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It might be cliché but “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride” perfectly encapsulates Canberra United’s three seasons in the Westfield W-League. They have been good but just never quite good enough. They have lost a grand final and two semi-finals; Season Two’s convincingly and Season Three’s heartbreakingly. Now the ‘Green Machine’ prepares another assault on the league.
Former Czech international Jitka Klimkova has the task of taking United to the next level. All the noises for the United players indicate that they will be a fitter, tougher unit this season due to Klimkova’s influence. With a new coach, and an international one at that, comes new ideas and the Czech knows how she wants her teams to play.
“I really want to be more aggressive in defence but fair of course,” she said.
“To be more hard and have great pressure. I want to play the higher pressure than what I saw during the games of last season.”
Not that Canberra’s defence has been lacking in recent years. With Lydia Williams, whom Klimkova considers ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the world’, and centre backs Ellie Brush and Caitlin Cooper, Canberra will be a hard team to break down. However it’s in their forward half that they are most exciting. Sally Shipard, Leah Blayney, Caitlin Munoz and Michelle Heyman are just a number of their attacking options.
Coming into this set up are Gold Coast teenager Hayley Raso and American Taryn Hemmings. With her pace, timing and finishing, there are big wraps on Raso with many considering her a future national team striker. Meanwhile Hemmings could be Klimkova’s swiss knife with the ability to slot into an attacking or defensive position.
“Always risk. That’s what soccer should have on the field; always some risk. To be direct and to score a lot of goals.”
This season with a new coach in charge and new ideas, the capital side might just be able to break through for that elusive championship.
The Strength
Part of the reason Canberra United has been the only other club, apart from Brisbane and Sydney, to make the finals in three seasons is stability. Many members of the current squad have been at the club since foundation and, in the case of co captains Ellie Brush and Lydia Williams, have played every game in the first three.
If their core can once again stay fit and healthy, there is no reason why they can’t be there again come finals time.
The Challenge
Canberra’s strength could also been their weakness this season. While their nearest competitors have all visibly strengthened, United have kept their core supplementing them with a couple of new players. Only time will tell whether those additions will be enough for Canberra to take out the title. |
