Roar Seal Season Opener with Late Winner

Brisbane Roar 3-2 Melbourne Victory

by Isabelle Campbell (1/11/25)

Above: Brisbane Roar celebrate as they got their season off to a perfect start despite tricky conditions. Photo: via Brisbane Roar

The opening round of the Ninja A-League season continues to no shortage of drama as Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory met at Spencer Park last night.

A lightning delay and a last-minute swap which saw Rosie Curtis step in for Grace Maher in the Victory starting XI before play finally got underway. With Victory having won 2-0 in their last encounter, Roar were determined to begin the new campaign on a stronger note.

The match kicked off at a lively pace, with Melbourne Victory on the front foot from the opening whistle. Before a minute had passed, the visitors had already forced a corner, setting the tone for an energetic start. Rachel Lowe had the first real chance of the match, latching onto a loose ball inside the area, but her effort was comfortably gathered by Roar goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.

Victory’s new recruits looked sharp early, with Zoe McMeeken combining neatly with fellow debutant Kennedy White for another attempt on goal, though the shot drifted wide. White continued to threaten, soon drawing a full-stretch save from Lincoln as the Roar keeper kept her side level.

At the other end, Sharn Freier sparked Brisbane’s first promising attack, bursting down the pitch before laying the ball off to Ashlyn Miller, whose finish failed to trouble Courtney Newbon in the Victory goal. Moments later, a goalmouth scramble had Holly Furphy almost see the ball home for Victory, but Lincoln again held firm to deny her.

Brisbane’s best early chance came when Grace Kuilamu won possession and set up Freier, forcing Newbon into an awkward save with her leg. That pressure paid off soon after, as new Dutch signing Bente Jansen announced herself to the league in style, curling a superb strike into the top corner to put the Roar ahead.

Victory hit back swiftly when new signing Rhianna Pollicina produced a stunning equaliser, levelling the score with a composed finish. The visitors then turned the match on its head six minutes later, as White finally got the goal she had been chasing all half, giving Victory a 2-1 lead.

Despite two minutes of added time, neither side could add to the tally, and the visitors went into halftime holding the advantage after a thrilling opening 45 minutes.

The early stages resumed quietly, with neither side creating much until the 59th minute when Rachel Lowe again tested Chloe Lincoln, who dealt with the shot comfortably.

Brisbane soon found their rhythm, and it was a familiar face who made the difference. On her return to her hometown club, Freier produced a composed finish to draw the Roar level at two all, a moment met with loud applause from the Spencer Park crowd.

Soon after, Victory’s Sienna Techera made her A-League debut, entering the match just a day before her 19th birthday.

The Roar began to push forward, with Laura Pickett coming close from a corner, her strike narrowly missing the target.

Both goalkeepers were called upon as play opened up. Lincoln kept Brisbane steady at the back, while Courtney Newbon was forced into a diving save to deny Freier a second goal.

Victory nearly regained the lead through Alana Jančevski, who with her trademark long-range ability struck a low free kick from distance with her left foot, but the effort rolled just past the post.

The decisive moment came late in the half when Yallop, making an instant impact off the bench, rose highest to head the ball home and give the Roar a 3-2 advantage. With time winding down, the match was brought to a close shortly after as lightning in the area prompted an early end to proceedings, confirming Brisbane Roar’s opening-round win over Melbourne Victory.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (4-3-3): Lincoln, Varley, Medwin, Seidl, Kruger, Woods, Studer, Freier, Jansen, Miller, Kuilamu. Substitutes: Franco, Stephensen, Yallop, Meyers, Kinsella, Piazza.

Goals: 22’ Jansen, 64’ Freier, 86’ Yallop.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (3-5-2): Newbon, Morrison, Curtis, Pickett, Pollicina, Jančevski, Lowe, McMeeken, Sakalis, White, Furphy. Substitutes: Bunge, O’Keeffe, Techera, Young, Woodward.

Goals: 35’ Pollicina, 42’ White.

Referee: Izzy Cooper

Attendance: 1,245

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City rescue draw from jaws of defeat twice over

Sydney FC 2-2 Melbourne City

by Emma Burke (1/11/25)

Above: Leticia McKenna (dark uniform) and Sarah Hunter (light blue uniform) battle for the ball at Leichardt Oval yesterday. Photo: via A-Leagues

Melbourne City have come back from behind twice to rescue a draw against Sydney FC in the opening round of the Ninja Women’s A-League at Leichhardt Oval.

