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Results and games of Ansett Australia Summer Series Round Ten
By Janene Mar
Saturday 13 November 1999
NSW SAPPHIRES 3 (Alicia Cavanagh 32m, Joanne Burgess 59m, Michelle Carney 85m) defeated
SASI PIRATES 0 at Valentine Sports Park, Sydney
NSW SAPPHIRES TO HOST NEXT SATURDAY'S GRANDFINAL
NSW Sapphires will host next Saturday's Ansett Australia Summer Series grandfinal at Marconi Stadium after securing first place with a 3-0 win over fellow grandfinalists SASI Pirates today.
The two teams were already assured of their berths in the championship decider going into today's Round 10 match, with the Sapphires holding a one-point lead in the race for the right to home advantage for the grandfinal.
Reigning champions SASI Pirates made the better start to today's 'dress rehearsal', although they could not break through on goal. In a half lacking scoring opportunities, Sapphires' Joanne Peters was denied a goal by a great diving save by SASI keeper Tracey Wheeler.
NSW Sapphires then claimed the lead in the 32nd minute, a pinpoint cross by Heather Garriock finished with a solid header by midfielder Alicia Cavanagh at the far post.
The second half provided much more entertainment, both sides more constructive and creating chances. Joanne Burgess doubled NSW's lead in the 59th minute, slotting home the loose ball after Wheeler could only parry a Kelly Golebiowski strike.
Soon after, SASI lifted a gear and were most unlucky not to score from three great chances. Sharon Black first hit the crossbar with ther 25 meter effort on goal. Sapphires' keeper Cassandra Kell then made two class saves within the space of three minutes, stopping a Kristy Moore 18 meter cracker, then denying Natalie Thomas' attempt.
NSW sealed the win with five minutes remaining, Michelle Carney heading home amoungst a goalmouth scramble.
The last of the round-robin matches for the season are played out tomorrow, Northern NSW Pride and QAS Sting taking their game to Coffs Harbour, whilst ACTAS Canberra Eclipse do battle with Victoria Vision in Canberra.
Progressive points ladder: NSW Sapphires 23 pts; SASI Pirates 19; QAS Sting 15; Northern NSW Pride 11; ACTAS Canberra Eclipse 7; Victoria Vision 2.
Sunday 14 November 1999
(Saturday) NSW SAPPHIRES 3 (Alicia Cavanagh 32m, Joanne Burgess 59m, Michelle Carney 85m) defeated SASI PIRATES 0 at Valentine Sports Park, Sydney
(Sunday) VICTORIA VISION 3 (Louisa Bisby 71m, Selin Kuralay 88m, Leigh Terek 93+m) defeated ACTAS CANBERRA ECLIPSE 1 (Tal Karp 27m) at Ainslie Football Club, Canberra
QAS STING 3 (Olivia Hohnke 25m, Belinda Dawney 32m, Jamara Maza 41m) defeated NORTHERN NSW PRIDE 0 at Coffs Harbour International Sports Stadium
VICTORIA VISION CELEBRATE FIRST WIN OF SEASON
Last-placed Victoria Vision today recorded their first win for the season, scoring three second half goals for a 3-1 result over ACTAS Canberra Eclipse. QAS Sting were far to strong for Northern NSW Pride, easily winning 3-0 in their Coffs Harbour clash. Yesterday's 3-0 win to NSW Sapphires earned them home advantage for next Saturday's grandfinal.
Victoria bounced back from two thrashings last weekend to combine well and pressure the Canberrra defense. Eclipse had taken the lead midway through the first half, a fantastic long range strike from Tal Karp which sailed in just under the crossbar.
But as the game wore on, Vision looked more and more dangerous, and they were rewarded with the equalizer with a top class freekick by Louisa Bisby from 28 meters on the right. Selin Kuralay, in off the bench just 11 minutes earlier, gave vision the lead in the 88th minute with a clinical shot from 15 meters. The visitors were then awarded a penalty in stoppage time, Leigh Terek making no mistake from the spot.
