Matildas: How will they go?
Don't suppose anyone in Australia has written an assessment of the Matilda's chances at the Asia Cup, so thought I should. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Asia Cup prediction: Matildas to make the final?
Everyone remembers the World Cup in China. It was only last year; and the Matildas made history by getting out of their qroup only to lose to Brazil in the quarter finals.
Now the Asia Cup is upon us. With the Socceroos in action, few will get to see or hear about the Matildas journey this time. I'll do me wee bit of course.
But how will they go? Should we expect further success, maybe even a victory. After all we came second in the Asia Cup last time it was held in Adelaide in 2006.
The Squad:
It is a different team this time, just six months after the World Cup. Sarah Walsh, Jo Peters, Jo Burgess, Sally Shipard, Thea Slatyer, Alicia Ferguson all missing for various reasons.
In come young hopefuls like Kyah Simon and Ellyse Perry and Amy Chapman.
Recent results have been encouraging. Narrow defeats in the USA, followed by a win over Canada will give Coach Tom Sermanni hope. If not to take this tournament out, then for the future.
Burgess, Peters, Ferguson may yet play again. But women's football is a younger game than men's. Seeing these three line-up with Di Alagich and Cheryl Salisbury in the heat of Vietnam would seriously reduce the teams mobility, I would think.
So youthful exuberence and inexperience is evident even if it's not by choice.
Collette McCallum will stride into the tournament more confident than the World stage she entered last year. How effective could she be?
Kyah Simon could be a bolt from the blue. Her goal return, despite her lack of experience could match that of injured star Sarah Walsh.
The defence is strong. Di Alagich and Cheryl Salisbury with the quickly improving Claire Polkinhorne and Lauren Colthorpe. Indeed in goal Lydia Williams is challenging Melissa Barbiera for the Number One spot.
Midfield is where change is biggest. Amy Chapman seems certain to start alongside Heather Garriock and Collette McCallum. Lauren Colthorp, Caitlin Munoz may also play various midfield roles depending on team strategy.
Caitlin Munoz could be vital to the success of the team. Either in midfield or upfront she provides Sermanni opions, variety at different stages in different games.
Lisa De Vanna. If she performs to her best Australia can beat anyone in Asia. Maybe even the North Koreans? But she may only play for fourty-five minutes per game. With Walsh gone, Australia need more from her.
Rising star Ellyse Perry may get game time. Particularly wide right. But she's still young in football terms. But she's smart, very smart and learns quickly.
Although there are many changes. The quality remains. If Kyah Simon, Ellyse Perry, and free scoring Amy Chapman can add something different, Australia may not win the tournament but they may have another outstanding campaign.
Despite Sermanni's cautious remarks about the draw, I reckon he is hopeful, very hopeful of going to the final. With the squad assembled, the recent results will give him confidence.
Injuries may yet come into play. Can Munoz last the tournament? Captain Salisbury is always a concern. International tournaments are hard on the players, particularly those carrying knocks.
But if the team remains injury free, and Amy Chapman or Kyah Simon add to their goals tally, only the heat should stop them reaching the semi finals. After that it's game on.
4 comments:
Thanks Eamonn, It is refreshing to have some interest in the Matildas.
How about those ACT girls! Hoooker knockers need to rethink.
A bonus is that the team that defeated Canada will be further strenghtened by the addition of Garriock, De vanna and Gill. All those cited as missing did not play last Friday (except Walsh) so the existing personnel did quite well.
Canada recently defeated Japan 3-0.
I am a bit worried about the humidity and our lack of acclimitisation. Does anyone know if this is an issue?
Would imagine it would be. Especially as we are coming from Autumn...and only a couple of days to get used to the conditions.
note you aren't joining me in making any "bold" predictions:)
Just so not sure. Some of the opposition teams are in full preparation for the Olympics and this is a 'quiet' year for our players.( hence so many 'senior' payers missing).
It is pretty impressive that in 2008 they have done so well against NZ, USA and Canada who are all going to Beijing (also says that maybe the selection process is a bit sus).
Anyway I am just not sure how our girls will go against the Asian countries who play a totally different style and are all used to the humidity.(3 of our players are coming from the Northern hemisphere cold).
I really want them to do well as it is importnat for the profile of the game in Aus. I am keeping my expectations low and say we will qualify 2nd in our pool, meet the Chinese and perhaps be a bit too inexperienced.
The Peace Cup in Korea after that will also be fascinating.
By the end of this tour the best outcome will be that we will have a whole new crop of younger Matildas who have picked up incredible international experience and lay the foundations for a very good future (provided the FFA supports the womens game!)
hmmmn interesting..
the major teams China North Korea and Japan should have similar difficulties with conditions as us.
And inexperience I don't see that..Barbieri, Polkinghorne, Colthorpe, Salisbury, Alagich, McCallum, Garriock, Munoz, De Vanna, Gill. That is a lot of experience.
So I don't see us as being inexperienced on any given day. And Chapman, Perry, Simon may just add an extra youthful zest.
Chapman scoring goals, Perry creating them already, and Simon well I'm expecting big things from here already!
We should be okay. But injuries to the experienced list could leave us short. Munoz, Garriock and Salisbury have all battled recent injuries.
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