Brisbane

Sunday 4 February 2018

Brisbane Roar FC have claimed their third Westfield W-League Premiership following a thrilling final match day of the Westfield W-League 2017/18 season.

With Sydney FC kicking off their derby match against the Western Sydney Wanderers FC thirty minutes beforehand, Brisbane Roar FC knew going into their fixture against Canberra United that a win or a draw would guarantee them top spot on the ladder and the Premiers Plate. A Sydney FC win and Brisbane Roar FC loss would have handed the Premiers Plate to the Sky Blues.

Sydney FC applied the pressure early scoring three goals in the first half of courtesy of Chloe Logarzo, Caitlin Foord and Caitlin Cooper. Remy Siemson added Sydney FC’s fourth shortly after the start of the second half, but Brisbane Roar FC were up to the challenge scoring twice in their first stanza through Hayley Raso and Emily Gielnik. Sydney FC conceded a late goal, but got the three valuable points to keep them in contention. All they could do at full-time was pray for a late Canberra United fightback.

Unfortunately for Sydney FC, their prayers went unanswered. Abbey Lloyd scored Brisbane Roar’s third in the72nd minute goal, but Elise Thorsnes replied two minutes later with a goal to give Canberra United a slight glimmer of hope. Lloyd then doubled her tally in the 90th minute to seal a memorable 4-1 victory. Shortly after the full time whistle Brisbane Roar FC were presented with the Westfield W-League Premiers Plate by Greg O’Rourke, Head of Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League.

Sydney FC will now take their white hot form into next weekend’s Westfield W-League 2018 Semi Finals when they face the Newcastle Jets at Leichhardt Oval (Saturday, 10 February 2018) with Brisbane Roar FC hosting last season’s Champions Melbourne City FC at Perry Park the following day (Sunday 11 February 2018).

The winners of the two Semi Finals will meet in the Westfield W-League 2018 Grand Final on Sunday 18 February to determine this season’s champions.

Both Westfield W-League Semi-Finals will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 501 with SBS VICELAND broadcasting the Brisbane Roar FC v Melbourne City FC match live and the Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets match streamed via SBS – The World Game website (theworldgame.sbs.com.au) and App.

-ends-

Westfield W-League 2018 Finals Series – Week 1 Schedule

Date:                Saturday, 10 February 2018

Fixture:             Sydney FC (2) v Newcastle Jets (3)

Venue:              Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt, NSW

Kick-off Time:    4:45pm (local/AEDT)

Date:                Sunday, 11 February 2018

Fixture:              Brisbane Roar FC (1) v Melbourne City FC (4)

Venue:               Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD

Kick-off Time:   3:00pm (local) 4:00pm (AEDT)

Sydney, Australia

Thursday 25 January 2018

Football Federation Australia Chairman Steven Lowy AM and Chief Executive Officer David Gallop AM have congratulated Sam Kerr on behalf of the entire football community on being named Young Australian of the Year.

Steven Lowy said Kerr was a worthy recipient of the award because of the inspiration her behaviour on and off the pitch had given to tens of thousands of Australians, particularly young girls and boys.

“Sam epitomises all that is best about modern athletes,” Lowy said. “She possesses great skill and courage, she has developed her talents through years of hard work and dedication, she represents her country with pride and she is a great role model for others. On behalf of everyone in football, congratulations and well done.”

David Gallop said Kerr had battled injuries over the years to become one of the best female players on the planet. “Sam wins matches and entertains at the same time…she is a great entertainer.  And she will then sign autographs and take selfies with every single person who wants one. 

“She and the other Matildas are playing a leading role in the promotion of women’s sport.  The team is now ranked 4^th in the world and is a real chance to win the AFC Women’s Asia Cup in Asia.  This award will only help to inspire more girls and boys to follow their dreams.”

Sydney, Australia
Thursday, 25 January 2018

FIFA World Cup Final coach Bert Van Marwijk has been appointed Head Coach of the Caltex Socceroos for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Steven Lowy said the Dutch coach’s experience was the perfect blend for the Caltex Socceroos’ Russian campaign.

“This is a great result for Australian football,” said Lowy. “Bert Van Marwijk is world class. He took the Netherlands to the World Cup Final in 2010, he led the Saudi Arabian team to qualify directly for this year’s Finals and most importantly, he knows a lot about our team and how they play because he studied them closely as an opposition manager in the same group. These experiences make him a compelling choice.”

Lowy paid tribute to Ange Postecoglou, the support staff and especially the players for achieving qualification.

“We now go to Russia with a battle-hardened group of players and support staff who made it to the Finals by the toughest road possible. In Bert Van Marwijk we have a manager who can achieve great things with this team. And we will ensure they have the resources necessary to give them the highest level of preparation.”

FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop agreed terms with the former Netherlands national team coach in Amsterdam.

Speaking from Amsterdam, Gallop said: “Bert was our preferred candidate to take the Caltex Socceroos to the World Cup so we are delighted to have secured his services.

“We went through a thorough and disciplined process and used internal and external experts to build up a profile of the person who would be the best fit for the task in Russia. We had a number of outstanding coaches very interested in the role but Bert was at the top of our shortlist.”

Van Marwijk said he was honoured to be given the responsibility of taking the Caltex Socceroos to their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals.

“I know a lot about the players and how the team has been playing after coaching against them for the two World Cup qualifiers, in 2016 and in June last year.

“I have also been impressed by the national team set-up that the FFA has developed over the past few years.

“I want to thank Steven Lowy, David Gallop and (FFA’s Head of National Performance) Luke Casserly for the confidence they have shown in me.