Both sides had new faces in their line ups, Sydney FC choosing to debut the yongest player in the league’s history in Willa Pearson, who is only 14 and 312 days old, as well as Sarah Hunter who returns to the club from a stint overseas with Paris FC. City started their new signing Aideen Keane who they brought in from Canberra United.

Sydney FC opened the scoring from a corner kick that looked to have come off the American import Madison Ayson given her celebration, but on later review was attributed as an own goal to Melbourne City’s captain Rebekah Stott.

City fought back to find an equaliser which came in the last minute of time added on at the end of the first half.

Leticia McKenna’s long ranged effort hit the underside of the bar before bouncing back out. Thankfully for City, Shelby McMahon was waiting in the wings to head the ball back across the line.

In the second half, the physicality turned up a notch, which culminated in a penalty being awarded to Sydney FC.

Mackenzie Hawkesby made use of all of her experience when Aideen Keane made contact with her in the box, leading referee Molly Godsell to point directly to the spot.

Hawkesby made no mistake and delivered her penalty kick to the bottom left corner, with City keeper Malena Mieres diving in the wrong direction.

Keane made up for her error later in the game saving the draw for City when she teamed up with Holly McNamara to score.

The one-two pass up between the two worked to free up Keane and have her slot the ball into the bottom right corner, right out of Tiahna Robertson’s reach.

The sides leave the game with a point a piece and will look to round two to find their first wins for the season.

Sydney FC will travel to Adelaide to play Adelaide United on Saturday 8th November at 4pm, while City will host Central Coast Mariners at home, also on Saturday with kick-off slated for 3pm.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Robertson, Tumeth, Ayson, Pearson, Fenton, Galic, Hunter, Hawkesby (Moise 86′), Cassar (Caspers 73′), Luchtmeijer (Ulkekul 58′), Tanner (Talon-Henniker 58′)

Scorers: Stott 20′ (OG), Hawkesby 62′ (pen)

MELBOURNE CITY FC (4-4-2): Mieres, Turner, Stott, Otto, Apostolakis , McMahon, McKenna (Butrus 87′), Hughes, Davidson (Uchendu 67′), McNamara, Keane

Scorers: McMahon 45+1′, Keane 74′

Referee: Molly Godsell

Attendance: 3,013

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Martin Ho: Spurs are refreshed and ready for Liverpool test

By Roos Schelen (1/11/25)

Above: Martin Ho. Photo: Tottenham Hotspur.

The Women’s Super League kicks off again this weekend after an international break. Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool at Brisbane Road on Sunday. 

Spurs head coach Martin Ho acknowledged that Liverpool’s position in the WSL table and the results don’t reflect the performances they have had, as his side prepare to face Gareth Taylor’s reds.

Targeting Liverpool’s weaknesses

Ho says: “I think they’ve pulled teams really close in a lot of games that have very clear identity and are very forward thinking and front footed in terms of how they want to play and that’s obviously Gareth’s implementation on the squad. So we know it’s going to be a tough game.”

Liverpool tend to want to play out from the back, but that leaves them vulnerable at times. When asked whether that is something that Ho’s Tottenham are targeting on Sunday, Ho explained: 

“Yeah, I think not just that area but other areas too. I think they have a very clear identity, as I said. And I know Gareth’s very strong on that and I like that he’s strong on that because he believes in what he does,” he said. He continued, expanding on what he hopes his Spurs side will target:

“So we need to make sure opportunity presents itself in those moments when they do build out or they’re in higher phases and we get opportunity to break and have chances on goal and we need to make sure we take them.”

Team news

Ella Morris and Luana Buhler are both out with long term injuries, so they will not be available for Spurs’ clash with Liverpool this weekend. Eveliina Summanen came back from international duty with Finland with a fractured rib and will be assessed after training on Saturday. 

Keeping the momentum

Tottenham have seen some great results ahead of the international break. They currently sit fourth in the table, ahead of North London rivals Arsenal. Spurs made it hard for Chelsea, who needed a great strike from Keira Walsh to beat Tottenham by one goal to nil. Spurs defended with great due diligence in that match. Impetus Football asked Ho whether the international break broke up that momentum a bit, with players going away to their national teams. 

Ho largely denied, saying: “It maybe breaks it slightly, but I think the players get an opportunity to go and be in a different environment, a different space, I think is important because they’ll get so long where they’re in the same environment for so long and you maybe get a little bit kind of bored of being around one another, if you want to say. So it’s actually good for them to refresh. Good for us as staff collectively to refresh and now go into these games making sure that we are fully focused on what the job is ahead.”

