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8.3.2026

MATILDAS AND KOREA REPUBLIC PLAY OUT A SIX-GOAL THRILLER

The Matildas have failed to top Group A in the Women’s Asian Cup, after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Korea Republic at Stadium Australia in Sydney. An early strike by Mun Eun-ju gave Korea the lead, but goals from Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr sent the Matildas into the break with the lead. But two quick second-half goals from substitutes Kim Shin-Ji and Kang Chae-Rim turned the game around. It looked like a loss, but Kennedy levelled deep into stoppage time, sending the record-breaking 60,279 fans into raptures, but the result leaves Korea Republic in pole position.

“We were just careless in certain things," Montemurro said post-match. “We didn't get our distances right, probably the ball speed was a bit too slow at times. It's a pity, because in the first half especially we sort of adjusted tactically and it work, and then in the second-half, the whole idea was to manage the game and we got ourselves caught. You never doubt the fight, you never doubt the confidence and the fight, but we need to manage games better. We were very patchy tonight and I think when you play against a quality team, and when they can retain the ball, you're not going to get the result you want."

Australia made five changes to the side that beat Iran last time out, Mackenzie Arnold, Winonah Heatley, Claire Wheeler, Steph Catley and Katrina Gorry coming in with Chloe Lincoln, Courtney Nevin, Emily van Egmond, Amy Sayer and Charlize Rule dropping to the bench. The Matildas were on the front foot early, Kerr’s shot from distance was straight at Kim Min-Jeong, before Kennedy sent Ella Carpenter down the right, her cross picked out Caitlin Foord, but the Arsenal striker couldn’t keep her shot down. They lost Catley after a head knock, becoming the second Matildas player to leave the field with concussion in the last two games, replaced by Nevin. But on 13 minutes, and with their first attack the Korea Republic opened the scoring.

Kerr gave the ball away and Korea Republic broke quickly, with Jeon Yu-Gyeong racing away down the left, and her cross was turned home low past Arnold by Eun-Ju. They went close to a second moments later, Eun-Ju heading over the top. The crowd were stunned, and Korea went close again, with a quick free kick catching the Matildas napping, but Noh Jin-Young shot from distance was saved by Arnold. The Matildas lifted and on the half hour Kerr found Mary Fowler, and her goalbound shot was deflected wide. Then from the resulting corner the Matildas levelled, Korea Republic failed to deal with it, the ball falling to Fowler, and her shot was turned home by the alert Kennedy.

The Matildas ended the half well, and Fowler sent Kerr in on goal, and the former Perth Glory skipper raced clear, but fired wide of the target. They were in again in the third minute of stoppage time, Foord finding space on the edge of the box, but her shot flashed wide of the target. It looked like they would go into the break level, but Kerr had other ideas, giving the Matildas the lead in the final minute of stoppage time. Foord teeing up Kerr, and she found the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box, to send Montemurro’s side into the break with the lead.

Korea Republic made a great start to the second half, and restored parity four minutes in. Half time substitute Chae-Rim raced into the box, and her shot was pushed around the post by Arnold. But it looked like her shot struck the arm of Nevin, and after a VAR check Korea Republic were awarded a penalty. The other half time substitute Shin-Ji sent Arnold the wrong way from the resulting spot kick. Then shortly after they hit the front again, Chae-Rim finding space on the edge of the box and finished low past Arnold.

The Matildas were struggling to break down a tight Korean defence, while they were hitting on the counter attack, and on 70 minutes Chae-Rim was denied by Arnold. Substitute Emily van Egmond fired over the top five minutes from time, but time was running out. Kennedy saw her header saved by Min-Jeong, and it looked like defeat, but in the eighth minute of stoppage time the Matildas levelled. Kerr laid off for the onrushing Kennedy and she thundered home, but it wasn’t enough to seal top spot in the group.

Their path to the final will now run through Perth, where they’ll face either North Korea or China in a quarterfinal at Perth Oval and then, in all likelihood, face the other one at Perth Stadium if they progress through that. The South Koreans, meanwhile, will face one of the third-placed finishers in Sydney and then, should they go through there as expected, face off with Japan in a huge semi-final. “We know we needed the win tonight, so it felt like a loss,” Sam Kerr said. “There were a few chances we should have put away and would like to put away. Three goals are nice to score but three goals conceded is disappointing. [China and North Korea are] both good teams. Hopefully it goes better than tonight.”

Australia: GK Mackenzie Arnold, 3 Winonah Heatley (23 Kyra Cooney-Cross 84’), 4 Clare Hunt, 6 Clare Wheeler (17 Amy Sayer 71’), 7 Steph Catley (2 Courtney Nevin 19’), 9 Caitlin Foord, 11 Mary Fowler, 14 Alanna Kennedy, 19 Katrina Gorry (10 Emily van Egmond 84’), 20 Sam Kerr, 21 Ellie Carpenter – Subs not used: RGK Chloe Lincoln, RGK Morgan Aquino, 5 Jamilla Rankin, 8 Kaitlyn Torpey, 13 Alex Chidiac, 15 Kahli Johnson, 22 Michelle Heyman, 24 Charlize Rule, 25 Holly McNamara, 26 Remy Siemsen

Korea Republic: GK Kim Min-Jung, 5 Ko Yoo-Jin, 9 Mun Eun-Ju (26 Kim Min-Ji 90+7'), 10 Ji So-Yun (2 Kim Jin-Hui 71'), 11 Choe Yu-Ri (23 Kang Chae-Rim), 13 Park Soo-Jeong, 14 Jung Min-Young (8 Kim Shin-Ji 45'), 15 Jeon Yu-Gyeong (6 Casey Phair 78'), 16 Jang Sel-Gi, 19 Noh Jin-Young (25 Lee Min-Hwa 90+1'), 20 Kim Hye-Ri – Subs not used: RGK Ryu Ji-Su, 3 Park Hye-Jeong, 4 Shin Na-Yeong, 7 Son Hwa-Yeon, 12 Song Jae-Eun, 17 Choi Yoo-Jung, 22 Choo Hyo-Joo, 24 Lee Eun-Young

8.3.2026

NPLWA – MENS – WEEK TWO REVIEW

Stirling Macedonia have joined the unbeaten Bayswater City and Western Knights, who both won on Friday and Saturday afternoon respectively, at the top of the New Balance NPLWA – Men’s table after a 3-0 win against Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday evening. “We started the game very well and we should have scored early, but after that Sorrento took control of the game for the rest of first half and we weren’t great on the ball and start losing possession easy and not being patient in our build up play,” Stirling coach Ago Mujic explained. “Second half was different story, we dominated all second half and scored three goals, and also very pleased with clean sheet again.”

A tight first half with both sides having their chances, but it was the visitors who found the opener on the hour. Jamie Bilaloski ball over the top sent Callum Mackenzie clear and he lifted the ball over the on-coming Ben Ratajczak. They doubled their advantage ten minutes later, Mackenzie raced down the left, his cross hit the arm of Ronan Dowling, and the referee pointed to the spot. Mackenzie stepped and sent Ratajczak the wrong way from the resulting penalty. They sealed the points soon after, Joshua Anasmo sending fellow substitute Kai Matthews down the left, and his cross fell to Mackenzie, whose half volley completed his hat-trick.

In Saturday’s other early game, the points were shared at the RedStar Arena, with Perth RedStar and Olympic Kingsway playing out a 0-0 draw. “I thought we played excellent today. It was mostly an even contest although I thought we finished both halves’ better than Kingsway and just need to be more clinical to get the three points,” RedStar coach Callum Salmon said. “We go again Bayswater next week and we’ll be looking to improve again and come away with the win.” The visitors had the better chances in the first half, Robert Harker shot found the side netting after 13 minutes, and Liam Reddy denied the striker again as they pushed for the opener.

Mitch Oxborrow then stung the palms of Reddy, and the former Glory keeper did enough to keep it out, while RedStar’s best chance fell to skipper Blair Govan, who headed wide of the target. After the break RedStar were on the front foot and Aaron Black’s shot on the run flew over the top, before Sonny O’Shea’s dangerous ball into the box was well claimed by Adrian Sinagra, with Black ready to pounce. They went even closer on the hour, Black’s cross shot beat Sinagra, but hit the far post and away to safety. The chances kept coming at both ends, substitute Daniel De Silva’s shot was well blocked by Luke Bodnar, after good work from former RedStar striker Bryce Bafford.

RedStar skipper Gordon Smith was then denied late by Sinagra, before Reddy made a smart save at his post to thwart Harker. RedStar almost won it in stoppage time, Black crossing to teenage substitute Teddie Curran, but his header was saved by Sinagra. “It was a tough game in the extreme heat. I was happy with the effort from the boys and we defended well to limit RedStar to very few chances,” Olympic coach David Tough said. “We had a few chances ourselves but couldn’t take them. The squad was a bit stretched today, but it was good to get more minutes into Bafford and De Silva, and the clean sheet was a positive. Overall, I felt both teams cancelled each other out and a draw was probably a fair result.”

