Pollicina and Hopkins celebrate milestone games against Mariners

By Kieran Yap 15/11/25

Above: goalscorer Rhianna Pollicina (right). Photo: Adrian Geremia for Impetus

Melbourne Victory 1-0 Central Coast Mariners

A second half Rhianna Pollicina goal was enough for Melbourne Victory to secure a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in Jeff Hopkins’ 200th game as a coach in the A-League Women. The 55th minute strike was all that separated the two sides in the first meeting since last season’s Grand Final.

Victory named an unchanged lineup at The Home of The Matildas, after an opening day defeat in Brisbane, they bounced back emphatically with four goals against Western Sydney,  but they faced another stern challenge in the form of the youthful but well organised Mariners.

The first half was nervy, and slightly cautious from both sides, but underscored by defensive discipline. The Mariners forwards diligently got into defensive shape when Victory had the ball, with Jynaya Dos Santos quick to mark deep playmaker Grace Maher and prohibit her time on the ball.

This eagerness was reflected by the home side, with Holly Furphy racing back to win the ball in defence multiple times and Alana Jancevski’s perfectly timed slide tackle dispossessing Peta Trimis when the Young Matildas star looking set to break away.

Chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes and the only time either goalkeeper was really forced into a save was when Pollicina’s dipping free kick almost dipped in over Sarah Langman.

The second half opened up more, with Victory’s midfield beginning to click, a multi-pass move between Rachel Lowe, Pollicina, Sofia Sakalis and Alana Jancevski unlocked the deep sitting Mariners. Sakalis was only inches away from scoring what would have been a fantastic team goal.

The deadlock was finally broken as the hour approached. Maher’s pass through the middle was cleverly flicked on by Kennedy White to set Lowe free behind the defence. Langman did well to cut off the angle and block the show, but Pollicina was on hand to finish truly from the edge of the box. In her 100th game, Pollicina had scored a vital goal for her new club.

Central Coast now had to chase the game, but struggled to get their speedsters out wide into the game. Avanni Prakash was industrious with flashes of invention in the middle of the park, but the Victory defensive unit remained resolute and held on for the close win.

The result gives Melbourne Victory their second successive win and The Mariners their second successive defeat. As important as the three points are for Victory, the way that the newly assembled squad connected in the second half will be more encouraging. If they can can combine that with the cutting edge they displayed against Western Sydney, they will be an increasingly strong force to be reckoned with.

A Round Four trip to  Wellington will be another early season hurdle to overcome, but if they can get through the first month of football with only one home game and only one defeat that is a strong start to the campaign.

The Mariners can rebound against an in-form Sydney FC, but will need to rediscover the Round One scoring form. Finding a way to fit both Dos Santos and Australia U23 forward Annelise Rasmussen into the first XI might be the key to creating more space in attack.

Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, Jancevski, Bunge, Morrison, McMeeken, Maher, Lowe, Pollicina, White. Substitutes: Woodward, O’Keeffe, Pickett, O’Grady, Curtis, Techera.

Scorers: Pollicina 55’

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-2-3-1): Langman, Buchanan, Barwick-Grey, King, Baumann, Kraszula, Quilligan, Trimis, Prakash, Coco-Di Sipio, Dos Santos. Substitutions: Grove, Fuller, Gomez, Rasmussen, Levin, Martin.

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: 918.

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Sydney surge to maintain unbeaten start

Sydney FC 2-0 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (15/11/25)

Above: Riley Tanner on the ball for Sydney FC against Perth Glory today. Photo: Sydney FC.

Sydney FC recorded their first win of the A-League Women season thanks to second-half strikes from Bianca Galić and Riley Tanner.

Ante Jurić’s side’s success at Leichhardt Oval this afternoon also ensured that they were the first team this season to keep a clean sheet against a Glory side that had scored five goals in their opening two fixtures.

It was Perth’s second trip to Sydney in the opening three rounds of the competition, and once again, they were forced to experience a delay of an hour due to lightning – this time after 57 minutes of the action.

Sydney, who drew their opening two games against Melbourne City and Adelaide United, made three changes to the starting line-up from last week’s trip to South Australia, with Tiahna Robertson coming in for Heather Hinz in goal, Abbey Lemon replacing Madison Ayson, and Maddy Caspers stepping up for Amber Luchtmeijer.

Perth Glory boss Stephen Peters had just one change to make with Susan Phonsongkham coming in for Gabby Hollar, who was on the bench.

The home side gained the game’s first opportunity with nine minutes played as Lemon got to the ball fastest in the middle of the park ahead of Tijan McKenna to feed Tanner on the left. Quick footwork allowed the Panamanian to escape from Julia Sardo and earn the space to hit a shot, which flew into the side netting.