“My response to them has been that we are not going to Russia just to be competitive. I want to win our matches.”

Arrangements for the Head Coach role of the Caltex Socceroos after the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be announced in the near future.

Sydney

Thursday 30 November 2017

Australian football star Sam Kerr has been named as the best female player in Asia at the annual Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand overnight.

Kerr was chosen as AFC’s Women’s Player of the Year ahead of DPR Korea forward Sung Hyang Sim, and Japanese defender Saki Kumagai. 
 

Speaking after receiving the award, Kerr was typically modest about her achievements: "This is the third time Australia have won the award and I think we are going in the right direction with women's football in Australia,” she said. “I am very proud to fly the flag for Australia. Individual awards are not important.

"It's been a good year for the clubs and the Matildas and my top memory on a personal level is breaking the record, and the award in the US which I will probably remember forever.

"My team mates are everything, like I said, without them it wouldn't be possible. My two clubs are my everything and hopefully in the future I will have success also with the national team."

The West Australian has set a new record in 2017 by scoring in her last six matches for the Westfield Matildas. Sam plays her club football in Australia for Perth Glory in the Westfield W-League and in the United States where she was the top goal scorer for Sky Blue FC in the National Women’s Soccer League this season.

Sydney

Thursday 23 November 2017

The accolades keep coming for football superstar Sam Kerr, with the Westfield Matildas ace last night named as Western Australia’s 2018 Young Australian of the Year moments after she scored two stunning goals in Australia’s 3-0 international friendly win over China PR in Melbourne.

Kerr, who resides in Fremantle and plays for Perth Glory in the Westfield W-League, will now represent Western Australia at the 2018 Australian of the Year awards ceremony in Canberra on January 25, 2018.

Recognition as WA’s Young Australian of the Year adds yet another honour to Kerr’s list of recent accomplishments, with the 24-year-old having enjoyed a record-breaking year at both club and international level.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Steven Lowy AM, today congratulated Kerr on her latest award, and explained that the Glory gun could add more silverware to her growing collection next week in Bangkok.

“On behalf of Australia’s football family, I would like to congratulate Sam Kerr for being named Western Australia’s 2018 Young Australian of the Year,” said Lowy.

“Sam’s brilliant performances on the pitch in 2017, combined with her humble approach off it, means that she is truly deserving of every honour that comes her way.

“Sam could become the third Australian player in the last four years to win the AFC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award when the annual AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Awards are held in Thailand next week,” concluded Lowy.

FFA’s Head of Women’s, Football Development, and Community Football, Emma Highwood, said Kerr and the Westfield Matildas are currently inspiring young girls and boys around the country to be involved with football.

“The Westfield Matildas claimed their sixth straight win in international competition in front of nearly 11,000 fans at AAMI Park on Wednesday night,” said Highwood.

“While Sam Kerr was central to the action, the efforts of the whole team on the field during the match and following the game to acknowledge the crowd ensured that supporters went home happy.

“The Westfield Matildas will play China PR again this Sunday, and we’re sure that another healthy crowd will venture to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong to support one of Australia’s most exciting and engaging national teams,” concluded Highwood.

Tickets for Sunday’s international friendly between the Westfield Matildas and China PR at GMBHA Stadium in Geelong can be purchased at www.matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets.

Kick-off on Sunday is at 4.30pm (AEDT) and the match will be broadcast LIVE on both FOX SPORTS and SBS VICELAND.

Sydney

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has resigned from his role with the national team.

Postecoglou met with Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Steven Lowy and Chief Executive Officer David Gallop yesterday just days after leading the Caltex Socceroos to a place at next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

He said while he appreciated the total support he had been given by FFA and the offer to discuss a contract extension beyond the World Cup, the time had come to move on.

“This has been a very tough decision for me,” he said.  “It has been a privilege for me to coach my country’s national team, to lead them at the 2014 World Cup, to win the Asian Cup in 2015 and now to have qualified for the World Cup next year.  I said we would do it and we have done it.

"All this however, has taken a toll on me both personally and professionally. I have invested all I can knowing how important a period it was for Australian football. It is with a heavy heart that I must now end the journey. 

"To coach your own country is the greatest privilege but it also has enormous responsibility. I feel now is the right time to pass on that responsibility to someone who will have the energy it requires. I owe this to the FFA, the players and the fans. I look forward to watching the team take on the World next year. I have no doubt that road ahead will have many special moments and no one will be happier than me watching and cheering from afar," concluded Postecoglou.

Steven Lowy said he and David Gallop were disappointed by the decision but respected Postecoglou’s reasons for leaving.

“Like all Socceroos fans, we hoped Ange would stay on to the World Cup and maybe beyond.  He has done an outstanding job and has always had our total support,” Lowy said. “We wish him well for the future.”

David Gallop said it was hard to think of the World Cup without Postecoglou leading the team. “It’s going to take some getting used to, especially for the players and the national team staff,” he said. “But we always knew this day would come eventually and we have been doing succession planning over the past year.

“We will not rush this process.  The Socceroos will not play again until March next year at the earliest so we have time to conduct a thorough process.  With a guaranteed place in the World Cup, I am sure we will attract a strong field of candidates.”

Ange Postecoglou Caltex Socceroos Coaching Record

First Match:  19‐11‐2013 Costa Rica (Sydney)

Last Match: 15‐11‐2017 Honduras (Sydney)

Total Number of Matches: 49

Wins: 22

Draws: 12

Losses: 15