In the late game at the Home Group Stadium, Grindleford Reserve we had a seven-goal thriller, with Fremantle City beating hosts Balcatta Etna 4-3 to win the Sicilian Cup. “It was great to get the job done in the end, and we knew it was going to be a really tough match, with Balcatta looking to bounce back after their match against Baysie,” Inglewood’s Chad Nilson explained. “I thought we controlled the majority of the game, and got a deserved win in the end. For us, now it’s about playing at this level consistently, because we know we can be a top side.”

The visitors were ahead on eight minutes, good work down the left by Nilson, saw him beat his marker and crossed to Iljas Ahmedov, who scored from close-range. But Balcatta were level seven minutes later, a loose pass was pounced on by Matthew Tomassone, his shot was blocked but it fell to Jon Stynes, who volleyed home superbly from the edge of the box. Fremantle were back in front sixty seconds later, Max Naylor cross found Nilson, whose shot on the turn beat Stefan Sotirovski. Balcatta went into the break level, after they equalised just before the half hour mark, with Darius Ghinea cutting inside the left of the penalty area, and he curled home superbly past Luke Radonich.

The hosts hit the front for the first time on the night seven minutes into the second half. Charlie Betts’ shot was saved by Radonich, with half time substitute Charlie Betts headed the rebound back across goal and Ghinea scored from close-range. But Fremantle weren’t finished and two quick goals sealed the win. First on 65 minutes Nilson was brought down in the box by Hayden Lowe, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Charlie Chechlacz stepped and sent Sotirovski the wrong way from the resulting penalty. Then three minutes later they won it, John Chalmers’ ball out wide found Nilson, and he cut inside his marker and finished clinically to seal the three points. “Not entirely happy with conceding three but a good resilient gritty performance,” Fremantle coach Dale Wingnell said. “Chad Nielson was very good in key moments, so we will take the three points and look to remedy our mistakes and will look to improve next week.”

8.3.2026

GLORY EARN A VALUABLE POINT IN AUCKLAND

Perth Glory have fought an entertaining 2-2 draw against second placed Auckland FC in their week 20 Isuzu Ute A-League clash at the Go Media Stadium on Sunday morning. Sam Cosgrove gave the hosts the lead early, and it looked like being a long day for Adam Griffiths’ side, but goals either side of half time from Brian Kaltak and Stefan Colakovski saw Glory take the lead. The hosts secured a point on the hour, with Cosgrove’s header coming off the post and into the net off the unfortunate Matt Sutton. Both sides had chances to win it, but they had to settle for a point.

The Glory sit four points out of a finals spot, and skipper Scott Wotton said they were disappointed not take all three points. “I think if you offered us a point away to Auckland at the start of the season we would have taken it, so it’s a good point against a very strong team, who have been the benchmark since they come into the league,” Wotton said post-match. “But the circumstances of the game, coming from behind, to go 2-1 up, we’re a bit disappointed not to take three points, especially in the situation we’re in, trying to make the top six.”

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks with travel for Glory, and Adam Griffiths made just the one change to the side that draw in Brisbane last week. Gio De Abreu missed the game due to suspension, with Will Freney replacing him in the heart of the midfield. The hosts needed a win to keep tabs on league leaders Newcastle, and they were out of the blocks early, taking the lead on seven minutes. Glory failed to clear a free kick, the ball falling to Cosgrove who fired low past matt Sutton. Shortly after Cosgrove was the supplier sending Guillermo May into the box, his shot flashed inches past the post.

The visitors were on the back foot as Auckland continued to dominate, and Sutton got down well to save Jesse Randell’s shot, before Logan Rogerson blazed over the top from close-range. Glory weathered the storm and started to get into the game, and Colakovski fired over the top on the half hour, after neat build up from Charbel Shamoon. Then six minutes before the break they levelled, a corner from the left by Luca Tevere, was flicked on by Nicholas Pennington at the front post, and Kaltak, who was playing his 100th A-League game, dived in to head home, before being swamped by his teammates, and it was all-square at the break.

Auckland began well again after the break, Cosgrove downward header bouncing over the top, before Sutton made a good one-handed save to deny Cameron Howieson eight minutes in. But on 56 minutes Glory stunned the home crowd as they hit the front. Tevere was given far too much room in the middle of the park, and the midfielder drove at the Auckland defence, before slipping in a perfectly weighted through ball to Colakovski who finished clinically past Michael Woud, and went off to celebrate in front of the home supporters, which didn’t go down well, and earned him a yellow card.

But six minutes later the hosts were level, Francis De Vries’ cross was powered home by Cosgrove via the post, but the referee spotted a foul and disallowed the goal. But after a VAR check the goal was given, and own goal to Sutton, the ball striking the keeper off the post. Both sides had chances to win it, May’s effort from the edge of the box was saved low by Sutton, before substitute Adam Taggert fired one inches wide of the post from distance, but at full time the points were shared. It’s a return to Wellington next week for Sutton, and he looking forward to the game. “I’m looking forward to Wellington next week, I have good memories playing at that stadium,” the big defender said. “But all the focus will be trying to get the win. It will be a huge game, as we look to get into the top six.”

Auckland FC: GK ?Michael WOUD, 3 Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 7 Cameron HOWIESON (22 Jake BRIMMER 65'), 8 Felipe GALLEGOS (77 Lachlan BROOK 65'), 9 Sam COSGROVE, 10 Guillermo MAY, 15 Francis DE VRIES, 17 Callan ELLIOT (35 Jonty BIDOIS 90+4'), 21 Jesse RANDALL, 23 Dan HALL, 27 Logan ROGERSON (6 Louis VERSTRAETE 65') – Subs not used: RGK Jimmy HILTON, 14 Liam GILLION, 52 Luka VICELICH

Perth Glory: GK Matt SUTTON, 2 Charbel SHAMOON, 3 Sam SUTTON, 4 Scott WOOTTON, 7 Nicholas PENNINGTON, 8 Callum TIMMINS (19 Josh RISDON 83'), 9 Jaiden KUCHARSKI (22 Adam TAGGART 67'), 18 Luca TEVERE (20 Trent OSTLER 67'), 27 Will FRENEY (24 Andriano LEBIB 90'), 45 Brian KALTAK, 67 Stefan COLAKOVSKI (23 Anthony DIDULICA 90') – Subs not used: RGK Ryan WARNER, 16 Gabriel POPOVIC – Attendance: 12,777 - Referee: Declan Woods

8.3.2026

BELT UP AMATEUR PREMIER DIVISION NIGHT SERIES – WEEK THREE WRAP

The semi-finalists in the Belt-Up Amateur Premier Division Night Series with Wanneroo City winning Group A, with North Perth United top of Group B, and Kelmscott Roos winning Group C, while Noranda Emerald secured their place as the highest runners-up. In Group A on Friday evening at Wanneroo Reserve, the hosts sealed top spot after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Maccabi in the late game. “Friday night was a very tough game, Maccabi were a great test, they came to play and have a go,” Wanneroo coach Jason Winter explained. “We conceded just before halftime, but our reaction to going behind was very pleasing from the lad. We made five subs after the break, and all had a great impact, so it was good to win the group and make a semi-final.”

Maccabi, who could have reached the semi-final with a victory, found the opener on 37 minutes, a corner, found Dion Berman at the back post and he brought it down and crossed back in and Langdon Heath headed it in at the near post. But the hosts levelled two minutes later, a great ball from Sam Gammack picked out Robbie Sallis who headed home. Wanneroo were ahead on the hour, with jack Wilson converting from the spot, and it looked like they would go on and win it, but in the final minute Maccabi restored parity. A corner wasn’t dealt with and in the goalmouth scramble Aamon Zothner fired home from close-range. “We’re obviously disappointed at not getting the win we needed to progress to the semis,” Maccabi coach Ricky Berelowitz explained.

“But I’m certainly pleased with a lot of aspects of our performance especially still so early in the year and with a number of key players missing, “They’re a good side who will certainly look to be near the top of the ladder this season but I felt we matched them for long periods especially in the first half, and pleased that we didn’t give up and kept pushing in the last 15 minutes. Unfortunately, there were periods where we went into our shell a bit and didn’t play our usual game, and hopefully with a bit more fitness and as we get into the season, we’ll be able to put in 90-minute performances.”

In the early game at the venue a goal 16 minutes from time from Sam Church, gave Simone Sichel’s Kingsley Westside a 1-0 win against Olympic Kingsway. “It was a very good contest against a strong Olympic Kingsway side with a lot of quality players and a very good coaching staff. Even though it was still a pre-season game, it had the very high pace and a great intensity through all the 90 minutes,” Kingsley coach Simone Sichel explained. “Olympic are a well-organised team and they made it a tough game for us. I thought we created a number of good chances across the match and, overall, we probably did enough to deserve the win, even if we could have been a bit more clinical in front of goal. It was also pleasing to keep a clean sheet against opposition of that quality, our goal keeper Tom (Bull) just after we scored made a great safe to keep us ahead. I’m proud of the work rate and attitude the players showed, and it’s encouraging to start seeing the work we’re doing during the week translate onto the pitch. It’s still early days and there’s a lot to improve, but it was a positive step for the group.”

