Anita Asante Explained

Anita Asante
Full Name:Anita Amma Ankyewah Asante[1]
Birth Date:1985 4, df=yes
Birth Place:London, England
Height:1.67 m
Position:Centre-back, defensive midfielder
Youthclubs1:Arsenal
Youthyears1:1998–2003
Clubs1:Arsenal
Years1:2003–2008
Clubs2:Chelsea
Years2:2008–2009
Caps2:11
Goals2:0
Clubs3:Sky Blue FC
Years3:2009
Caps3:16
Goals3:0
Clubs4:Saint Louis Athletica
Years4:2010
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Clubs5:Chicago Red Stars
Years5:2010
Caps5:6
Goals5:0
Clubs6:Washington Freedom
Years6:2010
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Clubs7:Sky Blue FC
Years7:2011
Caps7:12
Goals7:0
Clubs8:Göteborg
Years8:2012–2013
Caps8:41
Goals8:9
Clubs9:FC Rosengård
Years9:2013–2017
Caps9:80
Goals9:2
Years10:2018–2020
Clubs10:Chelsea
Caps10:7
Goals10:0
Clubs11:Aston Villa
Years11:2020–2022
Caps11:35
Goals11:2
Nationalteam1:England
Nationalyears1:2004–2018
Nationalcaps1:71
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2012
Nationalteam2:Great Britain
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:0
Manageryears1:2022-
Managerclubs1:Bristol City Women

Anita Amma Ankyewah Asante (born 27 April 1985) is an English football coach and former player who is the first-team coach at Bristol City. A defender or midfielder, she won 71[2] caps for the English national team and was selected in the Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics.[3] [4] At club level, Asante has played for English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea[5] and Aston Villa, whilst also having played for Saint Louis Athletica, Chicago Red Stars, Washington Freedom and Sky Blue FC of the American Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She also spent six seasons playing in Sweden, two with Göteborg and then four with FC Rosengård.

Education

Asante studied politics and English BA at the Business School of Brunel University in London,[6] whilst also benefiting from the UK "Government's Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme", which helps athletes in full-time education.[7] She started a PhD in the United States looking at the governorship of women's football and plans to complete after her professional playing career ends.

Club career

Asante joined her first club Arsenal as a junior in 1998.[8] She became a senior player in 2003/2004 season.[7] Asante was part of the Arsenal team that won the quadruple in 2006/2007, collecting the UEFA Women's Cup, FA Women's National Premier League, FA Women's Cup and the FA Women's Premier League Cup.[9] [10] [11] Asante was part of the Arsenal team that made history by being the first team outside Germany or Scandinavia to win the UEFA Women's Cup.[12] [13] Asante is reported to have played exceptionally well in the final.[14]

On 3 July 2008, it was announced that Asante along with teammate Lianne Sanderson had joined Chelsea Ladies. Upon signing Asante said:

Arsenal manager Vic Akers publicly criticized the players after their departure: "You think you've the respect of players, and then they do that. It's a sorry state of affairs."[15]

In 2009 Asante joined New Jersey–based WPS franchise Sky Blue FC.[16] She helped the club win the inaugural WPS championship. On 6 May 2010 Asante was traded to the Saint Louis Athletica in return for India Trotter. When the Saint Louis Athletica folded on 27 May 2010, she was acquired by the Chicago Red Stars. She was subsequently traded to the Washington Freedom on 6 August 2010.[17]

In December 2010 Asante returned for a second spell at Sky Blue FC, after Jim Gabarra, her coach at Washington Freedom, took the reins at Sky Blue.[18] With the demise of WPS prior to the 2012 season, Asante signed a contract with Swedish club Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC. Her first match for Göteborg was back at Arsenal in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter final, a 3–1 first leg defeat.[19] Asante played 41 league games for Göteborg over the two seasons, scoring nine goals.[20] She won the Swedish Cup and the Swedish Super Cup with KGFC, before she signed for national champions LdB FC Malmö in October 2013. Due to a foot injury, it was not expected that Asante could play in Malmö's looming Champions League fixture with holders VfL Wolfsburg.[21] Asante, won several titles at FC Rosengård (formerly known as LdB Malmö) including the Damallsvenskan league 2014, 2015, the Swedish Cup (Svenska Cupen) 2016 and the Swedish Super Cup (Svenska Supercupen) 2016, 2017 and runners up in 2015. Anita has reached the quarter finals of Champions League three seasons with FCR.

