Welcome back to Matildas Abroad, where I analyse the performances of all our Aussies playing overseas!
Sweden (Damallsvenskan & Elitettan) — Häcken and Linköping secure crucial wins thanks to Doran's brace
Daniela Galić's (centre) Vittsjö came from behind to secure a textbook 2–1 over Brommapojkarna away from home. Image source: Instagram (@danielagalic).
Vittsjö kicked off the week in the Damallsvenskan with a 1–1 draw with Kristianstad. Despite being the better team throughout the match and leading for most of the game, Vittsjö settled for a point after a late equaliser from KDFF. Daniela Galić started in attacking midfield before coming off as a sub. Likewise, Remy Siemsen started and came off as a sub for Rosengård in their identical result at home against Norrköping. The result leaves Rosengård in 13th and in the relegation zone, while Vittsjö sit in ninth place.
Courtney Nevin (pictured) and Malmö FF suffered another setback in their hopes for the Damallsvenskan title. While it's still absolutely possible for the Himmelsblått to win the title, it will be very difficult now with the form Hammarby and Häcken are in. Image source: Instagram (@malmo_ff).
Staying in Scania, Malmö shared a point each with Eskilstuna after a 1–1 draw on the road, another blow to Malmö's title hopes. Amy Sayer started before coming off, while Courtney Nevin came off the bench. The Blåe remain fourth on the ladder, with AIK occupying the third of the three European places. To wrap up the top tier for last weekend, reigning double winners Häcken secured an extremely important victory over title race rivals Hammarby away from home, beating Bajen 1–0. Aivi Luik played the entirety of the match. Getingarna now sit top of the table on goal difference only, setting the scene for what should be another very exciting title race.
Polly Doran (pictured) scored a brace for Linköping FC in their 2–1 win over Umeå IK, a crucial win in a tight Elitettan promotion race. Image source: Instagram (@linkopingfootballclub and @elitettan).
In the Elitettan, Polly Doran was outstanding in Linköping's crucial 2–1 win over fellow promotion chasers Umeå. Polly found the back of the net in the 32nd minute before sealing the three points with a goal in the third minute of second half stoppage time to make it a brace. Linköping are now first and on level points with fellow unbeaten side Elfsborg after their 1–1 draw with Göteborg (their second draw of the season), though Elfsborg remain higher due to their incredible defensive record (having so far only conceded once this season).
Other leagues — Chidiac's Real Colorado secure enormous 10–0 win
Bella Chidiac (centre) may not've played a single minute in it, but Real Colorado secured a gigantic 10–0 win over Flatirons FC. Image source: Instagram (@isabella_chidiac).
In America's USL W-League, Real Colorado secured a gigantically emphatic victory on the road over Flatirons FC, winning by a whopping 10–0 scoreline. However, to burst the bubbles of the Aussies reading this, Bella Chidiac did not feature for Real Colorado. Nevertheless, the club sit on top of the Mountain Division.
Tori Tumeth (pictured) transferred to the right club at the right time, having become a key part of Vancouver Rise's starting 11 since signing for the club. Image source: Instagram (@alymaevisuals).
In Canada's NSL, Kahli Johnson played the entirety of Calgary Wild's 2–0 away loss to Halifax Tides. The Wild remain dead last and are still winless six games into the season, having accumulated just one point from a draw throughout those six matches. Meanwhile, Vancouver Rise's three-match winning streak came to an end, with a 10-player Rise side falling 3–1 at home to Ottawa Rapid. Tori Tumeth played the entirety of the match. The Rise sit fourth on the ladder.
Unlike her former Sydney FC teammate Tori Tumeth, Hana Lowry (pictured) mightn't've made the right move. She hasn't been starting for Vålerenga IF, who aren't doing great this season. Image source: Instagram (@tonningfoto).
In Norway's Toppserien, Hana Lowry was an unused substitute for Vålerenga in their 3–0 loss at home to reigning champions and league leaders Brann. The result sees Vålerenga drop to fourth, behind Brann by 12 points and behind both Aalesund and Rosenborg. Should they remain fourth, it would be Enga's worst season since 2021, and their worst since 2018 should they drop to fifth or sixth.
Transfer Talk — Gielnik signs for Pumas, Halmarick and Hawkesby leave Sydney FC
After a successful first season, Emily Gielnik (centre) has decided to stay in Mexico, but has swapped the Monterrey jersey for that of Pumas UNAM. Image source: Instagram (@pumasmxfemenil).
