Japanese stars Momo Hayashi & Rie Kitano again vital as Gold Coast United chase NPLW crown
Gold Coast United coach Alex Bundalo insists his side is primed for all-out assault on the NPL Women’s crown and in the case of influential Japanese stars Rie Kitano and Momo Hayashi, they will have to let their football do the talking.
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GOLD Coast United coach Alex Bundalo insists his side is primed for all-out assault on the NPL Women’s crown and in the case of influential Japanese stars Rie Kitano and Momo Hayashi, they will have to let their football do the talking.
Semi finalists for the first time last season, United’s quest to dethrone 2019 double winners Lions will begin when they travel to Easts in Round 1 at 4.45pm today.
Key to their title aspirations will again be midfielder Kitano and defensive linchpin Hayashi, who earned selection alongside backline partner Ellie Fryer in last year’s NPLW Team of the Season.
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While the pair’s grasp of the English language remains limited, Bundalo said their performances could hold the key to the Surfsiders’ 2020 fortunes.
“They’re very, very good technical players and if anything with the game here in Australia, we need more players of that quality on the ball. They also motivate and inspire the young players so we’re very happy with both of them,” Bundalo said.
“They let their football do the talking and they’re picking up on their English but they’ve overcome that barrier. I’m not sure they understand if I don’t use the whiteboard what I’m saying sometimes but they get the job done on the field.
“Momo is just exceptional at the back, reads the game well and they’re both wonderful people so it’s a good culture and it bodes really well for the club and the team.”
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Bundalo and United technical director Craig Midgley joined forces as co-coaches midway through last season following the departure of Michael Cook, with a strong run home eventually ended with a penalty-shootout loss to Lions in the semi final.
Now holding the coaching reins alone, Bundalo is determined to avenge their heartache.
“We’ll certainly give it a good push. Everything is positive at the moment,” the former NSL veteran said.
“Based on last year and how we’ve taken off this year, my minimum is to make the playoffs - the top four - but I am certainly hopeful and I think we have enough belief to go for top spot. I’m quietly confident.”
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Led by star Canadian recruit Bella Habuda, United enjoyed an unbeaten run throughout pre-season, beating Lions, Mitchelton, Logan and Western Pride, and drawing with The Gap.
UNITED 2020 NPLW SQUAD
Chloe Burns
Zoe Corbett
Neesa Doyle
Charlie Farmer
Joy Forsyth
Ellie Fryer
Anabelle Gibson
Bella Habuda
Momo Hayashi
Bronti Hodgkinson
Rie Kitano
Amy Langworthy
Anita Les
Jayde Lowe
Kirsten McGilvray
Tayler Stevens
Paige Taylor
Deeanna Thompson
Cassie Zaffina
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