QAS Sting came away with a 3-0 win over Northern NSW Pride, all three goals scored in the first half. Olivia Hohnke opened the account with a classy freekick, Belinda Dawney hit the top of the goalscorer's chart with a clever half volley on the turn, and Jamara Maza scored from a breakaway. Northern fought back after the break but could not find a path to goal and the score remained the same.
NSW Sapphires and SASI Pirates were already assured of their grandfinal berths before entering yesterday's clash, but the prize at stake was still which team was to take home advantage for the championship decider.
NSW Sapphires claimed the lead after a slow start, Alicia Cavanagh successful with the header. The Sapphires went further ahead in a much livelier second half from both teams, Joanne Burgess hitting home the loose ball after Kelly Golebioski's solo effort was parried. SASI's Sharon Black then hit the crossbar from long range before her side were denied by two great Cassasndra Kell saves. NSW sealed the win with five mintues remaining, Michelle Carney the scorer.
Final Points Ladder: NSW Sapphires 23pts; SASI Pirates 19; QAS Sting 18; Northern NSW Pride 11; ACTAS Canberra Eclipse 7; Victoria Vision 5.
Grandfinal: Saturday 20 November
NSW Sapphres v SASI Pirates - time tba - Marconi Stadium, Sydney
Ansett Australia Summer Series Rounds Eight and Nine
By Janene Mar
Round Eight
Friday 5 November, 1999
QAS STING 1 (Belinda Dawney 54m) drew with SASI PIRATES 1 (Sharon Black 3m)
NORTHERN NSW PRIDE 7 (Cheryl Salisbury 11m, Sunni Hughes 23m, 46m, 57m, 60m, Alison Forman 31m, Tracy Baker 89m) defeated VICTORIA VISION 0.
NSW SAPPHIRES 2 (Joanne Burgess 31m, Alicia Cavanagh 85m) drew with ACTAS CANBERRA ECLIPSE 2 (Kim Channing 20 m, Sacha Wainwright 54m) all at Ainslie Football Club, Canberra.
Draws to each of the top three teams NSW Sapphires, SASI Pirates, and QAS Sting, plus a 7-0 win today to Northern NSW Pride in today's Round 8 matches of the Ansett Australia Summer Series leaves all four team still fighting for a berth in next fortnight's grandfinal.
Today's matches were the first of the doubleheader weekend, all teams to contest another full round on Sunday.
The vital clash between SASI Pirates and QAS Sting, second and third on the ladder, ended in a 1-1 draw, although QAS had plenty of opportunities to win the game. Sharon Black gave SASI the lead after just three minutes, getting the last touch to a high ball pumped into the area. Sting then controlled play for the remainder of the game but were luckless in front of the goal.
QAS's Kim Revell and Olivia Hohnke each hit the crossbar within three minutes of each other in the first half, and the team was then denied on several occasions in the second period by some fantastic goalkeeping by SASI's Leanne Trimboli.
Northern NSW Pride kept themselves in the running with a crushing 7-0 win over last placed Victoria Vision. Matildas striker Sunni Hughes led from the front with a tally of four goals, one in the first half, followed by a triple in the first 15 minutes of the second term before coming off the field limping.
ACTAS Canberra Eclipse upset frontrunners NSW Sapphires by twice taking the lead in a thrilling battle which ended in a 2-2 draw. Eclipse striker Kim Channing drove the ball into the roof of the net after teammate Cindy Doyle had robbed her opponent of the ball. Sapphires's Joanne Burgess tapped the loose ball home for the equalizere 11 minutes later after the keeper had made a good save.
Canberra's Sacha Wainwright then nailed a spectacular 30 meter drive from the left of the field nine minutes into the second half at the delight of the 'home' crowd. NSW responded with a wave of attacking play, and were finally rewarded with the leveller with five minutes to go, Alicia Cavanagh successful with her strike. Eclipse created a top chance for the winner, Danielle Hepperlin breaking through on goal, but brought down just outside the box. The resultant freekick flew not far wide of the mark in stoppage time.