The angle was acute, and Sydney had four players in the box, two of whom were unmarked at the time of the shot. Had Tanner taken a different option, the outcome may have been different.

Mackenzie Hawkesby came closer still for Sydney on the quarter hour as Glory defender Onyi Zogg lost possession 25 yards from goal, allowing the attacker to step into the space and lift a shot narrowly over the top.

However, Perth almost made the Harbour City side rue those missed opportunities just seven minutes later as Phonsongkham supplied Emma Tovar from the right. The Glory midfielder got the better of two Sydney defenders to fire in a low shot that came back off of the far post and rebounded for Grace Johnston to lift a first time effort that Robertson held.

The Western Australians upped the ante and Phonsongkham was involved again shortly afterwards, as a viciously curling free-kick from the right flank was pushed away by Robertson at the near post. From the resulting corner, Julia Sardo, closely marked by two, got up highest to directed a header narrowly over the top.

Despite these chances for both sides, it took until eight minutes after the break for the first goal to come.

A crossfield ball over the top found Tanner out on the left. She cut in, beat Johnson and Sardo to play a low pass for Galić to hit a first time shot home from just outside the six-yard box.

With lightning rumbling around the area, the players would be forced from the pitch.

As the game approached the hour mark, Hawkesby showed great skill to flick the ball over Zogg in the centre of the park, ran into the space left by the Glory defender for Caspers to exploit. The attacker beat Naomi Chinnama and accelerated away to hit a effort from the edge of the box that Alyssa Dall’Oste did well to flick away from the top of the net.

The home side were really stepping up the intensity now, and made the game safe with 20 minutes remaining. Sardo lost possession on the edge of the Perth penalty area which allowed Hawkesby to take up the ball in a central position before threading a low pass that dissected two defenders and reach Tanner. The Panama international placed a low shot into the right hand corner of the net from around 15 yards.

Hawkesby, who had a superb afternoon pulling the strings created Sydney’s final chance of the game with a quarter of an hour remaining. Another perfectly threaded pass, which took defenders out of the game in a central position, played in Amalia Cassar, and the 17-year-old’s powerful effort from the right hand edge of the box was repelled excellently by Dall’Oste.

After opening the campaign with back-to-back draws, this victory from Sydney FC underlined their potential. The creativity and intensity of ball playing ability was so impressive to watch at times. There’s no question they are back as a serious contender after last season’s trials and tribulations.

For Perth, this was always going to be a challenge, but they have showed offensively what they are capable of, and with better luck in the first half would have put themselves in with a strong chance of getting something from this match.

Next week’s trip to Canberra is now an important one. A second away win, something the Western Australians are more than capable of achieving now, would restore them to the upper echelons of the league. But the capital city club will be targeting this one for their first win of the campaign. As it always is when purple goes toe-to-toe with green, a heck of a battle awaits.

Sydney will going out to make another statement of their renewed status when they host a Central Coast Mariners side who are nearer the foot of the table than they would like this early into their defence of the title.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Robertson, Tumeth, Fenton, Pearson, Lemon, Galić, Hunter, Caspers, Cassar, Hawkesby, Tanner. Substitutes: Halmarick, Oppedisano, Rose, Ulkekul, Sullivan, Tallon-Henniker.

Scorers: Galić 53′, Tanner 70′.

PERTH GLORY (3-4-1-2): Dall’Oste, Chinnama, Zogg, Sardo, Johnston, Dalton, Tovar, McKenna, Phonsongkham, O’Donoghue, Badawiya. Substitutes: Anderson, Skinner, Hollar, Lincoln, Trew, Wainwright.

Referee: Georgia Ghiradello.

Attendance: 2,122.

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White and Hopkins “Excited” for Home Opener

Above: Kennedy White speaks to the media. Image: Melbourne Victory.

By Isabelle Campbell (14/11/25).

Melbourne Victory will finally run out at the Home of the Matildas this weekend, with Head Coach Jeff Hopkins and hat-trick hero Kennedy White speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners.

The Round three match up will be the first time the Victory and Mariners sides go head to head since last season’s grand final which saw Victory fall to the Mariners in a dramatic penalty shootout.

After kicking off the season with two matches on the road, Hopkins said the squad is relishing the chance to reset at home. 

“I think it’s like another restart again for us. The two away games were a tough start for us, both games came with their own challenges. We’re nice and comfortable playing at home with our own supporters. I think we did it last year, we really made Home of the Matildas a fortress for us, we’re out to do the same thing this year.”

Hopkins also emphasised the importance of maintaining consistency throughout the long season, regardless of opponent or venue.

“With so many games, you’ve got to have things that are constants in your game as well. So you know the things that you do every week, whether you’re playing at home, whether you’re playing away, whether you’re playing top of the table, whether you’re playing bottom of the table as well, I think with those constants, you need consistency, but also, you add the grand final rematch into it, there’s one added bit of flavour to throw in the mix.”

