Latest news with #AnnaliseRasmussen
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Central Coast Mariners chase fairytale finish in A-League Women's grand final
The Central Coast Mariners women's team is writing its own script and it is one that even a Hollywood hack might not dare to dream up. Kicked out of the competition in 2010 due to a lack of funding and denied re-entry seven years later because the home ground change rooms were not up to scratch, the team is back from the wilderness and on the brink of grand final glory. Annalise Rasmussen came through the Mariners Academy and was the first player signed when the club returned to the competition in 2023. "[It's] pretty crazy," she said. "All through high school me and my friends would go down to Gosford and watch the men's teams play. The Mariners played in the inaugural W-League (now known as A-League Women) competition in 2008, but the team was forced out after two seasons due to a lack of funding. Now the squad is preparing for a grand final against three-time champions Melbourne Victory. The Mariners are the only team to have defeated the premiers this season and coach Emily Husband says there is plenty of belief among the players. "I always had the faith … that we could really, really achieve something fantastic together," she said. Husband rose through the coaching ranks at Sydney University before being handed the daunting task of creating a team from scratch in 2023. "It's been an incredible achievement for everybody," she said. "Did I anticipate us doing this well in two years? Probably not, if I'm being brutally honest." "Do I envision us with the trophy? Absolutely." One player who knows what it takes to win a grand final is Taylor Ray. She was part of the Sydney FC side that won last year's decider and has played in three premierships, three championships and four grand finals. "There was a lot of success at Sydney FC … [but] for me personally, that shift towards a smaller family base … I think that allows me to be more passionate about this one," Ray said. The decider will be played in Melbourne, which is a second home to dual-code star Sarah Rowe. The 29-year-old Irishwoman has been playing in the AFLW with Collingwood since 2018 and previously played a season with Melbourne Victory. "Collingwood train right beside AAMI stadium, so it does feel like I'm going home this weekend, and I've gotten so many messages from the girls throughout the week and a lot of them are coming to the game on Sunday," Rowe said. The success of the team over the course of two seasons has led to Husband being mentioned as a possible coach for the Matildas. Next week she will go to a camp with the national team in a supporting role, but she says she does not have aspirations to take the top job just yet. "I'm fully concentrated on being at the Central Coast Mariners," Husband said. "Whatever happens in the future happens in the future." The Mariners men's team claimed back-to-back A-League titles after accounting for Victory in last year's grand final.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mariners' magic thickens A-League Women finals plot
Central Coast have secured their first A-League Women win in seven weeks, outgunning Wellington 2-0 in the latest twist to the finals race. The Mariners' vital three points, secured at Porirua Park thanks to goals from Annalise Rasmussen and Isabel Gomez, came after a five-game stretch in which they managed two draws and three losses. Central Coast (28 points) are now fifth on the table after shooting clear of Brisbane Roar (25), who are away to Adelaide United on Sunday. .@CCMariners young gun Annalise Rasmussen fires her side ahead at Porirua Park! 🔥The 19-year-old forward has now scored in back-to-back games 🙌📺 Watch #WELvCCM live NOW on Paramount+ or 10 Play. — Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) March 22, 2025 Canberra United (24) and Wellington (23) stumbled in the scramble for top-six spots on Saturday, with the former suffering a 1-0 loss to Sydney FC at home. There are a further three rounds to play after this weekend. "I don't know if it's completely over but it obviously means we've got to win the next three games in a row to stand any chance," Phoenix coach Paul Temple said of his side's finals hopes. "We're down to must-wins and cup finals now. "We'll keep going until it's mathematically impossible. We'll keep going until we can't go anymore." Central Coast goalkeeper Sarah Langman marked her 100th A-League match in style, denying a sizzling long-distance shot from Manaia Elliott late in injury time to earn a clean sheet. A header from Mariners young gun Peta Trimis went close to breaking the scoreless deadlock in the 44th minute, but the Phoenix's desperation to clear the ensuing danger resulted in a penalty for Rasmussen. Rasmussen converted to claim a 1-0 halftime buffer, with Gomez doubling the visitors' lead with her powerful strike in the 52nd minute. Meanwhile, Sydney FC midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby's 78th-minute goal in Canberra ensured her side extended their purple patch. The Sky Blues have now won three of their past four games.
