Two key combatants from Sunday’s premiership deciding match between Sydney FC and Canberra United speak about the big game and their respective opponent.
Two key combatants from Sunday-s premiership deciding match between Sydney FC and Canberra United speak about the big game and their respective opponent.
Canberra United-s supremely talented goalkeeper Lydia Williams and Sydney FC-s newly-capped Matildas- utility Chloe Logarzo preview the contest at Sydney United Sports Centre.
The pair met just a fortnight ago with Sydney FC suffering their only loss of the season as Canberra edged a 2-1 win in an epic contest on home soil.
Sydney FC, who have topped the league ladder twice before, boast a two-point lead over their rivals meaning the visitors must win if they are to reprise their first-place finish of two seasons ago.
Jostling for semi-final positions is also on the line with Canberra seeking to at least hold off third-placed Melbourne Victory and earn a home semi-final.
How is the mood within the team ahead of the big game?
Lydia Williams: It is really good. We had had something like three games in eight days, so we have had a nice break for this game, and then again ahead of the semi-finals.
Chloe Logarzo: It is like every week. The girls are trying to refocus, and training has been focussed on our preparation.
Is there an extra layer of intensity after playing each other the other week?
LW: I think so but in saying that the memory is really fresh in our minds. That is probably a good thing the way the draw has turned out in terms of our homework and preparation about the opposition.
CL: There is given we played them two weeks ago, and then now in such a big game. I think it will be even more intense than the first game
What are your opponent-s strengths?
LW: Obviously they have a really good attacking line, which is pretty apparent given their record goals tally, so that is probably the main strength that we always have to be aware of.
CL: Definitely their midfield when we played them in the first game is one of their key strengths, and also having Michelle (Heyman) and Stephanie Ochs up front. They are quick and have good transition and we have looked at that in training and aiming to do better than we did last time.
Any players that are particularly dangerous?
LW: Obviously Sam (Kerr) in attack, and Jodie (Taylor) up there as well. Unfortunately Caitlin Foord can only play a little bit of the game I believe which is probably good for us, and she is always such a dangerous player.
CL: Stephanie Ochs and Michelle Heyman and the Sykes twins, being so quick down the line.
Where will the game be won?
LW: I think it will be won by our defence. I think we are known for our good transition which is one of our strengths and is something hard to counteract.
CL: There will be battles all over the field. If we focus on one section we won-t win. Everyone has to work hard and step up the intensity. Individual battles come first but we have to cover for team-mates as well.
