MATILDAS TO TAKE ON OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS USA

Heather Garriock to earn her 100th cap...and she's only 25!

MATILDAS TO TAKE ON OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS USA


The Matildas will play their first away matches since last year's FIFA Women's World Cup quarter final appearance when they face reigning Olympic champions the United States in two matches commencing next month.

The Australian team will face up to the perennial superpower of women's football, and current world number two on April 27 in Cary, North Carolina, and May 3 in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Matildas are preparing for May's AFC Women's Asian Cup and will be hoping to go one better than the 2006 edition of the tournament where they narrowly missed out on being crowned champions losing the final against China on penalties in Adelaide.

The United States will be looking to utilise the matches as further fine-tuning of their Olympic title defence in Beijing, after attempting to qualify in early April in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Mexico.

Australia are yet to defeat the United States in 18 encounters losing 16 of those matches, however they have claimed two draws in their last three meetings.

"These matches will provide vital preparation for the team ahead of May's Asian Championship," said coach Tom Sermanni.

"The United States are of course very tough opposition and will provide us with a gauge on the rebuilding we have done since the World Cup.

"We will likely have several new faces in the squad and it will be a particularly valuable experience for those younger members of the squad."

Midfielder Heather Garriock will be looking to become the youngest Australian to reach 100 caps in the matches against the United States. The 25-year-old Sydneysider will be looking to join the century mark alongside team-mates Cheryl Salisbury and Joanne Peters, as well as retired defender Anissa Tann.

The Matildas, who moved to 12 in the world rankings after the World Cup, will also play a match against Carolina Railhawks on April 29.

Tour Fixtures:
Sunday, April 27
USA v Australia - Cary, kick-off 7pm local time

Tuesday, April 29
Australia v Carolina Railhawks - Cary, kick-off TBC

Saturday, May 3
USA v Australia - Birmingham, kick-off 5pm local time

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