Aussie's Abroad Football Wrap
Aussie Abroad 15-21 May 2012 Football Wrap
15-21 May update of all our overseas soccer playing women from Ann Odong at The Women's Game.
Since our last report the action has really stepped up for the Aussies overseas with players taking the pitch almost every day of the week. Here is your look from 15 – 21 May 2012.
Katrina Gorry and the Ottawa Fury completed their final preparations ahead of their season opener in the USL W-League with their Thursday hit out against WSA Winnipeg ending in a scoreless draw. As she has in Australia, Gorry controlled the Fury midfield making "some remarkable runs" and producing several chances to score.
The Fury kick off their W-League season this Thursday, May 26 (Friday in Australia) against the Rochester Ravens.
Kyah Simon and Tameka Butt kicked off their season proper with the Boston Breakers with an emphatic 4 – 1 win over FC Indiana in the Breakers' home opener. Both Simon and Butt started the match with the former subbed off in the 90th minute and the latter putting in a full shift.
In a match, which the home side dominated, Boston got off to a fast start with in front of 2,312 fans. Kate Schoepfer kicked off the scoring in the 9th minute, before Kyah Simon scored a quick brace after a Nadia Libertin equaliser. In the second half, Simon and Butt combined with the latter finishing off a sweeping move to volley home the fourth.
“I am pleased to get the two goals, but I think I should’ve had a few more. But we stuck in there against a hard opponent to play. It was one of those games where you had to finish your chances when you can.” – Kyah Simon
“It’s always good to come away with a W. The girls are pleased with how we played, and it’s good to do it here in front of the home crowd. It was good getting my first goal for the Breakers. It’ll always be a memorable one, and my teammate from Australia set me up, so it was a good goal to get.” – Tameka Butt
Match Report – Boston Breakers v FC Indiana
Video | Kyah Simon's goals (First goal at 7:05, Second goal at 16:05)
Video | Tameka Butt's goal (Goal at 11:05)
The news wasn't so good for Emily Van Egmond in her second up match with the Western New York Flash as they went down 1 – 0 to city rivals NY Fury.
Van Egmond did some good work in the centre of the park but, like her team, her game was just slightly off and the midfielder was substituted on the hour mark.
Match Report – WNY Flash v NY Fury
Servet Uzunlar recovered from a medial strain to play her first match for the Pali Blues in their 2 – 0 win over the Santa Clarita Blue Heat. Uzunlar and Kahlia Hogg both started the match and played the full match.
Pali started the match strongly with Ann Tangorra opening the scoring after a quick counter caught the Blue Heat unawares. In the second half, despite Santa Clarita's best efforts, Nikki Washington effectively killed of the encounter in the 51st minute.
Match Report – Santa Clarita v Pali Blues
In Denmark, Aivi Luik and Michelle Heyman's Brøndby claimed top spot for the first time in the Championship Playoff courtesy of a 2 – 1 win over BSF. Previous leaders Fortuna Hjørring had a chances to reclaim that mantle but suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Skovbakken. Despite having a majority of the possession, Leena Khamis' side were unable to capitalise and paid the price leaving them 3 points adrift of the new leaders.
Match Report – Fortuna Hjørring v Skovbakken [Google translated]
While in Germany, Sally Shipard's Bayer Leverkusen drifted slightly closer to the shores of safety with a come from behind 3 – 2 win over USV Jena. Shipard again was instrumental as Leverkusen moved to within one point of Jena and another season in the Frauen Bundesliga.
In the Swedish first division, Leah Blayney's Eskilstuna United suffered a 4 – 2 loss to Hovås Billdal while Marjiana Rajcic's Gustafs conceded late to only take a point as they drew 1 – 1 with Sundsvall. It was better news for Carys Hawkins' Umeå Södra as they racked up their fourth win on the trot with a 3 – 2 victory over Assi.
Finally, across the ditch in England Collette McCallum and her Lincoln Ladies went close to following up last week's win over Arsenal with another this week. However, the Lady Imps had to settle for a 3 – 3 draw despite leading in the final minutes of the contest.
After going down to a Rachael Yankey goal, McCallum brought the Lady Imps level in the 26th minute with her first goal in the FA Women's Super League. The midfielder went on to play 80 minutes only to see her side concede a late equaliser.
It wasn't such good news for Emily Gielnik as her Liverpool Ladies suffered another defeat this time at the hands of Birmingham. Gielnik again started and was lively as the target striker. The Brisbane Roar striker almost doubled her FA WSL total with a stunning 20 yard strike only to be denied by the cross bar.
Match Report – Lincoln Ladies v Arsenal Ladies
Match Report – Birmingham City Ladies v Liverpool Ladies
This post originally appeared on thewomensgame.com.