Also on Friday, at Kingfisher Park North Perth United secured top spot after a thrilling 5-3 win against Hamersley Rovers. A win for either team would see them win the group and it was United who took control with three goals in the opening 25 minutes. First on eight minutes Connor Hartley was brought down in the box, and Barry Boggan converted from the spot. They added a second ten minutes later, great work down the right by Eoin Haverty and Marcus Seydel, saw the ball find Reagan McGoldrick who fired it into the roof of the net from distance. It was 3-0 after new signing Ben Green raced into the box and was upended, and Boggan added his second penalty.

Rovers pulled one back on the half hour, with Callum Duguid scoring, and just before the break North Perth were reduced to ten-men, with McGoldrick sent off. Rovers were right back in the game early in the second half, with Duguid adding his second from the spot, after Alex Wild was sent off to bring United down to nine. But the nine-men added a fourth shortly after, new signing Marcus Seydel got his first goal for the club, after a long diagonal ball split the defence and he took one touch before finishing with aplomb past Jack Telford. Rovers continued to press and pulled another one back 12 minutes from time, with Bryan Nobles making it 4-3 also from the penalty spot, and it was game on. But three minutes from time United sealed the win, Boggan broke away and spotted Shane Wyse out on the right, he took a lovely touch past the defender then lobbed the onrushing keeper. “Happy to reach the semi-final,” North Perth coach Chris Batten said. “It was a crazy game with four penalties and two red cards for us, and there wasn’t even a bad tackle in the game either.”

In the early game Swan United have won their first game in the competition beating Ballajura 4-1. The Swans were ahead when youngster Tom White fired home from the edge of box on his first team debut. Things went from bad to worse for Ballajura five minutes from the break, with Marc Heger sent off, and Liam Merigan converted the resulting free kick in the edge of the box. They added a third on 71 minutes, Aidan Murray volleying home from a free kick out wide, before Dami Afolabi made it 4-0 with a clinical strike from edge of the box. Ballajura found a late consolation goal with Shohab Shujai on target. “Our squad depth has been tested this week with various players unavailable, so it was pleasing to see some of the younger lads step up and end the group with a win,” Swan coach Lee Taylor said. “Our performances have been better in previous weeks and we’ve probably not picked up the points our performances deserved so far. Disappointed not to progress to the next round but pleased with the direction we are heading and we can now focus on getting ready for the main season.”

So, there were two places up for grabs in Saturday evening’s Group C games, and it was Kemscott Roos who sealed top spot with a hard fought 2-1 win against Kwinana United at Kelly Park “It was another good performance from the whole squad, and every player played their part in an important win,” Kelmscott keeper Taylor Warwick said. “Kwinana looked dangerous early, but we weathered the storm on a really hot day, and found an important goal that turned the game into our favour. It’s nice to get into another semifinal, and all our hard work in preseason is paying dividends early which is nice.” Kelmscott were ahead early, a corner was sent to the back post by Gerhard McGahey, and Emmanuel made no mistake, heading home. It was a tight game with Kwinana pushing for the equaliser, but it was Kelmscott who added a second, nine minutes from time. McGahey picked the ball up in the midfield and played a great ball over the Kwinana backline, which found Lemeo Wordu, who took a great first touch and finished low past the keeper. Kwinana found a consolation goal in stoppage time, with Thomas Walsh converting from th spot, but the Roos held firm to seal their semi-final spot.

In the late game, a good win for Noranda Emerald would see them pip Hamersley Rovers for the highest runners up place, and they delivered, with a 7-0 win against a depleted Jaguar side who only had ten players. Rovers had six points and a goal difference of +2, so they just had to win to progress, and they started brightly and were 3-0 up at the break. Darragh Carroll broke the deadlock from a corner, this after some great saves from the Jags keeper Lam Gai to keep the scores level. New signing Aaron McDaid got his first goal for the club, and duly added his second before the break. They went on with it after the break, Conor Hogan added fourth early from another corner, before a quick-fire brace from Lee Wilson made it 6-0, before Ronan Flaherty rounded off the scoring late. ‘We’re happy to have snuck in as the best runner up,’ coach Payl Curran said. “We’ve been using the night series to blood new players and try out some formations and try new players in different positions so we’re happy to continue with hopefully a couple more competitive matches before the league starts. The other three teams look to be in good shape early on, so it should make for two good semifinals.”

7.3.2026

ATHENA TAKE OUT STATE LEAGUE NIGHT SERIES FINAL

Floreat Athena are the 2026 State League Night Series winners, after a 4-1 win against Inglewood United at Proto DPS Inglewood stadium on Saturday evening. Both sides were unbeaten in this year’s competition, but it was Floreat who led at the break after Jacob Young headed home. They added two more early in the second half with Harry Lewis and Luis Adlard on target, and although Royston Griffiths pulled one back for the hosts, a goal seven minutes from time from Jordan Langley sealed the win.

We started slowly but grew into the game, and we’re delighted to win the Night Series, but it’s only preseason, we have a lot of work to do,” Athena coach Alun Vernals said post-match. “We took our chances well and I was pleased how we defended, just one slip up gave them a sniff, but we now prepare for our cup game against UWA Nedlands next week, and our opening league game against them in two weeks time.”

It was a slow start to the game with clear cut chances few and far between, the best for the hosts saw Liam Hudson cut in from the left, but he couldn’t keep his shot down, while at the other end Lewis’ in-swinging corner was pushed away by Inglewood keeper Jordan Barbas. The home side had the ball int the net on 18 minutes, Gavin Byars turning home from close-range. But the flag was up for offside. It was a good spell from Inglewood, and Floreat custodian Devon Lindemann did well to block Byars close-range effort, before Ciaran Salinger volleyed over the top.

Floreat lifted, and their best chance fell to Jordan Langley on 26 minutes, pouncing on a mistake in the middle of the park and raced into goal, but Barbas stood tall to save. It was end-to-end football and the lively Byars saw his shot flash wide, after good work on the right by Declan Hudson. Moments later Tom Wassholm’s teasing cross was pushed away by Barbas at full stretch. But five minutes before the break it was Floreat who made the break through. Wassholm’s corner from the left picked out Jacob Young, who had replaced Rhys Davies earlier, and he rose highest to head home, and send Floreat to the sheds with a 1-0 lead.

Inglewood went close to the equaliser early in the second half, Byars firing over the top, after Floreat didn’t clear a long-throw. But eight minutes in it was Floreat who doubled their lead, Wassholm made space down the left, his low cross picked out Lewis, whose shot was well saved by Barbas, but Tomlinson was first to react to the rebound to score from close-range. Inglewood should have pulled one back moments later, after Lindermann didn’t deal with a long clearance, and Shane McMonagle beat him to the ball, and his lob crashed off the bar, and back into the grateful arms of the Floreat custodian.

That miss came back to haunt the hosts, with Floreat adding a third shortly after, a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box by Luis Adlard. Inglewood found a lifeline on the hour, Ciaran Salinger’s free kick was spilled by Lindermann, and Griffiths scored from close-range. But Inglewood couldn’t find another, and it was Floreat who went close next, Barbas saving well to deny Langley, and the Inglewood shot stopper saved again to deny Wassholm moments later.

The game was put to bed seven minutes from time, when Floreat added a fourth. A cross-field pass by Joshua Willis found Wassholm on the left, he cut inside the box but his shot was well saved by Barbas, but Langley fired home the rebound. In the 3rd and 4th playoff game early, Gwelup Croatia came back from behind to beat Subiaco AFC 2-1. Jonty Pearson gave Subiaco the lead early, but second half goal from McDermott and a Jacob Rossi completed the comeback win.

Inglewood United: GK Jordan Barbas, 4 Ciaran Salinger, 5 Shane McMonagle, 6 Kian Mcguigan, 7 Liam Hudson, 10 Rostyn Griffiths, 11 Declan Hudson (2 Filip Minic 57’), 14 Martin Coughlan (12 Leon Giglia 57’), 15 Gavin Byars (17 Oliver Simpson 79’), 16 Daniel Nikoloski (9 Charlie Nicholson 60’), 18 Jordan Brown – Subs not used: 21 Gianluca De Felice, 38 Oliver Niyobuhugiro, 58 Louis Giglia

Floreat Athena: GK Devon Lindemann, 4 Nathan Ng (20 Mohammed Al-Zaidy 62’), 5 Rhys Davies (16 Jacob Young 29’), 6 Declan Hargreaves, 8 Harvey Tomlinson, 9 Tom Wassholm, 10 Jordan Langley (21 Moustafa Mohamed 84’), 11 Ajang Yuot, 13 Linus Persson, 19 Lewis Adler, 24 Harry Lewis (25 Joshua Willis 62’) - Subs not used: RGK Joshua Hunter, 3 Daniel Nga, 12 Rowan Steed – Referee: Tom Glavovic

7.3.2026

KNIGHTS TOO STRONG FOR DIANELLA

Western Knights have made it back-to-back wins to start the New Balance NPLWA – Men’s season after a 3-1 win against traditional rivals Dianella White Eagles in our Week Two ‘Match of the Round’ at a very warm Nash Field on Saturday afternoon. First half goals from Justin Tang and Aaron Pike set them on their way, before Pike added his second after the break. Franc Gamiz-Quer pulled one back late for the visitors, but the damage had already been done.