The match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the WSL kicks off at 12pm BST on Sunday the 2nd of November. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports +. 

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Accies prove value to the league in battling Celtic display

Hamilton Academical 0-3 Celtic

By Gethin Thurlow at New Douglas Park for Impetus (1/11/25)

Above: The Hamilton squad and staff before the season Photo: @accieswfc on X

Hamilton showed why they belong in Scotland’s top division with a valiant fight against Celtic in the ‘New Douglas Park derby’. McAneny and Cross starred for Celtic as the Accies fought hard and caused Celtic issues all night long, proving that an 11-0 loss last time out does not represent them.

The Teams

Having endured a difficult start to life in SWPL1, the Accies will have appreciated the time they had during the international break to reset and go again as they aim to stay in touch with the rest of the league. Abi Paton got the start in goal over Erin Halliday, after they fell to an 11-0 loss last time against Rangers.

Giard also came back into the starting lineup, having missed out last time. Robert Watson’s main threat in the opening nine games was winger Sophie Townsley, and she would have to be on top form if Hamilton were to pull off a miracle upset in the New Douglas Park derby, with Celtic also hosting games here.

With what was ultimately an opportunity to mix the team up a bit without risking the result too much, Elena Sadiku opted for Adelaide Gay in goal ahead of Lisa Rodgers, who’s been one of the standouts of the entire league so far. There was also a rare start for Sienna McGoldrick in the midfield, as Celtic’s team still looked extremely strong.

The Action

Unsurprisingly, Celtic dominated the match right from the start, able to move down the wings with complete ease, and Morgan Cross caused problems from the first minute. The Accies actually had the first proper chance of the game, as during a counterattack, Lucy Barclay hit a beautiful outside-of-the-boot through ball to Townsley. With her exceptional pace, she won the battle for the ball but couldn’t control her shot.

Going straight down the other hand, Celtic put a dagger in the hearts of any home fans that took hope from that attack. Finding McAneny in acres of the space on the left wing, they moved quickly and eventually her cross found Smith on the right. She put the ball into Saoirse Noonan in the middle, with the ever-reliable striker picking out the corner.

The hosts were not deterred by this however and continued to compete with Celtic, showing that the 11-0 wasn’t representative of them. Winning a corner and a Barclay shot were highlights of a great five-minute period for the Accies. Paton even held her own to keep Noonan out in a one-on-one scenario and ensured the score didn’t get out of hand early on like in the last few games.

Hamilton’s defensive block was adept at clogging up the middle and forcing the Celtic to be extra creative to break through the centre, but this meant that Smith and Cross on the right, and Robertson and McAneny on the left given the space to do pretty much as they please. This is just something which cannot be gifted to such talented players, and Hamilton found this out shortly.

Moments before the half-hour mark, Cross picked up the ball and lifted the ball delicately across the face of goal, with McAneny powerfully heading home to finally extend the lead.

Hamilton’s front four of Giard, Barclay, Townsley and Muir pressed aggressively, and they were able to cause a few moments of mayhem at the back for Sadiku’s team, sometimes finding themselves with overloads in the final third. However, doing anything with this threatening possession proved difficult.

Clearly unhappy with only scoring twice in the first 45, Sadiku brought Amy Richardson on at half time and Celtic slowed down their approach, taking more time on the ball and really bringing some pace out of the game. This seemed to disrupt Watson’s game plan; which relied on a fast-paced and wide-open game, allowing Accies take advantage when Celtic’s players were caught out of position.

This brought instant success, as Amy Gallacher’s cross was put out for a corner, which McAneny whipped right into the mixer, allowing Lisa Robertson to head it home for a rare goal.

The deficit did not stop Hamilton from pushing however, and Kirstie McIntosh came close to scoring Hamilton’s first since early September. That positivity shown by the attack was matched by unwavering defensive effort and commitment from the home side, as they kept pushing to keep the result respectable.

New changes brought new legs and ideas for Celtic, and they peppered the box more and more. Cross, Gallacher, Nakao and Noonan all failed to add a fourth goal from chances of various difficulty.

Player of the Match Lucy Barclay

Despite the 3-0 defeat, the story of the match was certainly the hosts. Leading this charge was attacking midfielder Lucy Barclay. She epitomises everything the Accies were this year, a young player, overlooked by the rest of the league and using that motivation to drive her performance. Without money to attract players, this is who Hamilton went after in the window.

