Welcome back to Matildas Abroad, where I analyse the performances of all our Aussies playing overseas!
Apologies for a really late post, I've been out during the public holiday so I haven't had too much time on my hands.
England (WSL & WSL2) — Gunners beat Blues, Torpey debuts
Mind the rhyming subtitle, this week was full of WSL action. Everton kicked off the week with a 1–0 defeat at home to Dario Vidošić's Brighton, with both Clare Wheeler and Charlize Rule starting for their respective sides before coming off as subs. It's not the best run of form for Wheels, who is normally one of Everton's best players but has been given a 6.4 rating on Sofascore three times in a row in her past three league matches, albeit all of them were losses. Meanwhile, Charlize continues to make a strong case for selection in the Asian Cup squad.
Steph Catley (pictured) was solid in defence in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, their first away league win over Chelsea in almost eight years. Image source: Instagram (@stephcatley).
Meanwhile in London, Arsenal pulled off a famous win over arch-rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with two second half goals for the Gunners winning them the match 2–0. It was Arsenal's first win over Chelsea since April 2024 (when the Gunners won their third straight League Cup title), their first WSL win over Chelsea since 2023 (their famous 4–1 win at Emirates Stadium), their first away win over Chelsea since March 2023 (another League Cup final) and their first away league win over Chelsea since their famous 5–0 win in October 2018. It was a bright match for three of the four Aussies who played, with Arsenal's Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord and Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter playing the full match, while Sam Kerr started but was subbed off after a poor performance up front. Kyra Cooney-Cross was still not in the squad, though has returned to London and is back in training.
West Ham, captained by Katrina Gorry who played the full 90 minutes, secured a crucial victory in their relegation battle, defeating Leicester 2–1 away from home. Emily van Egmond came on as a sub for the Foxes. Meanwhile, my club, Tottenham, pulled off a terrible performance and lost 2–0 to last placed Liverpool thanks to a brace from English striker Mia Enderby in the fourth and fifth minutes of stoppage time. Clare Hunt played a full 90 minutes in defence in a painful loss for Spurs that we've hopefully learnt from.
Kaitlyn Torpey's jersey (pictured) ahead of her debut, playing 66 minutes in Newcastle United's 2–1 away loss to Charlton Athletic. For those wishing to buy her jersey (note that official football kits are quite expensive), her number is 18. Image source: Instagram (@newcastleunitedwomen).
Alanna Kennedy played what was statistically her best ever game for London City as they fell 2–1 to her old side Manchester City, who are still missing Mary Fowler. In the WSL2, Tanya Oxtoby's Newcastle United (not to be confused with our Newcastle Jets in the A-League) fell 2–1 away from home to top of the table Charlton despite two possible penalty calls. Kaitlyn Torpey made her debut in black and white (or white and black?), starting in defence before being subbed off. The race for promotion is certainly heating up, with the Magpies sitting in fifth with a game in hand, being separated from fourth placed Crystal Palace by three points and goal difference, and from third placed Bristol City by four points and goal difference.
Now for a quick look at the WSL standings: Man City now sit a whopping nine points clear at the top of the table over second placed Chelsea, leading to French manager Sonia Bompastor conceding that the title race is likely over following Chelsea's loss to Arsenal. Chelsea are still in second place but only sit a point above Arsenal, who in turn are a point above Man United and three points above Tottenham. Then there's a six point gap between Spurs and Brighton, who sit just one point above Aston Villa and London City. Then there's a gap again, specifically a seven point gap, between London City and Leicester, who are a point ahead of Everton and West Ham and two points ahead of Liverpool.
France (Coupe de France Féminine) — Dijon & Lyon advance
Teagan Micah (pictured) in training for OL Lyonnes, where she is still fighting with Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler for a spot in the starting 11. Image source: Instagram (@ol.lyonnes).
