Ninja A-League duo Karly Roestbakken and Chelsea Blissett have urged the Matildas to pay close attention to Chinese star Wurigumula ahead of tonight’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup semi-final.
The Matildas will lock horns with the ‘Steel Roses’ at Perth’s HBF Park in a bid to secure a spot in the final of the Asian Cup.
China have won all four of their matches at the tournament so far with their most recent result being a 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei after Extra Time to book their spot in the semi-finals.
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Whilst forward Shao Ziqin is China’s leading goalscorer so far at the tournament with two, both Roestbakken and Blissett believe the Matildas backline need to be on their guard when they come up against another deadly attacker in the former of ex-Central Coast Mariners striker Wurigumula.
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Wurigumula posing for photos with fans
“Yeah (she’s) absolutely someone to look out for,” said Melbourne City defender Roestbakken on the latest episode of Dub Zone.
“I remember playing against her and thinking she’s very strong and powerful. She’s clinical as well.
“So it is someone that they’re going to have to have to try shut down and essentially eliminate her from the game.”
Melbourne Victory defender Blissett was also tasked with defending Wurigumula during the 2023-24 Ninja A-League season when the Chinese international scored eight goals in 25 games.
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Wurigumula of the Mariners
“I just remembered that, like Karly said, she was just fast, powerful. She was clinical and she was very strong.
“She was a very formidable force up front, and she’s definitely someone that we had to watch out for when we were playing them.
“So I think that if she gets an opportunity to play against the Matildas, they’ll have to do the same.”