That underdog mindset drives everything that this club do, and up against a stellar midfield today full of full time professionals, Barclay fitted right in there, winning the ball back from Nakao and Clark in the defence, carving open the pitch with world class passes, and running after every single thing she could. Hamilton fell short of a goal or point in this match, but that wasn’t for the lack effort from Barclay and her teammates.

Where this leaves the teams

Robert Watson can be so proud of his team, the work they’ve done over the break and what they showed about themselves after a tough period. Lots was made after their last loss to Rangers about the point of them even competing in the league, but they proved to everyone that they did have a right to play in the SWPL1. They caused Celtic issues that many other teams haven’t.

If they can keep up that level of performance against some of the easier opponents in the SWPL, then no doubt points will come. Staying in the league will be a difficult challenge, but this a big step in the right direction for Hamilton Academical.

For Celtic, they will be relatively pleased. Obviously, there were lots of missed chances in there and Sadiku will be looking to clean that up for future games, but Celtic looked like a great attacking unit out there, utilising the space that was gifted to them on the wing as well and doing some really nice moves in the centre of the pitch too.

The bonus of playing on Friday night is the pressure they can put on Rangers and Hibs below them to win and maintain their positions, and remind Glasgow City that any points dropped on Sunday allow their city rivals back into the title race.

Teams: Hamilton Academical (4-2-3-1): Paton, Macdonald, McStay, Gray, Cowan, Gibb, McIntosh, Townsley, Barclay, Muir, Giard Substitutes: Docherty (for Giard 58′), Maxwell (for Muir 58′), Coakley (for McIntosh 75′), Campbell (for Gibb 75′), Ritchie (for Townsley 75′)

Celtic (4-1-4-1): Gay, Smith, Clark, Walsh, Robertson, Nakao, Cross, McGoldrick, Gallacher, McAneny, Noonan Substitutes: Richardson (for Smith 46’), Streicek (for McAneny 61′), Luke (for McGoldrick 61′), Lawton (for Noonan 83′)

Scorers: 0-1 Noonan 4′, 0-2 McAneny 29′, 0-3 Robertson 50′

Referee: Gary Train

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 “If we’re performing at our best, it will be a great game.” Tumeth, Tanner, and Ülkekul set the standard ahead of Sydney FC’s opening match.

By Alice de Koster-Kitto 1/11/25

Above: Tori Tumeth at Sydney FC.

Sydney FC’s Tori Tumeth, Riley Tanner, and Jodi Ülkekul spoke to the media ahead of their clash against reigning premiers Melbourne City, at Leichardt Oval this Saturday.

The match will see both Sydney FC and Melbourne City kick off their 2025/26 Ninja A-League campaign, and it is set to be one of great contention. While  Sydney looks to get back to the standard they had maintained for so long after a disappointing 2024/25 season, City will be on a mission to maintain their reputation after topping the ladder last season and taking home the premiership.

“I obviously just wanted to play my best every single game and put my best foot forward for the team, for the club, and achieve personal goals, but our goals as a team, I think every single player in our team is trying to do the same. And with that, we’ll all, you know, reach our goals collectively,” says Tori Tumeth

It’s not lost on Sydney how difficult and important the meeting will be; however, Tumeth assures that the squad is “mostly focused on ourselves in pre-season,” adding  “we want to perform our best and we know if we’re performing at our best, it will be a great game.”

“We know that that’s not the standard, and so you kind of just take pride in that and you want to get Sydney back to where it was,” said Sydney FC forward Riley Tanner.

Tanner, the Panama international, signed with Sydney in August, after capturing the attention of the club during her national campaign against the Matildas in Perth earlier this year.

“My conversations with Ante (Juric) and other people, they’re just that they spoke so highly of this club,” said Tanner, on the decision to make the move to the A-League after her experiences with Australian football culture, adding “During the World Cup, it was just such a fun time, and honestly, back then, I knew that I would want to play here one day, but I didn’t know when that was gonna come.”

As she prepares for her Sydney FC debut against powerhouse Melbourne City, Tanner reinforced Tori Tumeth’s notion that the team is taking it “one step at a time”, saying “week by week, we just have to focus on the game that’s ahead and not get too caught up.”

Tanner is one of many recent Sydney FC signings who will be looking to make their mark at Leichhardt Oval this weekend, joining newcomers Skye Halmarick, Bianca Galic, returning Sydney FC alum Sarah Hunter, and American international Jodi Ülkekul, who have all joined the squad for the opening round.

