Matildas Sally Shipard talks World Cup

Sally Shipard is just 19, but she’s already played in two Asian Cups, an Under-20 World Cup and the 2004 Athens Olympics. Now she’s off with the Matildas to the fifth FIFA World Cup in China.



The Matildas play their first game against Ghana on September 12th. Norway and Canada complete the group.

The Matildas have never won a game at the World Cup; the best results so far have been a 1-1 with Ghana in 1999 and 1-1 with old foes China in 2003.

So can they improve this time?

“It will be a tough group but if we can play to our best we can match anyone on our day. Our goals are to get out of the group and if we do, we play China’s group. We’ve just beaten China twice, in China, so if we get through the group we should be confident we can go further, “says Shipard.

Coach Tom Sermanni believes this is the best Matildas side ever, and Shipard agrees.

“We’ve got strong defence lead by Cheryl (Salisbury). We’ve got plenty of players for all positions. In fact recently in China, Tommy played completely different teams in two games and we won both. Only two players played in both games, so this shows our depth. The girls who have missed out on the squad have helped improve the squad. They’ve pushed everyone to a higher level.”

“We have had the best preparation after perhaps the worst. We were so disappointed after missing out on the Olympic qualification recently, but the China tour has lifted everyone in the squad. We are much more confident. We’ve been training really hard for two years focusing on this World Cup. Now it’s here we can’t wait to get going.”

Shipard combines work and study with her playing career and it’s not easy. The lack of a women’s national league and ongoing competitive matches is also a concern.

“I have five more years of study to do. I have to do it part-time because of my football commitments. I’d like to go overseas, maybe study and play in a professional league or even to the College system in America. I’m definitely thinking about it. Or I may have to play in Sydney because I need to play at the highest level possible.”

But all that can wait. For now Shipard who has just returned from an eleven month break due to an operation on her leg is keen to get going.

“I’ve played about seven games since I’ve been back. I didn’t realize I would lose so much in terms of fitness and game awareness. But I’m feeling great now and ready to play a good World Cup.

“I’ve played at so many tournaments, travelled so much already, and I’m not yet twenty. I don’t really think about it as I’m always thinking about the next tournament. I have so many friends in football it’s great. In fact after the tournament a few of us are going to put our soccer boots away and head to Fiji for a break. I can’t believe we’ve organized it, it will be great.”

All of the Matildas games are live on SBS. The first game against Ghana on Wednesday Sept 12th kicks off at 6:50pm