11/14 May Wrap

Lisa De Vanna prominent for Linkopings | (Credit: Filip Oskarsson)

We have been a little lax in our Aussie Abroad Wrap, for which we apologise, but we are back up and running.

With 17 players (yes 17) currently overseas, we will be very busy over the next couple of months.  This weekend saw the US leagues kick off, while there was action for Australians in Sweden, Germany, Denmark and England.

Kyah Simon and Tameka Butt's Boston Breakers kicked off their 2012 WPSL Elite campaign with a solid 3 - 0 win over ASA Chesapeake Chargers.

The Breakers took command of the match early with 3 goals inside 20 minutes. From then on they were rarely challenged by the young Chargers team who did well to rally from the early set back.

Due to a held up international clearance, Simon and Butt were ineligible for the match.  However they were in action for the exhibition match against DC United Women.  Both players started the match and played the full 90 minutes, with Kyah Simon also netting her first goal of her Boston career.

Speaking to TWG after the match, the striker was happy with her first match in close to 4 months.

"It felt good to get on the park with the girls and play good football," said Simon.

"I'm still a bit disappointed; I should've had a few more goals. I could've slotted them in better. Not to worry - you put it in your memory bank and take it with you to your next game."

As to how she is adjusting to playing in Boston? "I think it's good. The Breakers are a great group of girls. It's a very good team.

"There are some really good combinations throughout the team. It's only going to get better as the games go on."

"When we first got here, it was the time difference. Other than that, when you go into a new team, it's about staying on the same page."

Match Report: Boston Breakers v ASA Chesapeake Chargers

Match Report: Boston Breakers v DC United Women

In Rochester, Emily Van Egmond also kicked of her American career as she started and played the full 90 minutes in Western New York Flash's 4 - 1 win over FC Indiana.

It was a great first up performance for Van Egmond who, positioned in central midfield, was the fulcrum of the Flash attacks.  A strong first half performance from the 18 year old was topped off a stunning 30 yard strike forcing the 'keeper to tip it onto the cross bar.  Despite that, the Flash went into the break 2-1 leaders.

In the second half Van Egmond, and the Flash, turned up the heat with two goals snuffing out any chance of an Indiana come back.  Van Egmond went close to scoring on debut, first with a header that went just high then a 6 yard strike that flashed just wide.

Match Report: WNY Flash v FC Indiana

Meanwhile in the USL W-League, Servet Uzunlar and Kahlia Hogg's Pali Blues also kicked off their 2012 season with the first match a derby against the LA Strikers.

Recovering from a medial strain, Uzunlar was unavailable for the clash while Hogg, previously a Canberra United midfielder, started the match at full back.  Two second half goals saw the Blues defeat the Strikers 2 - 0 will Hogg playing the full 90 minutes and acquitting herself well in her American debut.

In Sweden, Lisa De Vanna's Linkoping salvaged a 1 - 1 draw with KIF Orebro after going down an early goal.  The point sees Linkoping remain 7th with only 1 win from six starts.

In Division 1, Perth Glory Carys Hawkins' Umeå Södra retained their second place standing with a 2 – 1 win over Rågsved.  The  news wasn't as good for Adelaide United Marijana Rajcic with her team Gustafs going down 3 – 2 in the 90th minute to Västerås BK

Match Report: Linkoping v KIF Orebro [Google translated]

Leena Khamis in action | (Credit: Jess Madsen)

In Denmark, the Top 4 Championship playoffs continued with Aivi Luik and Michelle Heyman's Brondby IF taking on Leena Khamis' Fortuna Hjorring.  In a tight match it ended up 1 - 1 with Heyman scoring for Brondy after being set up by former Sydney FC championship winning midfielder Julie Rydahl.

American Tiffany Weimer managed an equaliser with Khamis, who played a great match as the target striker, setting up Lisa Marie Woods for what could have been a match winner. The draw sees Fortuna remain on top of the Championships play offs table on goal difference.

Match Report: Fortuna Hjorring v Brondby [Google translated]

Collette McCallum leading Lincoln midfield | (Credit: Lincoln Ladies)

In England Collette McCallum's Lincoln Ladies pulled off the upset of the round with a 4 – 3 win over Arsenal Ladies at home.  In a see-sawing match, the Lady Imps snatched all three points at the death to give them their biggest scalp of the season.  McCallum played 82 minutes while Laura Alleway is still awaiting her clearance from the FA.

Brisbane Roar's Emily Gielnik started her second match for Liverpool Ladies with the youngster also grabbing her first goal in the FA Women's Super League.  Despite her goal, Liverpool went down to Chelsea 2 – 1

Match Report: Chelsea Ladies v Liverpool Ladies