United W-League to Face In-Form Sydney FC

[bennylava]

our queenslander is cute, to be fair

[gubs]

there are many attributes that make a good footballer. coaches look at the entire package of a person and a footballer when choosing squads. I agree that ebs is a great player, however obviously the entire package is not what the coaches are looking for just yet. I have no doubt that she will get there.

As far as the keeper comments go thats just the nature of the position. There is a lot of criticism to be had if u are a keeper. Save 10 shots and conceed one and if u lose 1-0 u are looked at more as a zero than a hero. Experience is crucial and I think we need Emma back in the side asap. I heard the first goal was a bit of a shamble with the keeper calling for a passback but then not coming off her line. I have no idea whether this is true or not as i was not there but in the position of keeper u are always going to be dished out more criticism than u are dealt praise.

[BillShankly]

there are many attributes that make a good footballer. coaches look at the entire package of a person and a footballer when choosing squads. I agree that ebs is a great player, however obviously the entire package is not what the coaches are looking for just yet. I have no doubt that she will get there.

As far as the keeper comments go thats just the nature of the position. There is a lot of criticism to be had if u are a keeper. Save 10 shots and conceed one and if u lose 1-0 u are looked at more as a zero than a hero. Experience is crucial and I think we need Emma back in the side asap. I heard the first goal was a bit of a shamble with the keeper calling for a passback but then not coming off her line. I have no idea whether this is true or not as i was not there but in the position of keeper u are always going to be dished out more criticism than u are dealt praise.

yeh spot on gubs, goalkeepers cant help but always get bagged, u lose 1-0 and its always blame the keeper, but never the strikers for not scoring etc.

its a fantastic opportunity for the girls and they should be enjoying every second, and shouldnt let negative comments effect them early on.

[adelaidepie]

Gubs

You were spot on with the discription of their first goal, also very correct about hero to zero and visa versa with goalkeepers.

To both that have played so far it would have / is a big learning curve. With such short time to get to know all players in front of them and to know that you are fighting for a position with someone like Emma coming back from injury soon would be extremely difficult and both regardless of mistakes have proformed well.

As stated in gaol make a mistake and it could be very costly, make a mistake in attack and you hopefully have seven or eight players behind you to fix up the mistake.

To Leppskiii and Macca keep up the good effort and make Emma work hard for the position. Be confident and keep talking to your players in front of you as I am sure you both are doing.

Whichever way, you have performed well to get yourselves into the squad and you deserve your chances.

Adelaidepie Julian

[gubs]

both keepers have done a fantastic job so far and in no way am i mocking either of them. Just feel that experience is crucial in these sort of comps. Saying that, the only way to get experience which is worthwhile is to play in games like this so ill just shoosh now

[adelaidepie]

both keepers have done a fantastic job so far and in no way am i mocking either of them. Just feel that experience is crucial in these sort of comps. Saying that, the only way to get experience which is worthwhile is to play in games like this so ill just shoosh now

And hopefully you didn't think that I was saying that you were mocking either of them! Your comments I believe are truthful and accurate so you shouldn't shoosh now. We all appreciate your comments, or at least I can say that I do.

Adelaidepie Julian

[johnydep]

Well done Adelaide, knew you could do it

Reds hand Sydney first loss

Adelaide United has handed Sydney FC their first loss of the Westfield W-League season with a 3-2 victory over the Sky Blues at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday.



United was down after conceding an early goal but hit back, scoring in the 11th and 30th minutes and had the game under control when they registered their third goal soon after the break.

The Reds were on a high until a deadly 69th-minute free kick from Kylie Ledbrook added some excitement to the contest with the visitors threatening to find the equaliser on a number occasions.

Both teams made the most of set pieces with two of Adelaide's goals coming from Sharon Black free kicks.

United coach Mike Barnett said the team did well to hold out the opposition after the break.

"Really, there wasn't many chances there at the end of the day and I think it was a well deserved victory," he said.

And he said Black's input in the team's season continued to be important.

"We've really been working on set pieces and so far in the three games we've been able to get a couple of goals from her free kicks."

Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic said it was a game of missed opportunities but wasn't too critical of his team considering the commitments of some his players.

"We battled a lot of tough conditions today. We had five girls travel from Malaysia yesterday and arrived after the Young Matildas' campaign. We had two or three injured players on the park so we were always going to battle," Stajcic said.

"They looked weary before the game but that's no excuse."

It was an eventful start to the contest with Sydney FC striking first.

Leena Khamis found some space just outside the box and had no trouble beating the Reds' goalkeeper.

The home side then responded quickly through a magnificent free kick by Black. Her shot cleared Sydney FC's defensive wall and beat the right hand of goalkeeper Nikola Dieter.