“There’s definitely an identity here,” said Jodi Ülkekul on her time with the squad so far, “that was made very clearly from day one, and the expectations were set, and I personally respond really well to that type of leadership.”

The 28-year-old attacker, who joins Sydney FC, has had an electric career thus far, with spells in the United States, Spain, and Italy, also having spent time with the US Women’s National Team. Ülkekul is excited to bring her experience to her new side, in hoped to bring Sydney FC back up to the standards that she can already tell, the squad is capable of, saying “I think it’s good to be humbled every now and then and to be reminded of the work that we need to do and put in, and if anything, last year is just a reminder of all that.”

Although she is set to take the attack for Sydney, Ülkekul has “played pretty much every position”, saying, “it allows me to be versatile and to adapt.” This versatility and experience could be just what Sydney FC needs to reclaim its title this season.

Sydney FC will open their season against Melbourne City at Leichhardt Oval this Saturday, the 1st of November at 2:15 pm AEDT. The match will be one to watch, as both sides come onto the pitch with something monumental to prove and a drive to set the standard for the rest of the season.

“I’m really excited to just kind of get a feel of it on Saturday and get going,” says Riley Tanner.

Slegers: Arsenal must find a way through Leicester defence

By Eloise Smallbone (31/10/25)

Above: Renée Slegers. Photo: Arsenal Women.

Arsenal return to WSL action this Sunday following a lacklustre start to the season.

Results have been mixed following their European triumph earlier this summer – a draw at home to Aston Villa and loss away at Manchester City the most troubling. Ahead of their trip to a Leicester City struggling for consistency, head coach Renée Slegers has encouraged her team to return to club focus following a dramatic international break.

Taking it game by game

The international break came after a block of games where Arsenal’s results had been inconsistent. Most recently they beat Benfica 2-0 in the Champions League and Brighton in the WSL. However, these wins were preceded by losses against Lyon and Manchester City, as well as draws with Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Slegers discussed this block, and how the team are looking to improve going into these games: “Football will never be perfect”, she said, “but the team want to show our strengths both as a team and in our game of football.”

She also discussed Arsenal’s five “challenging and exciting” games coming up in the next three weeks, adding that despite the pressure, they are looking forward to the challenge.

“It is very cliché, but we are going to take it game by game,” she said, adding that her team are “proud to represent Arsenal and we want to represent Arsenal at the very best. We see the bigger picture and understand our responsibility.”

Michelle Agyemang and squad availability

Speaking on squad availability, Slegers said:

“Leah is not available, Manu is not available – the rest are in the building and training at their level,” stating that excluding Leah Williamson and Manu Zinsberger, “everyone else is in contention for Sunday.”

Arsenal also announced earlier this week that Michelle Agyemang, one of the Lionesses’ key players in the Euros this summer, had suffered a ruptured anterior crucial ligament (ACL) whilst on international break. Agyemang is currently on loan at Brighton, and Slegers expressed her sadness for the young forward, particularly due to the timing of the injury:

“I haven’t seen Mich yet, so it’s of course a very sad time. When these moments happen it’s horrible because you know that it will keep them away from the game for a long time and it’s a long wait for the players to come back again.”

What to expect from Leicester

Slegers also discussed the challenges that Leicester will pose, hoping her Arsenal side will visit the King Power Stadium with both respect and belief:

“The WSL is a very strong league. If you look at Leicester’s results there is one goal difference, so it’s going to be a challenge,” she said of their opponenents. “They have a strong identity with their defending game, so we have to find the right opportunity to capitalise.”

Slegers also reflected that in previous games in the block, Arsenal have become comfortable and not finished the games with the right results, despite a strong start.

“When we’ve been in the middle of our momentum and flow states and things have felt easy for us, and as a result of that the goals have come easy for us as well,” she reflected, adding that “what becomes really important is how you start a game, how you finish a game and dealing with everything that comes in between.”

Arsenal Women take on Leicester City Women at the King Power Stadium at 12pm on Sunday 2nd November. The game will be shown on Sky Sports

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Manchester United are on the up, but will squad depth be their downfall?

Above: Manchester United celebrate scoring a goal earlier this year Photo: @ManUtdWomen on X

By Ben Tattoo (31/10/25)

The great Mia Hamm once said: “There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one”. Manchester United are certainly embracing grander challenges this season, their first competing in four major competitions, including the league phase of the Champions League, after missing out in the qualifying rounds in 2023-2024.

Not only are they competing, but they have won their first two games in the Champions League and impressed many with their excellent start to the Women’s Super League.

