Heather Garriock: My priority is the National Women's League

Heather Garriock just back from the Peace Cup in Korea is looking forward to the start of the National Women's League as well as a hectic month with the Matildas in July.

" The National League is the number one priority for me. I really want to part of the very first National League. It's important all the big players play and maybe I'll look at playing professional again overseas come next year." said Garriock
from Sydney today.

Heather talks Peace Cup, Asia Cup, Kyah Simon, Matildas plans and more...

"The results (at the Peace Cup) were outstanding particularly given we had the harder group out of the two. We strung together some really good passes and passages of play unlike the Asia Cup. The results were a great reflection on the way we played.

"The difference between the Asia Cup and the Peace Cup, I think the team started to gel together as a unit. It's not always easy when you come into a competition and the team hasn't been together.

"We got a roll on and there was some good football played at the Peace Cup. It was unlucky we conceded a goal in the last fifteen minutes of the American game or else it would be us in the final.

Australia has played the No. 1 ranked USA three times in recent months and each time they have been beaten by an odd goal.

"We're a tough team to play and that's how they feel, I think they have respect for us now, as they should, given our results have been fantastic. We scored about eight goals against them in the last few matches.

"I don't want to make excuses but the heat (in the Asia Cup) did have a lot to do with it. Obviously the other teams had the heat as well. The Asian nations are always much better technically rather than the Americans or Italy. We were very defensively disciplined in the last three matches, which Tommy (Sermanni) made it clear to us that's what he wanted.

"I think all the young players caught my eye, it's difficult to come into the National side and step up. Definitely Ellyse Perry and Kyah Symon. Kyah scored the last goal against Brazil, she's only sixteen years old, she had no expectations on herself and she killed it, she really did, same with Ellyse, same with the other youngsters but those two really caught my eye.

"We tour to China in twelve days, then play New Zealnd at home in Sydney on July 12th and then play fly to Japan for a one-off game later on in the month. Then come August we'll prepare hopefully for the start of the National League. We're not going to the Olympics but we've still got quite a lot on." said Garriock.

Garriock who plays in Denmark but is not expected to head overseas until next year.

"The National League is the number one priority for me. I really want to part of the very first National League. It's important all the big players play and maybe I'll look at playing professional again overseas come next year." said Garriock
from Sydney today.