Progressive points leader: NSW Sapphires 17 pts; SASI Pirates 16; QAS Sting 12; Northern NSW Pride 11; ACTAS Canberra Eclipse 7; Victoria Vision 2.
Sunday 7 November 1999
Round Nine
SASI Pirates 2 (Sharon Black 15m, Jessica Halfpenny 38m) defeated NORTHERN NSW Pride 1
NSW Sapphires 5 (Julie Murray 18m, 42m, 47m, 55m, 71m) defeated Victoria Vision 0
QAS STING 5 (own goal 9m, Belinda Dawney 32m, 36m, 78m, Olivia Hohnke 54m) defeated ACTAS Canberra Eclipse 1 (Dior Foxhill 31m) all at Ainslie Football Club, Canberra
NSW Sapphires and SASI Pirates have ssured themselves of a place in this season's Ansett Australia Summer Series grandfinal, after wins in today's Round 9 matches, unable to be caught on the points ladder with one round still remaining.
The right to host the grandfinal will be decided when the two face each other next weekend in Sydney, NSW Sapphires currently ahead by one point. The 20 November finale will be SASI's fouth grandfinal appearance, the South Australians having made every championship match since the league's inception in 1996-97.
Defending champions SASI Pirates sealed their berth with a vital 2-1 win over Northern NSW Pride today, a result which put contenders Northern Pride and QAS Sting out of the race. Northern NSW Claimed the lead in the 13th minute, Julie King rising above the pack to convert a corner kick with a solid header.
But just two minutes later, the Pirates had equalized through Sharon Black, finishing a solo run with a well-struck shot into the top of the net. The Pride was further set back with the injury of defender Cheryl Salisbury soon after, adding to star striker and Matildas teammate Sunni Hughes alread absent through injury. Jessica Halfpenny gave SASI the lead and the winner in the 38th minute with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Matildas striker Julie Murray scored all five goals in NSW Sapphires's 5-0 win over last-placed Victoria Vision, back in Australia briefly during a break in the US Victory tour.
Victoria vision almost scored the opening goal, Sarah Fitzgerald smacking the ball against the crossbar from 20 meters after just 7 minutes. It took the depleted Sapphires 25 minutes to settle into their game, with Murray soon creating havoc with her every move, scoring two before the break. The five-goal haul equals the record set by SA's Jessica Halfpenny last season.
QAS Sting ran away with an emphatic 5-1 victory over ACTAS Canberra Eclipse, with Belinda Dawney scoring a hat trick. The Sting were handed the early lead after 9 minutes, a Canberra defender heading the ball over her keeper's head into goal. Eclipse equalized in the 31st minute, a well-worked combination up the left started and finished by Sacha Wainwright providing the cross fro Dior Foxhill to hit home from 14 meters.
But from the very next play, Sting had regained the lead, Dawney heading in a Lisa Dunne cross. Another four minutes later, Dawney scored in carbon copy fashion to her first. Olivia Hohnke stretched the lead to three soon after the break from a goalkeeper error, before Dawney snared her third in the 78th minute, winning the ball of a defensive miskick.
Progressive points ladder: NSW Sapphires 20pts; SASI Pirates 19; QAS Sting 15; Northern NSW Pride 11; ACTAS Canberra Eclipse 7; Victoria Vision 2.
China 3 Australia 1 in game played in Zhuhai, China October 28,1999
| China 3 Australia 1 |
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Scoring:
Australia Head Coach: Chris Tanzey |
Game
China applied great attacking pressure in the first half with two quick goals. Australia settled down better in the second half pulling back a goal in the 61st minute but China ensured their win with a goal against the run of play in the 77th minute.
Other
This match was the debut occasion for two Australian players. U.S. Based midfielder Danielle Small started the game and sixteen year old Heather Garrick replaced Starr at the 22nd minute when she left the game after suffering a broken nose when colliding with Liu Yin.
