Sydney FC: We're the best...on paper.
Great to see the confidence coming out of Sydney FC's W-League side.
Matildas star Sarah Walsh says, "We're probably the best on paper," and of course every other team will have something to say about that.
Full Sydney squad below. How strong? Verdict..on paper..very just like their menside:)
Sydney FC’s women count down to the W-League
Boasting a potent mix of experienced internationals, talented youth and the guiding hand of Young Matilda’s coach Alen Stajcic, Sydney FC’s inaugural Westfield W-League team is looking to shine on the National stage as the start of the Westfield W-League draws near.
With little over a fortnight remaining before kick-off, Sydney’s new mentor is confident his players can emulate the success of their male counterparts during their opening campaign.
“We have a lot of stars in the team and are looking to win the competition,” said Stajcic. “We are not afraid to say first position is what we are aiming for so hopefully we will be there on finals day.”
The Sydney squad boasts a number of Matildas, including Heather Garriock, Danielle Small and Sarah Walsh.
With women’s football absent from the National scene in recent years, Walsh believes the re-born league will provide renewed opportunities for young women to follow their football dreams.
“The W-League is going to keep a lot of people in women’s football that would otherwise have been lost from the game,” she said. “Later on this will obviously lead to added pressure and more competition for places in the Matlidas, which can only be good for the game.”
Walsh and FC team-mate Heather Garriock have been chosen in the draft for America’s upcoming Women’s Professional Soccer competition, but before taking up that challenge she has her sights set on taking the Westfield W-League trophy.
“I may be biased but I believe we are probably the best on paper, and if we can live up to our potential we should have a good season,” said Walsh.
Training alongside the Central Coast Mariners women’s squad, FC’s coach believes preparations are progressing well for his side’s first round match against the Perth Glory.
“The team is working well,” said Stajcic. “We have a big group of players so we play together quite regularly and things are shaping up nicely for the start of the competition.”
The Sky Blue women will face their first test when they take on the Glory in the opening match of the Westfield W-League season in Perth on October 25.
For more information please contact Sydney FC Media Manager, Terry Aylett by email at terrya@sydneyfc.com or on 0417226649.
Sydney FC Westfield W-League 2008/09 Squad
NameFormer ClubDate of Birth
Danielle SmallNSWIS7 February 1979
Linda O'NeillNSWIS25 May 1992
Alesha CliffordNSWIS16 September 1991
Yesim UzunlarNSWIS8 March 1989
Carlie IkonumouNSWIS29 October 1990
Nicola BolgerNSWIS3 March 1993
Kylie LedbrookMacarthur Rams20 March 1986
Leena KhamisNSWIS19 June 1986
Loren MahoneyNSWIS9 February 1992
Lisa GilbertNSWIS9 December 1978
Danielle BroganMacarthur Rams28 June 1988
Sarah WalshNSWIS11 January 1983
Jessica SeamanNSWIS17 June 1990
Samantha SpackmanNSWIS16 June 1991
Michelle HeymanIllawarra Stingrays4 July 1988
Jo BurgessQLD23 September 1979
Rachel CooperNSWIS14 March 1989
Nikki DieterAlbury Assoc.24 July 1991
Makkieh ElhusseiniSutherland22 August 1985
Heather GarriockNSWIS21 December 1982
6 comments:
Good to see Alen's squad are predominately NSWIS and not imports. Great oppurtunity for the 9 or so younger ones in the squad.
Unless of course the approach should be that this is the top competition in the land for women and no place for developing and giving young ones opportunities.
I am NSW and can assure you there are many better players out there than those in this squad.
Look at the lack of players under 1986. Where are all the 22 to 27 year olds. Players in their prime and many former Matildas and Young Matildas.
Totally amateur mentality. Totally unacceptable for the men but ok for the women cos who cares?
As usual Stajic is looking after 'his own' the elite group. If you are not in with Stajic you are 'not in'.(Brogan, Ledbrook and Burgess also NSWIS last year).
If you played in NSW you would not have even bothered to try out cos there is no way you would get in before an NSWIS player. Classic case of only one pathway in this state, the Staj way.
Just a few years ago he was the coach of every major representative women's team in NSW. NSWIS, State (Senior)Sapphires, State u/17, NSW All Schools.
There was a list of 60 players from Matildas Coach Tom S who had to be placed.
Naturally over 15 or more would be from NSW and you'd suspect all would be in NTC and Matildas squads.
Doesn't leave much if any room for the 22-27 years old you talk of outside of a Matildas side does it?
Maybe a particular problem in Qsld and Sydney where there are many players on the priority list.
Wonder if Central Coast or Newcastle will take any of the players you speak of.
In Canberra much the same, no player from outside the Rep list taken in the first 13 but again not surprising the gap between the local prem and the fitness alone of the rep players would be significant although with 7 places still available its possible a player could make it in, but I doubt it and maybe only 1 or 2 at most it seems.
only 4 in canberra were on the list , the rest of the first nine came off the list from other states. But why chose old slow hasbeens from the other states when fast young talent in ACT is left begging to sit on a bench.
Central coast and sydney train togehter. why? Central coast is basically the rest of the NSWIS players!i.e situation normal, the NSWIS girls just turn up to training as usual.
Another joke: central coast is playing their games in Parammata somewhere!
"But why chose old slow has beens from the other states" !!!!
Davies and Slatyer were both members of the Matildas 2007 World Cup squad, better than anything our bright young ones have done.
McDonnel is at most 22 and probably the fastest member of the very strong 2006 Young matildas World cup team (pink boots). Very, very fast. perhaps slightly erratic but Robbie Hooker is a good coach and can look after that side if things.
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