Sydney FC return to winning ways with a typically attacking win over locals rivals Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday with Leena Khamis named player of the match.
Sydney FC return to winning ways with a typically attacking win over locals rivals Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday with Leena Khamis named player of the match.
One of the Westfield W-League-s all-time top goalscorers, Khamis this year has been switched to midfield and made every post a winner with a string of impressive displays.
The Sky Blues yesterday became the highest goalscorers in a single season and their midfield trio have been an integral part of their relentless attacking play.
Sydney FC have the chance to top the regular season ladder next weekend in a potentially epic home encounter with Canberra United, ahead of the upcoming finals series.
It must have been an interesting afternoon for you against the Wanderers with the team back to winning ways, getting on the scoresheet in your local stadium and beating your local rivals many of whom you know so well?
There is always a rivalry with the Sydney derby with so many players we know so well. I have played at Campbelltown a few times now but it is always great to play on my local ground in front of friends and family.
And a rare chance to play with your little sister Sham yesterday too….
I played with my sister just once before this season, but for sure it was really special moment for my whole family.
How was the team feeling after the first loss of the season last Wednesday against Canberra?
No one likes to lose, especially travelling down to Canberra midweek. We will take that one on the chin for now but in means we are even more ready for this week-s game up here.
Did you ever think you would find yourself playing in midfield?
No I didn-t. In pre-season I was playing up front. We got a couple of injuries and I filled in, and I ended up playing there in Japan (at the International Women-s Club Championship). It is different but I-m really enjoying the role actually.
What are some of the differences you have had to adapt to?
You see a lot more of the ball which I like. And you have to be more disciplined in defence and think about two roles, not just attacking. There is definitely a lot more running (laughs). It is an attacking midfield role really, so I still get the chance to get forward and maybe score some goals.
As of yesterday the team is the highest scoring in a single season of the W-League, so it seems the midfield is doing something right in terms of creating goalscoring opportunities?
Credit to our strikers, but in fact credit to the whole team. We have had many different goalscorers.
Our front three, midfielders, defenders and even subs have come on to score. We work a lot on combination play at training and attacking moves.
Staj (Coach Alen Stajcic) is an attacking coach and what we have been doing in training is really coming off this season. You can see with someone like Jodie Taylor, who has only come into this the team this year, that we have great combinations and teamwork amongst us.
Three big games coming up for you to win and retain the championship. How confident is the team?
You can-t be too confident because it is always a big game no matter who you play. The top four are all great teams in their own right.
Who is the toughest opponent you have played this year?
Hmm, probably the Brisbane midfield. They are pretty much the national team midfield, they are all great players in their own right and it is a real challenge to face them.
What about best team-mate this season?
Everyone has done their job. I couldn-t possible pinpoint one person.
On a lighter note, which team-mate eases the tension in the dressing room?
Sam Kerr definitely! She always has something up her sleeve (laughs).