Matildas kick-off 2008: New year, new players.

Canberra's Amy Chapman selected to take on New Zealand. Lydia Williams fit to play and Caitlin Munoz and Sally Shipard are all in the squad.

Australia will play three games in five days against New Zealand in Sunshine Coast, entry is free, starting Saturday.

Full squad and press release below


MATILDAS WALTZ IN TO 2008 WITH TRANS-TASMAN SERIES



The Australian women's football team, the Matildas, will make their first appearance on home soil since FIFA Women's World Cup in China last September.
The Matildas will commence preparations for May's AFC Women's Asian Cup with a three-match series of international friendly matches against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast commencing on Sunday.

The Matildas, who thrilled supporters with their stunning run to a quarter final berth at the FIFA Women's World Cup, will be looking to go one better than their runners-up finish at the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup when they tackle Asia's best at the 2008 edition of the tournament.

While injury has depleted Tom Sermanni's squad, many key World Cup squad members are set to take the field including strikers Lisa De Vanna and Sarah Walsh, midfielders Heather Garriock and Collette McCallum, plus inspirational skipper Cheryl Salisbury.

Several members of last year's Young Matildas squad have also earned selection including Adelaide-based striker Victoria Balomenos, Sydney duo Lyndsay Glohe and Renee Rollason, as well as Queensland youngsters Tameka Butt and Elise Kellond-Knight.

"The squad for these matches is quite depleted with a number of World Cup squad players missing for a variety of reasons," said Sermanni.

"The three matches will certainly test our depth, with our preparation for these matches also significantly affected.

"On the positive side this provides an opportunity for some fringe players to show me what they are capable of and press for further selection ahead of the Women's Asian Cup.

"We now have to look to the future, work towards continual incremental improvement and ensure that we do not have a World Cup hangover."

The Matildas squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast is:

Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)

Defenders – Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)

Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Renee Rollason (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)

Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)


Fixtures:
Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 1 March, 4pm

Australia v New Zealand
Monday 3 March, 4pm

Australia v New Zealand
Wednesday 5 March, 4pm

All matches at Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast (320 Nicklin Way, Bokarina)
Entry to the matches is free.


The 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup will be held from May 28 – June 8, 2008, in a venue yet to be decided.

The Matildas moved to an all-time high world ranking of 12 following the FIFA Women's World Cup.

New Zealand, who are currently ranked 23, are preparing for their Oceania Olympic qualifier against Papua New Guinea on March 8.will commence preparations for May's AFC Women's Asian Cup with a three-match series of international friendly matches against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast commencing on Sunday.