Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League forward Emma Kete is relishing the thought of playing FA Women’s Super League club Chelsea Ladies FC.
Sydney FC-s Westfield W-League forward Emma Kete is relishing the thought of playing FA Women-s Super League club Chelsea Ladies FC in the semi- final of the mobcast International Women-s Club Championship on Wednesday (kick off 8:30pm AEDT).
Kete, who scored the winning goal in the Sky Blues opening round victory over NTV Beleza, said that the whole squad is looking forward to the match and that the girls have high hopes leading into the clash against the European heavyweights.
“Everyone-s really excited,” Kete said.
“We-re feeling pretty confident about our performance a couple of days ago but we know it-s going to be a tough game.”
Chelsea FC boasts a range of international players who have won accolades across Europe and the United States of America.
One of their players, Yuki Ogimi, is a World Cup winner with Japan and holds winners medals from the UEFA Women-s Champions League as well as the Bundesliga Golden Boot, while US International Alie Thorn has joined the squad on loan after winning the US National Women-s Soccer League.
Kete feels the Sky Blues are well equipped to deal with these threats and stressed that in any team there are always going to be stand out players in opposing squads.
“There are always individuals that are more threatening than others,” Kete said.
“We-ll just keep marks on them. You just have to be strong and ready to play them but it-s a great opportunity to measure up against world class players,” she continued.
Chelsea Ladies FC are currently not in season and have recently signed six new players and Kete feels these factors will give the Sky Blue-s an edge over their English opposition.
“We-ve been together for a while, while some of their players have just arrived,” said Kete.
“Some of their internationals came straight from the countries that they were playing in, so I think we-ll be a little bit more gelled.
“It-s always easier when you-re in season and have played a few games and had a few good wins. We-re fresh from our game so I think that-s an advantage for us, but they-re still a really tough team.”
Sydney FC-s women will have some inside knowledge on their opposition courtesy of the Sky Blue-s English striker Jodie Taylor.
Kete said Taylor, who played for Birmingham City against Chelsea FC in the 2012 Women-s FA Cup Final, has been helping the girls prepare for the match by giving advice about how Chelsea play.
“Jodie has been giving us quite a few pointers actually,” Kete said.
“We-ve also watched a few of the matches and in that respect I think we might be a little bit more prepared than them.
“We know what to expect whereas they might be a bit surprised. We-re quite familiar with the shape they play and we know their personnel and their strengths and weaknesses. We know how we can expose them and how they can be a threat.
“With the time difference and the fact that we-ve been here for a few extra days, we-ve played in the conditions and on the field, I think that we have a little bit of an advantage there.”
Meanwhile Sydney FC-s Westfield W-League game against Western Sydney Wanderers this Sunday at WIN Stadium, Wollongong has been postponed with the club winning through to the final stages of the International Women-s Club Championship. A new date and venue is yet to be set.
The Sydney FC Foxtel National Youth League match against Melbourne Heart set down for the same venue on Sunday remains unaffected with kick-off at 2.15pm.
Sydney FC W-League Memberships are now on sale from the Sydney FC website or by calling 02 8314 5101.
Membership is priced at $80 or $55 for existing Sydney FC Members and provides access to all home games, including the double header at Allianz Stadium, plus exclusive Sydney FC W-League Merchandise.