The Red Devils are currently one of the only two teams still to be defeated in the WSL this season, currently sitting in third place, with four wins and two draws, conceding the joint least (3) and scoring the second most (16) goals.  

Despite all the positives, United fans will know better than to get too excited too soon, and the team’s squad depth (or lack thereof) has the potential to threaten a very promising season.

Games, games and more games

Before the League Cup final last season, Lucy Bronze stressed how key Chelsea’s squad depth was when competing deep into four competitions.

“If we didn’t have as big a squad, maybe it might have went against us, we wouldn’t have had the team to put out on those games”, the defender reflected.

Top teams are playing more games than ever, with the expanded Champions League beginning this season and the WSL expanding to 14 teams in 2026-2027. Not to mention the growing international competitions.

This season, it will be United looking to compete on the same four fronts; and were they to get through to the final of all four competitions, they could end up playing up to 47 games, on top of international football.   

It is a brutal number of fixtures for Marc Skinner’s squad, who could play 17 more matches than their neighbouring rivals and title contenders Manchester City.

United do not have the squad depth that Chelsea and City have, nor the winning experience that Arsenal boast. Such a huge number of games could push Skinner’s squad to breaking point.

A lack of rotation

With an increased number of games being played, good squad rotation is more important than ever.

City’s long injury list last season is the perfect example of the price teams can pay when facing more fixtures, and former manager Gareth Taylor was often accused of not rotating his side enough before he left the club.

Skinner will need to be mindful not to make the same mistakes. After competing in the Champions League qualifying rounds, United have already played four more games than any other WSL side. Despite this, United have used the joint fewest number of different players.

Number of different players used by WSL clubs this season

Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Maya Le Tissier, Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone have started all 12 matches played; while Anna Sandburg, Dominique Janssen, Jayde Riviere and Elisabeth Terland have started all but one.

In fact, last season’s golden glove winner Tullis-Joyce, captain Le Tissier and Miyazawa are yet to miss a minute so far this season due to the trio’s crucial roles in the side. Miyazawa has been a revelation in midfield, and as such any long-term injury could be seriously derailing.

Skinner may point to a lack of availability at the start of the season. Despite being allowed to have nine players on the bench for WSL games, United have only managed to do so for three of their six WSL games so far.

Skinner is showing a tendency to make his substitutions late in games, meaning that even when players are getting a rest, it is not for long.

In the WSL, Millie Turner, Gabrielle George, Rachel Williams, and Leah Galton have featured in 11 matches between them, yet none have played over 90 minutes this season.

Skinner may need to begin trusting his squad more as the season progresses.

A versatile squad

A strength in United’s favour is that many of their players are versatile enough to fit into different positions, with a variety of formations applied, depending on the players used and the opposition faced.

New signings Jess Park and Fridolina Rolfo have fitted seamlessly into the side and have been effective in several positions, with Park operating across the front line and Rolfo in both a left back and left wing spot.

The ability of his players to adapt to different positions offers Skinner more flexibility if players get injured or he wants to adapt his system.

Above: Man United’s versatile players
Could reinforcements arrive in January?

Injuries can so often ruin seasons at crucial times, and Marc Skinner must be careful to avoid that happening at Man United this season. He is not one to catastrophise when the going gets tough. United’s lack of squad depth and rotation has not affected them yet, and it is important not to think too far ahead.

However, if they are still competing well on all four fronts come January, it will be interesting to see if the Red Devils’ ownership will back the team with some potentially much-needed reinforcements to try and get some trophies over the line.

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Michael Matricciani and Melbourne City “ready for whatever gets thrown at us”

Above: Melbourne City women huddle. Image: Melbourne City.

By Emma Burke (31/10/25).

Ahead of their opening fixture against Sydney FC, Melbourne City head coach Michael Matricciani spoke to the media about his side’s preseason, the Asian Women’s Champions’ League, and round one of the A-League Women.

“The last eight weeks we’ve been in preseason mode, played a few friendly games, trying to add some new concepts on top of our philosophy that we were already doing,” said Matricciani.

City’s preseason has also included the arrival of a few new faces, including four Junior Matildas that they want to develop for the future.

“We ended up signing seven or eight new players, including four young players that are 15, 16 year old girls that we feel have really good potential,” he said.

Those players are Kaya Jugovic, Izabella Rako, Kiera Sarris, and Danella Butrus.

