Boroondara Eagles goalkeeper Anna Lanning says her team has set its sights on doing the double this season after defeating Bundoora United 2-1 in the Team App Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Along with now being in the Cup final, the Eagles are also perched on top of the WPL table, and the custodian believes winning both trophies is on the club’s radar.
“It’s really important for the team and as a group the Premier League is the top priority, but the Cup is really important as well, so to make it to the final is really special,” Lanning said.
Despite the Eagles’ being unbeaten since the early rounds of the WPL, the last few weeks have seen the club stumble against Heidelberg United and Casey Comets, with the latter game bailed out by a speculative last gasp kick from Aliesha Newman.
The cause hasn’t been helped by Emma Littlewood’s departure overseas.
However, Lanning asserted that the recent form, which has seen the Eagles scrap out a few tough results amidst a bit of dented confidence, has helped the players become more resilient and will hold the team in good stead for the remainder of the year.
“It’s a long season, were a little bit sore, we’re getting to that point where we’re nearly over the hill,” she said.
“We were disappointing last week against Casey, we definitely didn’t play the football we wanted to play, so [Bundoora’s] equaliser in the first half just made us want it more and I think we came out and showed the football we can play.
“We’ve had a few ins and outs, but we’ve got good depth, it’s been a little off-putting but we’ve handled it really well and to have that depth is really important.”
Lanning attributes the Eagles’ remarkable run of results to coach Shaun Ontong – still unbeaten since arriving in Round 4 – for showing faith in the team since replacing outgoing coach Fil Simao and contributing to the upbeat mood in the dressing rooms.
“Shaun’s a great coach, he’s a great guy, he’s come in and put how he wants the team to play,” she said.
“We had a really good season last year with Fil [Simao], we started off okay this season but Shaun’s come in and the group has really taken to him and really implemented what he’s trying to play.”
“I’ve had a bit of an up and down season, I’ve had a few injuries, it’s always tough on the keeper but I’ve really enjoyed it but it’s a challenge and I love it.”
Boroondara’s next game on the road to the WPL finals is against Sandringham Soccer Club at Kingston Heath on Monday night.