Boroondara Eagles head coach Fil Simao is expecting a tough fixture against South Melbourne on Saturday, but is confident that his young side will be able to give the 2013 Women’s Premier League (WPL) Runners-up a good contest.
The previous meeting between the two clubs was in last season’s State Knockout Cup, and it ended 5-0 in favour of South Melbourne on that occasion.
But the cards on the table have been reshuffled and with some quality injected into the squad, as well as a 0-0 draw against Bundoora United to boast about, the Eagles are a much improved from where they were this time last season.
Simao feels his side will be able to give South a good contest on Saturday, having done a bit of homework on upcoming opponents.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better start! One after the other,” Simao said candidly.
“I went to watch them train last week and they didn’t amaze me but it’s training so I’m definitely not pinning my hopes on that in any way, shape or form.
“They’ll be very tough, there’s no doubt about it. The Danish girl, Kamilla [Lille], she trained with us for one session. She’s got a lot of ability. Spiranovic is undercooked, I saw her training, they use and rely on her a lot but she lasted about half an hour of their 45 minute session.
“So look, did we get these teams at the right time, maybe we did but [it will still] be a tough game. We’ll stick to our plan again and we’ll do the right things and go from there.”
Boroondara were also in State League 1 last season, but Simao believes his young squad has been able to make the transition into the top flight, proven by their performance against one of the competition’s favourites.
“100% and I think [the game against Bundoora] showed [we have stepped up],” he said.
“I think everyone, and rightfully so, they got a team of a lot of players – to sign up that much quality with that much experience and for us to walk out of here [with a point], unless I was watching the wrong game, I thought they definitely didn’t outplay us.
“I thought we both had equal chances so I think they’ve stepped up. We’ve had a really good pre-season program which they’ve all stood by and stuck with.”
There has also been plenty of talk about Boroondara’s recruiting in pre-season, and with the three signings of Louise Mason, Alex Gummer and Racheal Quigley now officially revealed, Simao believes they serve more importance in guiding the youngsters around them than getting results for the club.
“It’s fun because you hear around the track ‘Sheikh Smith’ and all the rest of it. The proofs there, we’ve got three players; that’s all we’ve got and the rest are all from last year, all young girls, all amazing prospects, 16, 17, 18 year olds at the most,” he said.
“We believe we are doing the right things, everyone else can talk whatever they want to talk so we’re very happy.
“Emma Gross, she’s 16 years old, and she’s got Quigley next to her, the most capped player from Adelaide.
“And again people like to bag [us saying] ‘oh we’re spending money’ but we’ve got excellent experienced players to play around all these young kids so these kids can learn, and they’re loving it.
“They are only going to get better and so will the club so we’re very, very proud.
Ultimately Simao wants his side to develop as a footballing team over the season, with the only aim to stay in the top division.
“Avoiding relegation would be a fantastic start,” he said.
“If we can keep our best XI on the park, and I know every team would say that obviously but I think it applies to us more because of the youngsters, our depth is going to get tested because our 12th-15th players are 16 year-olds that are obviously even less experienced.
“Look let’s avoid relegation, lets play good football. If we can then surprise some teams and finish seventh or there about, we’ll be very happy and it’ll be a fantastic progression for the girls.”
Boroondara Eagles will travel to Ralph Reserve to play South Melbourne on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled at 3pm.