Melbourne City, alongside their cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory, have both established their own Victorian National Premier League Women’s sides that will compete in 2026, giving young players like these the opportunity to continue to gain valuable minutes at a high standard, while linked to the club.

“Players that aren’t playing [In the A-League] are able to play NPL minutes which I think is going to be huge for the development of the players that are in our space in Victoria and football in general,” said Matricciani.

“We’re going to be able to develop some really good, promising players especially under our City style.”

Melbourne City also have to contend with added fixtures to their season, as they will once again participate in the Asian Women’s Champions League.

Matricciani’s side will soon travel to Vietnam to participate in the Group Stage of the competition, facing Lion City Sailors, Stallion Laguna, and Ho Chi Minh City Women, in early November. 

“The day-to-day focus is on how we improve ourselves and obviously this week is how we’re preparing for what we expect Sydney are going to be, we get through that game, we review, we get ready for Central Coast [Mariners], and then once that finishes next Saturday, we switch our mind to travel and preparation for the three group stage games.”

With his minds on their first game against Sydney, Matricciani has done his homework on the Sky Blues, and certainly isn’t counting them out after last season’s uncharacteristically poor showing.

“They didn’t have the season that everyone expected last [season] but history shows they’ve arguably been the best side or one of the best sides [in the A-League Womens],” said Matricciani.

“We’re always ready for whatever gets thrown at us, that’s the beauty of round one, you never quite know.”

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Johnston shines as Perth end long wait for away win

Western Sydney Wanderers 1-3 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (31/10/25)

Above: Rola Badawiya (right) celebrates with Grace Johnston after scoring Perth Glory’s second goal tonight. Photo: Perth Glory.

Grace Johnston bagged two assists as Perth Glory opened the new A-League Women season with their first away win since 31st December 2023.

The Young Matilda was in sparkling form along the left throughout, not only linking with those around her in the middle of the park, and up front, but getting back to defend superbly when called upon.

Perth’s midfield and strikeforce this season has the potential to be hugely creative and dangerous when it clicks – and tonight they had a sharpness to them that was missing at times last season.

Among their crop of new arrivals, Wanderers gave an A-League Women return to Western Australian Poppie Hooks after three and a half years, playing against her former club. There was also a start for hugely talented 17-year-old Allysa Ng-Saad from the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba.

The Glory gave a start to emergency loan signing goalkeeper, Alyssa Dall’Oste, after Teresa Morrissey picked up a back injury at work, and Jess Skinner was sidelined with flu.

The competition’s 2025/26 curtain-raiser was delayed by over 75 minutes due to lightning strikes in the immediate area around Wanderers Football Park, but that didn’t seem to impact the home side too much, as they forced two corners in the opening three minutes.

Western Sydney’s attacks were largely centred along their right-hand side, with Holly Caspers and Tahlia Younis linking up well, which ensured that Grace Johnston was busy in the early encounters, and the young Western Australian was tidy and comfortable.

It was Ng-Saad who forced the first save of the night when her effort was held by Dall’Oste after being played in by two one-touch passes through the Perth midfield.

The visitors had their first sight of goal on 17 minutes when Susan Phonsongkham was brought down by Amy Harrison centrally 35 yards out. Captain Izzy Dalton fired in a high curler that didn’t quite dip quickly enough to trouble keeper Brianna Edwards.

Perth were looking to play a quick passing attacking game when the opportunity came to get forward – it’s a style that plays to the strengths of players such as Phonsongkham Johnston, and Tijan McKenna. If quality balls can be threaded through, then Rola Badawiya and Gabby Hollar will profit in front of goal.

Above: Rola Badawiya celebrates – she profitted from the creativity in Perth’s midfield that supplied her with chances. Photo: A-Leagues.

Glory were building more possession the longer the half went on, and hit the front on 28 minutes. Johnston showed great footwork to escape down the left after being fed by a perfectly weighted pass from McKenna in the middle of the park.

She beat Younis and played a high ball in. Edwards was buffeted under heavy traffic amidst her own defender, Ella Buchanan, and Hollar challenging, with the Glory attacker turning the ball home, with the Wanderers’ subsequent protests being waved away by referee Isabella Mossin.

Western Sydney looked to hit back with Younis finding Ng-Saad, who controlled instantly with the outside of her boot before Onyi Zogg stepped in with a tackle. But it was another example of the huge potential that Ng-Saad has.

Immediately afterwards, Ena Harada fed Younis, who hit a first-time volley just over the top. Perth remained ahead at the break.