Despite the match being essentially a rematch of last season’s grand final, Hopkins said the team has not been focused on that storyline this week.

“If I’m being totally honest, I don’t think anyone’s mentioned the grand final. I think we’ve had a really good week’s training. Our focus this week has been on making sure the players are fresh. and tactically prepared. The last couple of days have been short, but quite intense, and we’re really ready to go now. So in terms of the grand final, it might get a mention in the team meeting tomorrow. But really, we haven’t mentioned it all week.”

The coach was also full of praise for Victory’s new signings, highlighting the impact of Kennedy White and Zoe McMeeken who were both on the scoresheet last weekend.

“It’s really pleasing. You don’t always get it right, but I think both of them, across the last couple of games, they’ve both had outstanding games, obviously, Kenna’s grabbed the headlines with the goals, but Zoe’s been really very, very consistent in what she does and she showed a little bit of what she’s capable of doing. She gets forward a lot, and she’s almost unstoppable sometimes when she goes forwards… this will give her a lot of confidence, which is all good for the team.”

On White’s rapid adaptation to the A-League, Hopkins added:

“I’ve been very impressed with her. First of all, just her attitude to training and being very, very professional. She looks after herself, she looks after her body and she trains really hard. I still think she’s got a lot more to show… We made some big steps forward last week. We adapted things at half time, a few things were said at half time that probably really helped us understand what she needs.”

Hopkins also highlighted the journey and promise of young midfielder and academy graduate, Poppy O’Keeffe, who made her professional debut last weekend. 

“Poppy’s been with us a long time now. She’s a country girl, so things are often a little bit harder for the country players to come through, with all the travelling… It shows that she was really dedicated and really pushed through. She’s a small technical player, very, very good on the ball… Hopefully it’s going to be a breakout year for her… I’m really impressed with her.”

On the injury front, Hopkins shared that Chelsea Blissett, Taylor Ray, and Nicki Flannery are progressing well and are expected to be back in the squad in the coming weeks.

Kennedy White spoke about her fast start in Victory colours, describing her excitement at adapting to the league.

“It’s been really exciting so far. I feel like. I’ve been surrounded by really great players… it’s a pretty competitive league… pretty athletic, fast paced, so I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

On finally getting the opportunity to play in front of home fans, White smiled\.

“I’m really excited. Honestly, it’s kind of crazy that we haven’t had a home game yet. It feels like we’ve been going for a while, but I’m really excited to see everyone there, play at the field and hopefully get a win.”

Following her hat-trick last weekend White now leads the charge for the Golden Boot race though White said she is keeping her focus on team success.

“I think that’s always a goal for a striker… but I also want what’s best for the team… we want to win the league and do well. So that’s the main goal.”

She praised the midfield for providing opportunities and highlighted the strong partnerships already developing in the forward line.

“We have great players. We have awesome midfielders who like to connect a lot and then get balls in behind. We have a lot of pace up front… it’s a good combination for sure.”

When asked to choose her favourite goal from the hat-trick:

“I love just seeing it going in the back of the net, but honestly, probably the first one just to get it started off and it was a great ball from Courtney [Newbon].”

Discussing the aspects of her game she is looking to improve as the season progresses.

“I don’t want to be one dimensional… I love getting in behind and using my pace, but also coming forward and checking in for balls… being an aerial threat in the box, too, mixing it up.”

With Victory full of confidence after a strong performance, new signings firing, and belief building across the squad, Sunday’s clash promises a thrilling showcase. The team is ready to make a statement in front of their own supporters.

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McNamara header secures Adelaide’s first three points

Adelaide United 2-1 Canberra United

by Isabelle Campbell (14/11/25)

Above: Adelaide United players celebrate scoring one of their two goals against Canberra United.  Photo: via A-Leagues

Adelaide United are off and running this A-League Women’s season, after beating Canberra United for the first time in almost four years. The Reds finally found their scoring boots as goals to Emily Condon and Matilda McNamara helped cancel out an early breath taking goal from Kiara de Domizio to seal the win for the Reds.

Canberra got off to a flying start, taking just 30 seconds to open the scoring. Michelle Heyman chased down a loose ball and quickly passed to de Domizio, who curled a brilliant shot into the net to give the visitors an early lead. The goal set the tone for an energetic opening, with both teams showing their intent to attack from the start.

Adelaide responded quickly, with Erin Healy connecting with a corner delivery, but her effort went just wide of the post. The Reds continued to create several promising opportunities, working the ball through the final third, but were unable to trouble Canberra goalkeeper Sally James, who stood firm to shut down every threat.

