2024 A-Leagues All Stars Women game
The event took place at Marvel Stadium | |||||||
| Event | 2023–24 A-League Women | ||||||
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| Date | 24 May 2024 | ||||||
| Venue | Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia | ||||||
| Referee | Casey Reibelt | ||||||
| Attendance | 42,120 | ||||||
The 2024 A-Leagues All Stars Women game was an exhibition soccer match that was played on 24 May 2024, featuring an all-star team of the A-League Women against Women's Super League club Arsenal at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, Australia as part of Global Football Week Melbourne. It was the first edition of the A-Leagues All Stars Women game and the fourth of the A-Leagues All Stars Game.
Background
In March 2024, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced three fixtures that would include the A-Leagues All Stars Game at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne as part of Global Football Week Melbourne.[1] The inaugural A-Leagues All Stars Women team was played against Women's Super League club Arsenal on 24 May 2024 after the men's game (who played Premier League club Newcastle United).[2] It will be the first time the Arsenal women side has played in Australia.[3] The official kit partner was Kappa,[4] with the broadcast televised in Australia on 10 Bold and Paramount+.[5]
Squads
The A-League All Stars Women squad consisted of 19 players, including two goalkeepers, and was selected by coaching staff.[6] Alex Chidiac and Hannah Wilkinson were announced on 23 April 2024 as the first two players to be selected in the squad as voted by fans.[4][7] On 26 April, Joe Montemurro was announced as head coach,[8] with Kat Smith and Emily Husband as assistant coaches,[9] and Melissa Maizels appointed as goalkeeping coach.[10] The squad was announced on 9 May.[11] Of the 19 players selected, five were part of the Australian squad in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup,[12] and four from Sydney FC that won the Grand Final on 4 May.[13] Arsenal announced their 19-player squad on 20 May with Australian internationals Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord included.[14][15]
Officials
The referee for the match was Casey Reibelt. Emma Kocbek and Maggie Price were named as assistant referees with Georgia Ghirardello as the fourth official.[16]
A-Leagues All Stars Women squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Arsenal squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Criticism
After the announcement of Montemurro, Lisa De Vanna criticised the decision to select a coach not employed in the A-League Women, suggesting that it is an "insult to all the coaches who have put in the effort and remained loyal" in Australia.[17] Former Central Coast Mariners player Daniel McBreen supported this notion, stating that an A-League Women coach should have been "honoured" with the role.[18]
Match
Details
References
- ^ "A-Leagues All stars is BACK in 2024: Everything you need to know". A-League. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Kidane, Benyam (19 March 2024). "Arsenal Women vs A-League All-Stars Women in Melbourne: Marvel Stadium to host friendly in May". Sporting News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Arsenal Women to play in Australia". Arsenal. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ a b "First FOUR A-League All Stars named as iconic Kappa playing kit unveiled". A-League. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Watch the A-League All Stars in action live and free on 10Play". 10Play. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "A-Leagues All Stars fan voting open NOW: How it works". A-League. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Kidane, Benyam (24 April 2024). "Nestory Irankunda headlines A-League All Stars as special edition Kappa kit unveiled". Sporting News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Guelas, Joanna (26 April 2024). "Montemurro can make Matildas case with All Stars stint". The Women's Game. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Nicholas (26 April 2024). "Kat Smith helping create history with A-League All Stars Women". Western United. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Guelas, Joanna (26 April 2024). "Montemurro can make Matildas case with All Stars stint". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "FULL SQUAD: Introducing the first ever A-League All Stars Women team to take on Arsenal". A-Leagues. 9 May 2024.
- ^ Monteverde, Marco (9 May 2024). "A-League women's All-Stars squad to have healthy contingent of Matildas". news.com.au. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Four Sky Blues Named In All Stars Squad". Sydney FC. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Rugari, Vince (16 February 2024). "North London united: Matildas trio could join Ange's homecoming trip". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Arsenal Women's squad for Australia announced". Arsenal. 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Match Official Appointments Exhibition & A-League All-Stars 22-31 May 2024 | Football Australia". Football Australia. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ Valencich, Glenn (26 April 2024). "Matildas at centre of 'insulting' move as feud reignites". Seven News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Monteverde, Marco (26 April 2024). "'Slap across the face': Matildas caught up in A-League All-Stars controversy". Fox Sports. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 28 April 2024.