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Month: May 2017

That’s My Team!

This weekend I was lucky enough to watch some AFL where North Melbourne Kangaroos v Adelaide Crows in my hometown of Hobart. Not to brag or anything but North Melbourne thrashed a previously unbeaten Adelaide. There are many points from the game I could write about. I mean it was a very good day to…

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QUALITY, KERR AND GOALS How could you not watch Arsenal v Chelsea and not be left feeling entertained? Chelsea brought about a first half masterclass and finished in style in a 4-1 victory over Arsenal. High press, high tempo in attack and ruthless. It left the Blues looking like the older brother holding their fighting younger sibling, at bay with ease using one hand. Completely breathtaking. And. Kerr opened her account in England. The anticipation, noise and atmosphere were so thick it was felt immediately from the stream. A full house at Meadow Park marked a special occasion for the visitors who really put on a display for their loud, travelling supporters. From the kick off, Chelsea showed their intent on using the flanks. It wasn’t long before they capitalised. Earlier chances hinted at the possibility, but it was England who cut in from the flank to produce a curving, beautiful finish that opened the scoring. Soon it was fist pumping territory. Reiten served Kerr an opportunity on a plate. A jumping header is often Kerr’s bread and butter finish, so it was fate that’s how she would consolidate Chelsea’s lead with a jumping header. Relief and celebrations felt across Australia. Barely leaving time to draw a breathe, Ingel produced a finish of dreams. From the scraps, a delicious volley found the cobwebs of the top, far corner. Chelsea ahead 3-0 before 20 minutes as Arsenal struggled to move the ball out of their own half. Impressive on the ball, it was the work Chelsea produced off it that limited Arsenal to barely any time in even the slightest attacking areas. This was almost as impressive as Kerr not diving and claiming a penalty in the first half, despite a challenge looking like it cleaned her up. One of the best 45 minute performances, with finishes to boot for Chelsea, the ball was well and truly in Arsenal’s court for the second half. Play was more spread out, with the North London outfit able to breathe just a touch more as Chelsea wound down the dial on their press slightly. Still, Chelsea remained holding the cards and with that would capitalise once more. The provider of two earlier goals, Reiten would justly have a chance hande

Doing a little victory lap because you’ve just won the Hobart International.

RASO IS OFFICIALLY A TOFFEE Something is brewing at Everton and you can be sure Hayley Raso will be at the centre of it. A selfish glance at the deal would be to focus on the denial of the wingers ability for the rest of the W-League. But the broader picture? The idea of Raso earning her stripes in the chaotic, physical and fast pace league of the WSL is absolutely mouthwatering. Honestly, Everton have slide under the radar for me. They’re not last, not the “big three”, nor the promoted duo punching above their weight. However this January? Securing the services of Izzy Christensen and now Hayley Raso? That’s eye catching. Imagine the combinations and service Raso and Christensen can create for each other and those around them. It’s sweeter than toffee sticking to your teeth. Raso now has the opportunity to make her mark in the WSL and truly prove her worth. To doubt her ability to do this would be foolish. I’m no fool. 📸 @klzphotography

PROMISE Sam Kerr spends the first half on the bench against Bristol. Chelsea found themselves again with the need to come back from behind after Salmon’s clinical finish against the run of play. England equalised, bravely beating Baggaley to a cross in the mixer. But it’s a flood of goals five minutes from half time that reflected Chelsea’s dominance in possession to go into the break with four goals in the bank. Kerr’s on the field at half time. However it’s Reiten and Ji who worked effortlessly, with a dazzling grace, to combine for the Blue’s fifth of the match. Baggaley’s display the whole match defied the number of goals conceded. The Bristol keeper pulled out goal saving stops on the regular. Over an hour in Kerr had her chance. Like many times before, she found space and ran direct to goal, skipped the keeper and slotted it goal-bound. However a gutsy recovery run by Matthews produced a goal line clearance. To wrap up the proceedings, England produced another finish with her head, as Chelsea show they really dig a back post finish. The match finished an enthralling 6-1. There has to be an element of excitement in watching how Kerr will develop with this Chelsea side. In the past Kerr has been most lethal on the counter, being in teams who rely on a quick transition for goals. Chelsea isn’t such a side. The Blues are patient with the ball and demand to be in control of matches. How Kerr shapes her game to adapt to play with this team will help her become the well rounded player everyone knows she can be. And with Beth England by her side, there’s little doubt this forward duo is something special. 📸 @chelseafcw

OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS SQUAD DROP Rio 2016 was a wild ride. Qualification with some absolutely ripping goals, as the Matildas found a new gear that won the hearts of many. To finish in quarterfinal penalty shootout heartbreak. Out of the 20 announced today, a lot of the them were in Rio. They felt the despair as the Brazilian crowd celebrated. Now we embark on the trail to Gold once more. It’s going to be tough. Qualifying out of Asia where only the top two make the cut always is. But look at the depth of the squad, the skills we have and the ‘never say die’ attitude and there’s hope we can arrive and shine on the world stage at Tokyo 2020. This photo is one that is always so strong in my memory when I think about our national team. Cristiane with Williams after the quarter final. It’s a reminder of the moments that make football so human and real. The Olympics is important. I cannot wait to get behind this team through qualifiers and hopefully during the search for gold once more. The first match is against Chinese Taipei on Monday Feb 3rd. Then it’s Thailand and China, all in 7 days. Before a knock out to decide the top two Asian countries to represent the region. Bring it on. 📸 @futbolxstories

SAM KERR WATCH Not even two minutes in and Kerr found herself with the ball against the last line of defence, who she breezed by to shoot early. It’s off target, but provided a taste of the form she’s still in. The match was everything that is English football. Fast, high pressure and aggressive. It’s the type of football you fall in love with, not because it’s beautiful trekkers, but the heart and guts of it. Reading had Chelsea on the back foot. Rightly they went ahead thanks to Rafa Williams. Not long after, Kerr causes havoc. The one moment Potter stepped wrong in her mission to quiet Kerr saw Maloney storm out of her goal, with the miscommunication between the defender and keeper leading to the goalie clattering into Kerr outside of the box. The ref pulled out her red card. Ten player Reading and Chelsea have the upper hand. Things ticked along. Kerr and the offside flag continued to dance together, nothing out of the usual. Then, the ball moved up the park quickly. Ji, England, Kerr - that back heel - England and it’s level. Second half the challenges were crunching. Reading somehow managed to continue to swarm the ball with players. There’s a goal line scramble nearly 60 minutes in, fears Reading will need a third keeper thankfully dismissed. England put Kerr in one on one with the keeper. You’d normally bet on the Aussie, but Laws stood tall in goal, got the deflection that landed to the feet of Reiten. The Norwegian hit it banging perfect to put Chelsea’s nose in front. One more goal with 15 minutes left. Chelsea had been patient and it finally paid off. Reiten crossed, a save pushed into Cuthbert’s path and it’s home. 3-1. Not long after Kerr is subbed off, with Blundell the fresh legs. The Matilda rugged up in a massive puffer jacket and smiling. Her running and creation of space are her contributions, with her part in the first two goals just a glimpse of what she’s going to bring to her new home. Reading don’t go down without a fight. Farrow nearly sparked something to life for Reading. A couple more half chances for the Blues, but the whistle goes. It’s 3-1. 📸 @stephaniemeekphotography (aka our Aussie in London 🙌)

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