Adelaide’s persistence eventually paid off when Condon found the back of the net, scoring the home side’s first goal of the season and leveling the match. Canberra immediately looked to respond, pushing forward and coming close to regaining the lead, but a powerful effort struck the woodwork, keeping the score even.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Adelaide earned a free kick on the edge of the box. Condon’s low shot was cleared, Healy soon after followed up with a powerful strike that James did well to save. The half ended one all, with both teams showing attacking intent and creating chances, but neither side able to establish an advantage heading into the break.

The second half began with an early pause when Dylan Holmes went down injured and had to be substituted off. Adelaide continued to press, with Condon testing James, desperately looking for her second goal.

Canberra had their first real chance of the half when Heyman went for goal, forcing keeper Claudia Jenkins to the ground. Mary Stanic-Floody followed up with a clear shot that missed by mere inches.

At the other end, Adriana Taranto caught James off her line with a powerful strike, only to see the ball rattle the crossbar, keeping the score level.

The breakthrough finally came in the 78th minute. McNamara rose highest to meet a perfectly delivered corner, heading the ball into the net and putting Adelaide United ahead.

Canberra pushed hard for an equaliser, but despite their best efforts they could not break through which meant Adelaide held on in front of a home crowd to secure their first three points of the Ninja A-League season.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Jenkins, I. Hodgson, McNamara, Murray, Tonkin, M. Taranto, Holmes, Healy, A. Taranto, Condon, Rossi. Substitutes: E. Hodgson, Makris, Zois, Dawber, Worts, Melegh.

Goals: Condon 24’, McNamara 78’.

CANBERRA UNITED (3-5-2): James, Aulicino, Grove, De Domizio, Stanic-Floody, Robers, Taylor-Young, Malone, Bertolissio, Sasaki, Heyman. Substitutes: Majstorovic, McKenzie, Hawkins, Bobbin, Dale, Briedis.

Goals: de Domizio 1’.

Referee: Bec Mackie

Attendance: 737.

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Late Sporting equaliser pegs Glasgow City back in Europa Cup first leg

Glasgow City 1-1 Sporting Clube de Portugal

By Gethin Thurlow for Impetus at Petershill Park (13/11/25)

Above: Natalia Wrobel celebrates scoring the opener Photo: Glasgow City FC

A late Sporting volley left Glasgow City boss Leanne Ross feeling “slightly disappointed”, as both teams head to Portugal next week with nothing to separate them in the round of 16 clash. Despite looking dominant all night, City “couldn’t capitalise on all the possession” – although to outplay such a European opponent like that is a huge statement for Scotland’s only top-flight independent team as they march on towards another SWPL title.

The Teams

After a change-filled team was named on the weekend, Glasgow City’s side looked much more familiar lineup, although Emily Whelan was preferred on the wing for SWPL October player of the month Sofia Maatta. 

For the visitors it was also a standard lineup, in their usual 5-3-2 shape with both wing backs looking to get forward and help out in attack. It was just the second start of the season for keeper Anna Wellmann, who has only just recovered from an injury that’s kept her out since joining the club from Bayern in the summer.

The Action

The game started as an even, physical affair. Sporting tried to take advantage of the space wide, with their wing backs while Glasgow focused on their possession based build up style. German referee Fabienne Michel allowed quite a lot of contact go early and this seemed to catch the Portuguese side out a little. Lisa Evans and Emily Whelan on the right wing had early success resulting in a corner and some half chances. 

Sporting countered attacked in the early stages, with several big switches in the wing giving them some advantageous attacking overloads. Encarnacao and Santiago as a two up front gave Golob and Smit plenty to think about, and the hosts were lucky to escape on two occasions when poor passing around the back allowed the away side in. 

After yet another nice move down the right, Whelans cross was cleared, Evans fizzed it back in to Natalia Wrobel in the middle via a touch from Abi Harrison. Wrobel incredibly spun, beating two defenders in the move and duly thrashed the ball into the net, to the cue of delirium at the ‘Peasy’. Glasgow City were leading in the Europa cup round of 16 and it was a well-deserved lead. Despite the scoreline, Sporting stuck to their guns and continued to push for a quick counter attacking goal. 

Glasgow were the team in command however, and the next few chances in the first half all fell to them. The visitors back three was very tight in the box – which is where Leanne Ross likes her team to play the ball around a lot and they were cramped a few times, with Kozlova, Harrison and Whelan all struggling to get shots off cleanly. Lee Gibson hadn’t had any saves to do, but that didn’t meant she was rusty at all and just before the break she tipped a powerful Daniela Arques shot over the bar to preserve the Scottish sides lead. 