"I thought we handled the big game occasion very well and defensively we were very solid, especially when Dianella had a good period in the middle part of the first half,’ Knights coach Adam Kostrencic explained. “We created some very good opportunities in both halves and our goals were well worked and taken. We could have added a couple more but overall, another very good performance and result.”

It was a hot day in Perth, and with the temperature around 32 degrees at kick off and it was a cagey opening to the game, with both sides having half chances. First on eight minutes Dianella’s Miguel Restrepo shot on the run was over the top, and two minutes later Knights’ Konstantinos Sparta found Pike down the left channel, and his low shot was saved by Joel Driscoll. But on 14 minutes it was the hosts who found the opener. Sparta was sent out wide by Kristian Santich, and his cross into the box was turned home by Tang, much to the delight of the home faithful in the big crowd.

First on eight minutes Dianella’s Miguel Restrepo shot on the run was over the top, and two minutes later Knights’ Konstantinos Sparta found Pike down the left channel, and his low shot was saved by Joel Driscoll. But on 14 minutes it was the hosts who found the opener. Sparta was sent out wide by Kristian Santich, and his cross into the box was turned home by Tang, much to the delight of the home faithful in the big crowd.

The Eagles looked for a quick response, but Daniel Zivkovic’s curling effort was just over the top. The Knights lifted the tempo, and had Dianella on the back foot and Santich’s snap shot flashed wide, before Sparta’s free kick was straight at Driscoll. The best chance of the half for the visitors came on 23 minutes, skipper Sasa Njegic was given far too much room in the middle of the park and his shot on the run flashed inches wide of the post, and moments later George Ballah’s long-range shot fizzed wide.

But seven minutes from half time it was the Knights who doubled their advantage. Sparta was the supplier again, crossing from the right to Jesse Lazzaro, and his shot was turned home by Aaron Pike. It was almost three sixty seconds later, the lively Santich racing clear, but his shot was well saved by the alert Driscoll, but at the break the hosts were well in command.

The visitors needed a good start after the break, but they found the Knights resolute in defence, with Daniel Walsh and Noah Lummert outstanding at the heart of the back four. Ian Ferguson’s side did go close on 53 minutes, good work down the right by former Knights striker Albert Luwi, saw him beat his marker and cross into the box, but there was no one there to finish it. Then three minutes later the home side showed them how to do it, adding a third. A neat back-heal from the impressive Sparta found Pike, and the striker still had a lot of work to do, but he weaved his way to the edge of the box before finishing with aplomb past Driscoll.

They went close to another on 75 minutes, with Walsh rising highest from Woonsub Sim’s corner, but he couldn’t direct his header home, and moments later Jesse Lazzaro’s curling effort drifted just wide of the post. Dianella found a lifeline three minutes from time, Kristian Despotovski’s corner headed home by Franc Gamiz-Quer, and they went close to a second in stoppage time, Lachan Collins firing over after Gamiz-Quer knock down. But it was too little too late, and it was the Knights taking the points, and making it two wins to start the season. - Footballwa - Man of the Match - Daniel Walsh (Western Knights)

Western Knights: GK Sam Reilly, 2 Regan Hutchinson, 4 Daniel Walsh, 6 Noah Lummert, 8 Woonsub Sim (3 Luke Sprigg 84’), 14 Aaron Pike (10 Jack Sprigg 73’), 15 Konstantinos Sparta (9 Manase Abandelwa 84’), 16 Justin Tang (18 Sammy Barry 64’), 20 Luke Hewings, 21 Jesse Lazzaro, 22 Kristian Santich - Subs not used: RGK Anthony Lance, 17 Asher Hwight

Dianella White Eagles: GK Joel Driscoll, 2 Lachlan Collins, 5 Franc Gamiz Quer, 7 George Ballah, 8 Asher Nelson, 10 Miguel Restrepo, 11 Daniel Zivkovic (23 Kristian Despotovski 63’), 14 Kieran Colwell (3 Michael McDougall 63’), 15 Sasa Njegic, 17 Albert Luwi, 20 Andrew Palmer (16 Jack Heffernan 63’) – Subs not used: RGK Peter Pilkadaris, 4 Jim Oranje, 18 Event Kadenge – Referee: Stewart Beattie

6.3.2026

SPARROW PLEASED WITH GUTSY PERFORMANCE

Bayswater City were made to work hard for their 2-0 win against Armadale on Friday evening and coach Matthew Sparrow said it wasn’t pretty at times against a resolute Armadale side. “It was a really tough game and credit to Armadale, they made it very difficult for us at times,” Sparrow said post-match. “We never really got going in the first half and probably rode our luck a little bit, they were organised, competitive and asked us a few questions that we had to deal with. Sometimes you have to win ugly and that’s exactly what we did. I thought our discipline and resilience were important, especially when we weren’t quite at our best. Lewy Italiano between the sticks had a superb game for us and made some really important saves to keep us in it.

“The second half was much better from our point of view. We used the extra man well, started to move the ball quicker and control the game a bit more, and eventually found the breakthrough from Chris, then he wrapped it up in injury time with a well-taken penalty which gave us a bit of breathing space. Overall, another three points and a clean sheet is extremely satisfying given the circumstances of how the game went. It wasn’t pretty at times but it showed another side to the group and sometimes those are the wins that mean the most over the course of a season.” Bayswater will be on the road next weekend, with a visit to the RedStar Arean to take on their former skipper Gordon Smith’s Perth RedStar (3:00pm)

6.3.2026

GLORY AND AZZURRI SHARE THE SPOILS AS BAYSWATER DOWN ARMADALE

Week Two of the New Balance NPLWA – Men’s competition started on Friday evening, and Perth Azzurri and Perth Glory have played out a 2-2 draw at Dorrien Gardens. Louis Sollitt gave Joe Heath’s team the lead early in the second half, but late goals from Gordon Perkins and Pieter Jacbsz looked to have won it for Kenny Lowe’s side, but substitute Santiago Flores scored at the death to give both sides a hard-fought point.

“Much better performance from the squad this week, and I thought we should have been 3-0 up in the first 15 minutes of the game,” Glory coach Joe Heath said. “We created a lot of chances in the final third first half but just need to be more composed in them moments. We took the lead early in the second half, but I felt like we started to tire after 70 minutes and allowed Azzurri back into the game through switching off defensively, however, we shown great resilience to again snatch an equaliser late in the game.”

Before the game the Azzurri rolled back the years, celebrating the side of 2016 who won the NPL title and Top Four Cup. They took all before them that season, the likes of Catarcione, De Leo, Soale, Madaschi, Keltie, Sabatini, Pizzata, Orr, Milenkovic, and Silla led by the coach Ramon Falzon, and Clarke Keltie tossed the coin prior to kick off, a great team and well done to the club for honouring the players on the night.

It was a tight opening with both sides having their chances, the best for Glory saw Sollitt denied by Liam Driscoll, while Seb Despotovski hit the post, while for the Azzurri Perkins and Jacobsz going close, the latter hitting the woodwork late, but at the break it was all square. It was Glory who found the opener six minutes into the second half. A neat flick in the middle of the park by skipper Seb Despotovski found Oliver Evans, and his through ball picked out Sollitt who finished clinically past Liam Driscoll.

But ten minutes from time the Azzurri levelled. Glory failed to clear the ball down the left, and Sam Riak won a 50/50 ball and found Ethan Banks, who played the ball out to substitute Julian Kelly, and his cross was turned home by Perkins. It was game on, and the hosts thought they had taken all three points, when they hit the front in the final minute. Banks’ cross from the left was well brought down by Jacobsz, and last season’s Golden Boot winner, fired home, with the Glory players looking for an offside flag, that never came. It looked like Glory had let it slip, but straight from the kick off they restored parity. Alfie Knight helped on a Max Argent throw and fellow substitute Flores finished well, to give both sides a share of the spoils.

In the other game on Friday evening, last season’s champions Bayswater City made it back-to-back wins to start the season after a 2-0 win against Armadale at Frank Drago Reserve. The visitors missed an early penalty with Hamish van Dieken’s spot kick hitting the post, and they were reduced to ten men shortly after Corey Sutherland was sent off. Chris Jackson gave the hosts the lead midway through the second half and he sealed the win with a penalty in stoppage time, after Armadale defender Emerson Alexis was sent off for handball in the box.