This week we had Coupe de France action in France. Teagan Micah was on the bench for Lyon in their 5–1 away win over Marseille, while Kyah Simon was a substitute in Dijon's 1–0 away win over Fleury. Both clubs will advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Germany (Frauen-Bundesliga & 2. Frauen-Bundesliga) — Frankfurt vs Hoffenheim postponed
Lara Kirkby (pictured) played the full 90 minutes of VfL Bochum's 3–1 away win over VfR Warbeyen. The 23-year-old South Australian midfielder previously played for Adelaide United. Image source: Instagram (@vflbochum1848_frauen).
The return of the Bundesliga from the midseason break has been extended a little longer for Aussie fans. Hayley Raso's Eintracht Frankfurt were set to face Jamilla Rankin's Hoffenheim at home, though severe winter weather conditions have affected the pitch to a point where it's been considered unplayable and thus what would have been an entertaining match has been postponed to a later date. Hoffenheim sit fourth on the ladder in what's been a good season for them, while in contrast Frankfurt are currently down in seventh in what's been a bad season for them.
Meanwhile, in the 2. Bundesliga, Lara Kirkby played a full 90 minutes for Bochum in their 3–1 away win over Warbeyen. Bochum sit in seventh place on the ladder. Alana Murphy's Sand, who are currently second and in the promotion zone, didn't play this week.
Italy (Serie A Femminile) — Heatley stars in narrow Roma win
Wini Heatley (pictured) in action for Roma. She played a solid full 90 minutes for Roma despite a poor overall performance from the team against Genoa. Image source: Instagram (@asromawomen).
The four Aussies in the Serie A were all in action this week. Roma kicked things off with a narrow 1–0 away win over Genoa, a poor result but nevertheless Roma retain their seven point lead at the top of the table. Wini Heatley played a good match, being rated the best defender on the pitch for either side and the equal third best player overall on the pitch for either side.
Meanwhile, Como lost a thriller at home, losing 3–2 to Inter Milan thanks to a last minute winner despite Como having taken the lead twice in the match, causing Como to drop down to eighth place. Alex Chidiac played the full 90 minutes, and while her consistently starting is a step forwards in her bid for Asian Cup squad selection, her performance in those minutes today was a step backwards. Meanwhile Sassuolo were defeated 2–0 at home by Napoli, with Jess Nash playing the full 90 minutes while Jacynta Gala started before being subbed off. Sassuolo remain in ninth place.
Other leagues — Galić scores a brace in a friendly
Emma Ilijoski (pictured) in training. The 23-year-old Canberran defender has never played international football other than her four caps for the Junior Matildas in 2019, but has the option to represent North Macedonia if she isn't selected for the Matildas. Image source: Instagram (@aberdeenfcwomen).
Emily Gielnik was not in the squad altogether for Monterrey in their 2–1 home win over Cruz Azul in Mexico's Liga MX Femenil. Meanwhile in Scotland's SWPL 1, Emma Ilijoski played the full 90 minutes of Aberdeen's 2–1 home win over Motherwell.
In Sweden, Daniela Galić played in Vittsjö's 9–0 home win over lower tier side Värnamo in a friendly, scoring a brace for the Damallsvenskan side. I'm expecting Dani to be a key player for Vittsjö in the 2026 season, and a player that should absolutely be picked for the Asian Cup squad in my opinion.
Player of the Week — Alanna Kennedy
Alanna Kennedy is this week's Player of the Week for her solid defensive efforts for London City. Image source: Instagram (@londoncitylionesses).
Technically Daniela Galić's brace would have won her this week's award, but friendlies don't really count, do they? Since we had no Aussie goals, assists, clean sheets or Player of the Match awards this week, I've decided to give the award to the player with the highest Sofascore rating: Alanna Kennedy! Congrats Lani!
Conclusion
That's all for this week, but stay tuned for next week and for my official squad picks for the Asian Cup (to be released tomorrow)! As always feel free to comment any questions or to discuss the weekend's matches. Thanks for reading, hopefully you enjoyed and found this useful!