Above: Abi Harrison chasing the ball against Aberdeen Photo: @cozphotos on instagram

Abi Harrison played a very good 59 minutes, linking up play well and turning provider for the 3 city players behind various times. Nicole Kozlova however, the hero on Sunday had a frustrating night. It was not the first time a European opponent had clearly planned for the Ukrainian’s ability down the left. Fonseca and Cherry were very much focused on Kozlova when she was on the ball, stopping her from cutting inside on her favoured right foot. This led to some seemingly threatening attacks that ended with Kozlova or Forrest being sat on the ball and unable to make a decisive pass.

If there was any frustration in the first 70 minutes for Leanne Ross it would be that her side didn’t give themselves enough efforts on goal considering the overall dominance.

Sporting’s quality could not be denied though, with Encarnacao delightfully volleying a shot across the box and into the far corner – directly from a corner kick, giving Lee Gibson no chance to get near it. This prompted a mad 10-minute period of total Sporting dominance, with city simply unable to clear the ball effectively. Having led most of the game, the hosts could’ve easily found themselves 2 or 3-1 down at this moment, but they did get through it.

With injury time being called, Glasgow City got their mojo back and entered the box a few times, particularly after one outstanding run from Maatta which began in her own half. They could not craft a good enough opportunity however and the game ended 1-1, leaving it all down to next week’s reunion in Lisbon. 

Player of the Match Natalia Wrobel

The scorer of such a huge goal, but this is not all the Polish international did. She absolutely dominated the game particularly in that first half, dibbling brilliantly, fighting hard in that physical midfield and bringing out all the qualities needed for a European night. In her own words, the number 10 “put on a good performance”, although most people would agree that undersold her impact.

Often, the other attacking players around Wrobel can get much of the credit for an outstanding team in terms of goalscoring, but she is always in there, plugging away in the middle, making runs into the box, holding off challenges, doing the dirty which keeps the front four ticking along.

Teams: GLASGOW CITY (4-2-3-1): Gibson (c), Evans, Golob, Smit, Muir, Motlhalo, Lauder, Whelan, Wrobel, Kozlova, Harrison Substitites: Forrest (for Harrison 59’), Maatta (for Whelan 85’), Boyes (for Wrobel 90+3’)

Scorer: 1-0 Wrobel 20’

SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL (5-3-2): Wellmann, Fonseca, Cherry, Barron, Haugen, Armengol, Arques, Perez, Bonsegundo, Santiago, Encarnacao Substitutes: Hernandez Gray (for Armengol 73’), Correia (for Bonsegundo 73’), Cancelinha (for Fonseca 84’), Ana Capeta (for Santiago 84’), Fontemanha (for Perez 88’)

Scorer: 1-1 Encarnacao 75’

Referee: Fabienne Michel (GER)

Attendance: 560

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Arroyo ahead of London City Lionesses test: I welcome the pressure

By Roos Schelen (13/11/25)

Above: Villa boss Natalia Arroyo. Photo: Christopher Thomond / The Guardian.

Natalia Arroyo does not think lightly of Aston Villa’s meeting with newly promoted London City Lionesses this Sunday.

Aston Villa face newly promoted London City Lionesses this Sunday, a team who started the league season with a few losses, which is not highly unthinkable when one considers they had a lot of transfer activity in the summer.

They have since become a more coherent team and now sit sixth in the table, with 12 points from eight matches. The Lionesses sit nine points behind league leader Manchester City and two points ahead of weekend opponents Aston Villa.

Arroyo doesn’t think lightly of the upcoming meeting. “They don’t look as a new team in the league. They are using the experience of players like Asllani, like Kumagai, Sanni Franssi, like Jana Fernandez, Linari, a lot of good players, Geyoro. So, yes, they know how to play the game and they are being able to bring that”, she explained.

The most danger, Arroyo thinks, will come off them having the ball. Kosovare Asllani, the club captain, has the third most shot creating actions in the league and is definitely a player to watch out for.

Arroyo welcomes the extra competition London City Lionesses bring to the WSL. “I always welcome the pressure and I want as many competitors as possible because that forces us to be better and better and better and that’s what we want. And if at the end of the season we are better than them, we will celebrate it and if not we will try to learn from what they are doing better than us”, the head coach expressed.

Natalia Arroyo wants other Women’s Super League (WSL) teams to think of Aston Villa as a monster to fear, she said after Villa’s win against Manchester United last weekend.

Impetus Football asked Arroyo what she means by that. She told us she is looking for Villa to be a team that opponents will think is hard to beat mentally. “It’s about this energy on the opposition so that the other teams are like thinking, oh, there’s not that many gaps or that many spaces where we can hurt them”, Arroyo said.

“We know we are in a good moment but we need to keep working because this is only now and this is good, but this is November so we need to show that consistently every game”, she added.

