This Sunday is the WNPLSA and WSA Cup Final with Salisbury Inter taking on Metro United. Inter captain Chantelle Ryder spoke to Beyond90‘s Ben Gilby about the game and her team’s impressive season to date.
Salisbury Inter’s WNPLSA & WSA Cup run to date has been impressive, with victories over two of their most in-form rivals at the top of the WNPL in West Adelaide and Adelaide City.
But for club captain Chantelle Ryder, those victories have as much to do with what’s been happening off the pitch as her side’s performances on it.
“I think the culture created by the club and the team is one thing that has contributed to our success,” Ryder said this week.
“Every single person involved is invested in this team and doing what is needed for each other. Creating an environment where everyone supports each other, enjoys coming to training, and buys into the brand of football we want to play has been a focus for the last couple of years and we are finally reaping the benefits.”
Inter’s opposition in the final are reigning WNPLSA champions Metro United, a team packed with dangerous players, and Ryder is clear what her team need to do in order to impose themselves on the opposition.
“Metro have always been a formidable opponent and we have a great respect for the team and players. They have shown many times in the past that they are a team who performs well in finals and know how to close out important games. It is important for us to assert our dominance early in the game in order to dictate play and hopefully control the outcome in our favour. We believe in our players and our ability to beat any opponent we face; if we can win our individual battles that will go a long way to winning the game.”
It’s been a successful season both in league and cup at Salisbury Inter, and a key part of this is due to the ethos and closeness of the players off the pitch.
“Culture is a huge theme within Salisbury Inter,” Ryder said.
“Everyone enjoys spending time with each other on and off the pitch. The club provides dinners every week after training where the girls can come in and enjoy time together away from football. On the pitch, we are really enjoying the brand of football we are playing and I think it is showing in our performances.”
Football in South Australia has just come back after a two-week lockdown, leading to a backlog of games, and forcing some clubs to play two important league games and a cup semi-final in less than seven days.
For Ryder though, the short mid-season break has provided an opportunity for the team to look back on their achievements to date before important matches to come.
“I think we were very fortunate that the lockdown was so short, especially in comparison to our neighbouring states, and as a result, our routine was not affected too much. If anything, it gave us an opportunity to recover and reset in the middle of a long season, and have tried to look at the break in a positive light.
“Having to play a mid-week game is always challenging, but it is not new to most of the girls in this league and is something every club has to face. It all comes down to player management and having a strong squad with interchangeable players all able to fill a spot when necessary.”
María José “Cote” Rojas has had another incredible season for the club, and with the Chilean star in her current form, Ryder knows how luck she is to count her among her teammates.
“Anyone who knows Cote knows that her work ethic is second to none. Her passion for the game is infectious and she has an ability to drive everyone in the team to work that little bit harder.
“The knowledge and experience she brings to the team are invaluable and her ability to score is one of our greatest assets. We love having Cote around the club and hope she continues to return each season.”
The battle for the WNPL title is getting tighter with each passing week, and with the season heading towards its climax, Ryder knows exactly what to look forward to when the big sides face off.
“We have enjoyed the battle against West Adelaide and Adelaide City all year. There is a healthy rivalry building, especially between us and West, and each time we meet it is guaranteed to be an exciting, close battle.
“We appreciate those challenges however try to keep our focus on our own performances. It is important for us to perform well each week, not just against the top 3 teams. We know if we play our best football each week it will go a long way to ending the season on top.”
The WNPLSA/WSL Cup Final
Salisbury Inter v Metro United at VALO Park
Kick off: 3:30pm local time (4:00pm AEST) – Sunday 22 August
