Three weeks after a calamitous climax to the regular season the Sky Blues are keen to rediscover their mojo in a two-legged semi-final against the Mariners Sydney FC are accustomed to adversity, but this was the handiwork of a higher power. The Sky Blues – the most consistent club in the A-League Women and defending champions – have spent three weeks pulling themselves together after a calamitous collapse in the final days of the season last month, when two losses handed the premiership to Melbourne City ..read more

Chelsea must be wary of Caroline Graham Hansen while PSG will look to capitalise on Tabitha Chawinga’s speed against Lyon Moving the Goalposts: sign up for our free newsletter This weekend brings the first legs of the Women’s Champions League semi-finals and I am particularly intrigued to see how my old club Chelsea approach their tie against Barcelona. This is the third encounter between the clubs in the space of four seasons and it will be interesting to see what Chelsea’s coaching staff have learned from those previous games – the 2021 final and 2023 semi-final, which both ended in defeat ..read more

ACT government promises ‘one-off’ payment of $200,000 Club still afloat but ‘on borrowed time’, say owners Canberra United’s immediate future has been secured by a belated injection of funding from the ACT government, but the long-term viability of one of the country’s most successful women’s clubs remains in doubt. The club’s owners Capital Football revealed in March they needed more investment to keep operating the team, which has cost $2.5m over the past two years ..read more

WSL updates from the 7pm BST kick-off at Kingsmeadow Get in touch with SarahLive scoreboard: Wednesday’s latest Do send in any snack chat you have, tonight I am tucking into some chocolate digestives for this clash. Another topic which I would like to hear your thoughts on is what legacy Emma Hayes will leave in the WSL when she leaves at the end of the season. You can get in touch via email or X (@rendellx) Aston Villa boss Carla Ward said on Rachel Daly, who plays for the first time tonight since announcing her international retirement: “Daly is a top professional, she has inspired many an ..read more

Defender sustained injury in game against Burnley last month Club agree to fund operation after player laments ‘worst news’ Stoke City have agreed to pay for a player in their women’s team to undergo surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury after she started a GoFundMe page in order to cover the necessary costs. Kayleigh McDonald sustained the injury during Stoke’s 2-1 defeat to Burnley in the Women’s National League North last month and, having undergone a scan, claims she was told by the club that she would have to join an NHS waiting list in order to receive treatment. Desperate to ..read more

The Canberra United striker says ‘it’s wild’ how women’s football has changed since she was a part of the Australian team in Rio It wasn’t the fastest woman in Australia. Nor the gymnast with a move named after her, or the teenage breaking phenomenon. Not even the brilliant beach volleyballer. Instead, the athlete most in demand at the Sydney launch of the 100-day countdown to the Paris Olympics was a footballer ..read more

Chelsea Women have chance to go top with win over Aston Villa Club’s FA Cup and League Cup hopes over after recent defeats The Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says she hopes supporters do not begin to take her players for “granted” after an unprecedented successful period at the club. Hayes’ side welcome Aston Villa to Kingsmeadow on Wednesday night as they return to Women’s Super League action after two consecutive losses in cup competitions. Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United followed a tempestuous loss to Arsenal in the Continental League Cup final ..read more

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Wrack, Robyn Cowen and Chris Paouros to discuss the FA Cup semi-finals and preview the upcoming last-four ties in the Champions League On today’s pod: the panel discuss the FA Cup semi-finals, as Manchester United make the final for the second successive season and Tottenham create history by reaching their first. The panel also discuss what this means for Chelsea, as their hopes of a quadruple have now been slashed in half. They now have two competitions to fight for as Emma Hayes’ tenure heads for its conclusion ..read more

Organisers around the UK work with venues to ensure parties are free to attend, LGBTQ+ inclusive and accessible On a Wednesday night in late March, the inside of Stamford Bridge’s Tea Bar is decked out by Baller FC, a collective which hosts women’s football watch parties. The group’s DIY decor taps right into women’s football fandom. There is a cardboard cutout of Chelsea’s Emma Hayes. “In Sarina we trust,” reads a flag with an illustration of the Lionesses’ manager. Posters commemorate the seven grassroots teams invited here to celebrate their achievements. This evening’s party culminates in ..read more

WSL updates from the 6.45pm BST kick-off at Meadow Park Live scoreboardAnd you can The teams again Arsenal Women: D’Angelo, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Catley, Little, Pelova, Mead, Blackstenius, Foord, Russo. Subs: Zinsberger, McCabe, Lacasse, Wienroither, Goldie, Lia, Reid ..read more