Armadale, who were coming off a heavy loss against the Knights in the opening round, should have taken the lead on 18 minutes. Cherno Bah sent Abraham Mathet racing clear and he was brought down by Lewis Italiano, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Armadale skipper Van Dieken stepped up and sent Italiano the wrong way from the resulting penalty, but the ball crashed off the post and away to safety. It was a lucky let off for the hosts, but it went from bad to worse for the visitors with Corey Sutherland shown a straight red card after a heavy challenge on Sam Micthinson. Both sides had chances in the rest of the half, but it was scoreless at the break.

Bayswater made their numerical advantage count after the break, taking the lead on 68 minutes, with former Armadale striker Jackson heading home Declan Hughes’ corner. To Armadale’s credit they held firm, but the hosts sealed the points in stoppage time. BorBor Sam sending Jackson in on goal, he rounded Armadale keeper David Keenan, but his shot was deflected wide by Emerson Alexis. The referee said the defender had used his hand, and awarded a penalty, and sent him off, and Jackson stepped and fired past Keenan to seal the 2-0 win.

6.3.2026

KENNEDY AT THE DOUBLE AS MATILDAS EASE PAST IRAN

Australia have qualified for the knock out stage of the Women’s Asian Cup, after a 4-0 win against Iran at the Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Thursday evening. Former Perth Glory defender Alanna Kennedy scored a brace either side of half-time while Amy Sayer and Mary Fowler also found the net, the strike from Sayer was her first goal at a major tournament for Australia. The result means Joe Montemurro’s side will need to beat Korea Republic on Sunday in Matchday 3 in Sydney to top the group, but a draw will see them finish second in the group.

Montemurro said that the victory over Iran was a positive step towards building into the competition. “From day one, it was important we grow into the tournament,” he said. “We made sure that we're taking the steps forward in the way we want to play and in terms of being able to adapt to different structures and organisations against certain teams. So, it was a positive step forward to Korea Republic on Sunday evening.

“It's going to be an exciting game, with two teams that want to dominate the game, want to dominate possession,” he said. “It’s going to be a bit of a wrestling match from that perspective. I don’t like playing the Russian Roulette of goal difference. Those calculations, they never work. To be honest, even if we got the goal scenario, I would never let this team go in and say – ‘all we need is a draw to top the group’. It doesn't work, we go out to play our football, to win games, to excite. We always knew that we needed to win this game. so for me, it's just business as usual.”

Australia made five changes from the side that defeated the Philippines 1-0 in the opening match in Perth, with Charlize Rule and Courtney Nevin replacing Steph Catley and Winonah Heatley. Kennedy and Fowler came into midfield for Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler, while Sayer replaced Hayley Raso up front. With the rain pouring down, the Matildas made a perfect start, ahead on eight minutes. Ellie Carpenter played the ball out to Sayer on then right, and her cross shot looped over Maryam Yektaei and into the top of the net for the opener.

The crowd thought they had a second shortly after, but Caitlin Foord’s effort was ruled out due to offside. But the Arsenal striker was involved again on 27 minutes, her cross into the box picked out Fowler at the back post, who poked the ball home, a great return to the starting side for the Manchester City striker after a lengthy knee injury. Then ten minutes before the break they had a third, Emily van Egmond heading down to Sam Kerr, and the skipper teed up Kennedy who finished well. Kerr had another goal disallowed by VAR for offside before the break, but it was the Matildas well in control at the break.

It was more of the same after the break, with Iran defending deep, and Matildas keeper Chloe Lincoln a spectator. Then just before the hour mark it was 4-0, Van Egmond’s corner picking out Kennedy at the back post, who powered her header home. The hosts continue to press, looking for a fifth goal to send them to the top of the group, but they couldn’t find one. The best effort fell to substitute Remy Siemsen late, but she was denied by a smart save from Iran’s substitute keeper Raha Yazdani.

Hayley Raso was forced off the pitch with only minutes to go in the game after showing symptoms of a concussion, after two head injuries in quick succession and replaced by Michelle Heyman. Kennedy said the win has helped build confidence within the team ahead of the final group stage game against Korea Republic. “There's a few things we needed to work on,” she said. “It’s a tough opposition, having to break teams down like that. For us, we wanted to get some goals, and a bit of confidence in our performance as well. I think we got that. Hopefully, we can build and grow in the next game as well.”

Australia: GK Chloe Lincoln, 2 Courtney Nevin, 4 Clare Hunt (7 Steph Catley 72’), 9 Caitlin Foord (16 Hayley Raso 59’) (22 Michelle Heyman 90+11'), 10 Emily van Egmond, 11 Mary Fowler (25 Holly McNamara 59’), 14 Alanna Kennedy, 17 Amy Sayer, 20 Sam Kerr (26 Remy Siemsen 59’), 21 Ellie Carpenter (8 Kaitlyn Torpey 72’), 24 Charlize Rule – Subs not used: RGK Mackenzie Arnold, RGK Morgan Aquino, 3 Winonah Heatley, 5 Jamilla Rankin, 6 Clare Wheeler, 13 Alex Chidiac, 15 Kahli Johnson, 19 Katrina Gorry, 23 Kyra Cooney-Cross

Iran: GK Maryam Yektaei (RGK Raha Yazdani 45’), 2 Atefeh Imani, 3 Atefeh Ramezanizadeh (10 Fatemeh Pasandideh 42’), 4 Melika Motevalli, 6 Cahra Sarbali, 8 Shabnam Behesht (20 Sara Didar 55’), 9 Zahra Ghanbari, 13 Fatemeh Amineh, 15 Mohaddesh Zolfi (21 Golnoosh Khosravi 45’), 16 Fatemeh Shaban, 23 Mona Hamoudi – Subs not used: RGK Kahra Khajava, 7 Afsaneh Chatrenoor, 11 Maryan Dini, 14 Fatemeh Makhdoumi, 17 Shahnaz Jafarizadeh, 18 Sina Sadeghi, 19 Roujin Tamrian, 24 Kosar Anbari, 26 Behnaz Taherkhani

6.3.2026

KNIGHTS HOST DIANELLA IN OUR WEEK TWO NPLWA ‘MATCH OF THE ROUND’

We head into Week Two of the New Balance NPLWA – Men’s season, and our ‘Match of the Round’ takes us to Nash Field on Saturday afternoon, where Western Knights take on traditional rivals Dianella White Eagles. (4:00pm) We do have two games on Friday evening to kick the round off, Bayswater City, who sit top of the league after their big win against Balcatta, and they will look to make it back-to-back when they host Armadale, who were well beaten in the opening week by the Knights, at Frank Drago Reserve, while in the other game Perth Azzurri will look to bounce back from their defeat last week against Olympic, when they host Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens. (Both kick off at 7:00pm)

In our ‘Match of the Round’ the Knights started the season with a bang, beating Armadale convincingly on the road, while Dianella came home with a hard-earned point in a 1-1 draw against Perth RedStar, and both will be pleased to start their campaigns with solid performances, and will be hoping to build on it this week. The last time these two sides played in the Premier League at Nash Field was in 1998, when the Knights prevailed 6-2, with Ronnie Campbell’s side going on to win the title that season. The last time they played in Division One at the venue was in 2023, when the hosts secured a 5-1 win.

In the game, Alex Kretowicz turned home Albert Luwi’s cross from the right for the opener on five minutes, and Owen Goodliffe put the hosts two up after 26 minutes with a shot on the turn. Dianella player/coach Angel Andres pulled it back to 2-1 almost immediately when he shot went in via the underside of the crossbar, but it was all Knights from that point. Conor Devlin’s powerful shot provided a two-goal buffer early in the second half before Eagles Shane Barnes was shown a straight red card on the hour. Jack Bardsley completed the scoring with two close-range efforts in the final 20 minutes, and in that season, Adam Kostrencic led the Knights to the title, and back to the NPL.

Daniella head into the game in good form, with Daniel Zivkovic securing the draw last week at RedStar, and Ian Ferguson has worked really hard to strengthen the squad that won the Division One title last season, bringing in some experienced players, the likes of Chris Saldaris, Asher Nelson, Ben Hinshelwood and Andrew Palmer. Skipper Saša Njegic was pleased with the performance last week, and he felt they should have taken all three points. “We went into the game knowing it was going to be a tough one from previous experiences travelling there, but the boys did tremendously,” Njegic said. “We fought throughout the entire game, creating chances, controlling possession, and ultimately we felt a bit hard done by not coming away with the three points.”

The former Perth Glory youth midfielder said Saturday is a massive game for their supporters, and one they are all looking forward to, and he hopes the new look side can continue their good start to life in the NPL. “All the additions Fergie and the coaching staff have made have been welcomed with open arms - we know that if we want to be competitive in this league, then that competition has to stem from within the team in a healthy way, which it has,” Njegic said.

