AFC Women defender Seline Cemal previewed Sunday’s game against Partick Thistle, while also taking time to reflect on her switch North on loan from West Ham United.
Making the move
“It was unexpected for me to come to Scotland and be here. After speaking with Nathan, and hearing his plans, it felt like the right move, and a good opportunity for me at this point in my career.
“I knew Soraya and Katie, and they came the week before, so I spoke to them a bit about it. Other than that, I was going in blind.
“It makes it a lot easier knowing the girls. I think it’s just a bit easier to settle in. All the other girls have been very nice and really welcoming, helping us out. It’s been good.”
Being a senior figure
“I think I’m getting used to it. Yeah, it’s a bit weird because obviously we didn’t know what we were kind of coming into. We’re getting a hang of being the older ones now.
“It’s a nice challenge. We can grow, but we can also help the younger ones grow as well.
“I think it’s a nice environment to be in and the ambitions of the club are good. It’s a club that want to step up as much as they can.”
“The group of older players, they have been great. On the pitch, me and Maddie will talk each other through the game. She has been great to be alongside.”
A long way from home
“It’s my first time being away. It’s been a bit weird, getting used to it. You miss home for the first few weeks and then you settle in.
“It was nice to see my family in the stand on Sunday and hear their voice. They support me wherever I go, so it’s not really a shock that they’re up here in Aberdeen now! They’ll come wherever I go.
“We’ve been around a few places; we’ve been about the city centre a bit. It’s nice. It’s a cute little area! It’s small compared to what I’m used to London… It’s very different, very different. But I think it’s nice.
“The traffic isn’t as bad up here! I drove up from London. That was the longest drive ever.”
The SWPL
“The standard up here is good. Hearts and Glasgow City, they’re two of the top teams in the league.
“I think it was a good test just to see where we’re at as a team as well. Playing a team like that and then just trying to build from that.
“Sunday was a lot of defending, but defending is part of the game. I think we put in a really good performance as a team defensively.
“It’s a young group, so it’s a new thing for them as well. We’ve all got to be patient with each other and build that trust up and help each other out.”
Acclimatising
“We’re getting more used to each other and the group is really coming along. As the season goes on, I think we’re going to be in a better place.
“The manager has been good with me since I got here. He’s honest and open, which is something I like, so the conversations have been good.
“I think when we do get on the ball, we need to get forward quicker. Defensively, we’ve done a great job as a team, so we just need to bring that into the next game, be how we were defensively, and then when we attack, be more confident with each other and help each other as much as we can.
“It’s a home game on Sunday, so we need to take pride in that. Teams are coming to our home ground, so that’s where we need to put the guard up and make it tricky for them.”
