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