The A-League All Stars Women fell to a slender 1-0 defeat to English giants Arsenal on Friday night, with England international Alessia Russo’s first-half header the difference at Marvel Stadium.
The home side fought valiantly in the inaugural women’s A-League All Stars fixture but Russo’s moment of quality was enough to secure victory for Arsenal on a night when three Matildas – Kyra Cooney-Cross, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord – played from the start for the Women’s Super League side.
Substitute Arsenal keeper Naomi Williams produced a pair of impressive saves to deny Melbourne City duo Hannah Wilkinson and Rhianna Pollicina late in the game as Arsenal held their 1-0 lead to the full-time whistle.
A crowd of 42,120 was on hand for the All Stars showcase, first watching the All Stars Men trounce Newcastle United 8-0 before Arsenal claimed bragging rights in the women’s fixture.
Post-game, Arsenal and Matildas star Catley, whose career began in the Liberty A-League, expressed how, after a home World Cup in 2023, Friday night’s showcase event highlighted the advancements made in women’s football throughout her career.
“This is an experience that, on top of a home World Cup, I think I never would’ve anticipated in my football career when I first started,” Catley said.
“To see the crowd, to see all the Aussie supporters getting behind a team like us at Arsenal, and being able to play on home soil is very, very special, and a night I won’t forget.”
Matildas legend Melissa Barbieri watched all the action unfold pitchside as an analyst on Network 10, and echoed Catley’s sentiments about the enormity of the occasion at Marvel Stadium.
“I think it’s a credit to everybody that’s shown up tonight, and everybody who comes out to all the games in the A-League Women’s,” Barbieri said.
“We broke attendance records, we broke streaming records… the massive amount of time the players give back, that’s because we’re grateful. We’re grateful for everything that has come to us – but we know there’s so much more to go.”
Cortnee Vine was a dangerous outlet for the All Stars in the first half, and engaged in an enthralling battle with Arsenal’s Katie McCabe down the right wing. Vine created the All Stars’ best chance of the opening 45 with a dangerous delivery into the box that only just evaded the head of Michelle Heyman, and cleared away by the visitors.
Arsenal had the bulk of possession although the two sides split the chances evenly in the first half, taking three shots apiece. But the Women’s Super League outfit broke the deadlock five minutes before the break, when Alessia Russo angled Vivienne Lia’s cross into the bottom-right corner with a clinical header.
A special moment unfolded soon after Arsenal’s opener as CommBank Matildas legend and All Stars keeper Lydia Williams was substituted to rapturous applause.
Williams has announced her imminent international retirement, planned for the conclusion of Australia’s upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign, and her withdrawal from the action gave the Melbourne crowd the chance to get up on their feet and salute one of best to do it in the Liberty A-League, and the green and gold of the Matildas.
Post-game, Williams expressed her gratitude to the Marvel Stadium crowd for the standing ovation she received.
“It’s a credit to see how far women’s football has come in this country and to have quality opposition come out and showcase their quality, and then also what we produce in Australia, I think it’s really special,” Williams said.
“It’s amazing, seeing worldwide how much everyone’s wrapped their arms around women’s football is so incredible. We were playing (in front of) maybe a thousand people watching us back when I was starting. Now this is just a club friendly, and all of a sudden we pack it out. It’s just awesome.”
Chances began to mount for Arsenal in the second half, and Matildas star Caitlin Foord came close shortly after the hour mark with a shot from inside the box, but she failed to keep the ball down as it flew over the crossbar.
The All Stars mounted an attack soon after and substitute Rhianna Pollicina was on the end of it. The Melbourne City star struck first-time from the edge of the area but Arsenal goalkeeper Naomi Williams got across to make a save.
Foord and Kathrine Kühl kept up the Arsenal offensive as full-time drew near. The former curled a long-range effort into Jada Whyman’s clutches and the All Stars’ substitute keeper was then called into another save when Kühl made a late run into the box to meet an inviting pass in free space.
One last chance presented to the All Stars in the final minute of regular time and it was the home side’s best of the night. Melbourne City striker Hannah Wilkinson was sent through on goal and went eye-to-eye with Naomi Williams, but her left-footed effort was parried away by the Arsenal keeper as the visitors held on to win 1-0 at Marvel Stadium.
