Manchester Metropolis got here up towards a troublesome Leicester Metropolis of their opening recreation of the Perth Worldwide Cup, seeing them clinch a win from a deciding penalty shoot-out.
Either side had their fair proportion of possibilities within the 90 minutes of play, with new recruit and second-half substitute Vivianne Miedema coming closest to a purpose after her header hit the crossbar.
The sport noticed a number of new signings make their first appearances for the membership, however it was goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita’s show-stopping saves that earned her reward on the finish of the shootout.
It was a delight to see final season’s Golden Boot winner Khadjia ‘Bunny’ Shaw make her return after lacking out on the top of her 2023/24 marketing campaign because of a foot damage.
Supervisor Gareth Taylor additionally used the sport as a chance to stretch the legs of as a lot of his 24-player squad as attainable, with 21 securing minutes by the ultimate whistle.
Regardless of a harder than anticipated twin with WSL rivals Leicester, here is what we discovered from Metropolis’s first win of pre-season.
Metropolis introduced the arrival of Vivianne Miedema, the WSL’s all-time prime goalscorer to the membership in July, following her shock exit from Arsenal.
She made her unofficial debut right here, approaching in its place within the second half.
Miedema could have solely graced the sector for 20 minutes, however she managed to create the perfect probability of the sport when her header got here off the crossbar. There isn’t any doubt that her capacity to make a chance in such a brief time period may have left followers impressed and wanting extra.
Regardless of coming near a purpose in the direction of the top of the 90 minutes, she shall be happy to have hit the again of the web within the subsequent penalty shootout.
Though we solely received the chance to see a glimmer of Miedema’s expertise, it was the teaser we wanted to drum up pleasure for what’s going to little doubt be, an thrilling 2024/25 marketing campaign for the Netherlands worldwide on this new chapter of her profession.
Taylor made the best resolution giving new goalkeeping recruit Ayaka Yamashita the chance to point out what she’s fabricated from.
Metropolis’s primary Khiara Keating made the beginning XI however made approach at half-time. Yamashita was actually challenged by Leicester, however she remained unfazed and proved to be a succesful pair of palms.
The 28-year-old was thrown into the deep finish when the ultimate whistle blew and he or she was confronted with a penalty shootout in her first look. As soon as once more, she was in a position to showcase her skills, by making two excellent saves, enjoying an instrumental position in Metropolis’s victory.
The win has secured Metropolis’s spot within the remaining of the Perth Worldwide Cup on 1 September, towards both West Ham United or Paris Saint-Germain.
Talking after the sport at HBF Park, Taylor mentioned: “I feel it is a good begin for us. I feel there was goal with a number of our play with and with out the ball. In fact there are some issues for us to work on, however it’s actually tough.
“You attempt to put together for these video games as a lot as you may by replicating it in coaching and generally once we have not received sufficient within the recreation, we are inclined to open our lungs a bit as a result of generally it turns into fairly bodily.
“And clearly with the group right here it is a actually massive occassion for a few of our younger gamers. So, I am actually plased. I feel the skilled gamers helped the younger ones rather well and like I say there are some bits to work on for certain.”
Metropolis have arguably the strongest frontline within the WSL proper now because of some spectacular summer time signings this summer time, however competitors for a spot within the beginning lineup has by no means been higher.
Miedema and Aoba Fujino have joined Mary Fowler, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Jess Park, Poppy Pritchard and ‘Bunny’ Shaw forward of the membership’s 2024/25 season.
Though it is a lucky place to be in, to have such a proficient pool of gamers, it is a headache for, Taylor who must make some powerful resolution quickly as to who his most well-liked choices are.
