Chelsea midfielder Jessie Fleming has described the victory with Canada over her club teammates in the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament final as a ‘bitter-sweet’ moment.
The 23-year-old was a member of the Canada side while defeated a Swedish team that included her Chelsea teammates Magda Eriksson and Jonna Andersson 3-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Fleming netted Canada’s goal from the penalty spot in normal time while she was also successful from 12 yards in the shootout.
Looking back on the final, Fleming described it as a bitter-sweet moment with club teammates Eriksson and Andersson being made to settle for a Silver Medal.
“I’m actually really close to our Swedish players so it was definitely bitter-sweet having to beat them but they had a phenomenal tournament;” Fleming told FAWSL Full-Time in a recent FAWSL media event. “We’ve had the chance to talk a bit and joke a bit and I think that it’s just really cool that our teams achieved and we are good friends so there are no hard feelings.
“It’s always tough having to beat your friends like that.”
Despite Fleming now holding a Gold Medal, the player believes that the hard work has only just begun under new head coach Bev Priestman.
She added “Looking back at the tournament and the team, there’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of our attacking play and our play on the ball.
“I definitely think that we are a defensive force but I still think there is a bit of improvement to be done. We had a bunch of young players who stepped up at that tournament.
“I think that the future is bright for us and it is just a case of how consistent we can be in those major tournaments.”
With Fleming returning to Chelsea for pre-season training, her eyes will now be set on collecting more silverware with her club. The Blues kick-off their season at Arsenal on Sunday 5 September.
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