Caitlin Foord scored four goals in a game for the first time since she was “a lot younger” but the Matildas star’s stunning haul for Arsenal came as she and her Australian teammates all failed to make the 30 nominations for the Ballon d’Or.
A year after injured Matildas captain Sam Kerr finished runner-up in the prestigious award, and Hayley Raso finished 17th in voting, not a single Australian female or male player was among the final nominations.
A failed Olympic campaign could have contributed to the lack of recognition for the Matildas in the Ballon d’Or, with the team unable to get out of the group stages in what turned out to be coach Tony Gustavsson’s final campaign.
But Foord showed no signs of an Olympic hangover, slotting her biggest haul for Arsenal in a 6-0 romp against Rangers in the women’s Champions League on Thursday.
Foord is among a large cohort of Aussies playing in England, including Raso who has joined Tottenham, and netted her first hat-trick for Arsenal.
“To get one I’m happy, to put four away, and a hat-trick in Arsenal colours, my first one, I’m really happy,” she said.
“I’m extremely happy to get the win, but to do my job and put the ball in the back of the net a few times was a bonus.
“At the end of the day, I just wanted to do my job and did that tonight.”
Arsenal will next meet Norway’s Rosenborg, surprise 3-2 winners on penalties after a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid, for a place in round 2 of qualifying.
Last year, Arsenal failed to reach the group stage after a shock defeat to Paris FC in qualifying.
Source Agencies