Another Black free kick then saw the home side take the lead for the first time. Her thumping strike from 30 metres dipped into the danger zone and was accidentally deflected into the back of the net by Sky Blue Lisa Gilbert.

Adelaide then took control of the contest only minutes after the break with the plucky Victoria Balomenos converting from close range.

Sydney never gave up however and an overzealous challenge by Sarah Anorim earned her a yellow card and the visitors a free kick near the left corner of the box.

Ledbrook took the set shot and had no trouble beating Sian McLaren in goals with a sweet strike of the ball.

It triggered a willing conclusion to the clash with both teams running foul of the referee.

Sydney FC wringed a number of changes in the second half and finished the contest stronger. They kept McLaren busy and were pushing for their third score.

But the home side absorbed enough time, and played some good defensive football, to hold on for another victory at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Match Details

Adelaide United 3 (Sharon Black 7’, Lisa Gilbert (og) 30’, Victoria Balomenos 48’)
Sydney FC 2 (Leena Khamis 4’, Kylie Ledbrook 69’)

Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Sunday 9 November 2008
Referee: Kirralee Gardener

Adelaide United line-up: 20.Sian McLAREN (gk), 2.Renee HARRISON, 3.Sarah AMORIM, 4.Dianne ALAGICH (c), 6.Kristyn SWAFFER, 8.Sandra SCALZI (12.Tanya HARRISON 85’), 9.Stephanie TOKICH (7.Racheal QUIGLEY 46’), 10.Victoria BALOMENOS, 11.Sharon BLACK, 13.Leah ROBINSON, 17.April MANN (15.Lauren CHILVERS 69’)

Substitutes Not Used: 30.Kristi HARVEY (gk)

Yellow Cards: Sarah Amorim 68’, Sandra Scalzi 74’, Victoria Balomenos 76’
Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC line-up: 20.Nicole Deiter (gk), 2.Samantha SPACKMAN, 3.Danielle BROGAN, 4.Alesha CLIFFORD, 5.Lisa GILBERT, 6.Servet UZUNLAR, 8.Jo BURGESS (15.Jessica SEAMAN 65’), 10.Kylie LEDBROOK, 11.Michelle HEYMAN (16.Linda O’NEILL 53’), 17.Danielle SMALL (13.Loren MAHONEY 81’), 19.Leena KHAMIS

Substitutes Not Used: 14.Maggie ELHUSSEINI

Yellow Cards: Aleisha Clifford 83’
Red Cards: Nil

[slazenger]

Was a suprise, but a relief to see some recognition in the Advertiser today.

[Dr.D]

i think it was a great game and was very entertaining but i felt sorry for the poor adelaide girl i think number 13 who went down injured managed to roll off the pitch and was left there to sort hersef out...i think it was sad to see that not one person from the adelaide bench went around to see if she was ok when to me as a spectator it looked like she was clearly in some sort of pain or discomfort, but i must say congrats to her in getting up and continuing to play, she contributed well to the game...all in all congrats to the girls in a great win over sydney fc at the end of the day the deserved and wanted the 3 points more. congrats girls well in

she had a cramp! get over it she doesnt need her hand held because she has cramping which is expected at the end of a game! if she wasnt gd to go she wlda signalled to the bench. geeze this is pro league after all not mini league!

great game, ugly 2nd half but good all up. fantastic result. the black n swaffer show dominated n it was good to c vicki and blacky playing well together. scalz was red hot too!
good game, glad i got to see it, even tho it is the only game i get to see

Further to that, players cannot leave the technical area except to warm up and Trainers/Physios/Doctors etc can only enter the field of play at the invitation of the referee. This is the big time kyan, so no bending the rules on things like this...

[The Beaut Game]

Well done players, coaches and officials. Great result.

[John Cena]

the score was mentioned on safm this morning during the 8am news

[pvfc]

I thought the game was definitely an improvement on the Newcastle game, and there was a reasonable number of people there to see the game too.
All the girls need now is more 'promotion' before the game rather than after the event! Then we might see an even better crowd at the next game.

[John Cena]

was good to catch up pvfc

[adelaidepie]

In my opinon in regards to the girl that went down injured is that she went down with the injury. At one point it appeared that the ref signalled the Adelaide bench to come and attend, but when this happened it appeared the girl moved off the pitch so with some confused players standing around the throwin took place and the game continued.

The injuried player (whether it was cramp or whatever) then slowly stood up, stretched and then rejoined the game. I suppose Kyan's opinion, and I maybe wrong here is that they were surpirsed the trainer or someone from the Adelaide bench didn't start to make their way around to the injured player to ensure it was only 'cramp' and not a more serious injury.