“All the boys who have joined us have not only been a big boost on the pitch in terms of quality but also off it, helping create and foster a great atmosphere. This fixture always brings a great atmosphere and quality football for the fans - it’s no secret that this fixture would be pencilled in the calendars of many people. As you mentioned, Western Knights had a good win on the weekend and will be looking to continue the form. However, our coaches and boys will take this like any other match, no difference in our preparation - we will have a game plan that we will be looking to execute and hopefully l come away with a favourable result.”

Western Knights faced a tough opening game at Armadale, but Adam Kostrencic’s side stunned the hosts, with goals from Jack Sprigg, Justin Tang, Aaron Pike, and Kristian Santich sealing a 4-1 win. The coach has added some quality to his squad, with imports Regan Hutchinson and Aaron Pike, joining the likes of Daniel Walsh, Luke Hewings, and last week’s scorer Sprigg. Knights skipper Jesse Lazzaro, said it was pleasing performance, and gives them something to build on.

“Away at Armadale is never an easy game so to come away with a 4-1 win is exactly how we would’ve liked to start our campaign,” Lazzaro said. “Besides one lapse at the back we were solid defensively and limited their chances, and I felt we were clinical going forward thanks to a few new additions. We’ve definitely strengthened the squad, every training session and game together we continue to gel more and more so I’m excited to see just how well we can perform as a team once we have a few more games under our belt together."

Lazzaro said they are hoping to continue their good start on Saturday, but he knows Dianella will be up for a big game, after their strong performance at RedStar, and he can’t wait for it. “I’ve marked this game and also the reverse fixture in my calendar, definitely ones I’m looking forward to the most,” the midfielder explained. “Both clubs have such an amazing and rich history with the best supporters in the league. Dianella are certainly no push overs with some of the best players in league and with their captain Sasa leading them they are going to be a team not to sleep on this year.”

In the other Saturday games there is a huge clash at the RedStar Arena, when David Tough returns to his former club, when Olympic Kingsway takes on hosts Perth RedStar (3:00pm). The hosts were held to a draw last week by Dianella, while Olympic started with 2-1 win against Azzurri. Balcatta Etna, who were stunned last week at Bayswater, will look to bounce back when they host Fremantle City at the Home Group Stadium, Grindleford Reserve. (7:00pm), while Sorrento welcome Stirling Macedonia to Percy Doyle Reserve, also at 7:00pm.

6.3.2026

FLOREAT ATHENA AND INGLEWOOD UNITED MEET IN STATE LEAGUE NIGHT SERIES FINAL

The 2026 State League Night Series, sees Inglewood United host Floreat Athena at the Proto DPS Inglewood Stadium on Saturday (7:15pm) Both sides topped the tables in the group stage, Inglewood winning Group F, with Floreat doing likewise in Group D, before both easing through the quarter and semifinals. Both sides were in the NPL in 2024, with Floreat winning both games, and that season Inglewood were relegated. Both are trying to return to the top flight, so a win in this one for either club would kick start the season, so it should be an entertaining game.

The last time these two clubs met in a Night Series Final, was in the Midland Brick Premier League Night Series in 2000, when Athena ran out convincing 6-0 winners. Vas Kalogeracos opened the scoring for Athena after just seven minutes, and they added a second ten minutes later, with Peter Coci’s shot deflecting off a defender before finding the back of the net. The match was killed off as a contest two minutes later when Doug Ithier made it 3-0 for Michael Roki’s side, before former Inglewood player Scott Daley added a fourth on the half hour. Daley bagged another early in the second half, before club legend Troy Bernard completed the rout 20 minutes from time.

Inglewood United beat holders Kingsley Westside in the quarterfinal, with Harry Lewis grabbing a brace with Jordan Langley bagging his third goal in the competition, in the 3-0 win. They then beat Subiaco AFC 4-2 in the semifinals, with goals from former Perth Glory and Melbourne City defender Rostyn Griffiths, Liam Hudosn and a brace from Gavin Byers. Defender Shane McNonagle said it should be a great contest, and he’s been pleased how the preseason has played out. “It’s been a really solid pre-season for us. The performances have been strong and consistent, and going unbeaten gives the group confidence,” he explained.

“More importantly, we’ve been building good habits and improving each week, and with the new coach coming in and a lot of fresh faces in the squad, there’s been a real positive energy around the group. The experienced lads have settled quickly and helped drive standards along with the young lads bringing energy to the team, and you can see the understanding starting to click on the pitch. Saturday will be a great test. They’ve had a strong run as well, so it sets up a proper final. These are the games you want to be involved in to help us prepare for the league.”

Floreat Athena beat Mandurah City 2-0 in the quarter finals, with goals from Jordan Brown and Shane McMonagle, before a 4-0 win against Gwelup Croatia in the semifinals, with goals from Swedish duo Tom Wassholm and Linus Perrson, with others to Rhys Davies and Nathan Ng. New midfielder Declan Hargreaves, who has joined the club from NPL side Balcatta this season, said the new look side is working hard, and they hope to finish their preseason with a trophy to show for it, but he is expecting a stern test against his former coach Glen Groastate.

“It’s been a good start to the Night Series, but it has been tougher and tougher and the competition has gone forward, you have to earn the right to play,” Hargreaves explained. “It took us a few weeks to get used to how each other play and how the Gaffa wants us to play, but I feel like we are getting better and better with each game and we are getting more consistent in our playing style. All the lads are gelling really well, and it helps that a lot of us are friends outside of football already. I’m looking forward to the game on Saturday, and I’ve played for Glen before, so I’ll know they will be organised and it will be an attacking game.” In the third and fourth playoff at the venue, Gwelup Croatia take on Subiaco AFC. (5:00pm)

6.3.2026

MCGARRY JOINS AMINI IN THAILAND

Former Perth Glory assistant coach Steven McGarry is back in football, after being appointed head coach at Thailand Division Two club Nakhon Si United. The 46-year-old will have a familiar face at the Southern Dragons, with former Glory skipper Mustafa Amini also at the club. The Scottish midfielder played over 100 games for Perth Glory, before stints at Gwelup Croatia and ECU Joondalup in the NPL.

His coaching career started at the Glory Academy, before becoming assistant coach to Richard Garcia. He then coached at Sorrento in the NPL, and after relegation, he brought the Gulls straight back winning the Division One title, and going undefeated. He left Percy Doyle Reserve after keeping the club in the NPL in 2025, and will now have the challenge of turning the club’s fortunes around, currently sitting 17th in the Thai Division Two.

The club announced his appointment on their social media. “Nakhon Si United are pleased to welcome Steven McGarry, whose arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the club. Formerly an assistant coach at Perth Glory, Steven is highly regarded for his strong tactical understanding and extensive experience in player development. His background in the A-League and proven success in Australia highlight the value he brings to the club.

Over the past two years, Steven has also enjoyed significant success as a head coach, securing three trophies, underlining his winning mentality and leadership credentials. The club sees Steven as a long-term investment and is confident he will have a positive impact as he adapts to Thai football and works closely with our players to drive future success. Welcome to the club, Steven. We look forward to the journey ahead.”

6.3.2026

TEVERE READY FOR A-LEAGUE CHALLENGE

Perth Glory midfielder Luca Tevere has hit the ground running in the west after his move from NPL Victoria club Preston Lions, and he was selected in the starting lineup in his first week, and played the last three games, and the 23-year-old has settled in nicely. It was a huge adjustment for the midfielder, who was part-time at Preston and had a full-time job, but that all changes when he got the call from the club. “It was a crazy experienced to be honest, on the Thursday I was training with Preston, and working full time in construction management when I got the call,” Tevere explained.

“I didn’t go into work on the Monday, and I had to tell them I had got this opportunity, and I was super excited, credit to the club, and Griff, for trusting me with this opportunity. I thought it would take a few weeks to settle in but they put me straight in the side, so I’m really grateful to the club and the coach for the trust they have put in me. You have doubts sometimes, but you can only control what you can control. If I’m chasing and chasing it, it’s never going to come. I went away and improved my game every single day, and taking things one-step at a time

“And if the opportunity came you have to take it with both hands, and continue to work hard. All the boys have been really good, and helped me settle in, and Cola (Stefan Colakovski) was the first to reach out to me, as I played with him at Melbourne City in the youth team, he’s helped me, but the rest of the squad are really good guys, so it’s been easy to settle. The setbacks I’ve had to get here, as really helped me as a player, I’ve been told no so many times, but that just makes you more motivated and kept me going.”

Tevere, who has played at a number of NPL clubs, including Green Gully, Avondale and Preston, said the step up to A-League has been hard work, but he’s enjoying it. “It’s just the one-percenters that are the difference between the NPL and A-League. It’s just the little things, and doing them right, the physicality and doing things a little bit quicker,” he said. “But I think I’ve settled in pretty well, and looking to improve at training every day and bring it into the games. I believe in myself, and every footballer should believe in their selves. I’ve come up to this level because I deserve it, and now I’ve got to take that opportunity. There are areas in my game that I want to improve, and help this team get into the top six.”

