Forward Danie Murray believes FC Málaga City Femenino are “ready” for their showcase game against Segunda División side CD Getafe Femenino.
#FCMC returned to league action at the weekend with a hard-fought victory over UD Antequerra to extend their unbeaten run – winning eight of their nine league games this season.
The team now turn their attention to a high-profile clash against Getafe – currently second place in their division - in Madrid this afternoon.
Murray, who is currently top scorer for #FCMC, admitted the team are looking forward to testing themselves against higher ranked opponents.
“It’ll be an interesting challenge, but we are going to be well capable of handling it,” Murray said.
“We’ve got some injuries within the team, so we’re not at 100% strength, but every time we play in these showcase games we see different strengths come out within this group.
“Our defensive play has been so much better recently, and that’s credit to playing against the boys because it helps us develop as a unit.
“I think we play better as a whole team when we play stronger teams - because it brings out the team's character.”
#FCMC have gone up against the likes of UD Almería, Granada and Albacete Balompié in showcase games this season and their latest one sees the team travel up to Madrid.
Adrián Domínguez Igual’s side, who are top of Segunda Andaluza Femenina (Malaga), will look to impress once again when they take on Getafe.
“Playing against higher level teams gives us a good window into the professional teams over here in Spain," she added.
"A lot of the girls come out of college, having played football over there, and then they come here to begin pursuing a career in football.
“Getting these kind of games shows the level that we can play at - and the opportunity that the club can provide for the girls to go up into the professional rankings.”
Before joining #FCMC, Dublin-native Murray competed at NCAA Division II level with Limestone College - where she played 70 games and was named to the All-Conference squad in her final season.
The striker admitted the style of play is different than what she experienced in college, and believes promotion this season can bring exposure for the team.
“The biggest difference is the style of play,” Murray said.
“Playing in college, I learned a whole new style of play because I had different coaches and I was playing with girls from different countries around the world, so they brought their own kind of style within our team.
“Then coming out to Spain, the whole academy has this one style of play. It’s Spanish football, there’s a lot of tiki-taka play, rondos and that kind of stuff.
“Working like that improves players a lot. As far as settling in, I feel I settled in very well. As the first female team with the academy, we’ve done a whole lot for this programme.
“Hopefully with promotion, we can go a lot further and get our name out there – not just as a fourth division team, but as a team who want to come up through the ranks.”
To watch Danie Murray and the FC Málaga City Femenino team take on CD Getafe Femenino LIVE this afternoon, please click here.
