GSSA 2023: Injury cloud hovering over Caledonians ahead of women’s division one cup final against Denmark

Caledonians will have to contend with a host of injuries ahead of their daunting clash against Denmark in the Great Southern Soccer Association women’s division one cup final on Friday night. Coach Joe Trichilo is confident that despite a potential lack of available players, his side will be up for the big test against a classy Denmark outfit. “We’ve got some big challenges in terms of numbers, we do have a vast array of injuries to deal with,” he said. “I’m expecting a hard encounter from Denmark’s perspective, all our games have been quite tough this year against them. “We’re likely to be able to field at least 10 or 11 players.” In their two encounters in the division one competition this season, Denmark were 2-0 winners in round four before Caledonians squared the ledger with a 3-2 victory in round 11. Trichilo believes Denmark are well-equipped across every position. “They’re quite solid throughout all lines, they’ve got a great defence, attack and are strong everywhere,” he said. “We’re not the sort of team that will allow a team to walk all over us, we’ve had a really good year and we want to finish strong.” Denmark coach Mike Garland said his side must be conscious of a rigid Caledonians defence that had the capacity to do damage in transition. “They are very strong defensively and hard to break down,” he said. “That is certainly what we found last time we played them, they were very difficult to break apart and they caught us on the counter attack a bit. “We’ll try and score early but if plan A doesn’t work we’ll have to adapt and go to plan B, C and D. Denmark claimed last year’s cup in stunning fashion, a Tayah Mastalerz strike in extra time handing them cup glory at the death. Garland said the chance to go back-to-back gave his side plenty of extra motivation. “I think some of the players are looking forward to the chance of going back to back,” he said. “It’s impossible not to be nervous for a cup final and no doubt they’ll be feeling it. “The worst thing to say to them is ‘it’s just another game’ because it’s not, it’s only human nature that you’ll have some nerves. “It’s the same for us coming to the end of the season with injuries but hopefully we can field a strong team. Denmark thumped Sharks 12-0 in the semifinal to advance to the decider while Caledonians edged past Phoenix in a 2-1 semifinal result to book their spot. The cup final starts at the North Road sporting grounds at 7.15pm on Friday.