The 2013/14 W-League got underway in Australia at the weekend with two New Zealanders featuring in the match of the weekend.
The rematch of last season’s Grand Final between reigning champions Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory saw Football Ferns Emma Kete and Katie Hoyle on opposing sides of the field.
Midfielder Hoyle was making her debut for Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday while Kete was making a return to the Sydney side. Both have recently returned from plying their trade in Germany with SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.
It was a tough start for the defending champions as they fell behind to an early Victory goal.
But if shocked at conceding early the Sydney-siders didn’t show it, coming together to knock five of their own into the back of the net before the final whistle.
Already up 4-1 Sydney substitute Kete sealed the win scoring with a stunning volley in the 89th minute from the corner of the box which dipped over the keeper and into the top right corner at the near post.
In Samoa the Women’s Premier League kicked off on Wednesday evening with 2012/13 finalists Lupe ole Soaga take on Fa’atoia United and taking home a decisive 4-2 victory. On Friday Vaitele Uta beat Unity 2-1 with the rest of the weekend’s results still trickling in.
In New Zealand the ASB Women’s League was holding a grand final rematch of its own as two-time defending champions Northern Football took on local rivals Auckland Football.
Northern retained the top spot with a 2-0 victory at William Green Domain. Katie Rood opened the scoring tapping in at the back post 16 minutes into the match. Tayla O’Brien added to the tally with a corner that found its way directly into the Auckland net with 13 minutes remaining.
Following the match Rood said her team is heading in the right direction with everyone contributing something.
“As a team we feel we are making progress each week in terms of performance and togetherness and today was another step in the right direction for us,” Rood said.
Mainland and Capital both recorded victories in round five of the competition to retain their top three positions.
Round six will see Northern travel to Mainland in a pivotal top-of-the-table clash, while Central’s top three play-off hopes could hinge on the result of their trip to William Green Domain to face Auckland.
Recent action in the Port Vila Women’s League has seen Westam FC from West Ambae claim the lead with a 4-0 victory over the Academy U-17 side.
Despite the loss the Academy side remain second on the ladder, and head coach Tom McDonald is happy with the way his girls are performing.
“Our girls lost to Westam 4-0 last week but they played really well,” McDonald said.
“We have learned from our mistakes and the girls are looking forward to playing Tupuji Imere this weekend.”

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