Comments
"Apart from the one defensive lapse which allowed China to score the third goal, I am very happy with the performance of the team in the second half," said new National Coach Chris Tanzey. "It shows the players are adapting to the new style of play and we can look forward to greater improvements."
China 4 Australia 2 in second game of series
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China 4 Australia 2 (2:1) At 2:00PM on October 31,1999 Xiamen city, Fujian Province: Attendance: 8,000 |
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Scoring:
Australia:
China:
Referee: Zuo Xiudi |
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Game report
It is said that the Asian Women games will be kicked off at 2:00PM according to the schedule of the tournament. So these warm-up games were played at that time too.From the start China pressured the visitors keeping them in their own half, but Australian striker Hughes collected the ball from Boyd's cross from the left side in 10th minute and ran into the penalty area. There was no way for defender Bai to stop this stronger and taller forward. It was an easy score for Australia in just their second attack. It did not stop the Chinese attack and just seven minutes later Liu shot past Australian keeper Tracey to equalize for the host team after Jin Yan headed the ball to her in the front of the penalty area. There was no doubt that China was better in terms of speed, technique and tactics. The rough tackling of the Australian side was troublesome for China, but the speed of the Chinese striker Zhang was even more of a problem for the visitors.In the 25th minute WWC '99 star Sun Wen came on to replace Jin Yan. Sun improved the performance of Chinese attack..In 34th minute Chinese side nearly scored again through a corner.A few minutes an later excellent pass from Sun allowed Zhang to break away from her opponent's defense, but Zhang facing only the keeper shot wide. Two minutes from the end of the first half time Zhang gave the lead to Chinese side with Sun's help. In the first half, China dominated the game. Australia just had two shots. Just fifteen minutes after break, Li collected the ball from a Fan header through a corner and scored from close in. Two minute later striker Zhang added another goal. In the second half the Australian side strengthened their attack. Substitute Golebiowski lost a golden opportunity when she faced Chinese goalie Gao alone. In the 75th minutes, and a beautiful 35-metres free kick from Stone allowed Salisbury to break through the Chinese defense and score in front of famous international goalie Gao who had not had any action.
Other
The Chinese National Team will stay at Xiamen city till 4th and then fly to Manila, Philippine.
Details of Australian visit to China (as reported in the China 14th round feature earlier)
By Janene Mar
The Matildas have accepted an unexpected opportunity to tour China at very short notice, the Chinese only extending the invitation eleven days ago for two friendly matches in the southern provinces against the World Cup and Olympic Silver Medalists.New National Coach Chris Tanzey will utilise the tour to experiment and test some new players, and regards the trip as an extension of training. Although the tour coincides with the Ansett Australia Summer Series, it is regarded as "too good an opportunity to miss" at this stage of the Matilda's program.
"It's irrelevant who we're playing -- for us it's a chance to train elsewhere," explained Tanzey, appointed to the post a month ago. "The players have been working intensely here at the AIS and the tour will be a change of environment and freshen them mentally."
"It gives me an early look to see if individual players can do a certain job within the system we want to play. And with more extablished players such as Lisa Casagrande, Julie Murray, and Sarah Cooper away in the US plus others injured, it's a great early chance for some from outside the program to see if they fit in. Really this is one step along the path of the next ten months."
Goalkeeper Leanne Trimboli (SA) and midfielders Danielle Small (NNSW) and Heather Garriock (NSW) have been selected for the first time into the Matildas Squad for the tour.
Trimboli, age 23 of Adelaide, has impressed during the opening rounds of national league, and has never worn the green and gold at any age level.
Sixteen-year-old Sydneysider Garriock is rewarded for some class displays during the recent National Youth Championship and Ansett Summer Series matches.
Small has played in the US for the past two years on a collegiate scholarship, currently at San Diego State University. During that time, the 20-year-old from Newcastle has twice toured Europe as a member of the Australian Youth Team, and played against Canada for the Australia 'B' Team.
