Grace Maher and Ashleigh Sykes are expected to team up again for Canberra United when the new W-League season kicks off later this month.
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But there will be no signs of rust from either of the Dubbo products, who have had virtually no off-season.
Sykes, one of the stars in Canberra’ run to last season’s W-League premiership win, is coming off a title triumph in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the United States’ elite competition, with the Portland Thorns while Maher is currently captaining the Young Matildas at the 2017 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under 19s Women’s Championship in China.
Sykes made the switch to the Thorns following United’s success at home and despite being the focal point of her side’s attack in Australia, at Portland she was converted to a wing back.
And the former Dubbo Devils talent has thrived there.
Portland Thorns head coach Mark Parsons referred to Sykes as a “prodigy” for the way she had handled the transition and helped her side to win one of the most competitive and high standard leagues in women’s global sport.
Portland won the NWSL grand final 1-0 over the North Carolina Courage on Monday morning (Australian time) while less than 48 hours later Sykes’ Canberra teammate Maher was leading her country out against South Korea on the other side of the world.
I have got a lot of trust in myself to be able to play the game that I want.
- Grace Maher on captaincy
The two sides went into the half time break all square but with Maher patrolling the midfield and fellow western product Ellie Carpenter of Cowra impressing at the back, Australia began to take control.
Second half goals to Sydney FC duo Remy Siemsen and Princess Ibini sealed the win.
The Young Matildas are now well-placed to advance from Group B, with matches against Japan and Vietnam to come this week.
A top two finish in Group B would see Australia through to the semi-finals, guaranteeing the chance to qualify for next year’s FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup in France. The top three teams at the AFC Championship advance to the World Cup as Asia’s representatives.
If the side does make it that far, Maher won’t be overawed by wearing the captain’s armband on the grand stage.
“I have got a lot of trust in myself to be able to play the game that I want,” she said last season in relation to playing as a leader.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
