Call for fixture balance

A CLASH of W-League fixtures with the international two-game series with China has left leading Matildas calling for a break when the national team is in action.

Three W-League matches are scheduled for the weekend and all fixtures will be deprived of senior players due to callups by Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

Canberra United striker Michelle Heyman said players were angry at missing major matches at club level while on national team duty.

The top-of-the-table clash between leaders Perth Glory and third-placed Canberra United will be deprived of sup- erstar Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and Heyman.

“We’re furious. It’s frustrating,” Heyman said.

“Both (Sam and I are) angry at the situation. It should have been a bye round.

“We’ve put that to FFA because the W-League is too short.

“You lose one game and it could knock you out. Goal difference could determine the top four spots.

“Of course we want to play for our country but we want to win the W-League too.”

Each side plays 12 matches in the W-League season across 14 staggered rounds.

The sides that provide the bulk of the Matildas squad — Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City (five players each) — do have the week off.

Those two sides round out the top four in a hyper-competitive season in which title fancy Sydney FC finds itself on the bottom of the pile.

“This season is really odd, no one’s standing out. It’s very competitive,” Heyman said.

“We’ve been lucky in the last two games to get six points. We didn’t deserve them or play the best football.

“We’re still growing. If we can still beat teams when we’re not performing, then hopefully at the end of the year we can be killing it.”