There will be no players moving from the injury list to the squad list this weekend. Maya Hijikata has been training with the squad this week but will not be fit enough, but there are no new injuries to report either. “The good news of not having the bad news”, she smiled.

Aston Villa v London City Lionesses kicks off at 12 noon UK time on Sunday.

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City Start Asian Champions League Campaign with 5-0 Triumph

Melbourne City 5-0 Lion City Sailors

by Isabelle Campbell (13/11/25)

Above: Melbourne City celebrate during their commanding opening performance of the 2025/26 AFC Women’s Champions League.  Photo: via AFC

Melbourne City made a commanding statement in their AFC Women’s Champions League opener, cruising to a 5-0 win over Singapore’s Lion City Sailors with clinical finishing and dominant possession.

After coming agonisingly close to the title last season only to fall in the final on penalties, Michael Matricciani’s side arrived determined to start their new campaign on the right note.

The first half started at a slow pace, with Melbourne City gradually finding their rhythm. The first real chance came from Leticia McKenna, whose effort lacked the power to trouble Sailors’ goalkeeper Izairida Shakira.

City’s next significant opportunity came from a corner. Alexia Apostolakis delivered the ball into the box, where captain Rebekah Stott rose to meet it. Although her shot was blocked, it struck the arm of a Sailors defender, earning City a penalty. Holly McNamara stepped up confidently and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner to give City their first of the afternoon.

Aideen Keane tested Shakira soon after, forcing the goalkeeper into a save, though the scoreline remained unchanged. As the half wore on, McKenna continued to probe for a goal but was unable to convert her chances.

With only minutes remaining in the first half, City were awarded a second penalty after Danella Butrus was brought down in the box. Once again, McNamara was precise from the spot, doubling the lead. In the dying moments of added time, McKenna finally found the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. City went into the break leading 2-0, having controlled 73% of the possession.

The first big moment of the second half came in the 54th minute when Apostolakis fired from outside the box, giving City a commanding lead. Soon after, Butrus made the most of her first-ever professional start, scoring to make it 4-0.

City then handed debuts to Kaya Jugovic and Keira Sarris, giving both players their first taste of professional action as the team continued to dominate. In the 73rd minute, the scoreboard ticked over again, this time courtesy of an own goal as the Sailors looked disorganised in front of goal.

The rest of the half passed without much action, as City comfortably managed possession and kept the Sailors at bay. After eight minutes of added time, the whistle blew to confirm a commanding 5-0 win to City, a strong performance to kick off their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY: Barbieri, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Turner, Hughes, Davidson, McKenna, Butrus, Keane, McNamara. Substitutes: Aoyagi, Mieres, Henry, Jacksen, Jugovic, Karic, McMahon, Rako, Roestbakken, Sarris, Uchendu.

Goals: 10’, 45+1’ McNamara, 55’ Apostolakis, 58’ Butrus, 73’ OG

LION CITY SAILORS: Shakira, Jiaxin, Hamdan, Kitagawa, Ramji, Ruzi, Ee, Takeuchi, Shibusawa, Salleh, Qasimah. Substitutes: Lim, Nurerwadah, Qiaoling, Putri, Irwan, Anwar, Naszri, Nashirah, Lim, Nurzahirah, Chu, Ng.

Referee: Oh Hyeon Jeong

Attendance: 502.

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Man City survive Everton scare and move to WSL summit

By Damion Arnold (10/11/25)

Above: Manchester City huddle. Photo: Manchester City website.

Manchester City strengthened their Women’s Super League title ambitions by climbing to the top of the table with a hard-earned win over Everton.

On a wet and windy day on Merseyside, Manchester City faced a confident Everton side. With Chelsea dropping points on Saturday by conceding a late equaliser against Arsenal, City entered the match knowing that a win would take them to the top of the table. Aiming for their seventh consecutive win, City were buyoed by the returns of Sydney Lohmann, Grace Clinton, and Lauren Hemp, as all were part of the match day squad.

The action

Manchester City began the game in dominating fashion as they controlled possession throughout the opening exchanges. The Citizens used this possession to create early chances, which on another occasion, should have gone in.

However, they kept pushing and they were eventually rewarded in the 21st minute. A smart ball from Iman Beney broke the Toffee’s defense and allowed Miedema to run in behind and slot the ball under Emily Ramsey.

The home side reacted in spectacular fashion as they showed more attacking presence. In the 28th minute, Ayaka Yashamita produced a good diving save to deny a Kelly Gago back post header. The Toffees’ did get themselves back into it in the 40th minute following a great move.

A long ball from Ruby Mace flew over Rebecca Knaak’s head and allowed Toni Payne to run through on goal. The Nigerian opted to cross the ball across the face of goal, and it was the right choice as Gago pulled off a spectacular backheel inside the six-yard box.