On 7 June 2020, she signed for newly-promoted club Aston Villa, ahead of their maiden WSL campaign.[22] Asante's first goal for her new club was the deciding goal in a 1–0 victory away to rivals Birmingham City.[23] On 26 April 2022, Asante announced her intention to retire from playing at the end of that season.[24]

International career

England

Asante played in the England Under 17 team. She also was a member and captain of the England Under 19s and played in the inaugural FIFA World Under 19 Championship in Canada in 2002. She won 11 international caps in all at this level. She was in the first call up for the England Under 21s in 2004, a month after her senior international début.[25]

Asante made her senior international début as a substitute against Iceland in May 2004.[26] Her first full international was against Northern Ireland in March 2005.[26] She scored her first international goal in only her second full international which was against Norway in April 2005. This turned out to be the winning goal.[27] Asante was named in England's squad for Euro 2005.[28]

Asante played in the 2011 World Cup and made her 50th senior international appearance in England's 2–0 win over eventual champions Japan. Having been part of the English squad which reached the final of Euro 2009, Asante was confident of England's chances ahead of Euro 2013.[29] She was substituted at half time in England's 3–0 defeat to France which sealed a first round elimination.[30]

In 2015, the politically vocal Asante was "a glaring omission" from England's squad for the 2015 World Cup in Canada. She had been the only English player to sign a petition against the controversial artificial turf used at the tournament.[31] She criticised the head coach Mark Sampson for the manner in which he informed her of her non selection, and his unwillingness to enter into further correspondence on the matter.[32]

Incoming England head coach Phil Neville surprisingly recalled Asante in his first squad, for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.[33] At the opening match of the tournament, a 4–1 win over France, Asante suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and was substituted after 14 minutes.[34] [35]

She was allotted 152 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[36] [37]

Great Britain Olympic

In June 2012 Asante was named in the 18-player Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics.[38] She played in all four games as Great Britain were beaten 2–0 by Canada in the last eight.[39]

Coaching career

Bristol City

On 19 July 2022, Asante was announced as first team coach of Women's Championship side Bristol City W.F.C.[40] Bristol City would be promoted during the 2022–23 season.[41]

Personal life

Asante is openly lesbian and is in a relationship with ITV News Sports reporter and presenter Beth Fisher.[42] They married on 20 January 2023.[43]

International goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first[44]

Goal Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored
1 6 May 2005 1–0 1
2 7 March 2014 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus 3–0 1

