Competition for spots in Canberra United’s squad for the 2009/10 Westfield W-League season became a little more fierce this week with three Chinese Taipei internationals touching down in the capital for trials.
Tseng Shu O, Wang Hsiang Huei and Lin Chiung Ying will be in Canberra for the next three weeks, all with the aim of securing a position with the grand finalists as the upcoming season gains momentum.
“We-re very fortunate to have these three Chinese Taipei internationals, all of whom want to come to Canberra United to trial for spot in the team,” Canberra United head coach Ray Junna said.
“You can see in the way they move and their technique is very sound, they-re very good players.”
Last season-s key players Caitlin Munoz and Amy Chapman are both unavailable for this season-s campaign following knee operations.
Chapman was unable to see out the Grand Final last year, substituted at half time, after injuring her knee in the week leading up to the decider while Munoz required a knee operation after aggravating a previous injury in Round One against the Newcastle Jets.
With two midfielders and a defender trialing, the international interest could help in filling the void left by the injured players.
According to Junna, the international trialists will benefit his side regardless of whether they-re signed or not.
“Even if they aren-t signed, their time over here will be really beneficial to the squad because it will force everyone to step up.”
“This will be an opportunity for local talent to step up and prove that they-re capable of playing in the national league.”
“Competition on the training paddock is really healthy because in the end we-ll have a very strong and competitive team on the park for match days.”