A hard-earned point in Brisbane last week, with Tevere’s cross setting up the equaliser in the 1-1 draw, and he is looking forward to the trip over the ditch, with games against Auckland this week, and Wellington Phoenix the week after. “I thought we had a decent game against Brisbane, and we showed a lot of fight and hunger during the game and he wants to build on that, and hopefully we can bring it into the Auckland game this week, and keep moving forward.” the midfielder explained. “I’ve had a couple of away trips with the lads, but looking forward to ten days with the team.

“We’re already a tight knit group, so it’s another chance to get six points and we work hard we will get the results. There is a lot of believe in this team, and we have a strong squad, but it’s key moments in games we need to fix, and Griff and the team are working towards that. We know they (Auckland) are a very physical team, they’ve got some big bodies, so we know we have to win our duals and be prepared for every single moment, switched on. We began that last week, and we need to take into this week. I’m really looking forward to the game, it’s a massive opportunity for us in the next two weeks.”

6.3.2026

AUCKLAND NEXT UP FOR GLORY

Perth Glory sits four points outside the top six on the Isuzu-Ute A-League table with seven games to play, and they face the toughest test so far this season, when they head over the ditch to take on second placed Auckland FC in week 20 at the Go Media Stadium on Sunday morning. (10:00am WA Time) The Black Knights have impressed since they entered the league last season, and Steve Corica’s side currently sit two points behind leaders Newcastle Jets.

They are coming off a convincing 3-0 win against Melbourne City, with goals from Logan Rogerson, Jesse Randall and Uruguay striker Guillermo May. Glory’s last win was against Auckland in week 15 at HBF Park and they bounced back from back-to-back defeats with a draw in Brisbane, but they need three points in this one if they are to keep in touch of the final’s places. The last time Glory played at the venue the home supporters were out in force, with 24,221 in the ground, when they lifted the Premiers Plate, and they were rewarded with the three points, with Marlee Francois scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win.

Glory head coach Adam Griffiths is confident his side can build on last weekend’s draw with Brisbane, but knows they need to be brave in the final third. “First and foremost, we have to look at the positives from Brisbane and try and improve on those. The togetherness and the collective fight were much improved, we made it difficult for Brisbane to hurt us significantly and there were a lot of blocked shots in the final minutes, so that needs to continue,” he explained.

“How can we improve? We have to play with a little bit more freedom and that’s been the message this week, be brave, play with freedom and get that confidence back. Some of our ball possession principles, our specific angles, always being a passing option and having multiple passing options are things that sometimes the group goes away from and we need to remember those things that have brought us some form of success. When I see that and there are more positive actions, they build confidence.”

Griffiths said the younger players need the senior players to embrace them, and go out an express themselves. “Playing with freedom is essentially that, when there’s an opportunity to attack, attack, go 1v1, dribble the player, get a cross into the box when there’s numbers. That’s what I want; freedom to get into the box within the structure,” he said. “It’s normal for young players to have some sort of doubts and it’s my job as a coach and for the other senior players to embrace them, give them positive feedback and do it in the right way, so the players can then express themselves. One of the things I want to see from the young players is them not being afraid, doing it with freedom and removing any fear from their mentality. That should translate into confidence.”

The win against Auckland earlier in the season was a highlight for the club this season, but Griffiths is not reading too much into that result, but knows the challenge ahead. “They played a back five recently, then they switched back to a four and they have a lot of threats,” he said. “Against Melbourne City, they scored three goals convincingly in what I thought was a very strong performance over there, so we’ve got our work cut out. Although we beat them here in Perth, it’s a completely different game and we are going to have to be really on.”

It’s a ten-day road trip for Glory in New Zealand, and after Sunday’s game they take on Wellington Phoenix next Saturday, and they will be staying over there, which will help with the hectic travel. It looks like Tom Lawrence will miss the two games, with his foot injury still giving him problems, meanwhile midfielder Gio De Abreu will not be available for selection against Auckland as he serves a one-match suspension after accruing five yellow cards, but he will be available for the Wellington game. Also added to the travelling party is Will Freney, Arion Sulemani and Hayde Foxe

Auckland FC squad: GK ?Michael WOUD, GK Jimmy HILTON, 3 Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 6 Louis VERSTRAETE, 7 Cameron HOWIESON, 8 Felipe GALLEGOS, 9 Sam COSGROVE, 10 Guillermo MAY, 11 Marlee FRANÇOIS, 15 Francis DE VRIES, 17 Callan ELLIOT, 21 Jesse RANDALL, 22 Jake BRIMMER, 23 Dan HALL, 27 Logan ROGERSON, 28 Bailey FERGUSON, 35 Jonty BIDOIS, 77 LACHLAN Brook - Ins: VICELICH - Unavailable: 2 Hiroki SAKAI (hamstring), 4 Nando PIJNAKER (ankle) 20 Oli Sail (long-term injury)

Perth Glory Squad: GK Matt SUTTON, GK Ryan WARNER, 2 Charbel SHAMOON, 3 Sam SUTTON, 4 Scott WOOTTON, 5 Riley FOXE, 7 Nicholas PENNINGTON, 8 Callum TIMMINS, 9 Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 16 Gabriel POPOVIC, 17 Arion SULEMANI, 18 Luca TEVERE, 19 Josh RISDON, 20 Trent OSTLER, 22 Adam TAGGART, 24 Andriano LEBIB, 25 Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 27 Will FRENEY, 45 Brian KALTAK, 67 Stefan COLAKOVSKI - *Two to be omitted* - Ins: FOXE, SULEMANI, FRENEY - Unavailable: GK Cameron COOK, 6 Brandon O’NEILL, 11 Lachlan WALES, 31 Joel ANASMO, 34 Tom LAWRENCE (All Injured), 39 Giovanni DE ABREU (suspended)

6.3.2026

OXTOBY WINS MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARD

Tanya Oxtoby has won the Women's Super League 2 Manager of the Month award for February after steering promotion-chasing Newcastle United to an unbeaten month. After drawing at home to Ipswich Town, the Magpies claimed a 2-1 away win over Southampton before registering a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth.

Oxtoby, who was born in the Pilbara town of Wickham, joined Newcastle in November after a two-year managerial spell with the Northern Ireland national team. The 43-year old has taken four wins from her opening six league games with Newcastle, who are currently fifth in WSL2 but only three points off second place.

5.3.2026

GATESHEAD TAKE GILESNAN ON LOAN

Grimsby Town attacker Zak Gilsenan has been recalled from his loan spell at Buxton to join National League side Gateshead on loan for the remainder of the season. The 22-year old spent two months with the Buxton, where he scored three times in nine appearance and gained valuable senior experience.

"(The coaching team) see me as being a creative spark, and that what I want to be to hopefully help the team," said Gilsenan on joining Gateshead. "I like to get the ball forward, see passes, try to make things happen and get teh fans on the edge of their seats. I just want to be positive and get results."

Gilsenan played locally for Sorrento as a junior before developing his game further through spells in the academy's of Barcelona, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. A run of injuries has restricted him to only a handful of first team appearances for Blackburn, and Grimsby and Buxton.

5.3.2026

KERR SPEAKS OF HER ADMIRATION FOR IRAN’S PLAYERS

Australia's players have voiced their support for Iran's football team and noted their resilience despite "interference from their government". The Iran team has been dealing with turmoil back home after the bombing of their country by the United States and Israel.

The Matildas swapped jerseys with their opponents after the hosts' 4-0 win in the Women's Asian Cup clash at the Gold Coast last night. Pre-match, the players had sung the Iranian national anthem and saluted after electing not to do so before the loss to South Korea earlier in the week.

Speaking post-game, Australia captain Samantha Kerr spoke of her admiration for the Iran players. "We were aware that they were excited to play us and staying in the same hotel as us," she said. "It was a nice moment to share with them. They were so lovely on the pitch, and all of us swapped jerseys with them at the end. We obviously have a lot of respect for them and were trying to support and put an arm around them."

2.3.2026

A WEIGHT LIFTED AFTER KERR SCORES HER FIRST INTERNATIONAL GOAL IN 851 DAYS

Striker Samantha Kerr says the monkey is finally off her back after scoring her first international goal in 851 days. The Matildas captain was the hero last night, with her 14th minute header lifting Australia to a 1-0 win over the Philippines in their Women's Asian Cup opener in Perth.

It was Kerr's first Matildas goal since netting against Taiwan in November 2023, just two months before she tore her anterior cruciate ligament and spent 20 months on the sidelines. "I just wanted to get that first goal out of the way," Kerr said after the win in front of 44,379 fans at Optus Stadium.

"It felt like getting the monkey off my back, bagging my first goal for the national team again, because I hadn't scored in a while and the games before, the two camps before, I would have liked to have scored to get that feeling back. Hopefully, it starts me off on a good goal scoring run for the rest of the tournament."

