been a footballer for a number of years and in April joined tier five club Saltdean United who play in the London & South-East Regional Premier.
Paige told us about her return to the game: “Well, for the last two years I’ve followed my partner as she plays professionally across Europe. When the pandemic first hit we left Italy and have been in England ever since. I’ve missed playing so much over the last few years and feel like now is the perfect time to dust my boots off and see if I’ve still got it.”
The club that Paige is joining are one who are hugely successful. “Saltdean United are a great club with big ambitions. The manager, Joe McTiffen actually coached me back in my teenage years. He’s asked me every year since he started the team to go and play for him and he’s finally got his way, persistence is key, haha. On a serious note, since starting in 2015 they have been promoted time after time and show no signs in stopping anytime soon and I’d love to be a part of that success.”
Above: Paige in action for Sussex. Photo via: Paige Walder.
Paige has a strong history in the women’s game in Sussex, as she explained to me. “I started football at 12 years old but only began to take it seriously when I turned 16 and was scouted by Brighton and Hove Albion. After four seasons there and I stayed down south and joined Lewes whilst playing for the Sussex county team also.”
Paige then outlined her immediate and longer term aims for her return to the sport: “A personal aim for me will be to get on the assist sheet as much as possible as a central midfielder. With regards to the team I would love to help them gain promotion up to the third tier of English football and with the squad we have I’ve got a great feeling that big things are going to happen for this club.”
Off the pitch, Paige’s company Graphics by PW has provided artwork for Chelsea and England star Fran Kirby for a while and the business has really taken off now as she explains: “Graphics by PW has been going great, working for Fran has brought in other high profile clients like Sam Kerr, Maren Mjelde and a GB athlete named Lauren Jones. With high-profile clients comes high-pressure, but I’m thoroughly enjoying it and hope to continue to grow.”
Above: Paige Walder in action for Lewes against Portsmouth, Photovia: Paige Walder.
“I’d like to thank Impetus for supporting my graphics business from the beginning and now supporting my football too. To be sponsored by a site and the contributors associated with it who have believed in me as a person means a lot. I’ll try to get you all a goal when you come along to watch us!”
As with all of our sponsored players, we’ll be catching up with Paige regularly throughout the season to find out how she and Saltdean United are getting on. Readers can also expect to see more of her incredible artwork on the site very soon!
Above: We’re so proud to be able to sponsor on of our own – Paige Walder of Saltdean United who has provided Impetus with graphics and artwork for almost a year. Artwork: Graphics by PW.
@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the happenings in the Swedish women’s game. All the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action plus a busy week ofnews and transfers, particularly involving Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Injury ravaged AIK’s poor run continues after a desperately disappointing 4-0 loss to fellow relegation candidates. Piteå. Selina Henriksson, Astrid Larsson (pictured above via Golzz), Jennie Nordin and Anam Imo were on target. AIK have now conceded 16 goals in their last three games without scoring. The sooner their injury list eases the better.
BK Häcken returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 6-2 win over Kristianstad. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Dilya Yr Zomers put the home side 2-0 up within the opening 14 minutes. Stina Blackstenius’ hat-trick settled matters with the other goal coming from Emma Kullberg. Kristianstad’s goals came courtesy of Emma Petrovic and an own goal. Blackstenius is now four goals clear of Hammarby’s Madelen Janogy at the top of the scorers chart with 11 goals.
Above: Felicia Rogic (centre) celebrates her goal in Eskilstuna United’s 2-0 win at Växjö. Photo: SVT.se
Växjö continued their poor run and lack of goal scoring ability with a 2-0 reversal at home to Eskilstuna United. Fanny Andersson and Felicia Rogic were on target. Eskilstuna are slowly advancing towards the upper reaches of the Damallsvenskan.
KIF Örebro earned a superb point against run away league leaders Rosengård after a 0-0 draw. Great goalkeeping from young Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir and ten players defending in the area earned Örebro a share of the spoils.
Hammarby suffered a cruel 1-0 loss to Vittsjö due to a superb free-kick from Fernanda Da Silva in the 92nd minute. It was a blow to the Stockholm based side who were looking for a top three spot.
Djurgården earned a 2-2 draw with Linköping. Uchenna Grace Kanu put Linköping ahead only for Michaela van den Bulk to level. It remained this way until the last quarter. The sides shared a further two goals in a two minute spell with Sara Olai putting the Stockholm based side ahead with Petra Johansson hitting back for Linköping to make it 2-2. It was a very entertaining match, but looks like Linköping are missing the departed Frida Maanum. Djurgården have now gone four games unbeaten.
