West Ham United women’s team defender Shelina Zadorsky has insisted the international break acted as a refresher for her side, who are now champing at the bit to return to Barclays Women’s Super League action on Saturday against Manchester City.
The Hammers return to the pitch for the first time in nearly three weeks at the Joie Stadium after 20 of Rehanne Skinner’s side were called up to their countries for matches during the October international window.
Indeed, one of those players was our No14, who played every minute for Canada in friendlies against Leila Wandeler’s Switzerland and the Netherlands. Unfortunately for her side, they fell to defeat in both matches by a single goal, but that didn’t overshadow the honour our vice-captain feels every time she receives the call for her country.
After the match against Switzerland at Swissporarena in Lucerne, Zadorsky and her fellow east Londoner Wandeler reunited.
“It was definitely nice to see Leila [Wandeler]!” said Zadorsky. “For her to get minutes and to play against each other was a cool experience.
“This international break, we (Canada) had a few tough results, but it’s always an honour to play for Canada, and to play in both games as well, to be challenged against other players. I found I had some good performances but also some things I want to continue improving on.”
It was not long before Zadorsky and Wandeler saw each other again, this time back in east London as Skinner’s side got down to work ahead of the clash against the Citizens. As our manager alluded to in her pre-match press conference, the team are going into the game with confidence after the last meeting between the two sides, which saw Manuela Paví strrike a stoppage-time equaliser at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
But City are now managed by Andrée Jeglertz and his new-look side will provide a tough test, as they go in search of a sixth successive WSL victory, but it’s a test that Zadorsky and her team are relishing.
“As a defender, you always want to be challenged against the best attackers and this league is full of that,” she said. “It’s about being strong one-versus-one, bringing a presence, and implementing yourself and your defensive qualities in the game - and that’s what I aim to do.
“It’s been so nice to see everyone again. I think the international break is sometimes a refresher to change up environments and have different challenges, so I think everyone’s come back excited to be together.
“We have a lot of improvement areas and we just want to get back into the games, and get results.”