Despite being pegged back late in the first half, Manchester City came out for the second half in similar fashion to how they started the first. They dominated the ball and just like the first half, they were rewarded with a goal in the 54th minute. Leila Ouahabi crossed the ball from the left side of the pitch into the box. Shaw rose inside the box and headed the ball home restoring her sides lead.

It was almost moment of brilliance from Ornella Vignola as she spun two City players and struck the ball from range in the 67th minute. Unfortunately for her, her shot hit the post and made its way away from the danger.

The hosts came close to equalising in the 74th minute as Yashamita produced a brilliant diving save to deny Kitagawa. A cross from the right side of the pitch by Robinson set Kitagawa up at the back post, but the City goalkeeper read it well and got across quickly to deny the shot.

The remainder of the game saw the hosts continue to look for an equaliser, but the title challengers, Manchester City, were too defensively solid for the Toffee’s with the Citizens seeing out their 2-1 lead to the very end.

City’s victory moves them to the summit of the Women’s Super League, just one point above title defenders Chelsea. As for Everton, they fall to 10th having just won one game so far this season.

Reaction

Reflecting on the win, City head coach Andrée Jeglertz told BBC Sport: “It’s very important for us to win. Not a perfect game, definitely not, but in the same way it says something about the team that we managed to win it anyway. These games where you don’t play the most beautiful game but still continue winning, that is going to give you the opportunity to have a good result at the end of the season.

“Everton was causing a lot of problems for us. We were struggling figuring out their loading in the midifield, they created overloads in there and we did not manage with them well enough. In the other way we managed to keep the victory anyway so I am happy with that.”

Everton’s winless run in the WSL extended to seven games, making their situation appear bleak on the surface. However, there were several positives for Brian Sørensen to take from the narrow defeat to the league leaders, most notably the resurgence of Kelly Gago.

The French striker, who joined from Nantes in January and finished last season as Everton’s joint-top scorer, has had limited opportunities this campaign, starting only three of their eight league matches so far. After a slow start, Gago is beginning to rediscover her form.

She opened her account for the season last weekend against Aston Villa, scoring a stoppage-time equaliser. Her goal against City was another moment of quality, and Everton will be hoping that now she is up and running, the goals will be free flowing.

There was also the performance of young Lioness Ruby Mace, who impressed in midfield with her tenacity and physicality. Helping Everton move the ball forward, she made a strong argument for a recall to the England senior setup later this month.

TEAMS: EVERTON (4-4-2): Ramsey (GK), Ishikawa, Fernández (Holmgaard, 60’), Hayashi, Wheeler ©, Van Gool (Snoeijs, 60’), Payne (Robinson, 60’), Gago (Momiki, 80’), Vignola, Mace, Pacheco (Kitagawa, 73’). SUBS: Startup (GK), Hobson, Kitagawa, Ladd, Weir.

Scorers: Gago 40’

Yellow Cards: Pacheco 56’

MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Yashamita (GK), Rose, Shaw, Miedema (Matilda Lohmann, 80’), Ouahabi, Casparji ©, Blinkilde Brown (Clinton, 80’), Fujino, Beney (Hemp, 60’), Hasegawa, Knaak (Prior). SUBS: Keating (GK), Coombs, Wienroither, Thomas, Rose Oldroyd.

Scorers: Miedema 21’, Shaw 54’

Referee: William Davis

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White hat-trick ignites Melbourne’s Victory

Western Sydney Wanderers 1-4 Melbourne Victory

by Emma Burke (9/11/25)

Above: Melbourne Victory hat-trick hero Kennedy White (centre) celebrates earlier today. Photo: A-Leagues.

It was American international Kennedy White that stole the show at Wanderers Football Park, scoring a hat-trick to power Melbourne Victory to a 4-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, their first of the 2025/26 season.

While the home side were able to open the scoring early with a beautiful team goal that ended with Danika Matos putting the ball over the line, they were unable to fight back against the strength of Victory.

The visitors took their time to find their equaliser, with goalkeeper Courtney Newbon providing the assist. Striker Kennedy White was able to run onto her long pass, and slip free of her defender by pulling back, which allowed her the time and space to take a left-footed shot over Sham Khamis in goal.

White only took another six minutes to find her second goal for the afternoon, and the lead for her team, in the final minute of extra time in the first half, this time assisted by Rachel Lowe.

Following the half-time break, White picked up almost exactly where she left off, netting her third and final goal only minutes after play had restarted. 

The Wanderers were able to wrestle back some control after White completed her hat-trick, and made a number of attempts on goal by players including Ella Buchanan, Ena Harada, and the Wanderers’ newest arrival from South Korea, Kim Soeun.

Unfortunately for the Wanderers, Victory were the ones to find the back of the net once again, making the most of a set piece that saw Zoe McMeeken, who joined the Navy Blues in the offseason from Wellington Phoenix, score her first for her new team.

