The New Year is bringing with it a clash of last season’s Westfield W-League grand finalists with Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC set to go head-to-head tomorrow afternoon at Campbelltown Stadium.
Brisbane Roar Women captain Clare Polkinghorne said this game is important for the team in order to remain at the top of the ladder going into the back end of the season.
“Every time we play Sydney it is always a tough game,” Polkinghorne said.
“We need to get the three points or we will loose the top position on the ladder and be right in the mix with third and fourth.
“It is going to be a massive game for us but we are all looking forward to it.”
Sydney FC are the only team to have beaten the Roar this year, a 4-2 loss in the Westfield W-League season opener, and Polkinghorne said the team had been working hard at training since then to ensure it didn-t happen again.
“We learnt a few things from the last game against them and now hopefully we can improve on our last performance,” she said.
“We have been working hard trying to break down their attacks and looking for weaknesses in their games.
“Sydney are a fantastic team, they have strength all over the pitch.
“If we can put in a good performance on Saturday it will boost our confidence for the last few rounds of the season.”
After a few days to freshen up over the Christmas break, Polkinghorne said the whole team was fit and raring to go against the Sky Blues, eager to start the new year on a high.
“We had a good few days off and now everyone is back and looking sharp,” she said.
“There is a bit of a spark around training and everyone if full of energy.
“It is going to be a great game to play on New Year-s Day and hopefully be a good start to the new year for us.”
Sydney FC vs. Brisbane Roar
Saturday, 1 January 2010
Campbelltown Stadium, Leumeah
Local kick-off: 3.00 pm
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Assistant referees: Liz Shorter and Melinda Bell
Fourth official: Sarah Ho
Live and exclusive on ABC1 from 3.00pm
Sydney FC: 1. Dimi POULOS, 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Danielle BROGAN, 5. Alannah KENNEFY, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Lydia VANDENBERGH, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Nicola BOLGER, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 17. Kyah SIMON, 19. Leena KHAMIS, 20. Erin HERD
In: Heather GARRIOCK (returns from injury)
Out: Renee ROLLASON (injured)
Unavailable: Nil
Brisbane Roar: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (C), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Kim CARROLL, 7. Joanne BURGESS, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Alisha FOOTE, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Aivi LUIK, 12. Rebekah STOTT, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Amy CHAPMAN, 15. Erika ELZE, 16. Lauren COLTHORPE, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kennya CORDNER 19. Lisa DE VANNA, 20. Kate STEWART (gk)
*four to be omitted*
In: Alisha FOOTE (promoted), Erika ELZE (promoted), Emily GIELNIK (promoted), Aivi LUIK (returns from overseas)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Karla REUTER (Suspension)
