When Western Sydney Wanderers striker Leena Khamis went bearing down on goal in the Westfield W-League against Canberra United on Friday evening, the last thing she was expecting was to get crunched by the opposition goalkeeper, especially by her younger sister.
But that is exactly what happened.
Family ties counted for nothing as Canberra stopper Sham Khamis raced off her line and put in a determined challenge to protect her goal, with the game delicately balanced at 0-0.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper showed all is fair in love and war, particularly in a crucial clash where three points were still very much at stake.
A win for Wanderers would kick-start their 2018/19 campaign, while for Canberra it would provide some precious breathing space as they look to consolidate a place in the top four.
READ: Centurion Khamis immense in Wanderers’ fight back
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS: Western Sydney Wanderers v Canberra United
Copping a heavy challenge from her younger sister was probably not what Leena had in mind to celebrate her 100th Westfield W-League appearance, although she got her own back by scoring Wanderers’ opening goal on 64 minutes, after Sham had palmed out an effort from Elizabeth Addo.
But don’t all siblings have the occasional tiff from time to time?
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Thankfully, the sisters are still the best of buddies following the 2-2 draw, with Sham posting this touching tribute to her sister Leena.
Nothing like a bit of sibling rivalry.
Nagasato off the mark in heavy defeat
When Brisbane Roar’s Yuki Nagasato received a delicate through ball from Allira Toby 25 minutes into Sunday’s clash with Sydney FC, there was only ever going to be one outcome
The classy Japan international had the poise to cushion the ball with her first touch, before rounding an onrushing Aubrey Bledsoe to score.
In the blink of an eye, Nagasato had turned a half chance into a goal and brought her team back into the game at 1-1.
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Four second half goals from their opponents may have dampened Roar’s delight, but the Queensland club’s fans had every right to be excited when their club announced the signing of Nagasato in October.
The 31-year-old boasts an incredible CV with club and country, most notably having won the UEFA Champions League with German side 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam in 2010, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup the following year. She followed up with a runners-up medal in the same competition four years later.
Nagasato arrived at Brisbane having also played in Europe for 1.FFC Frankfurt, VfL Wolfsburg and Chelsea FC, and for USA side Chicago Red Fire in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Though the result was not what Brisbane fans would have wanted, they can take consolation that Nagasato is off the mark and ready to keep firing.
Happy hundred for Williams
Leena Khamis was not the only centurion taking to the field in the Westfield W-League this week.
The ever-reliable Melbourne City No.1 Lydia Williams also brought up her 100th league appearance – and she marked the occasion in fine style.
Congratulations to @lydsaussie who is set to join a select few in the elusive 100-game milestone club when we take on the Jets this afternoon. 💯🙌 #NEWvMCY pic.twitter.com/bTxzCpGplr
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 8, 2018
It does not get much better than a 3-1 victory on the road that takes your team to within a point of the Westfield W-League top four.
The Westfield Matildas goalkeeper certainly played her part, helping Melbourne City maintain their 2-1 lead over the Newcastle Jets at a crucial part of an entertaining game.
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In the 71st minute, Jets’s Taylor Smith found herself in the box on the end of a Katie Stengel through ball. The United States international let fly and forced a finger-tip save out of Williams.
That stop would pay dividends moments later, when Jasmyne Spencer cut in on her right foot and fired a rocket past Britt Eckerstrom to give City a 3-1 lead.
Williams’s journey began 10 years ago when she made her debut for Canberra United in Round 1 of the Westfield W-League in 2008/09.
While that match ended in a 2-1 loss to Newcastle Jets, it marked the beginning of an incredible career that has taken the 30-year-old to Sweden and the United States as well as earning more than 70 caps for Australia.
Kerr and Latsko go shot-for-shot
All the talk heading into the Round 6 curtain raiser of the Westfield W-League surrounded Perth Glory’s trio of Sam Kerr, Alyssa Mautz and Rachel Hill as they faced Adelaide United.
And rightly so – the trio had contributed 11 of Perth’s 13 goals prior to Thursday’s head-to-head at Marden Sports Complex.
Two more goals were added to that tally against Adelaide thanks to Kerr’s brace, assisted by Mautz and Hill respectively.
Kerr’s first goal was put on a plate courtesy of a pin-point cross from Mautz on the right flank after 40 minutes.
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If that showed the deadly partnership was still in place, Hill’s assist seven minutes later was truly something to savour.
From the right flank, the American spotted Kerr making a run in behind and found her with the set-up of the round. The ball travelled almost 50 metres, hit so sweetly as it flew through the air and straight onto Kerr’s chest. The Australia striker made the rest look easy.
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At the other end, Veronica Latsko has so far flown under the radar this season, despite bagging four goals in five games.
The 23-year-old’s first strike against Glory showed her strength as she latched onto a sumptuous through ball from Amber Brooks and eased the defender off the ball to score.
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Then, as the game was edging to a 2-1 loss for Adelaide, Latsko showed her composure to fire home her second.
Brooks’s header from a corner bounced off the left upright and into the path of Latsko. In a game which had seen a couple of earlier chances go begging, the Adelaide United forward calmed herself to salvage a point for the Reds with 11 minutes remaining.
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And what a point it was, keeping United within touching distance of ladder leaders Melbourne Victory who had a bye.
