.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
 |
| Dummies Guide to the Women's World Cup: Chapter Three |
Ten current and former Westfield W-League imports will take to the pitches of Canada next month for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The impressive list of stars includes 2014 FIFA World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer and late-blooming England striker Jodie Taylor.
Many of the players tasted championship success or featured in grand finals during their time in the W-League.
The Football Sack takes a closer look at the players with a "local" flavour to keep an eye during the tournament.
Anna Green (New Zealand)
The England-born fullback is one of New Zealand’s most experienced players with 56 international caps and seven goals next to her name. The 24-year-old, who is on the comeback trail from injury, played nine matches for Adelaide United in 2011 before returning two seasons later for a brief stint with Sydney FC.
Katie Hoyle-Duncan (New Zealand)
New Zealand’s vice-captain was an integral member of Melbourne Victory’s championship side in 2013/14. The pint-sized midfielder has lined up 101 times for the Kiwis and is currently contracted to Swiss side FC Zurich.
Abby Erceg (New Zealand)
The Kiwi captain and New Zealand’s most experienced campaigner with 112 international caps played 23 games over two seasons for Adelaide United between 2011 and 2013. The 25-year-old centre back was the first New Zealand woman to amass 100 internationals and is currently plying her trade with US outfit Chicago Red Stars while on loan from German side FF USV Jena.
Rebekah Stott (New Zealand)
The 21-year-old central defender grew up in New Zealand before moving to the Sunshine Coast to play for Brisbane Roar in the early days of her senior career. A desire for more game time and consistency saw her move to south in 2011 to Melbourne Victory where she has amassed 25 games, including a grand final appearance in 2012/13.
Emma Kete (New Zealand)
The 27-year-old striker has won W-League championships with Canberra United (2011/12) and Sydney FC (2012/13) and previously lined up for Perth Glory in 2011 before she was sacked by the WA club for disciplinary reasons. She has also played for Manchester City and Western New York Flash but her international career has delivered only three goals from 48 matches.
Nadine Angerer (Germany)
The dual World Cup winner and 2014 FIFA World Player of the Year has spent the past two seasons at Brisbane Roar and impressed many with her unrivalled goalkeeping talents. The 36-year-old with 138 international caps will retire after the World Cup and is hoping to exit the game lifting the World Cup trophy for a remarkable third time.
Jessica Samuelsson (Sweden)
The emerging fullback joined Melbourne Victory on loan from Linköpings FC and tasted championship success in her only W-League season to date. The 23-year-old has been a semi-regular fixture in the Swedish national team since 2011.
Megan Rapinoe (USA)
An experienced midfielder with more than 100 international caps, the 29-year-old only made a handful of appearances for Sydney FC back in 2011. Originally aligned with the Chicago Red Stars, she has split her time between Seattle Reign FC and French club Olympique Lyonnais in recent seasons.
Carly Telford (England)
The 27-year-old goalkeeper played nine matches for Perth Glory in 2012 before breaking her hand trying to blunt a cross as Sam Kerr’s head got in the way. Telford required surgery to have four pins inserted in her broken hand and was sidelined for 12 weeks. She has stood in goals for Notts County since last year after three seasons with Chelsea Ladies.
Jodie Taylor (England)
Former TFS columnist
Perhaps the most accomplished international to feature in the W-League, the 29-year-old has scored 22 goals in three seasons with Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC to sit 10th on the all-time scorers’ list. Despite an impressive domestic resume that includes stints with Birmingham City and Washington Spirit, she was only selected for her international debut last year.
The Football Sack's Dummies Guide to the Women's World Cup
Tune in each day for the next chapter
Chapter One: Matildas World Cup History
Chapter Two: Stars of 2015
Chapter Three: W-League Imports
Chapter Four: Five Moments that Mattered
Chapter Five: The Contenders
Chapter Six: Meet the Matildas