Welcome to A-Leagues Alumni: A weekly piece that keeps you up to date with the best stories from our products flying the flag abroad. The acronyms of the A-Leagues club(s) each player has represented are in brackets after their name.
A-Leagues legend announces retirement live on TV to become a plumber
Larissa Crummer (SYD, BRI, MCY, NEW) is retiring from football at the age of just 28.
The Matildas veteran made the sensational announcement after SK Brann lost to Spanish juggernaut Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
After Brann’s historic run to the last eight, the three-time A-Leagues champion said she will return home to Australia to spend time with her wife and kids, and become a plumber.
“It is actually my last match ever. I have actually decided to retire. It was quite an emotional finish,” she told Norwegian outlet Bergens Tidende, having made the announcement live on TV.
“When I was thanking the fans, it got very emotional. I am happy to finish here on such a high in a quarter-final in the Champions League.
“I think it’s everyone’s dream to play in these kind of finals and I’m glad I made the decision to come here and play for Brann.”
Crummer added: “I’ve given 28 years to football, so it’s just time to switch it ’round and be a good mum and be there for the family for once.
“It definitely wasn’t an easy decision. They have put me first for so long, now I think it is time that I finally put them first.
“With the two little ones being as young as they are, I’m missing a lot. I just can’t wait to be home and finally be part of the family again.
“I’m home for Easter and it’s something I haven’t celebrated with my family, I don’t think, ever. I’ve been away so it’s something I’m really looking forward to.
“[I’m] straight back into work when I get back on Wednesday, so back into it.”
Big news for Aussie duo in WSL
Remy Siemsen (SYD, WSW) and Courtney Nevin (WSW, MVC) have a new head coach, albeit temporarily, at Leicester City following the dismissal of Willie Kirk.
Leicester parted with Kirk on Thursday following an investigation which decided the Scotsman breached the Women’s Super League (WSL) club’s code of conduct, and while the Foxes did not comment as to why he departed, there were allegations of a relationship with a player.
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Kirk had originally been suspended prior to the March 9 (AEDT) Women’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool amid allegations the former Everton boss was in a relationship with one of his Leicester players.
“Leicester City Football Club can confirm that Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position as LCFC Women Manager,” a statement read.
“Following an extensive internal disciplinary process and respecting the club’s obligations to individual privacy, Willie was determined to have breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable.
“Established and implemented ahead of the start of the current season, the code forms part of the club’s ongoing commitment to professionalising the women’s game since the takeover of LCFC Women in 2020, promoting a performance-led culture among players, coaches and technical staff.
“First Team responsibilities for LCFC Women will continue to be led by Jennifer Foster, supported by Stephen Kirby, while the club begins the process of appointing a new permanent manager.”
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Assistant coach Jennifer Foster has been appointed on the interim and she oversaw a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on the weekend, which saw CommBank Matildas forward Siemsen as an unused substitute.
Nevin was absent due to a hip injury that forced her to miss out on the CommBank Matildas squad to face Mexico during this international window.
“I said that before the game, I think it was always going to be a good battle between the two sides,” Foster stated. “They had their moments and we had ours.
“I actually think that we deserved the win with some of our chances at times, but I’m sure they’ll say the same thing, so overall a good contest.
“It showed great character from the team to come from a goal down and it’s nothing short of what we expect but it was disappointing to lose a goal and drop two points. We know you can’t leave [Rachel] Daly free in the box and sadly we have.”
Elsewhere, Matildas star Mary Fowler (ADL) provided a pair of assists as Manchester City moved top of the WSL table by easing past Teagan Micah‘s Liverpool 4-1.
Fowler was in the starting XI again for City as she made it three assists in three matches.
“I’m really happy. I think everyone’s just on the same page, wanting to get the win and our goals tally up,” Fowler told Sky Sports. “Any way I’m able to help I’m happy to be able to do that.”
Fellow Australian Alanna Kennedy (SYD, NEW, WSW, PER, MCY) was at the heart of the team’s defence to help the club move three points clear of Chelsea, who were competing for Conti Cup honours over the weekend. Micah (BRI, WSW, MVC, MCY) was on the bench for Liverpool.
Mackenzie Arnold (PER, CBR, WSW, BRI) kept a clean sheet as West Ham were held to a 0-0 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion, while Clare Wheeler‘s (NEW, SYD) Everton lost 4-1 at Manchester United.
Matildas trio lift trophy as coaches’ spat mars triumph
Steph Catley (MVC, MCY), Caitlin Foord (CCM, SYD, PER) and Kyra Cooney-Cross (MVC, WSW) got their hands on silverware after Arsenal overcame London rivals Chelsea 1-0 in an absorbing Conti Cup final.
All three CommBank Matildas came off the bench in the second half as Arsenal – who will take on the A-League Women All Stars in an historic May showdown in Melbourne – successfully defended their crown against the reigning WSL champions.
For Catley and Foord, it was their second successive Conti Cup trophy, while it was Cooney-Cross’ first trophy since joining Arsenal in September last year.
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But the blockbuster showdown in front of a record crowd in Birmingham was marred by a post-game spat between Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall and Chelsea counterpart Emma Hayes.
After Arsenal denied Chelsea a possible quadruple of the WSL, FA Cup, Conti Cup and UEFA Women’s Champions League honours, Hayes shoved Eidevall as the pair went to shake hands.
“I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline,” Hayes told a post-match news conference.
“I think it’s absolutely essential that we role-model in the right way. I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline. Fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable.
“I’m disappointed, and I told Jonas that. I don’t think it’s OK to behave like that. He got a yellow card and in fact he should have probably been sent off.