Opening this section with some transfer news, Emily Gielnik has completed a cross-country move from Monterrey to Pumas in Liga MX Femenil. The 34-year-old striker has found a new home in Mexico, having scored 10 goals across 28 games in all competitions for Rayadas, who finished as the runners-up for the 2025–26 season. Despite her club form, this hasn't translated into national team form based on her last friendly appearances, so it's likely that her Matildas career is done, but nevertheless she'll enjoy her time at Pumas.
Sydney FC captain Mackenzie Hawkesby (front), shown celebrating the Sky Blues' historic fifth championship in front of The Cove after the 2024 grand final, has confirmed her departure from the club after eight seasons in sky blue. Image source: Instagram (@mackenzie.hawkesby).
Meanwhile, Sydney FC (my team) announced four departures over the last week. Two of these were foreigners, American former Houston Dash teammates, close mates and fan favourites, defender Maddy Ayson (who plays for the Philippines) and goalkeeper Heather Hinz (who is returning home to the US for an opportunity over there). The other two were Aussies, with captain Mackenzie Hawkesby being the first of the quartet to bid an emotional farewell after eight seasons at the club and a semi-official retirement announcement earlier last week, cementing her legacy as a Sky Blues legend and hero. The other departure was Skye Halmarick, a promising striker who impressed for the Young Matildas at the U20 Asian Cup in Thailand (even scoring a hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Chinese Taipei, commonly known as Taiwan), who has surprisingly been let go by Australia's biggest club. The Sky Blues under James Slaveski will be looking to undergo a major rebuild, after culminating to our worst season in history last season. It’s unlikely that Skye will go overseas just yet due to her age and development stage, but Macca (affectionately nicknamed "the Hawk") could potentially be heading overseas, though it's unlikely she'll secure a move as big as her short stint at Brighton in the WSL.
Player of the week — Polly Doran
This week's Player of the Week award goes to Polly Doran for her brace against Umeå! Well done Polly!
Conclusion
That's all for this week, but stay tuned for next week! As always, feel free to jump into the comments with any questions or to discuss the weekend's matches. Thanks for reading, hopefully you found this helpful!
Sweden (Damallsvenskan & Elitettan) — Häcken and Linköping secure crucial wins thanks to Doran's brace
Daniela Galić's (centre) Vittsjö came from behind to secure a textbook 2–1 over Brommapojkarna away from home. Image source: Instagram (@danielagalic).
Vittsjö kicked off the week in the Damallsvenskan with a 1–1 draw with Kristianstad. Despite being the better team throughout the match and leading for most of the game, Vittsjö settled for a point after a late equaliser from KDFF. Daniela Galić started in attacking midfield before coming off as a sub. Likewise, Remy Siemsen started and came off as a sub for Rosengård in their identical result at home against Norrköping. The result leaves Rosengård in 13th and in the relegation zone, while Vittsjö sit in ninth place.
Courtney Nevin (pictured) and Malmö FF suffered another setback in their hopes for the Damallsvenskan title. While it's still absolutely possible for the Himmelsblått to win the title, it will be very difficult now with the form Hammarby and Häcken are in. Image source: Instagram (@malmo_ff).
Staying in Scania, Malmö shared a point each with Eskilstuna after a 1–1 draw on the road, another blow to Malmö's title hopes. Amy Sayer started before coming off, while Courtney Nevin came off the bench. The Blåe remain fourth on the ladder, with AIK occupying the third of the three European places. To wrap up the top tier for last weekend, reigning double winners Häcken secured an extremely important victory over title race rivals Hammarby away from home, beating Bajen 1–0. Aivi Luik played the entirety of the match. Getingarna now sit top of the table on goal difference only, setting the scene for what should be another very exciting title race.
Polly Doran (pictured) scored a brace for Linköping FC in their 2–1 win over Umeå IK, a crucial win in a tight Elitettan promotion race. Image source: Instagram (@linkopingfootballclub and @elitettan).
In the Elitettan, Polly Doran was outstanding in Linköping's crucial 2–1 win over fellow promotion chasers Umeå. Polly found the back of the net in the 32nd minute before sealing the three points with a goal in the third minute of second half stoppage time to make it a brace. Linköping are now first and on level points with fellow unbeaten side Elfsborg after their 1–1 draw with Göteborg (their second draw of the season), though Elfsborg remain higher due to their incredible defensive record (having so far only conceded once this season).
