Melbourne Victory’s Emily Gielnik putting in extra sessions in bid to play for Matildas in World Cup
WINGER Emily Gielnik’s eagerness to break into the Matildas squad prompted her to close down her Brisbane gym and relocate to Melbourne to reunite with former coach.
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WINGER Emily Gielnik’s eagerness to break into the Matildas squad prompted her to close down her Brisbane gym and relocate to Melbourne to reunite with former coach.
Jeff Hopkins’ tough love at Brisbane Roar many years ago paid off, with her determination creating a strong mutual respect.
Hellbent on playing in a maiden World Cup, Gielnik knew Hopkins — now at Victory — was the man to prepare her for a crack at the big time.
Gielnik’s insatiable appetite for training is matched by Hopkins’, with the coach detouring from his Greenvale home to Brunswick most mornings en route to AAMI Park.
“He often takes an hour out of his schedule to do an extra session – this week it was me and another girl in the team,’’ Gielnik said.
“It depends on the football schedule. At one stage I was doing them once a week, if we can squeeze in twice a week we do.
“If girls want those extra touches on the ball, he takes time out of his busy schedule and outs in a lot of effort with us. You don’t get that from too many (coaches).
“He’s got the passion to develop players and that was one of the bigger reasons, him believing in my future prospects and wanting to push me and get the best out of me, for not just Victory but the World Cup.”
Hopkins said Gielnik will also train with Victory’s Under-18 boys squad, which he also trains.
“She would train all the time if she could. Her appetite to do extras was a big part of the reasons she came here — she’s desperate to perform for us and get to the World Cup,’’ Hopkins said.
“She’s been outstanding but she’s got so much improvement left, I’m not sure she realises how good she can be.”
Not in her wildest dreams did Gielnik think Victory would be equal top of the W-League table nearing finals, three points ahead of arch local enemy Melbourne City ahead of today’s local derby at Epping Stadium, with the visitors welcoming back Matildas star Kyah Simon.
With her Matildas axing five years ago prompting Gielnik to open the superbly named ShredEm Fitness, she hopes the gym is years away from reopening.
W-LEAGUE ROUND 10
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
Epping Stadium, Today, 4pm
TV: Live on Fox Sports