Taking all the points, Victory jump to third on the table, and will head home to host Central Coast Mariners, in a replay of last season’s Grand Final game, while the Wanderers hit the road to face top of the table Brisbane Roar in Round Three.

Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-4-2-1): Khamis, Cerne, Hooks, Buchanan, Matos (Khoshaba 84’), Harada (Younis 63’), Chessari, Ng-Saad, Price (Fazzari 64’), Harrison (DeFazio 73’), Caspers (Soeun 64’).

Scorer: Matos 13’.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-2-2-2): Newbon, Jancevski, Morrison, Bunge, McMeeken, Maher (Curtis 68’), Lowe (O’Keeffe 90+2’), Furphy, Sakalis (Techera 84’), White, Pollicina.

Scorers: White 41’, 45+1’, 48’. McMeeken 84’.

Referee: Abbie Hendry.

Attendance: 986.

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Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory: Match Preview

Above: Victory celebrate last season. Image: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.

By Isabelle Campbell & Alice de Koster-Kitto (8/11/25)

Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory will go head-to-head at Wanderers Football Park this Sunday, in the second round of the 2025/26 Ninja A-League season. Both teams will be looking to collect their first points of the campaign, as they each come off an opening round loss.

Victory began their 25/26 campaign with a narrow loss to Brisbane Roar despite producing an encouraging display, featuring debut goals from Rhianna Pollicina and Kennedy White.

Head Coach Jeff Hopkins said his team took plenty of positives from that performance and is intent on being more ruthless in key moments.

“I think the positive thing was that I thought we played very well for 70-75 minutes of the game. We were on top and probably not clinical enough in the periods that we did dominate.

“They were always dangerous, especially on the counter, and we didn’t handle those moments very well.

“So we’ve definitely highlighted those moments this week, but in general, I thought we were on top for big periods of the game. Our challenge this week is when we get on top of teams, we need to make sure that we just hammer home our advantage with goals on the scoreboard.”

The upcoming fixture will also be a milestone occasion for Hopkins, who is set to reach 200 matches as an A-League Women’s head coach, making him the first to do so.

Turning his attention to team matters, Hopkins confirmed a boost to the squad with midfielder Grace Maher cleared for selection, having missed the season opener.

“She is available. It was touch and go [last week]. She probably could have started the game, but whether she would finish it and made the injury more serious, it probably would have done.

“She’s a senior player. She knows her body pretty well, and we didn’t want to take any risk with her. We had a good substitute there, ready to come on in, Rosie Curtis.”

Victory will now look to build on the foundations of their Round 1 performance, with Hopkins confident that greater sharpness in front of goal and consistency across the full 90 minutes can deliver a winning result in Sydney and earn the Victory their first points of the campaign.

The Wanderers currently sit 10th on the table, following a 3-0 loss to Perth Glory, compared to Victory’s 8th, a disappointing start to their 2025/26 Ninja A-League campaign. Abrahams and the squad are taking the loss as an opportunity to grow and are confident they can put their best foot forward this Saturday, impressed with the overall performance, despite the result. 

“You always want to play against the best,” said Abrahams, ahead of what is set to be a tough match for the Wanderers. Although historically, the match would be in favour of Victory, both sides are entering round 2 on a fairly even playing field, as they both come off losses, and with the Wanderers’ home advantage, the game could be anyone’s.

There have been a hoard of new faces in the Wanderers squad, including Korean international Kim Seoeun, whose signing was announced on Thursday. 

“(She’s) an exciting player, she’s an attacking player, she’s got that low centre of gravity, she’s sharp, good 1v1,” said Abrahams on what he hoped the forward would bring to the side, adding “she’s been around the national team, and that’s her motivation for being here too.” 

There were six debutants in last week’s match against Perth Glory last week, including Nikita Fazari, who had a HSC exam the morning of her debut, a testament to the wealth of fresh young talent in the squad. 

“It makes it hard for me to pick a starting lineup each week,” said Abrahams on the number of players at his disposal, and the benefit it has being able to make relevant changes each week, adding, “having a large group of players in an environment where they’re testing each other every day and getting better.”

“They need experience with them as well, players like Amy Harrison and Oliva Price and Holly Caspers, they’re really important to those young players to just be around them every day and see how they work and how they carry themselves”

 The added depth to the squad, including the likes of Poppie Hooks, Nikita Fazari, and Alana Cerne, could be exactly what the Wanderers need to improve their play going ahead and produce the results they are looking for, especially heading into a clash as contentious as the one ahead.  

Melbourne Victory will travel to Wanderers Football Park to take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday 9th of November at 4 pm AEDT. The match will be streamed on 10Play and Paramount+. 

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