Johnston was at it again within two minutes of the second half kicking off. She received possession out on the left from Badawiya to deliver an on-the-money low ball into the box for Badawiya to fire home inside the box.

The two-goal lead lasted for less than three minutes as Buchanan turned home from close range after a monumental schoolyard-style goalmouth scramble following a corner on the left.

Yet, they don’t call this the Chaos League for nothing, and Badawiya beat Danika Matos on the left to deliver a perfectly weighted ball for an unmarked Hollar to head home from the middle of the box. It would be the American striker’s last impact of the night after leaving the pitch following a head knock.

With just under a quarter of an hour to play, Alana Cerne let fly for the Wanderers with an absolute rocket from 25 yards in a central position, but her former Western United teammate Dall’Oste pushed it over the bar with an excellent save.

Glory saw out the remainder of the game pretty comfortably. It was a professional display with strength at the back allied to the promise further up the pitch that they showed earlier.

Glory ending their long winless streak on the road will take the headlines, but Wanderers face a tough sequence of games in the opening weeks, but if they can keep their focus at the back and up the accuracy elsewhere, they have the potential to have a better campaign than last time round.

Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-4-3): Edwards, Hooks, Buchanan, Cerne, Harada, Chessari, Matos, Ng-Saad, Younis, Harrison, Caspers. Substitutes: Bennett, Fazzari, Hall (GK), Khosaba, Price, Stajčić.

Scorers: Buchanan 51′.

PERTH GLORY (3-4-3): Dall’Oste, Chinnama, Zogg, Sardo, Dalton, Tovar, Johnston, McKenna, Badawiya, Hollar, Phonsongkham. Substitutes: Anderson, Lincoln, O’Donoghue, Phillips (GK), Trew, Wainwright.

Scorers: Hollar 28′, 52′, Badawiya 48′.

Referee: Isabella Mossin.

Attendance: 957.

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Melissa Barbieri: it’s about the moments

By Emma Burke 30/10/25

Above: Melissa Barbieri in the VIC NPLW for Boroondara-Carey Eagles. Photo: Football Victoria

Ahead of the A-League Women season, Emma Burke spoke to a mainstay of the league and one of the biggest names in Australian football, Melissa Barbieri.

“The best job in the world,” is what Melissa Barbieri, affectionately known as ‘Bubs’, says of being a professional football player, she would know, she’s been doing it for about 30 years now.

Barbieri is now gearing up for her ninth season with Melbourne City, after having joined their goalkeeping contingent in 2017, and now also works with the team as an assistant coach.

“I love preseason… I’ve loved being challenged every day and that’s probably why I still play, because I wake up every day wanting to get to training and every time I leave training I want to get back here as soon as possible to keep improving,” she said.

Melbourne City will play their first game of the 25/26 A-League Women’s season on Sunday, facing old rivals Sydney FC in Sydney.

“Sydney always play well against us,” said Barbieri.

“I know they [Sydney FC] have recruited very well in the offseason, they’ve built from a strong foundation and Ante [Juric] will no doubt have brought everyone together on the same page.”

City are also part of the Asian Women’s Champions League (AWCL), having secured their spot for the second time in a row by lifting the Premiers’ Plate last season.

They narrowly missed out on lifting the inaugural AWCL Trophy in May this year, losing in a penalty shootout to Wuhan Jiangda.

Barbieri welcomes the extra challenge and travel, as in just over two weeks time her team will head to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam for the Group Stage.

“It impacts us in a lot of ways where we’ve got to move our A-League games around to fit in the [AWCL] schedule, and that makes us feel that little bit more professional.”

“It makes it harder for us in the league but it also challenges us and keeps us on our toes, so I don’t think it’s a detriment,” she said.

With the Women’s Asian Cup happening in March next year, and having won one herself while Captain of the Matildas back in 2010, Barbieri has a unique view on the upcoming tournament, and exactly what it takes to lift the trophy. 

“It’s really about the moments, the moments that you get, whether you play all the minutes or none of the minutes, it’s about the moments you get to play your role to the best of your ability and recognise that each and every player is important in their position in the team whether you’re Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, or the newbie coming in.”

Barbieri attributes the longevity of her career to a lot of things, mentions “listening to your doctors and your medical people,” as well as, “treating yourself with a huge amount of respect and understanding,” but it was Melbourne City’s director of Football, Michael Petrillo, who described it best to her.

“Everyone talks about how the wine gets better with age, and he [Petrillo] said it’s actually how you store the wine.”

It is a good analogy and Melbourne City are the proud home of a rare vintage.

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