Alen Stajcic expecting a tougher & tighter Westfield W-League in 2011/12

Sydney FC W-League coach Alen Stajcic believes the 2011/12 Westfield W-League will be the tightest in the four-year history of the competition with five teams capable of claiming silverware.

Sydney FC W-League coach Alen Stajcic believes the 2011/12 Westfield W-League will be the tightest in the four-year history of the competition with five teams capable of claiming silverware.

Sydney FC has won two Premierships and one Championship in the first three years of the W-League with Brisbane Roar claiming the other two Championships and a single Premiership but Stajcic believes the duopoly will be severely challenged in 2011/12.

“The 2011/12 competition is going to be tighter than ever before. I think there are five teams that can win it,” Stajcic said. “There-s no way it is going to be a two-horse race as some people believe it has been in recent seasons. Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra all look strong and Sydney FC and Brisbane will be up there again.”

While admitting the gap has closed, Stajcic is still confident in the squad he has assembled going into the 2011/12 season.

Led by 2010/11 Westfield W-League Golden Boot and 2010/11 Players Player of the Year Kyah Simon and fellow Matildas Heather Garriock, Caitlin Ford, Sarah Walsh, Servet Uzunlar, Kylie Ledbrook, Thea Slatyer and Leena Khamis, Sydney FC boasts an impressive squad.

Sydney FC has received an international boost with USA-s World Cup Hero Megan Rapinoe signing on, along with fellow USA players Allison Lipsher and Estelle Johnson.

“We-ve put together a good squad with a good mix of Matildas and younger local players and the three girls from the USA are a boost, especially Megan Rapinoe, who was one of the stars of the last World Cup.

“Our goals for the season are the same as they were in previous seasons. We need to continue to improve our performances years on year and from week to week because the standard of the competition is improving.

“If we can play to our potential and continue to improve then we-ll certainly be there at the end of the season when the whips are cracking.”

The Sydney FC W-League team starts the 2011/12 with a home game against Brisbane Roar at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday (22 October). Kick off is 3pm.

The Sydney FC Westfield W-League squad is: