Anna Harrington, AAP
For two straight A-League Women seasons Western United have been within touching distance of silverware and let it slip.
Kahli Johnson is determined to change that.
And if leading United’s attack can deliver a Matildas call-up in the process, she certainly won’t be complaining.
Kat Smith’s United kick off the new season against Wellington at Ironbark Fields on Friday night, fuelled by their elimination-final exit last year, which followed a grand-final defeat the previous campaign.
“We’ve had two really positive seasons,where we’ve finished up and around that top, maybe had the premiership in our hands, and maybe dropped it a little bit,” Johnson told AAP.
“So this season, it’s just a really big focus on consistency and being able to get it done in the end.”
United lost American forward Hannah Keane over the off-season, with Johnson set to take on more responsibility in attack alongside Catherine Zimmerman, Chloe Logarzo and Colombian forward Sandra Ibarguen.
“As a forward you want to be scoring goals. You need to be contributing to that,” Johnson said.
“Just helping the team and providing assists, scoring goals as best I can this season is definitely what I’m able to do.
“On the team front, we want to win. That’s not a secret. We’re a team with a winning mentality.
“We want to play entertaining football, we want to attack, but at the end of the day we want to be up at the top of the table at the end of the season and winning trophies.”
Young Matildas forward Johnson, 20, knows interim Matildas boss Tom Sermanni will be watching the ALW over the next month ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Taiwan in late November and early December.
It means the opening weeks are a chance for young guns and those on the bubble to press their case for a dream call-up.
“Any international window is a bit of an opportunity,” Johnson said.
“Coming out of obviously two major tournaments in the World Cup last year and then the Olympics this year, it’s definitely a time where you’ll probably see a few more girls coming in, and also with a few retirements happening.
“Whenever the opportunity does arrive, it’s just being able to step up and hopefully take it with both hands. Every international window is a great chance to hopefully take your shot.
“But I’m just focusing on everything I can do to hopefully prove that I’m a good footballer, I guess.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Central Coast host reigning champions Sydney FC, while Canberra United play Brisbane and Melbourne Victory take on Adelaide United away.
On Sunday, Melbourne City host Perth Glory while Newcastle take on Western Sydney.
