World Cup preparations are kicking into full swing for a number of our Roar Women while NWSL & BRFC winter campaigns continue on both sides of the world.
Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry, Clare Polkinghorne and Hayley Raso have joined the Westfield Matildas for their pre-World Cup camp in Turkey as preparations ramp up for the tournament which kicks off in France in just under a fortnight’s time.
The hard work in Antalaya will continue for the squad before taking on the Netherlands in a pre-tournament friendly in Eindhoven on June 2 with the side’s first match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place on June 9 against Italy.
Speaking from the camp, Roar winger Hayley Raso says belief is high amongst the group.
“I think we have a really talented group of girls in this generation right now and I think we can achieve something special,” Raso said.
“I’m sure everybody who has played for the Green and Gold has wanted to win a major tournament and it’s exciting that we have the chance to do that this time round.”
In NWSL action, Raso’s Portland Thorns climbed to third place on the table courtesy of a 1-0 win over Sky Blue FC while Roar teammate Celeste Boureille was an unused substitute for the Thorns.
Carson Pickett and Chioma Ubogagu both played the full 90 minutes for Orlando Pride as they were downed 2-0 by the Utah Royals.
Yuki Nagasato suffered a similar fate as her Chicago Red Stars were defeated by Washington Spirit in a result that saw the Spirit leapfrog the Red Stars on the league table.
Two of our Roar Women will be pitted against each other next weekend as Boureille’s Portland Thorns play host to Nagasato’s Red Stars.
