They might be roommates in Westfield Matildas camp but that friendship could be put on hold when Emily van Egmond and Sam Kerr come face to face.
Van Egmond’s Newcastle Jets take on Kerr’s Perth Glory in Western Australia for a Westfield W-League blockbuster this weekend, which kicks on Saturday at 10.00pm (AEDT).
And the midfielder knows her travelling Newcastle side must keep a close eye on her close friend.
“Sammy’s a very special player, and she’s definitely a player you have to keep an eye on,” van Egmond told the official website of the Newcastle Jets.
“She’s great, she’s a character, she’s cool. No bad habits, nothing!
“We’re good, we’ve been roomies for a long time now and she does her thing, I do my thing. We’ve grown up playing together from such a young age.”
READ: Match preview: Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets
READ: Choose your Westfield W-League goal of the month for October/November
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514578001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5816346279001
A huge test of Newcastle’s credentials
With the Jets sitting in eighth position ahead of Westfield W-League Round 7, Newcastle know the importance of escaping Perth with a result.
There have been 30 goals scored in the past last eight matches between the two sides, and with Kerr in red-hot form the trip resembles a daunting one for Craig Deans’ outfit.
But despite the intimidating firepower of Glory’s Kerr and Rachel Hill, van Egmond says Newcastle will not set out to stifle the opposition.
“The good thing about [Craig] Deansy is, we always try to focus on how we can win the game and what we can do as a team,” van Egmond continued.
“You have to take into consideration the opposition that you’re playing against, but the main focus is on us and what we can do, and how we can win the game.
“If we can have a good week in training and head to Perth with the right mentality we’ll definitely be looking to win, because we need the three points.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514578001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5860229604001
‘Every team will be a challenge’
Although the Westfield W-League season is in full swing, you could forgive the Westfield Matildas for casting half an eye toward next June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, van Egmond is focusing purely on the task at hand, which is helping her Jets side toward Westfield W-League silverware.
Australia will face Brazil, Italy and Jamaica in the group stage following last Sunday morning’s draw (AEDT).
“To be honest, I haven’t even looked too much into it, I just know that we have Brazil, Italy, and Jamaica,” she said.
“I think the draws are quite even in all the groups, and I think that with women’s football these days, it’s getting more and more competitive.
“Every team will be a challenge and pose a completely different threat on the day.”