Also making a return to Matildas selection are Byrony Duus and Sunni Hughes, (both recently added to the OAP Squad), Sacha Wainwright, and Katrina Boyd, all of whom have been absent from the international scene for a year or two.
China celebrated their best ever World Cup performance earlier this year, narrowly losing the final to hosts USA on a penalty shootout. Their stunning display has resulted in an unprecedented million dollar sponsorship deal announced earlier this month. China takes on the Matildas in preparation for the Asian Championships in early November, and boasts a 7-1 win-loss reconrd against Australia.
The Matildas depart from the AIS on Monday 25 October and arrive back in Canberra on 2 November.
Australia's next international competition is Australia Cup in January, kicking off an intense 2000.
Australia National Team -- China Tour Name St. Hometown Pos DOB Caps Bartlett, Traci ACT Sydney D 17/05/72 43 Black, Sharon SA Adelaide M 04/04/71 40 Boyd, Katrina NSW Sydney F 12/12/71 23 Duus, Bryony QLD Brisbane M 07/10/77 13 Ferguson, Alicia QLD Brisbane F 31/10/81 18 Forman, Alison NNSW Newcastle M 17/03/69 51 Garriock, Heather NSW Sydney M 21/12/82 0 Golebiowski, Kelly NSW Sydney F 26/07/81 17 Hepperlin, Pieta-Claire ACT Canberra M 24/12/81 6 Hughes, Sunni NNSW Newcastle F 09/06/68 45 Salisbury, Cheryl NNSW Newcaslte D 08/03/74 51 Small, Danielle NNSW Newcastle M 07/02/79 0 Starr, Bridgette NSW Newcastle D 10/12/75 41 Tann-Darby, Anissa NSW Sydney D 10/10/67 72 Trimboli, Leanne SA Adelaide GK 10/11/75 0 Wainwright, Sacha ACT Canberra D 06/02/72 17 Wheeler, Tracey WA Sydney GK 26/09/67 36 Wilson, Amy ACT Canberra M 09/06/80 10
Results of Round 5 of Ansett Australia Summer Series
By Janene Mar
Saturday 16 October, 1999
Actas Canberra Eclipse 4 (Dior Foxhill 25m, Tal Karp 29m, Cindy Doyle 40 m, Traci Bartlett 76m) defeated Victoria Vision 2 (Deborah Nichols 44 m, Leigh Terek 46 m) at Epping Soccer Stadium, Melbourne
Northern NSW Pride 2 (own goal 50 m, Rachael Alley 77 m) defeated QAS Sting 1(Alicia Ferguson 36m) at Richlands Stadium, Brisbane
Commentary
Northern NSW Pride pulled ahead of their opponents into equal second place with today's 2-1 win over QAS Sting, whilst ACTAS Canberra Eclipse won their first match of the season, defeating Victoria Vison 4-2 to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder in Round Five of the Ansett Australia Summer Series.Northern NSW Pride came from behind to record their valuable three points. Home side Sting took the lead in the 36th minute, a partially cleared corner kick sent back in towards goal for Alicia Ferguson to drive past the keeper. Northern's equaliser came by way of an own goal from QAS defender Sarah Garven five minutes after the break in her attempt to clear. Boosted by the gift goal, the visitors found a second wind and were rewarded with the winner in the 77th minute, Rachael Alley with a speculative strike from 25 meters on the left to chip the goalkeeper.
ACTAS Canberra Eclipse were more than relieved to come away with three points, last year's runners-up suffering a surprisingly sluggish start to the season. Three unanswered goals in the first forty minutes set up the win, Dior Foxhill and Tal Karp both converting good crosses, with Cindy Doyle booting home a corner kick. In the last few minutes before the break, Victoria Vison fought back to score two of their own, Deborah Nichols successful from the penalty spot, and Leigh Terek on hand to score from a goalmouth scramble. Vision created several top chances to equalize in the second half but their finishing was just wide of the mark. Eclipse defender Traci Bartlett then sealed the win with a blast from 30 meters into the top of the net.
