‘You’re not big or strong enough’: The doubters that inspired Milivojevic’s Wanderers debut

When Vesna Milivojevic made her Westfield W-League debut with Western Sydney Wanderers last week, she couldn’t help but think back to all the people that doubted that moment would ever arrive.

Signed by the Wanderers just two days before their 2019/20 season-opener against Adelaide United, Milivojevic was thrown into the starting side by coach Dean Heffernan.

The attacking midfielder played more than 50 minutes as the Red and Black made the perfect start to the campaign with a 2-1 victory.

“It means so much because I’ve had a lot of setbacks, a lot of people telling me ‘you’re not big enough, you’re not strong enough’,” Milivojevic told the Wanderers' official website.

“I’m a player that likes to dribble the ball and I would always get told ‘you can’t play football if you just hog the ball’.

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“I haven’t been selected in a single national team, I was knocked back from state teams. To get here was just perseverance and hard work.

“All the sacrifices, all the hard work it’s gonna pay off. I’m really going to push for a first team spot.”

Milivojevic got her shot with the Wanderers after a breakout campaign with Bankstown FC in the NSW NPLW in 2019.

She scored 15 goals in 22 matches and was named the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Player of the Year.

It was her consistent performances and ability to find the net which convinced the Wanderers to add her to their roster.

“It means a lot to me and my family. I’m very proud to represent the Wanderers because I’m from this area,” said Milivojevic, who came through the Football NSW Institute.

“I’m really grateful for this opportunity. I’ve grown up here playing football and to represent the Wanderers is a big thing for me.”

Milivojevic will be hoping she’s again in the starting side as the Wanderers take on Newcastle Jets in Round 2 of the Westfield W-League on Friday afternoon.

It will be the first Westfield W-League match played at Bankwest Stadium – with kick-off at 5pm AEDT – as part of a double-header with the Hyundai A-League.

Get your tickets to the Wanderers’ double-header by clicking HERE.

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