"When I scored that goal, I probably thought we were going to go on and score a couple more. You don't think it's going to be the only goal so the most important thing is we got the win, but I'm really happy at a personal level to be able to score, and hopefully that means I've got a few more in the bag coming up."

The day before the game, Kerr admitted she was still building up her confidence off the back of her return from injury; post-game, she was all smiles. "I feel really lucky that I could be back in this squad for this tournament and play the opening match," Kerr said. "And I just feel like getting my confidence back in the national team - a big part of it is scoring goals."

"So to get that goal is really good for me. Hopefully, it starts me off on a good goal scoring run for the rest of the tournament. The most important thing is that we got the win. But I'm really happy on a personal level, to be able to score, and hopefully that means I've got a few more in the bag coming up."

Australia unleashed 15 shots to one against the Philippines and enjoyed 85 per cent possession, but only had Kerr's header to show for it. For much of the 90 minutes the Matildas captain was shadowed by two Philippines defenders doubling as bodyguards, and she was not the only Australian player who struggled to find space.

"I didn't really have many opportunities. They played a really good low block, they slowed the game down,” Kerr said. "There was lots of stoppages and you come to expect that playing in the Asian Cup. But you've to give credit to The Philippines, they did it pretty well."

Kerr is anticipating more of the same from Iran when Australia face them in Queensland on Thursday. "Probably very similar, a low block, hard to break down," she commented. "We expect that in the first two games and then a totally different game with Korea."

1.3.2026

AQUINO CALLED UP FOR AUSTRALIA

West Australian goalkeeper Morgan Aquino has received an eleventh-hour call-up to the Matildas’ Women’s Asian Cup squad after Jada Whyman was ruled out through injury. The Dianella junior will remain in Perth with the team having arrived as a train-on player earlier in the week with Whyman and Mackenzie Arnold under injury clouds.

The Matildas’ goalkeeping stocks have taken several blows over the past few weeks, with Teagan Micah ruled out due to concussion. And with Arnold barely stepping onto the training track since arriving in Perth earlier in the week, United States-based Aquino was invited into camp.

Aquino is yet to make her Matildas debut but has been involved in several camps as a back-up ‘keeper since coach Joe Montemurro began his tenure. She was named A-League Goalkeeper of the Year and named Perth Glory’s Player’s Player of the Year from the 2023/24 A-League season, earning herself a big money move to American USL Super League side DC Power.

1.3.2026

KERR GIVES MATILDAS A PERFECT START TO ASIAN CUP

An early goal from former Perth Glory striker Sam Kerr has given the Matildas a winning start in the 2026 Asian Cup, after a 1-0 win against Philippines at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Matildas dominated the game, but couldn’t add a second, and they had to be wary not to be hit by a late counter attack, and the Philippines didn’t make it easy with a high block, but Joe Montemurro’s side held firm to take the points.

Kerr who has struggled for game time at Chelsea since her knee injury, said they are taking the competition one game at a time, so an opening game win gives them confidence moving forward. "I think I'm just finding my confidence again...I'm still my normal self, I've just got to get more touches in and around the box," Kerr said post-match. “We're just taking it one game at a time, today was a good start and there's lots of belief in the team but as you saw today, there are a lot of quality teams in the Asian Cup."

There was shock in the team selection, with keeper Mackinzie Arnold only fit enough for the bench, with Chloe Lincoln replacing her, while former Glory custodian Morgan Aquino was brought in to the squad to replace the injured Jada Whyman. Kerr wore the armband, while Mary Fowler, who has been out all season for her English club Manchester City was amongst the substitutes. The hosts were on the foot early, with the visitors seating deep, but on 14 minutes their early pressure was rewarded with the lead. Clare Wheeler made space down the right, and her cross was headed back across goal by Caitlin Foord, and Kerr made no mistake past Olivia McDaniel, much to the delight of the home faithful.

They should have added a second four minutes later, Hatley Raso finds space on the right and lifts the ball to the unmarked Van Egmond, but her header is sent wide. The crowd thought the Matildas had a second on the half hour, Katrina Gorry lofts a perfectly weighted ball onto the run of Raso in behind the defence, she chests it down and pokes it beyond the advancing McDaniel, but after a VAR check the goal was disallowed. The Philippines were struggling in the final third, but defensively coach Mark Torcaso had his side well set-up. McDaniel then made smart save just before the break to deny Steph Catley’s free kick, but at the break the Matildas held a narrow lead.

With 88% possession in the first half, the Matildas should have been out of sight, but they were on the front foot after the break. Kerr heading wide from Van Egmond’s free kick, before Claire Wheeler long-range strike was straight at McDaniel. The Philippines keeper McDaniel was in the action again on 74 minutes, saving Gorry’s shot. The crowd were getting nervous, with only the one goal to show for their dominance. Then in stoppage time the returning Fowler brought the ball down well outside the penalty area, but she couldn’t keep her shot down, but they had done enough to take out the points.

Matildas and Arsenal striker Caitlin Foord said it was a good start and the Philippines were hard to break down. I think we have a lot to work on. “We would have loved to get a few more goals, but credit to the Philippines. They worked really hard to keep us out. But our goal today was just to get the win and to get the job done, and we did that. So, happy with that,’ the former Glory striker explained. “They did a great job at [staying compact]. I think, for us, we’ve got to build into this tournament. It’s end contrivable while since we’ve played together. We’re just getting back into the flow of things and building relationships again. That’s going to keep growing and growing with every game we play, and hopefully, the next game a little bit better.”

Australia: GK Chloe Lincoln, 3 Winonah Heatley, 4 Clare Hunt, 6 Clare Wheeler (14 Alanna Kennedy 68’), 7 Steph Catley, 9 Caitlin Foord, 10 Emily van Egmond (11 Mary Fowler 68’), 16 Hayley Raso (17 Amy Sayer 81’), 19 Katrina Gorry, 20 Sam Kerr, 21 Ellie Carpenter Subs not used: RGK Mackenzie Arnold, RGK Morgan Aquino, 2 Courtney Nevin, 5 Jamilla Rankin, 8 Kaitlyn Torpey, 13 Alex Chidiac, 15 Kahli Johnson, 22 Michelle Heyman, 24 Charlie Rule, 25 Holly McNamara, 26 Remy Siemsen

Philippines: GK Olivia McDaniel, 3 Jessika Cowart, 5 Hali Long, 6 Jaclyn Sawicki, 8 Sara Eggesvik (14 Jourdyn Curran 83'), 9 Carleigh Frilles (17 Ariana Markey 59'), 10 Chandler McDaniel (24 Mallie Ramirez 59'), 13 Angela Beard, 16 Sofia Wunsch, 21 Katrina Guillou (15 Isabella Pasion 83), 23 Alexa Pino (7 Jael Guy 45’) - Subs not used: RGK Leah Bradley, RGK Nina Meollo, RGK Anicka Castaneda, 2 Matea Cesar, 4 Natalie Oca, 12 Kaya Hawkinson, 19 Alessandrea Carpio, 20. Janae DeFazio, 25 Ava Villapando, 26 Paige McSwigan

1.3.2026

KERR THRILLED TO BE BACK IN PERTH

The anticipation around Perth is palpable as the Matildas prepare for their biggest game in Australia in three years and their captain, Samantha Kerr, could not be happier to be back in her hometown. In 2023, the country was swept up in ‘Matilda mania’ as the national team stormed to the semi-finals of a Women’s World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand.

Fast forward to this weekend and the Matildas face the Philippines in Perth for the opening game of the Women’s Asian Cup. Kerr is delighted to be in contention for Sunday’s game after a serious knee injury ruled her out of the 2024 Olympic Games. “It’s been a long journey, but after missing out on the Olympics, my main goal was to be here at the Asian Cup,” Kerr said.

“It’s all been worth it and I’m very excited to play the Philippines. I crossed every finger and toe for the World Cup to be in Perth, but it didn’t come true — the next best thing is the Asian Cup. Not only is the Asian Cup one of the biggest trophies for us, it’s for World Cup qualification. We all get to play in front of family and friends, but when you do it at a major tournament, it’s extra-special.”

With the Matildas arriving in town earlier in the week to begin preparations, approximately 800 fans turned out to an open training session on Wednesday, with the team happily signing autographs for star-struck supporters. The squad was all smiles at their final training session before the game on Saturday, enjoying a light-hearted hit-out.

Making Sunday’s game all the more important for Kerr is the fact her parents will be there, as will her wife Kristie, son Jagger and plenty more family and friends. “It’s the first time being a mum playing in Perth, so that’s special. All my family and friends will be here and not have to fly to the east coast,” Kerr said.

“It feels great, but mostly it feels great to bring it back here for the fans. We have so many West Australian fans that spend so much money and time flying all across the country. To bring a major tournament here, it feels really great, and something that the Matildas can give back to the game is perfect.”