McShea expects Sydney to lift
Queensland Roar Women's captain Kate McShea says her team needs to forget previous results heading into Sunday’s Westfield W-League semi-final against Sydney at Ballymore.
The Roar have only met Sydney once during the inaugural Westfield W-League season and won with surprising ease as they scored three unanswered goals.
But McShea is expecting a much tougher Sky Blue outfit, bolstered by the return of Westfield Matildas Heather Garriock and Sarah Walsh from injury.
“I think they-re going to be a totally different team to back then,” McShea said.
“They-ve had girls resting. Heather Garriock-s also coming back from injury and you put Heather and Sarah who have such a strong combination together from playing in the national team, you just never know what-s going to happen.”
The centre-back hinted that Sydney were in a bit of a form slump during the last meeting and would come out firing off the back of a late charge into the top four.
“They-ve probably had their lulls at the right time of the season and are hitting form now,” she said. “So really you can-t predict what to expect apart from a tough game.
“Sydney any time throughout the season is going to be tough and I think for the semi-finals they-re going to step it up a notch.
“We definitely, definitely can-t write them off. Our 3-0 defeat of them isn-t really in our minds, we need to move on from that.”
Both teams will be refreshed after having a week off after the final league game on December 27.
“I think sometimes towards the end of seasons you can start to get a bit stale and sick of the routine so it-s good to break the routine and bring back the enthusiasm and will to play,” McShea said.
“The girls are sharper, the sessions are a lot more intense and they-re just really more focused I think than in round 10.”
Coach Jeff Hopkins said he had been surprised with the attitude at training this week.
“I thought they-d be a little bit nervous but they-re in really good spirits so it-s keeping me from showing any nerves as well,” Hopkins said.
“I think everyone in the squad understands that Sydney are a good quality side and maybe they were pretty slow to start this year but they seem to have got players back into the squad.
“They-ve been hurting a lot since the 3-0 defeat down here so they-ll be pretty pumped. There-s no question of complacency from my squad.”
Sunday-s Westfield W-League semi-final between Queensland Roar and Sydney FC kicks off at 3.00pm (4.00pm AEDT) at Ballymore.
Tickets ($5 adults, $2 children/concession, $10 family) will be available from the Clyde Road entrance from 2pm.
The match can also be seen live on ABC TV from 4.00pm AEDT.