“I’m all for competing to win. I’ve never been booked in 12 years, my time here. I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win, but his behaviour on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.”
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Eidevall told reporters: “Arsenal wanted it to be played with a multi-ball system, Chelsea wanted it to be played with a one-ball system. Therefore, the final was played with a one-ball system.
“The ball gets kicked away, and Chelsea wants to take a new ball to throw a quick throw-in, and I said, ‘You guys wanted to play with one ball, now we need to get that ball.’
“Of course, Erin is not happy over that. I didn’t say anything more in that situation.”
On Hayes’ behaviour, Eidevall added: “I think there is definitely a way you behave in the technical area. There is also a way you behave after the game, being a good winner, but you also need to be a good loser and be responsible in both those situations.
“I’m happy with the way I conduct myself, and others need to look in the mirror and see if they’re happy with themselves.”
Matilda treated to on-field shower after 98th-minute winner
Emily van Egmond (NEW, CBR, WSW, MCY) Was the hero for San Diego Wave, who edged Seattle Reign 1-0.
After dropping their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) opener, the Wave bounced back thanks to Van Egmond and her dramatic 98th-minute winner over the weekend.
After her match-winning display, the Australian was given a soggy surprise by her teammates during a live TV interview.
“I think we have been hungry this week in training and obviously didn’t get the three points last week against Kansas [City Current],” Van Egmond said before her team-mates poured water over her head.
She then continued: “Yeah, just a great team performance, the girls have worked hard. Monkey’s off our back now and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Van Egmond and Kaitlyn Torpey (BRI, MCY) were both 58th-minute substitutes.
Aussie makes long-awaited return
Ryan Strain (ADL) was back in action over the weekend, in a boost for his club side St Mirren and the Socceroos.
Strain had been sidelined since November after suffering a groin injury while playing for the Socceroos.
However, the 26-year-old full-back made his long-awaited comeback – starting St Mirren’s 1-1 draw away to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, while Keanu Baccus (WSW) came off the bench.
“It was amazing,” Strain told St Mirren TV. “It’s tough when you are injured but being back with the lads all day was great for me and I can’t wait for the next match.
“It’s been a long four months but it was really good to get 45 minutes under my belt.
“I’ve come off a long injury so I have to get my fitness back and hopefully I can play longer next time out. You can run as much as you want in training but match fitness is big so I can’t wait to get more games under my belt and get back to it.”
Strain added: “My body feels good, it feels strong.
“I’ve been doing a lot of gym work. Credit to Gerry [Docherty] and Gary [McColl] who have put in the work with me. As I said, I can’t wait to play more games and get my match fitness up.
“I don’t think we played our best but it’s a point towards the top six. It’s a tough place to come so we take the point and go into Hearts confident.”
Elsewhere, Nectar Triantis (WSW, CCM) was at the centre of some friendly fire in Hibernian’s 3-1 loss to Scottish giants Rangers.
Triantis was again playing in midfield, while Adam Le Fondre (SYD) led the line for Hibs and as he attempted to take a quick free-kick, the former A-Leagues sensation took out two of his teammates in a hilarious moment.
Nathaniel Atkinson (MCY), Kye Rowles (BRI, CCM) and Cam Devlin (SYD, WEL, NEW) all came off the bench in Hearts’ 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock.
Elsewhere abroad…
Mitch Langerak (MVC) and Nagoya Grampus got the better of Harry Kewell (MVC, MCY) and Yokohama F.Marinos in dramatic circumstances.
A thunderous 92nd-minute free-kick lifted Nagoya to a 2-1 win in the J1 League, while condemning Kewell’s F.Marinos to their second league defeat in four games, having reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals.
Kewell was left fuming before Nagoya equalised in the second half as he attempted to make a double substitution, with his side down to 10 men.
F.Marinos – runners-up last season under Kevin Muscat having won the league in 2022 – are 11th and seven points off the pace, though they have a game in hand.
Mitch Duke (CCM, WSW) was a late substitute as surprise leaders Machida Zelvia were 3-1 winners against Sagan Tosu.
Peter Cklamovski (ADL, PER, MVC) and his FC Tokyo lost 3-0 to Kawasaki Frontale after having a player sent off.
Aivi Luik (BRI, PER, MCY) played 45 minutes before succumbing to injury as BK Hacken reached the Svenska Cup final courtesy of a dramatic 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Hammarby.
In France, Ellie Carpenter (WSW, CBR, MCY) completed the full match as defending champions and leaders Lyon accounted for Le Havre 3-0 in Division 1 Feminine.
Kevin Muscat (MVC) and his Shanghai Port remain unbeaten after seeing off Henan 3-1 in the Chinese Super League. The defending champions are third and two points adrift of top spot.
Mat Ryan (CCM) kept a clean sheet for AZ Alkmaar in their 2-0 triumph against Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie.
In Germany’s 2.Bundesliga, Jackson Irvine (MVC) had an assist as league-leading St Pauli trumped Paderborn 2-1 in a game which saw Connor Metcalfe (MCY) also play 83 minutes.
Sammy Silvera (NEW, CCM) was a late substitute for Middlesbrough in their 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Hayley Raso (CBR, BRI, MVC) saw out the full 90 minutes in second-placed Real Madrid’s 2-0 Liga F success against Villarreal.
Craig Goodwin (NEW, MCY, ADL) claimed an assist in Al Wehda’s 3-2 loss to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League, while Dimitri Petratos (BRI, NEW) scored in Mohun Bagan’s 3-2 defeat to Chenaiyin in the Indian Super League.
