Melbourne City head coach Michael Matricciani spoke glowingly of captain Rebekah Stott after the inspirational captain marked her history-making appearance with a goal in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
City – already through to March’s quarter-finals – made it three wins from three matches in the inaugural Champions League with a 4-0 rout of Filipino champions Kaya FC-Iloilo on Saturday.
The Group B showdown in Thailand represented Stott’s 100th appearance for City – the most in the Ninja A-League team’s history and the 31-year-old capped the occasion with a goal after Mariana Speckmaier had broken the deadlock.
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Stott’s goal was part of a devastating 10-minute period which yielded three goals as Lourdes Bosch also found the back of the net before the American made it 4-0 prior to half-time.
At the end of the match, Matricciani hailed New Zealand star Stott.
“The motivation was extremely high. We had one of our players, our captain Stotty playing her 100th game for the club. A great milestone for her,” he told reporters.
“The first female player ever to play 100 matches for Melbourne City. A huge congratulations for her and we wanted to make sure we sent her match off in a positive.
“On her personal note, to be able to score as a centre-back as well from a set-piece is excellent.
“Overall that was a huge motivation. Obviously we want to win every match but to do her proud and the legacy she’s lead through this club and won so many trophies. Hopefully there’s plenty more to come from her.”
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Matricciani added: “From day one when I signed for the club, from the first conversations I’ve had, she’s only welcomed me with open arms.
“She’s been a great support and she’s an excellent leader off the pitch. We and fans all see her on the pitch but what she does off the pitch is even more special than what happens on it.
“She leads by example. That’s why she’s our captain. An excellent person which is even more important. The girls follow her lead and hopefully that continues.”
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Reigning premiers City will kick-off their 2024-25 Ninja A-League campaign against Perth Glory on November 3 before hosting their Champions League quarter-final in March.
“The positive and the objective of the team was to finish top, which we have,” Matricciani said.
“So we have a home final which will be an advantage for us. Over the course of the next three or four months before that match is played, we’re only going to get better.
“I’m really excited to see where we can go with this tournament. We still have a couple of injured players back home plus maybe another potential foreigner who we might sign.
“I think our squad will be stronger. For us as a team, we are only going to get better.”
