WALLABIES’ ‘GOOD’ LOSS
IT’S not often you’ll find a happy coach after a 7-0 loss but Mudgeeraba mentor David Thompson had nothing but praise for his NPL Women’s upstarts yesterday.
Chasing their second win of the season, the Wallabies were mauled by title heavyweights Lions FC at Tallai’s Sid Bigg Park to slip to their thirdstraight loss.
Mudgeeraba entered the Round 9 fixture without instrumental midfielder Shelby White following a seasonending ankle injury and their task was made even harder when another injury forced them to contest the final halfhour with only 10 players.
However, Thompson said the group would take “quite a few positives” into Sunday’s trip to Moreton Bay United.
“It was a hard day at the office ... but the girls worked hard and that’s all I can ask for. When you’re down to 10 against 11 against quality side you’ve got a mountain to climb,” Thompson said.
“We didn’t concede the game at all and we kept trying to play football. Rather than just kicking it away, we were still trying to pass and do the things we do at training.
“I’m relieved we got this game now and not second or third game into (the season). For the most part, we’ve been really competitive and that’s big step from what we were at the start of the season.
“They’re definitely headed in the right direction.”
With the Wallabies now winless since Round 5, Thompson conceded White’s absence would “hurt” but said belief within the squad remained high.
“Shelby going is a big loss. She’s a quality midfield player and she was improving in leaps and bounds so to lose her, it’s heartbreaking.
“But I’d like to think we can go up (to Moreton Bay) and give a good account of ourselves. I don’t let losses drag me down for long.”
Mudgeeraba remain ahead of Sunday’s battle.
The NPL Women ladder was unavailable last night. 11th