Apologies for a really late post, I've been out during the public holiday so I haven't had too much time on my hands.
England (WSL & WSL2) — Gunners beat Blues, Torpey debuts
Mind the rhyming subtitle, this week was full of WSL action. Everton kicked off the week with a 1–0 defeat at home to Dario Vidošić's Brighton, with both Clare Wheeler and Charlize Rule starting for their respective sides before coming off as subs. It's not the best run of form for Wheels, who is normally one of Everton's best players but has been given a 6.4 rating on Sofascore three times in a row in her past three league matches, albeit all of them were losses. Meanwhile, Charlize continues to make a strong case for selection in the Asian Cup squad.
Steph Catley (pictured) was solid in defence in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, their first away league win over Chelsea in almost eight years. Image source: Instagram (@stephcatley).
Meanwhile in London, Arsenal pulled off a famous win over arch-rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with two second half goals for the Gunners winning them the match 2–0. It was Arsenal's first win over Chelsea since April 2024 (when the Gunners won their third straight League Cup title), their first WSL win over Chelsea since 2023 (their famous 4–1 win at Emirates Stadium), their first away win over Chelsea since March 2023 (another League Cup final) and their first away league win over Chelsea since their famous 5–0 win in October 2018. It was a bright match for three of the four Aussies who played, with Arsenal's Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord and Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter playing the full match, while Sam Kerr started but was subbed off after a poor performance up front. Kyra Cooney-Cross was still not in the squad, though has returned to London and is back in training.
West Ham, captained by Katrina Gorry who played the full 90 minutes, secured a crucial victory in their relegation battle, defeating Leicester 2–1 away from home. Emily van Egmond came on as a sub for the Foxes. Meanwhile, my club, Tottenham, pulled off a terrible performance and lost 2–0 to last placed Liverpool thanks to a brace from English striker Mia Enderby in the fourth and fifth minutes of stoppage time. Clare Hunt played a full 90 minutes in defence in a painful loss for Spurs that we've hopefully learnt from.
Kaitlyn Torpey's jersey (pictured) ahead of her debut, playing 66 minutes in Newcastle United's 2–1 away loss to Charlton Athletic. For those wishing to buy her jersey (note that official football kits are quite expensive), her number is 18. Image source: Instagram (@newcastleunitedwomen).
Alanna Kennedy played what was statistically her best ever game for London City as they fell 2–1 to her old side Manchester City, who are still missing Mary Fowler. In the WSL2, Tanya Oxtoby's Newcastle United (not to be confused with our Newcastle Jets in the A-League) fell 2–1 away from home to top of the table Charlton despite two possible penalty calls. Kaitlyn Torpey made her debut in black and white (or white and black?), starting in defence before being subbed off. The race for promotion is certainly heating up, with the Magpies sitting in fifth with a game in hand, being separated from fourth placed Crystal Palace by three points and goal difference, and from third placed Bristol City by four points and goal difference.
Now for a quick look at the WSL standings: Man City now sit a whopping nine points clear at the top of the table over second placed Chelsea, leading to French manager Sonia Bompastor conceding that the title race is likely over following Chelsea's loss to Arsenal. Chelsea are still in second place but only sit a point above Arsenal, who in turn are a point above Man United and three points above Tottenham. Then there's a six point gap between Spurs and Brighton, who sit just one point above Aston Villa and London City. Then there's a gap again, specifically a seven point gap, between London City and Leicester, who are a point ahead of Everton and West Ham and two points ahead of Liverpool.
France (Coupe de France Féminine) — Dijon & Lyon advance
Teagan Micah (pictured) in training for OL Lyonnes, where she is still fighting with Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler for a spot in the starting 11. Image source: Instagram (@ol.lyonnes).
