Although a number of locals have tasted success with leading A-League team Sydney FC, Teresa Polias is flying the flag as vice captain of their women’s team in the W-League as BRAD FORREST reports:
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MIDFIELDER Teresa Polias is excited to be playing right on her doorstep when the women’s team play their second double-header of the season — against Perth Glory.
The match will be at 3pm on Sunday January 5, at WIN Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah.
After playing before the Sydney FC A-League team against Melbourne Victory in December, the champion Sydney FC W-League women’s side will now play after the Sky Blues’ Foxtel National Youth League team take on the Glory in the earlier 11am game at Kogarah.
For Polias, sister of former Beverley Park Golf Club professional Maroussa Polias, this match is more of a home game than any other.
“It’s always that extra special when you’re playing literally right in the middle of your home area,” said the Matilda midfielder.
“So it’s nice to be out over my way and to not be travelling an hour to training or the game as is usual.
“We haven’t played there much but we’ve trained there before, so we’re quite familiar with it. I wouldn’t mind playing some more games there.”
Before Christmas, Sydney FC’s local contingent were trying to hold their spots or force their way back into Frank Farina’s team, with Sutherland FC junior Chris Naumoff one of the most impressive since making his debut and playing in half a dozen straight games, as the team moved ahead with victories and up into third place on the A-League ladder.
Defender Marc Warren played, was suspended and injured and was hoping to get a recall.
Youngster and fellow shire junior Blake Powell was pushing for a spot while leading the Sky Blues National Youth League side.
The talented Peter Triantis of Hurstville Grove was continuing a steady recovery from an early-season surgery.
The Sky Blue ladies were two games behind everyone else as a result of finishing third in the world at the International Women’s Club Championship, but Polias isn’t feeling the pressure of playing catch up. She believes it’s inevitable to be under pressure in the Westfield W-League.
“Having those two games in hand is a bit of pressure but I think there is pressure anyway,” Polias said. “It’s such a tight comp, so we’ll just take it as it comes.
“Perth are a quality team this season, we’ve watched a few of their games and they’ve got some really good players that are very dangerous. Hopefully, we can get the three points against them.”
Polias said she picked up something new in every match she watched and, no doubt, would turn from teacher to student when the youth team played before her.
“You learn from any game you watch,” she said. “Certainly watching the youth boys, there’s a lot of quality players and we definitely learn a lot from their play and the way the A-League guys play when we watch them, too.”
SYDNEY FC W-LEAGUE SQUAD
Casey Du Mont (gk), Sham Khamis (gk), Danielle Brogan (captain), Alesha Clifford, Caitlin Foord, Amy Harrison, Ellyse Perry, Elizabeth Ralston, Renee Rollason, Teresa Polias (vice-captain), Nicola Bolger, Trudi Camilleri, Samantha Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Natalie Tobin, Leena Khamis, Emma Kete, Jodie Taylor.
