Matildas in line for AFC Player of the Year Award

Heather Garriock and Collette McCallum nominated, but unlikely to win this year I reckon. AFC Release below.


KUALA LUMPUR: Two players each from the semi-finalist teams of the recently concluded AFC Women’s Asian Cup figure in the first list of contenders for the coveted AFC Women’s Player of the Year award released by AFC today.

Co-headlining the roster are reigning AFC Women’s Player of the Year Ri Kum-suk, who steered DPR Korea to the silverware in Ho Chi Minh City with seven goals, and tournament MVP Homare Sawa of Japan, who picked up the accolade after helping her side finish third.

Sawa, who was named the best Asian women’s player in 2004, was first runner-up to Ri Kum-suk last year.

Also in contention from DPR Korea is another architect of their memorable triumph, midfielder Ri Un-gyong.

Xu Yuan, who has taken over the mantle from the legendary Sun Wen, and her fellow Chinese striker Qu Feifei will also be vying for the award alongside the Australian duo of left-wingback Heather Garriock and playmaker Collete McCallum, who was second runner-up in the 2007 awards.

Aya Miyama, who pulled the strings for Japan from the centre of the park, rounds off the list of eight players which will be updated after the Beijing Olympics.

At 29 years Ri Kum-suk is the oldest of the eight contenders while McCallum is the youngest at 22 years.

The second AFC Women’s Awards ceremony will be held on November 20 here in the Malaysian capital.

AFC WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2008
THE CONTENDERS

DPR Korea
Ri Kum-Suk (April 25, DPR Korea)
Ri. Un-Gyong (Wolmeido Sports Club, DPR Korea)

China
Xu Yuan (Shanghai Club, China)
Qu Feifei (Army Club, China)

Japan
Homare Sawa (NTV Beliza, Japan)
Aya Miyama(Okayama Yunosato Belle,Japan)

Australia
Heather Garriock (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark)
Collette McCallum (Pali Blues, W League USA)

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Collette McCallum:We can do it.

Matilda's World Cup Star Collette McCallum is currently playing her club football for the Pali Blues in Los Angeles, USA, but on Thursday she will line up against Australia's Olympic conquerors, North Korea, in the Asia Cup Semi-Final

Speaking from the team's hotel in Vietnam, resting up after the 3-1 defeat to Japan, McCallum believes the Matildas can beat Cup favourites Korea.


"Depends how well we play on the day. We've got a chance of winning it definitely," said a cautiously optimistic McCallum.

The Matildas scraped through to the semi's courtesy of a Clare Polkinghorne goal in Monday's 3-1 loss to Japan.

"It was a bit of a shock to us. The goals we conceded were from our mistakes. But that's football. We've got to move on. We're a better team than that. The conditions are still hitting us a bit.

"We have to make sure our recovery is right. But we kept fighting and luckily we got that goal that put us through."

"We play a 442 (normally) and one of the girls man marked Tharwa so we had to adjust to that. I don't think we capitalised enough. We went back to 442 in the second half and we looked more dangerous.

"Hopefully Chezza (Cheryl Salisbury) will be right, we were at a bit of a loss not having her at the back, talking to us and keeping us composed. I think everyone else is okay to play.

"It'll be a tough game. North Korea are probably the best team in Asia at the moment. We've got Lisa De Vanna up front, she'll create problems. We know about the Olympic games, so we'll be going out there looking for revenge.

After the Asia Cup McCallum and the team travel to Korea Republic for the Peace Cup where they have the likes of Brazil and Italy lie in wait.

And then McCallum heads back to LA to complete her stint with the Pali Blues.

"It's very different (in LA) to what I get back in Australia. We play all our games on astroturf. We've got players in the team from Canada, England Italy and Australia. It's a quicker game. They do a lot of high pressure play. It's physically tougher. They are strong girls, and I need to improve that side of my game.

"I'd like to go to Sweden I think that league would suit my type of game. But I wanted to see how it would go for me in America," said McCallum.

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And they're off....Who? The Matildas

The Matildas are on the move.

Football in Australia, women's football, doesn't have enough depth or rewards to keep the main players so they're off for better experience, to test themselves.

It's not big money, no Agents involved, so don't be thinking it's all roses, but off they are.

Lisa De Vanna is off to Sweden, Kate Gill is just trying to match her degree in Psychology to a Uni/country where she can study and play football.

Caitlin Munoz and Collette McCallum are off to join the Pali Blues in Los Angelos, with team-mate Sarah Walsh joining them after the Asia Cup.

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Everton or Arsenal? Who would you sign for?

Pali Blues, who? Pali Blues, from California.

Matildas Star Collette McCallum is expecting to head off to the Wild West having knocked back offers from the likes of Everton and Arsenal.

With a great World Cup behind her, and the Womens' National League to start in Australia and a Professional League to start in America in 2009 it should be a great couple of years ahead for the midfield star.

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2007: Top Ten Australian Football moments

Favourite moments of the Year?

Thought it was time to review the year. Australian football had the Asia Cup, the A-League 6-0 Grand Final, Matilda's World Cup and release of the Technical Report. New Players broke through, and the game kicked on to a new level.

Here are my top ten football moments in descending order.

Coming in at:
10. John Howard handing over $16 million to the FFA. Finally we can have the Technical Report released, a Coach for the Socceroos, A Women's A-League expected, A Youth League to come, and Christmas still to come:)

9.Collette McCallum bends it like, you know who, to score against Canada in the World Cup.