This week we had Coupe de France action in France. Teagan Micah was on the bench for Lyon in their 5–1 away win over Marseille, while Kyah Simon was a substitute in Dijon's 1–0 away win over Fleury. Both clubs will advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Germany (Frauen-Bundesliga & 2. Frauen-Bundesliga) — Frankfurt vs Hoffenheim postponed
Lara Kirkby (pictured) played the full 90 minutes of VfL Bochum's 3–1 away win over VfR Warbeyen. The 23-year-old South Australian midfielder previously played for Adelaide United. Image source: Instagram (@vflbochum1848_frauen).
The return of the Bundesliga from the midseason break has been extended a little longer for Aussie fans. Hayley Raso's Eintracht Frankfurt were set to face Jamilla Rankin's Hoffenheim at home, though severe winter weather conditions have affected the pitch to a point where it's been considered unplayable and thus what would have been an entertaining match has been postponed to a later date. Hoffenheim sit fourth on the ladder in what's been a good season for them, while in contrast Frankfurt are currently down in seventh in what's been a bad season for them.
Meanwhile, in the 2. Bundesliga, Lara Kirkby played a full 90 minutes for Bochum in their 3–1 away win over Warbeyen. Bochum sit in seventh place on the ladder. Alana Murphy's Sand, who are currently second and in the promotion zone, didn't play this week.
Italy (Serie A Femminile) — Heatley stars in narrow Roma win
Wini Heatley (pictured) in action for Roma. She played a solid full 90 minutes for Roma despite a poor overall performance from the team against Genoa. Image source: Instagram (@asromawomen).
The four Aussies in the Serie A were all in action this week. Roma kicked things off with a narrow 1–0 away win over Genoa, a poor result but nevertheless Roma retain their seven point lead at the top of the table. Wini Heatley played a good match, being rated the best defender on the pitch for either side and the equal third best player overall on the pitch for either side.
Meanwhile, Como lost a thriller at home, losing 3–2 to Inter Milan thanks to a last minute winner despite Como having taken the lead twice in the match, causing Como to drop down to eighth place. Alex Chidiac played the full 90 minutes, and while her consistently starting is a step forwards in her bid for Asian Cup squad selection, her performance in those minutes today was a step backwards. Meanwhile Sassuolo were defeated 2–0 at home by Napoli, with Jess Nash playing the full 90 minutes while Jacynta Gala started before being subbed off. Sassuolo remain in ninth place.
Other leagues — Galić scores a brace in a friendly
Emma Ilijoski (pictured) in training. The 23-year-old Canberran defender has never played international football other than her four caps for the Junior Matildas in 2019, but has the option to represent North Macedonia if she isn't selected for the Matildas. Image source: Instagram (@aberdeenfcwomen).
Emily Gielnik was not in the squad altogether for Monterrey in their 2–1 home win over Cruz Azul in Mexico's Liga MX Femenil. Meanwhile in Scotland's SWPL 1, Emma Ilijoski played the full 90 minutes of Aberdeen's 2–1 home win over Motherwell.
In Sweden, Daniela Galić played in Vittsjö's 9–0 home win over lower tier side Värnamo in a friendly, scoring a brace for the Damallsvenskan side. I'm expecting Dani to be a key player for Vittsjö in the 2026 season, and a player that should absolutely be picked for the Asian Cup squad in my opinion.
Player of the Week — Alanna Kennedy
Alanna Kennedy is this week's Player of the Week for her solid defensive efforts for London City. Image source: Instagram (@londoncitylionesses).
Technically Daniela Galić's brace would have won her this week's award, but friendlies don't really count, do they? Since we had no Aussie goals, assists, clean sheets or Player of the Match awards this week, I've decided to give the award to the player with the highest Sofascore rating: Alanna Kennedy! Congrats Lani!
Conclusion
That's all for this week, but stay tuned for next week and for my official squad picks for the Asian Cup (to be released tomorrow)! As always feel free to comment any questions or to discuss the weekend's matches. Thanks for reading, hopefully you enjoyed and found this useful!
