In hot conditions at Great Strahov Stadium in West Ham United women’s team’s pre-season friendly with Sparta Prague, Shelina Zadorsky still played all 90 minutes and marshalled the back line to a clean sheet.
Fresh from penning a new contract at the Club, the 32-year-old played alongside seven different defenders in the Hammers’ 1-0 victory on Sunday and lead by example, shutting out any dangerous attacks the hosts crafted.
While Zadorsky was a key figure at the back, it was Riko Ueki’s 22nd-minute goal that earned Rehanne Skinner’s side the spoils. The Japan international timed her run to perfection to get on the end of Viviane Asseyi’s free-kick and head the ball over Nikola Harantová in the Sparta goal.
Canada international Zadorsky, who donned the captain’s armband in the second half, joked in her post-match interview with West Ham TV that she said to Ueki before the game in Prague that one of them would find the net. Whilst it was the Japan international who wheeled away, Zadorsky was one of the first to join in the celebrations.
“[Riko took her goal] very well!” smiled Zadorsky. “We were talking before the game that one of us had to score, but I said she had a better chance at that, so I'm very happy for her!
“It was a perfect ball from Vivi [Asseyi] and perfect timing from Riko. She’s so good in the air, so I'm really happy about that.
“I think we can take a lot of positives from the game. It was good to get everyone minutes, play with our new players, get that gelling back together and I'm proud of the group for finding a way to win.
“Obviously we wanted to score more goals today, but I think at this stage it’s a solid win.”
“It was a little bit hot! But I think I've worked on my fitness over the summer, so I think it's paid off, but I think I need an ice bath now!”
New faces featured in the victory on Sunday, and Zadorsky was delighted with their contributions to the performance, as well as how much they have integrated themselves into the squad over the course of the trip and the past few weeks.
“I was super proud of everyone,” she said. “Everyone brought their own identity and tried to impact the game. We said we wanted to compete and bring a lot of energy. We know it'll take some time to get those relationships flowing, but I think everyone put their best foot forward and made a really solid effort. It's exciting to see what we've added.
“I think staff and players, we have such a good time together, so to explore a new city and being amongst a different footballing environment, I think that's really important in pre-season. We’ve definitely had a lot of laughs, as we always do, but ultimately we also came here to win. I think it’s been a really positive trip.
“We have a lot of games coming up, and we're excited to keep progressing and challenging ourselves. We're running, we're working hard, and I'm really excited that before we know it, the next season will be here. It's exciting to see our new players and obviously we have a big season ahead of us.”
