EXCLUSIVE: Matilda Sally Shipard got a glimpse of football royalty when the Aussie midfielder got a VIP pass into LA Galaxy's training session at Telstra Stadium.
To see Galaxy training...
The 20-year-old Matildas midfielder said seeing the Englishman train – and hit some perfect dead balls – was eye-opening.
"It's the first time in the flesh, obviously I've seen him plenty of times on TV so it's pretty exciting," she said.
"He hit those balls very nicely. You obviously expect that off a set piece but it was pretty exciting to witness that."
Yesterday Shipard took part in the inaugural Women's A-League challenge – a mini tournament seen as a taster for next year's Women's A-League.
And our finest female talent conjured up a goal avalanche in the first round of the Women's A-League challenge – putting their male A-League counterparts to shame.
In very hot conditions, Newcastle Jets Women beat Sydney FC 4-2 on the weekend in front of an estimated 5,000 fans at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
By contrast, two 0-0 draws in the A-League on the same day hardly inspired much interest from fans – particularly the dire Sydney FC v Roar match which was one of the least entertaining of the season.
The Newcastle Jets Women had to come from behind after Sydney’s Heather Garriock opened the scoring with a spectacular goal in just the third minute.
The Jets took a 2-1 half time lead with two stunning long-range goals from Matildas duo Caitlin Munoz and Collette McCallum who were guesting for the home side.
Novacastrian striker Kate Gill extended the lead with a second half brace before former Young Matildas striker Leena Khamis pulled a goal back for the visitors.
"A lot of the players are rejuvenated after having about a month or so off after the World Cup," said Shipard.
The match featured 11 stars of the Matildas recent Women’s World Cup including Cheryl Salisbury and Gill with interstate Matildas including Sally Shipard, Munoz, McCallum and goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
The Sydney FC Women included Sarah Walsh, Dianne Alagich, Joanne Burgess and Garriock.
Shipard, 20, said fans should continue to see entertaining football in the Women's A-League challenge.
The players get a week off this weekend, but are back the following week.
To see Galaxy training...
The 20-year-old Matildas midfielder said seeing the Englishman train – and hit some perfect dead balls – was eye-opening.
"It's the first time in the flesh, obviously I've seen him plenty of times on TV so it's pretty exciting," she said.
"He hit those balls very nicely. You obviously expect that off a set piece but it was pretty exciting to witness that."
Yesterday Shipard took part in the inaugural Women's A-League challenge – a mini tournament seen as a taster for next year's Women's A-League.
And our finest female talent conjured up a goal avalanche in the first round of the Women's A-League challenge – putting their male A-League counterparts to shame.
In very hot conditions, Newcastle Jets Women beat Sydney FC 4-2 on the weekend in front of an estimated 5,000 fans at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
By contrast, two 0-0 draws in the A-League on the same day hardly inspired much interest from fans – particularly the dire Sydney FC v Roar match which was one of the least entertaining of the season.
The Newcastle Jets Women had to come from behind after Sydney’s Heather Garriock opened the scoring with a spectacular goal in just the third minute.
The Jets took a 2-1 half time lead with two stunning long-range goals from Matildas duo Caitlin Munoz and Collette McCallum who were guesting for the home side.
Novacastrian striker Kate Gill extended the lead with a second half brace before former Young Matildas striker Leena Khamis pulled a goal back for the visitors.
"A lot of the players are rejuvenated after having about a month or so off after the World Cup," said Shipard.
The match featured 11 stars of the Matildas recent Women’s World Cup including Cheryl Salisbury and Gill with interstate Matildas including Sally Shipard, Munoz, McCallum and goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
The Sydney FC Women included Sarah Walsh, Dianne Alagich, Joanne Burgess and Garriock.
Shipard, 20, said fans should continue to see entertaining football in the Women's A-League challenge.
The players get a week off this weekend, but are back the following week.
To see Galaxy training...
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