Ceri Holland: “We’ve Got The Confidence From The Win Over Chelsea”
The midfielder heaps praise on her teammates and looks forward to the match against Manchester United.
The win over Chelsea Wednesday evening was something else, wasn’t it? Liverpool Women came from behind to beat the league leaders at Prenton Park in a seven goal thriller, and the squad are hoping to ride that momentum all the way to Sunday when they host Manchester United as a farewell to Prenton Park.
“I think it was the type of game that you want to play in and obviously to be on the winning side of it was a fantastic night for us and all of our fans,” midfielder Ceri Holland told the club website recently.
“To go 1-0 down and come in at half-time 1-0 down [but still win], I think it showed that we have got resilience. It was very end-to-end, it was like a basketball game at times but it was exciting, an exciting night.”
Holland herself has been the midfield engine for the squad throughout the Women’s spectacular season, but was full of praise for her teammates as Gemma Bonner marked her 150th appearance for the club with the match winning goal, and Marie Höbinger became the first player in WSL history to make three assists from corners. Holland herself even got an assist!
“[It was] really special for her and I’m really, really happy for Gemma. She is a true professional and she deserved that goal,” Holland continued.
“It shows the quality that [Marie]’s got. We have known that she has got that quality from her set-plays and she showed that the other night. All three deliveries for the goals were fantastic and I was really happy for her to get that recognition.
“Marie is fantastic to play alongside, she is technically so gifted and she can see passes that some of us can’t. She has been a fantastic addition to the squad.
“I was delighted. To have it from my left foot as well is pretty cool! It was a great run from Leanne and it was fantastic she could finish it off, so I was really happy for her. She deserved that goal.”
Gemma, Marie, and Leanne weren’t the only recipients of Holland’s praise, as the midfielder heaped compliments on young Mia Enderby and Sophie Roman Haug for getting the goal scoring started for the Reds. Chelsea is a tough opponent and were league leaders for a reason, with stars like Millie Bright making it hard to play against, but Liverpool Women faced them with tenacity.
“[Sophie] is fantastic what she can offer aerially. It’s obviously quite difficult for the opposition to deal with and the other night against Chelsea I think she won every single header against two world-class centre-backs as well,” the midfielder added.
“It’s really special to have her in the team. We are anticipating Sophie is going to win the headers and we are making the runs in behind. She was fantastic the other night.
“For 18 years of age I think the talent [Mia] has is really special. She is absolute raw talent and I think it’s really good to see her having that confidence now to go at players and she gave the Chelsea defenders a difficult night. I’m really happy for her.”
The next obstacle ahead of the Reds is facing Manchester United on Sunday in what turns out to be the last home match at Prenton Park after the club announced the Women will be moving to St. Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium next season. It is also a chance for the Red Women to leapfrog their western rivals, and take that fourth place position on the table for good.
“[It’s] another big game for us, we are chasing that fourth spot and after the result the other night we have to continue that momentum. We need to put in another really good performance this weekend and hopefully get the three points again,” Holland explained.
“I think it would be really special and it would top off the season well. We can’t take away that we have done really well this season but we know that there is still so much to do, and to finish in the top four would be fantastic for the football club and for us as a group, so that’s the sole focus at the moment.
“We have made Prenton Park a really hard place to come at times for the opposition and the atmosphere that we have created there has been really special with our fans. Hopefully those fans will follow us to St Helens, hopefully then get more fans in through the doors and create a good fanbase next season.”
Liverpool Women host Manchester United on Sunday May 5 at 2pm GMT.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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