‘Don’t let the mistakes happen again’ – Crystal Palace keeper Shae Yanez reflects on WSL debut defeat at Spurs
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez is hoping her side are quick learners as they prepare to face Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL) on Friday night at Selhurst Park.
On Sunday, the Eagles made their historic debut in the WSL, losing 4-0 against Tottenham Hotspur at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road.
But despite the defeat, the Eagles more than held their own in the first half and into the second half. However, with legs tiring, substitutes being introduced and, overall, 10 players making their debut for Palace, the away side could not cope with the well-established WSL side and Tottenham ran away with it.
“Everyone’s disappointed with the result. We should have capitalised on a few chances that we had, but we’re really ready to go for the next game and learn as much as we can from the Tottenham game,” said Yanez to the South London Press.
“Maybe it shouldn’t have been 4-0, but we learned from those moments – don’t let the mistakes happen again. We had some really good spells and moments, but it’s going to be a test each and every week – every game matters.
“It’s our first competitive game,” added the 27-year-old, who signed from Bristol City in the summer. “We have an amazing group of people at this club, both staff and players. That’s huge in terms of the journey that we’re on. It’s going to take all of us; each and every individual, both on and off the pitch. Everyone’s ready for the journey.”
At the end of the match in east London, Palace manager Laura Kaminski and her players stood in a tight group huddle in the centre circle, deep in discussion, long after Spurs had left the field.
“That it was our WSL debut and it’s a huge jump from last season to here,” said Yanez about what Kaminski and the group were discussing. “That there’s a lot of positives and a lot of negatives to take, and all we can do our is our best to learn and grow from those little moments.”
Despite the result, Yanez was impressed, making upwards of double figures in saves and keeping the score down and her team in it.
“I never like getting scored on, I’m not going to lie, but it was a collective effort from everyone and we defended quite well at times. I just try to do my best to help them,” said the keeper.
“Football is such a game of waves and ups and downs, and you have to ride those waves. Unfortunately, there were little moments of concentration where we should have been more switched on. It can be a second of a lack of concentration, and that’s when another opposition and someone such as good as Spurs will capitalise on those moments.”
It does not get any easier for Yáñez and her side as they are set to face current WSL champions Chelsea at Selhurst Park this Friday.
But with well over 3,000 tickets sold for the London derby already, Yanez is hoping that the Spurs’ lessons can be taken onto the SE25 grass and a show put on for the South London fans.
“There are lots of positives and negatives. We need to capitalise on our chances and we did well to create, our possession was good. It’s just those fine little details. If we can tune those in, we’ll definitely be up for getting a result,” said the goalkeeper.
“We need to focus on what’s in front of us and that is Chelsea on Friday.”