Sunday 17 October 1999
SASI Pirates 0 drew with NSW Sapphires 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
SASI Pirates and NSW Sapphires shared the points with a eless draw in this afternoon's top of the table clash in Adelaide to conclude Round Five of the Ansett Australia Summer Series.
Commentary
The result means frontrunners NSW Sapphires retain their four-point advantage over the Pirates, although they could well have stretched their lead after dominating today's second half. SASI Pirates sneak into outright second place, a point ahead of yesterday's winners Northern NSW Pride.Today's entertaining clash saw first half chances at both ends, SASI's Kristy Moore unlucky not to score from a pair of one-on-one's with the keeper in her first match back from injury. Sapphire's Julie Murray hit the crossbar after Danielle Clarke was denied by a fine save by Pirate's keeper Leanne Trimboli. Trimboli continued to prove the home side's saviour in the second half, making crucial saves to deny Alicia Cavanagh and Michelle Carney, whilst Kelly Golebiowski struck the woodwork. The Pirates were then thwarted in a last-minute burst to snatch the winner, Jessica Halfpenny ruled offside by the referee although the flag had stayed down.
Yesterday, Northern NSW Pride won their mid-table clash against QAS Sting with a tight 2-1 win in Brisbane. Sting took the first-half lead through attacker Alicia Ferguson but the visitors drew level five minutes after the break from an own goal off the boot of QAS defender Sarah Garven. Pride snatched the three points as substitute Rachael Alley's long-range strke chipped the keeper in the 77th minute.
Yesterday in Melbourne, last year's runners-up ACTAS Canberra Eclipse celebrated their first win of the season with a 4-2 win over Victoria Vision, a result which lifted Eclipse off the bottom of the ladder. Canberra raced to a 3-0 lead within the first 40 minutes, but two goals to Vision before the half-time break made for an exciting contest. Eclipse's Traci Bartlett sealed the win with a blast from way out which flew into the roof of the net.
Progressive points ladder:
| CLUB | PTS |
| NSWIS Sapphires | 13 |
| SASI Pirates | 9 |
| Northern NSW Pride | 8 |
| QAS Sting | 5 |
| ACTAS Canberra Eclipse | 3 |
| Victoria Vision | 2 |
Ansett Australia Summer Series Round One
By Janene Mar
Saturday 25 September 1999
QAS Sting 0 drew with Victoria Vision 0 at Richlands Stadium, Brisbane
NSWIS Sapphires 3 (Alicia Cavanagh 58m, Julie Murray 63m, Heather Garriock 91m) defeated Northern NSW Pride 1 (Amber Neilson 37m) at Jack McLaughlan Oval, Newcastle.
NSWIS Sapphires kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 victory over rivals Northern NSW Pride in the opening round of the 1999/2000 Ansett Australia Summer Series today, whilst Victoria Vision picked up a point in their first match back in two seasons with a scoreless draw against QAS Sting.
Two second-half goals in the space of five minutes proved the key to NSWIS Sapphires' win over Northern NSW Pride in Newcastle. Last year's wooden-spooners Northern had taken the lead late in the first half, 14 year old Amber Neilson blasting her shot from outside the 18 yard box, claiming the first goal of the season as well as her first ever in the league.
But a defensive lapse from the home side allowed Alicia Cavenagh and Julie Murray to score for a Sapphires 2-1 advantage, a setback from which the Pride were unable to recover. NSW's Heather Garriock added the third in stoppage time.
Northern however were still encouraged by a better performance from that shown last season in a game which was overall quite even despite the final scoreline.
In the Brisbane match, QAS Sting dominated possession and chances on goal over Victoria Vision, but were unable to capitalise. Poor Queensland shooting and a solid performance from debutante Victorian keeper Lucyna Kapusta kept the match scoreless for the home side, whilst Vision were rarely in sight of goal.
Sting newcomer Belinda Dawney was unlucky not to claim the winner two minutes from time with the afternoon's best effort on goal, her strike from outside the box thumping against the crossbar.