Other leagues — Chidiac's Real Colorado secure enormous 10–0 win
Bella Chidiac (centre) may not've played a single minute in it, but Real Colorado secured a gigantic 10–0 win over Flatirons FC. Image source: Instagram (@isabella_chidiac).
In America's USL W-League, Real Colorado secured a gigantically emphatic victory on the road over Flatirons FC, winning by a whopping 10–0 scoreline. However, to burst the bubbles of the Aussies reading this, Bella Chidiac did not feature for Real Colorado. Nevertheless, the club sit on top of the Mountain Division.
Tori Tumeth (pictured) transferred to the right club at the right time, having become a key part of Vancouver Rise's starting 11 since signing for the club. Image source: Instagram (@alymaevisuals).
In Canada's NSL, Kahli Johnson played the entirety of Calgary Wild's 2–0 away loss to Halifax Tides. The Wild remain dead last and are still winless six games into the season, having accumulated just one point from a draw throughout those six matches. Meanwhile, Vancouver Rise's three-match winning streak came to an end, with a 10-player Rise side falling 3–1 at home to Ottawa Rapid. Tori Tumeth played the entirety of the match. The Rise sit fourth on the ladder.
Unlike her former Sydney FC teammate Tori Tumeth, Hana Lowry (pictured) mightn't've made the right move. She hasn't been starting for Vålerenga IF, who aren't doing great this season. Image source: Instagram (@tonningfoto).
In Norway's Toppserien, Hana Lowry was an unused substitute for Vålerenga in their 3–0 loss at home to reigning champions and league leaders Brann. The result sees Vålerenga drop to fourth, behind Brann by 12 points and behind both Aalesund and Rosenborg. Should they remain fourth, it would be Enga's worst season since 2021, and their worst since 2018 should they drop to fifth or sixth.
Transfer Talk — Gielnik signs for Pumas, Halmarick and Hawkesby leave Sydney FC
After a successful first season, Emily Gielnik (centre) has decided to stay in Mexico, but has swapped the Monterrey jersey for that of Pumas UNAM. Image source: Instagram (@pumasmxfemenil).
Opening this section with some transfer news, Emily Gielnik has completed a cross-country move from Monterrey to Pumas in Liga MX Femenil. The 34-year-old striker has found a new home in Mexico, having scored 10 goals across 28 games in all competitions for Rayadas, who finished as the runners-up for the 2025–26 season. Despite her club form, this hasn't translated into national team form based on her last friendly appearances, so it's likely that her Matildas career is done, but nevertheless she'll enjoy her time at Pumas.
Sydney FC captain Mackenzie Hawkesby (front), shown celebrating the Sky Blues' historic fifth championship in front of The Cove after the 2024 grand final, has confirmed her departure from the club after eight seasons in sky blue. Image source: Instagram (@mackenzie.hawkesby).
Meanwhile, Sydney FC (my team) announced four departures over the last week. Two of these were foreigners, American former Houston Dash teammates, close mates and fan favourites, defender Maddy Ayson (who plays for the Philippines) and goalkeeper Heather Hinz (who is returning home to the US for an opportunity over there). The other two were Aussies, with captain Mackenzie Hawkesby being the first of the quartet to bid an emotional farewell after eight seasons at the club and a semi-official retirement announcement earlier last week, cementing her legacy as a Sky Blues legend and hero. The other departure was Skye Halmarick, a promising striker who impressed for the Young Matildas at the U20 Asian Cup in Thailand (even scoring a hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Chinese Taipei, commonly known as Taiwan), who has surprisingly been let go by Australia's biggest club. The Sky Blues under James Slaveski will be looking to undergo a major rebuild, after culminating to our worst season in history last season. It’s unlikely that Skye will go overseas just yet due to her age and development stage, but Macca (affectionately nicknamed "the Hawk") could potentially be heading overseas, though it's unlikely she'll secure a move as big as her short stint at Brighton in the WSL.
Player of the week — Polly Doran
This week's Player of the Week award goes to Polly Doran for her brace against Umeå! Well done Polly!
Conclusion
That's all for this week, but stay tuned for next week! As always, feel free to jump into the comments with any questions or to discuss the weekend's matches. Thanks for reading, hopefully you found this helpful!