8. David Carney surprising us all by stepping up to Socceroo level, at left back. The A-League rose a notch with Carney's performances in Asia.

7. Football on Channel Ten. Sydney beat Beckham 5-3. We purists weren't sure but 80,000 at a friendly, pumped on FTA Television. A highlight of sorts.

6. Bruce Djite. Watching Bruce at work is absolutely joyous. coupled with the rise of the young players in the A-League. Robbie Kruse Michael Zullo Nathan Burns and Nikita Rukavystya to name a few. Great to see.

5. Steve Corica's goal away to Shanghai Shenhua in the opening game of Sydney FC's Asian Champions League campaign. The first Australian goal in the ACL. That it was away from home in China was special. That it was a superb goal and a great goal for Australian football merely added to the sense of history.

4. The Olyroos defeating Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and others to reach the Olympics. Well done to Graham Arnold, and Robert Baan. A great achievement, even in the crucial goal in the last game was the hand of Leijer!

3. Lisa De Vanna scores that vital goal against Norway in the World Cup. A breath-taking piece of football, and at such a crucial part of the game.

2. Archie Thompson leaving the field in the Grand Final after having scored 5 for Melbourne Victory in their 6-0 thrashing of Adelaide United. The crowd roared his name as he walked around the stadium with the game still in play. It was amazing to see in the Dome, in the city of AFL. Pinched myself!

1. Cheryl Salisbury stroking the ball home in the last minutes of the crucial World Cup game against Canada. With the score at 2-1 Australia were out. History was made as Lisa De Vanna tricked her way into the box. Salisbury scored. The Matilda's went to the World Cup Quarter Finals for the first time ever.

and joint first...Live on FTA The Matilda's brought the women's game into mainstream Australian sport for the first time. People didn't just talk football, they talked women's football.

Missed any, I'm sure I have..feel free to tell me what I missed and add your favourite moment.

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Matildas head to the World Cup on Saturday.

"We're in the bruisers group!"

Matildas keeper Lydia Williams at the Nearpost studio.

The Matildas head off to the 5th FIFA Women’s World Cup in China on Saturday.

Coach Tom Sermanni believes it’s the best ever Matildas side and hopes are high that they can become the first Australian side to win a game at a World Cup and progress beyond the group stage.

Capital Football is well represented. Former Belnorth junior Caitlin Munoz, Tuggeranong United and Woden Valley junior Lydia Williams and Wagga junior Sally Shipard will all be on the plane. All have had problems with injuries in recent months but they are coming good at the right time.

The Matildas are in a tough group. Lydia Williams calls it, “The bruisers group.”
Norway, Canada and Ghana are all physical sides and all have done well at previous World Cups.

Norway won the World Cup in 1993 and was runners-up in 1997. Canada came 4th in 2003. Ghana is one of only two teams Australia has drawn with in the finals. The other is old foe China.

The Matildas have played a lot of Asia opposition recently, mainly due to Football Federation Australia’s move into Asia. Olympic qualifiers and games against China have been the major warm-ups.

A lack of games against European sides may be a concern for Sermanni and the team, but until recently the focus was on Olympic qualifiers.

The Matildas have just completed a two match tour of China, beating the world ranked number 10 side 3-1 and 3-2. Caitlin Munoz scored in the 3-2 victory in front of 52,000 fans in Tianjin.

The Matildas are a mix of experience and youth. Captain Cheryl Salisbury is the most capped Australian footballer ever. She currently has 113 caps. Salisbury will marshal the defence with keeper Melissa Barbieri and Di Alagich close by.

In midfield expect to see Collette McCallum and Sally Shipard bringing youth and energy to the side. Both played in last years Under 20 World Cup in Russia for the Young Matildas.

Up front Caitlin Munoz and Kate Gill will have the pacy Sarah Walsh, Lisa De Vanna and Jo Peters and Jo Burgess in support.

Coach Sermanni has plenty of options in the squad and it is perhaps this strength that will give the team its best chance of progressing from the group stage.
And great news for football fans as all Australian games will be shown live on SBS in prime time.

SBS TV will broadcast a selection of matches from the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup including LIVE coverage of ALL Matildas matches, both semi-finals and the final.

Broadcast Schedule:-
Wednesday 12 September
Ghana v Australia
LIVE @ 6.50pm (AEST)

Saturday 15 September
Australia v Norway
LIVE @ 9.50pm (AEST)

Wednesday 19 September
Australia v Canada
LIVE @ 6.50pm (AEST)

Wednesday 26 September
1st Semi-Final
LIVE @ 9.50pm (AEST)

Thursday 27 September
2nd Semi-Final
LIVE @ 9.50pm (AEST)

Sunday 30 September
Final
LIVE @ 9.30pm (AEST)

Eamonn’s football blog and weekly Aussie football podcast (out each Thursday) can be found at www.nearpost.blogspot.com

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Matildas 3 Ex-Socceroos 3

Kate Gill, Jo Burgess and Collette McCallum scored against a Coaches all-star team at the Matildas camp at the AIS on Saturday.

Ex-Rangers star Ian Ferguson , Socceroo Captain Tony Vidmar and Queensland Roars Stuart MacClaren all took the field.

Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni was pleased with the game, "it was great. The Matildas really enjoyed themselves, to test themselves against real quality players. The guys see things so early in a game, many of them are still playing at a high level. The speed and distance which the guys can kick the ball was a noticeable difference. But we have a good structure and physically the girls did well. It was a great football test."

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