Sunday 26, September 1999
SASI Pirates 2 (Sharon Black 55m, Lia Matto 65m) defeated ACTAS Canberra Eclipse 1 (Danielle Hepperlin 50m) at White City Woodville SC, Adelaide
SASI Pirates and NSWIS Sapphires share the early lead in the Ansett Summer Series after solid wins in the opening round this weekend.
Defending champions SASI Pirates fought off the challenge of ACTAS Canberra Eclipse to win 2-1 in what was an exciting rematch of last year's grandfinal.
After the Pirates' Sharon Black had missed a penalty and another goal was disallowed for offside, SASI found themselves a goal down early in the second half when midfielder Danielle Hepperlin scored for the visitors.
But Black redeemed herself five minutes later, slotting home the equalizer from 12 meters. SASI midfielder Rebecca Morrison then provided the perfect cross in the 65th minute, picking out the unmarked Lia Matto who made no mistake with the header from close range for the winner.
In action yesterday, NSWIS Sapphires scored two second half goals in the space of five minutes to eventually beat Northern NSW Pride by a 3-1 margin in Newcastle. Young Amber Neilson had given Norther the first hal flead in what was a very competitive match, but her side was unable to recover and conceded another in stoppage time. Scorers for the Sapphires were Alicia Cavenagh, Julie Murray, and Heather Garriock.
Yesterday in Brisbane, QAS Sting dominated their match against Victoria Vision from start to finish but were unable to break through, a 0-0 draw the final result. Sting newcomer Belinda Dawney produced the shot of the day two minutes from time, but her long range curler smacked the crossbar. Reinstated after a season out, Vision will be happy for the point away from home from their first match back.
Australian Women's Soccer National League: The Ansett Summer Series begins
The national league kicks off its fourth season this weekend, as the Ansett Australia Summer series gets underway. This season's Series will go a long way toward determining National Squad selections, with the Olympic Games fast approaching and the women's program entering a new era under recently appointed National Coach Chris Tanzey.
Tanzey regards this as a critical period for the sport for all elite level players. He recently selected his new Squad, but kept some places open, preferring to keep his eye on what emerges during the Ansett Summer Series before making his last selections.
"This national league is most important - not only for those not in the Squad, but also for those who are," said Tanzey. "I deliberately left places open so that players outside know there is still a chance, and for one or two there may be that opportunity. And for those who are in, they must go out and prove they are the best around, that they deserve to be here. In their attitude on and off the pitch, these players should be role models for those coming through. So really it's a healthy pressure."
Six teams will compete this season. The Victorians have been re-instated to the series after a year's absence. Lining up in the race for the 1999/2000 title, some bearing new nicknames, are ACTAS Canberra Eclipse, NSWIS Sapphires, Northern NSW Pride, QAS Sting, SASI Pirates, and Victoria Vision.
Members of the National Team are spread across all the teams except the Victorians, with not much to separate those sides. With the reigning champions SASI Pirates undergoing a rebuilding phase, and runners-up Canberra Eclipse without star goal scorer Lisa Casagrande, it is difficult to single out a favorite, and competition is expected to be very tight. Victoria Vision seem to revel in their underdog status, making them even keener to cause plenty of upsets.
This season starts and finishes earlier than usual, allowing time for a brief break before the Olympic preparations start in earnest early next year. In the new format, teams play one match per round, except for two doubleheader weekends when all six teams assemble at one location and play Friday and Saturday matches. The championship will be decided in the November 20th grand final.
Featured in Round One are the SASI Pirates playing at home against the Canberra Eclipse - a rematch of last season's finale.
| Round One | ||
| Saturday, September 25 | ||
| Sting v Vision | 3 pm | Richlands Stadium, Brisbane |
| Pride v Sapphires | 3 pm | Jack McLaughlan Oval, Newcastle |
| Sunday, September 26 | ||
| Pirates v Eclipse | 3 pm | White City Woodville SC, Adelaide |