In my opinion normally when a player goes down injured and then roles off the pitch 'someone' trainer, doctor or whoever normally would head around the pitch, so no need for the ref to allow them to attend the player to ensure no 'serious damage has taken place.

I as usual could be wrong with this but we don't want to end up with silly injuries. I suspect there was just some confusion between ref, player and training staff as I believe the Physio would always attend if needed from Adelaide.

Adelaidepie

[on the side]

I thought the game was definitely an improvement on the Newcastle game, and there was a reasonable number of people there to see the game too.All the girls need now is more 'promotion' before the game rather than after the event! Then we might see an even better crowd at the next game.

does anyone have approximate numbers on attendance?

[Karma10]

not to take the gloss off the win, coz was great adelaide beat them, but......sydney were under strength and missing their best player and captain.

[SAD GAL]

So it would suggest that Sydney may have won or drawn the game? Adelaide were lucky?

Hmmmm. Well the score stands.

not to take the gloss off the win, coz was great adelaide beat them, but......sydney were under strength and missing their best player and captain.

[Rodney]

I thought the game was definitely an improvement on the Newcastle game, and there was a reasonable number of people there to see the game too.All the girls need now is more 'promotion' before the game rather than after the event! Then we might see an even better crowd at the next game.

does anyone have approximate numbers on attendance?

618 - not to bad really - very enjoyable day out

[Leppskiii]

That's football.

[shorty]

love it how we win and u guys still go on about us.... get over it!!

just be happy that we are winning for our state

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

CONGRATTS GIRLS ON YAH SUCCSESS IN THE A-LEAGUE,

TOP OF THE LEAGUE OLEEEEEE...........

[SpazzTic]

Good work girls just gotta work on that goal difference cos they are equal first but due to goal difference they are 5th..

[paul merson]

not to take the gloss off the win, coz was great adelaide beat them, but......sydney were under strength and missing their best player and captain.

Stiff sh*t, they played the best team they had available.

So no you're not taking any gloss off the win.

[pvfc]

love it how we win and u guys still go on about us.... get over it!!

just be happy that we are winning for our state

I thought the game was definitely an improvement on the Newcastle game

I am very pleased that you girls won, especially against Sydney

[bennylava]

love it how we win and u guys still go on about us.... get over it!!

just be happy that we are winning for our state

its professional sport tbh, ppl are always gonna whinge, just gotta accept that tbh

[Easy Tiger]

Shorty is right, ppl should be happy the team wins and full stop.

But also need to accept ppl opinions I think. If you play there, you should be able to take the criticism.

Sometimes ppl say stuff not to criticise a player or offend her but just to say something. If you play with a crowd, then I guess the crowd will talk.

Like with the keeper thing...many goals were conceded and imo keeping was terrible. Now that doesn't mean that the keeper IS terrible. Sure there's a lot to work in the backline and many ppl thought that good players have been left out. Good players are out, if the ones who are there look bad then ppl are entitled to say what they want! Just ppl opinions! If you watch other wleague games on tv there are some embarrassments there too...

[deyy]

Shorty is right, ppl should be happy the team wins and full stop.

But also need to accept ppl opinions I think. If you play there, you should be able to take the criticism.

Sometimes ppl say stuff not to criticise a player or offend her but just to say something. If you play with a crowd, then I guess the crowd will talk.

Like with the keeper thing...many goals were conceded and imo keeping was terrible. Now that doesn't mean that the keeper IS terrible. Sure there's a lot to work in the backline and many ppl thought that good players have been left out. Good players are out, if the ones who are there look bad then ppl are entitled to say what they want! Just ppl opinions! If you watch other wleague games on tv there are some embarrassments there too...

Why is it always the backline or the keeper that needs work if a team concedes. Why dont the forwards or midfield need work for letting the ball get past them in the first place? Here it is the defenders + keeper vs midfield + strikers debate.

[Easy Tiger]

Yeah, that's right too, but certain mistakes are definitely made by individuals...If a striker misses an easy goal, does anyone say that the defenders could have supported her more??? If the ball gets to the keeper everyone is responsible, but if the keeper then drops it (just an example) it's not gonna be a strikers fault!

[gubs]

and if a long ball played forward into the path of the striker and the keeper fumbles it and it goes through their legs into the goals then they arent going to blame the strikers down the other end for not intercepting the long ball forward

[The Beaut Game]

I agree Deyy and Gubs

When I was helping out with younger players, I would always work with the GK where scores against them got them down. I said that you are the 11th player on the pitch. There are 10 other players who have at some stage missed the opportunity to stop the ball progressing towards goal. So if you want to blame somone, its really the team that concedes.

No wonder when players are young, no one wants to go in goals. My hat's off to those in Goals.