Table From: svenskfotboll.se
Round Twelve Fixtures:
Linköping v BK Häcken
Vittsjö v Kristianstads
Eskilstuna United v AIK
Djurgården v Piteå
KIF Örebro v Hammarby
Rosengård v Växjö
The above games were played in midweek THIS week – for a full round-up of the action from these matches, see next week’s Swedish Scene.
ELITETTAN
Above: Jessika Pedersen, scorer of IFK Kalmar’s second win in their impressive 3-2 win over IK Uppsala. Photo: Idrotts Online.
Umeå IK go top after a 2-0 win over an Älvsjö AIK FF side who had been in the top five all season. Two goals in a ten minute first half spell from Lisa Bjork and the prolific Henna-Riikke Honkanen settled the outcome. Previous leaders IK Uppsala suffered an 3-2 loss to in-form IFK Kalmar. Kalmar were 3-0 up after 24 minutes thanks to goals from Kajsa Lang, Jessika Pedersen and Andrea Thorisson. Second half efforts from Hanna Persson and Moa Ohman gave Uppsala some hope. Kalmar’s great recent run sees them just a point behind Uppsala in third. Morön BK promotion hopes were dented after twice blowing a one goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to IF Brommapojkarna. Emma Viklund gave Morön the lead before Daniella Famili levelled four minutes later. Hildah Tholakale Magaia put Morön back ahead before Bromma goals in the last ten minutes sealed the win with Jennifer Sjosten and Mathilda Lindstrom on target.
Latest Results: IK Uppsala 2-3 IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK 2-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, Alingsås FC United 2-3 Sundsvalls DFF, Bollstanäs SK 2-6 Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne 7-1 Jitex Mölndal, IF Brommapojkarna 3-2 Morön BK, Borgeby FK 0-0 IFK Norrköping.
Next matches: Alingsås FC United v IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK v Umeå IK, Morön BK v Borgeby FK, Jitex Mölndal v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Bollstanäs SK, IFK Kalmar v Sundsvalls DFF.
Table From: svenskfotboll.se
NEWS ROUND-UP:
In the UEFA Women’s Champions League league qualifying, Kristianstad have been handed a tough tie against Danish side Brøndby. If successful, they will play winner of the tie between Bordeaux (France) and Slovacko (Czech Republic). The ties involving Kristianstad, Brøndby, Bordeaux and Slovacko will all be played at Kristianstad on 18 and 31 August.
Lots of news from Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård over the past seven days. First, they strengthened their squad further with two more signings over the past week. First was the arrival of 31 year-old German defender Bianca Schmidt on a two year deal. Schmidt comes from Turbine Potsdam, where she has spent most of her career, including Bundesliga and Champions League wins. They then added Mia Persson, the 30 year-old midfielder who has spent the last few seasons at Slavia Prague, top Czech club and Champions League qualifier. Persson, who was captain for IF Limhamn Bunkeflo during their Damallsvenskan stay, has signed a two year contract.
Rosengård have publicly thanked Anna Anvegård, Nathalie Björn and Glodis Perla Viggosdottir as well as coach Jonas Eidevall for their time in the club before their game against Växjö in midweek. Viggosdottir has signed for Bayern Munich with Anvegård and Björn rumoured to be moving to Everton. Jonas Eidevall is going to take over as the new head coach of FA Women’s Super League heavyweights Arsenal.
The club ended the week being strongly linked with Eskilstuna United’s star player, the 22 year-old forward Loreta Kullashi. Kullashi has been open about not staying in Eskilstuna after this season. It’s said a transfer fee will be involved.
One final piece of positive news for Rosengård was the announcement that Olivia Schough has been named Damallsvenskan player of the month for June.
Photo: OBOS Damalsvenskan
Sofia Jakobsson’s move to Bayern Munich, which we suggested here last week has been confirmed.
Växjö have signed another Finnish forward. The 27 year-old Juliette Kemppi joins from English second tier club London City Lionesses. Kemppi plays often together with other recent Växjö signing Adelina Engman for Finland.
It has been reported by @RomBalland that Amanda Ilestedt will join PSG. The former Bayern Munich defender will slot right into the hole left by Irene Paredes.
impetusfootball.org 