9 W-League players to watch.
We’ve picked nine talented players lighting up the W-League, including a handful who will soon be on their way to Jordan.
In April the Matildas will be going for glory at the 2018 AFC Women’s Asia Cup in Jordan, but right now the Westfield W-League – for which Hyundai is an official partner – keeps going from strength to strength!
We’ve picked nine talented players lighting up the W-League, including a handful who will soon be on their way to Jordan.
ALEXANDRA CHIDIAC – ADELAIDE UNITED
At just 19 years of age, Chidiac seems to have the football world at her skilful feet. In 2017 the talented Reds No. 10 and Young Matildas vice-captain was voted the country’s best female under-21 player by her peers at the Professional Footballers Australia awards.
ASHLEIGH SYKES – CANBERRA UNITED
When fully fit, Sykes delivers goals, goals and more goals, with her sharp shooting frequently featuring among the post-match and season highlights. The prolific striker won last season’s W-League golden boot award for the top scorer with 12 goals, and has now formed a thrilling strike partnership with former golden boot winner Michelle Heyman.
EMILY VAN EGMOND – NEWCASTLE JETS
With more than seven years’ experience in the Australian national team, Van Egmond thrives under the pressure of the big occasion. Operating with great composure in both attack and defence, the tireless box-to-box midfielder dictates the pace of the game and frustrates the opposition with her tenacity, tackling and technical ability.
KATRINA GORRY – BRISBANE ROAR
Gorry is the key component in the Roar machine – that rare type of talent who helps those around her play better. Gorry specialises in driving her team forward with superb vision and crisp passing, but the playmaker also makes a habit of popping up to score match-winning goals.
MARLOUS PIEETE – WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
The highly regarded Netherlands international has quickly impressed Australian football fans since her arrival from the Dutch Eredivisie, where she spent a decade terrorising defenders for Twente and Ajax. Pieete possesses dangerous speed down the flanks and the creativity to set up teammates or score herself.
NATASHA DOWIE – MELBOURNE VICTORY
Dowie is a dynamic English striker who has dominated W-League defenses for the past few seasons and scored five goals in 14 senior international appearances throughout her career. The 29-year-old has built a big reputation for scoring important goals in pressure situations with her combination of force wand finesse.
PRINCESS IBINI – SYDNEY FC
The younger sister of former A-League star Bernie Ibini, Princess has quickly emerged as one the W-League’s most outstanding young talents. Despite only just turning 18, she has already represented Australia at both junior and senior level. Watch for Ibini’s blistering speed and direct attacking style.
SAM KERR – PERTH GLORY
There’s no denying Kerr’s status as a bona fide W-League and international women’s football superstar. At 24 the Matildas forward has taken her game to another level following a hugely successful stint in the US National Women’s Soccer League. Kerr boasts a world-class goal-scoring record for both club and country.
YUKARI KINGA – MELBOURNE CITY
A true legend of the game, Kinga’s amazing achievements include winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup and claiming an Olympic silver medal with Japan. After an impressive first season in the W-League with Canberra United, the 33-year-old defensive midfielder now dominates the centre of the pitch for Melbourne City.