Matildas keeper Williams keen on W-League stint

Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams has flagged her intentions to return to Australia and play in the W-League, while Matildas team-mate Elise Kellond-Knight may head overseas.

Australia Lydia Williams W-League Matildas Elise Kellond-Knight

Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images North America

A day after the Matildas' FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 dream was snuffed out by a 1-0 quarter-final loss to Japan, Williams said both her body and mind needed a break.

"I'm going to have a bit of a holiday to relax and take my mind off football for a little bit," she told Sky Sports Radio on Monday.

"It's been a hectic 11 months for me, so definitely going to have a little bit of a break.

"And whatever happens with clubs anywhere we'll see, but right now it's getting my mind all relaxed again."

Williams, who was beaten in the 87th minute by Japan substitute Mana Iwabuchi, spent last season playing in America's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for Western New York Flash.

But while she has signed with Washington Spirit for the 2015 season, the 27-year-old former Canberra United keeper indicated she'd rather head home.

"I'll probably come back home to play in the Australian league," said Williams, whose mother is from the US and father is of Aboriginal descent.

"I have opportunities to play in the American league, but as of this moment it's making sure my priorities are right and having a bit of a rest.

"To come home and see the changes and the support, I think that's going to be quite an accomplishment for us and we're going to feel the love and hopefully get some good support out of it."

Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar midfielder Kellond-Knight is reportedly contemplating a move to Germany after receiving a lucrative offer from a leading club in the Frauen Bundesliga.

"I have had a decent offer from Germany, it's something really worth considering," she told News Corp.

"The positives are definitely outweighing the negatives, (so) I think that's where I most likely will end up.

"I'll go home, freshen up, pack and organise my life."

Kellond-Knight, who won two player of the match awards at the World Cup, lamented that the Matildas' current contracts with Football Federation Australia tied them to the W-League and therefore stopped many of Australia's best female players from developing their game overseas.


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2 min read
Published 29 June 2015 11:11am
Updated 29 June 2015 11:17am

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