Honours

Arsenal

2007

2004, 2006, 2007, 2008

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

2005, 2005, 2007Göteborg

2012

2013FC Rosengård

Individual

2023[49]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 – List of Players: England . . 5 . 28 July 2014 . 11 November 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191122041659/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2011/pdf/FWWC_2011_SquadLists.pdf . 22 November 2019.
  2. Web site: Women's Player of the Year 2014 contender: Anita Asante. Football Association. 4 July 2019. 17 December 2014.
  3. Web site: Anita Asante. 2021-10-07. Olympics.
  4. Web site: Anita Asante. 2021-10-07. Amnesty International.
  5. News: Veteran Asante departs Chelsea Women. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2021-11-12.
  6. Web site: 2021-11-03. Anita Asante: 'People say I'm an activist but I just believe I found my voice'. 2021-11-12. The Guardian. en.
  7. Web site: Brunel Students Competing in European Championship and Lions Tour . 9 May 2007 . 2005 . Brunel University . https://archive.today/20070406084416/http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news/sport/cdata/BrunelStudentsCompetinginEuropeanChampionshipandLionsTour . 6 April 2007 . dead . dmy .
  8. Web site: 18. Anita Asante . 9 May 2007 . Official website . Arsenal FC . https://web.archive.org/web/20070428085958/http://www.arsenal.com/player.asp?thisNav=ladies&plid=60448&clid=4433&cpid=827 . 28 April 2007 . live . dmy .
  9. Web site: Arsenal clinch quadruple . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222195918/http://www.thefa.com/News/competitions/fa-womens-cup/2007/may/FAWCMatchReport . dead . 22 February 2014 . 9 February 2014 . 7 May 2007 . Stuart Mawhinney . FA Women's Cup . Football Association.
  10. Web site: Arsenal complete unique quadruple . 9 May 2007 . 7 May 2007 . UEFA . https://web.archive.org/web/20070509031541/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/womencup/news/kind%3D1/newsid%3D536117.html . 9 May 2007 . live .
  11. Web site: Arsenal Ladies Honours . 9 May 2007 . Official website . Arsenal FC. https://web.archive.org/web/20070210003424/http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=Ladies&article=344199&Title=Ladies+Honours . 10 February 2007 . dead . dmy .
  12. Web site: Match Report . Chris Harris . 9 May 2007 . 29 April 2007 . Official website . Arsenal FC. https://web.archive.org/web/20070501031632/http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=fixtures&fxid=311081 . 1 May 2007 . dead . dmy .
  13. Web site: Spirited Arsenal outgun rivals. https://web.archive.org/web/20100306150353/http://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/history/season=2006/index.html. dead. 6 March 2010. UEFA. 9 February 2014.
  14. Web site: Arsenal's Asante stands tall . 9 February 2014 . 23 April 2007 . Paul Saffer . Latest news . UEFA.
  15. News: Chelsea Ladies sign Arsenal pair . 27 June 2012 . 3 July 2008 . BBC Sport.
  16. News: Smith quits Arsenal for US league. Tony Leighton. BBC Sport. 8 February 2009.
  17. Web site: Washington Freedom acquire English defender Anita Asante, trade rights to Faith Ikidi. 8 August 2010. https://archive.today/20120912095112/http://www.potomacsoccerwire.com/news/460/12219. 12 September 2012. dead. Potomac Soccer Wire.
  18. Web site: Anita Asante/Sky Blue FC/England. 3 July 2011. Catherine Etoe. SheKicks. 2 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20170312051205/http://www.shekicks.net/flog/blogs/post/351. 12 March 2017. dead. dmy-all.
  19. Web site: Harvey: Arsenal 'ground down' Göteborg. 27 June 2012. Paul. Saffer. UEFA.com. 27 June 2012.
  20. Web site: Anita Asante. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192057/http://svenskfotboll.se/superettan/person/?playerid=7558. dead. 29 October 2013. 25 October 2013. Svenskfotboll.se. Swedish Football Association.
  21. Web site: Asante agrees Malmö switch. 25 October 2013. UEFA.com. 25 October 2013.
  22. Web site: Anita Asante signs for Villa Women ✍️. 2020-08-25. www.avfc.co.uk. en.
  23. News: Asante header gives Villa derby win . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-04-26.
  24. Web site: 26 April 2022 . Anita Asante to retire at end of season . 2022-04-26 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  25. Web site: Powell names first ever England Under 21 Squad . 9 May 2007 . Female Soccer.
  26. Web site: Anita Asante, Arsenal . https://web.archive.org/web/20060326134725/http://www.thefa.com/Womens/EnglandSenior/PlayersAndCoaches/Postings/2005/05/AnitaAsante_profile.htm . dead . 26 March 2006 . 9 May 2007 . England:Players and Coaches . Football Association.
  27. Web site: Anita nets winner . 9 February 2014 . Tony Leighton . 7 May 2005 . England:News and Features . Football Association.
  28. News: England Squad Guide . 27 June 2012 . 3 June 2005 . BBC Sport.
  29. Web site: England's women can go one step further and win at Euro 2013 in Sweden. 25 October 2013 . 6 June 2013. Guardian News and Media . The Guardian. Anna. Kessel.
  30. News: France 3 – 0 England . 25 October 2013. 18 July 2013. BBC Sport. Alistair Magowan.
  31. News: Kessel. Anna. Biggest Women's World Cup to kick off in Canada amid surface tension. 5 September 2015. Guardian News and Media. The Guardian. 30 May 2015.
  32. News: Taylor . Daniel . England women's players fearful of speaking out, says Anita Asante . 24 July 2022 . . 23 August 2017.
  33. News: Taylor . Louise . Phil Neville opens England door with surprise selection of Anita Asante . 24 July 2022 . . 20 February 2018.
  34. News: Edwards . John . McManus: England debut means everything . 10 March 2019 . . 2 March 2018.
  35. News: Anita Asante: England and Chelsea defender has knee surgery . 24 July 2022 . . 9 March 2018.
  36. Web site: England squad named for World Cup . 2023-06-19 . The Football Association . en.
  37. Web site: Lacey-Hatton . Jack . 2022-11-18 . Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present . 2023-06-19 . mirror . en.
  38. News: Team GB women's squad for London 2012 announced. BBC Sport. 26 June 2012. 26 June 2012.
  39. News: Anita Asante. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418040456/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/as/anita-asante-1.html. dead. 18 April 2020. Yard Barker. Sport-Reference.com. 25 October 2013.
  40. News: Asante joins Bristol City as first-team coach . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-04-23.
  41. News: Smith 'excited' as Bristol City return to WSL . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-04-23.
  42. Web site: Anita Asante and Beth Fisher on relationships in women's sport. 2020-10-15. Sky Sports.
  43. bethfishersport. 1616573850648469504. Got married at 3, in bed by 10! A perfect start to married life with my perfect person.
  44. Book: Karsdorp. Dirk. The England Women's FC 1972–2018: The Lionesses – A Statistical Record. 2018. Soccer Books Ltd. 978-1-86223-391-1.
  45. Web site: 19 May 2006 . The Queen visits Brunel University . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222170643/http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/news-items/press/ne_24829 . 22 February 2014 . 9 February 2014 . Press release . Brunel University.
  46. Web site: 7 July 2004 . Ghana's envoy to the UK wins Person of the Year Award . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20040814033022/http://www.ghana-com.co.uk/pr0704.html . 14 August 2004 . 9 May 2007 . Press release . Ghana High Commission UK.
  47. Web site: Ghana Professional Awards (GPA) 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070127110330/http://www.voiceofafricaradio.com/ghana-professionals-award.php . 27 January 2007 . 9 May 2007 . Voice of Africa Radio . dmy.
  48. Web site: Anita earns Award boost . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606074551/http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/WomensPremierLeague/NewsAndFeatures/2006/Anita_Award_boost . 6 June 2011 . 9 February 2014 . Women's Premier League . Football Association.
  49. Web site: 13 November 2023 . WSL Hall of Fame: Jill Scott, Ellen White and Anita Asante named as 2023 inductees . 23 May 2024 . BBC Sport.

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