Canberra United beginning to stir

Ray Junna United's new Coach is seemingly looking to engage more local talent for Canberra United this season, andLydia Williams set to come home from the USA for United's new season.

For Canberra Times Journo Merryn Sherwood's recent articles in the Canberra Times read on.

By Merryn Sherwood

Last season Cian Maciejewski was the only local premier league player to take part in Canberra's inaugural W-League side.

This year, even Maciejewski thinks that will change.

New United coach Ray Junna started holding trials last week and invited players from all ACT clubs to participate along with ACT Academy of Sport squad members and a selection of NSW players.

''I think it's fantastic that Ray has gone to the local league first and given them that chance,'' Maciejewski said.

''Last year, you could have gone along to training but it's kind of hard to just pick yourself up and go out there by yourself, but this year Ray has really given them the confidence to come in and be part of it.

''It's been great to see so many more girls involved.'' This year's story is different from Maciejewski's.

Maciejewski played in the old women's national league for the Canberra Eclipse.
However, a knee injury meant she spent time out of the game before coming back to play for Belwest in the local women's league where she has played for the past three seasons. This year, it's a host of talented teenagers making their way on to the national stage.

Almost every premier league team has players in the ACT schoolgirls under-15s and under-17s nationals teams who are making a difference. At Belwest, Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Hope Wilkins have impressed, Weston Creek has Aleisha Tupper, Krista Hagan and Elizabeth Pearson and Belconnen United has Erica Weatherly.

Woden Valley has the biggest contingent, with players like Sally Rojahn, Catherine Brown, Grace Field and Ashleigh Palombi all scoring bags of goals in Woden's so far undefeated season.

The biggest issue for Junna could be age restrictions.

This year each W-League team is allowed to have just three under-17 players.
Almost all of the women's premier league players coming through are under that age.
But Maciejewski doesn't think that's a bad thing.

''The W-League can be pretty stressful, maybe some of them their age, they might be a bit too young,'' Maciejewski said.

''But they certainly have potential. There are some great players there.'' Junna is still working out how to balance his squad, which will start to take shape when the W-League registration opens, but is keen for more Canberra-based players.

Last season, the whole 20-player squad didn't train together once, even in the week leading up to the grand final against the Brisbane Roar.
For season two, Junna wants that to change.

Canberra United can officially sign players when the W-League registration period opens on July17.

Williams netting plenty of experience
By Merryn Sherwood

As an understudy to one of the world's best goalkeepers at the Chicago Red Stars, Lydia Williams believes she has learned a great deal and can't wait to bring her form back to Canberra United. After finishing the inaugural season at Canberra United with the second-best defensive record in the league last year, Williams trialled with Chicago in the new American women's professional league club in March and secured a contract.

For the past three months she has trained almost daily, earning enough to live on and has been mentored by one of the world's leading goalkeepers and practised against some of the sharpest female strikers in the world. ''I think Carli Lloyd is the hardest shot to stop in training,'' Williams said. ''So I know if I start stopping her shots regularly then I'll be up there.

''But it's definitely given me a lot of incentive, I think its the most physical competition there is, so being a part of that will improve me a lot.''Williams is yet to take to the field for the team but is happy to be gaining skills to bring back to Canberra when the W-League starts in October.

While no players can be officially signed until July 17, Williams was keen to return to her home team, Canberra United, for its second season.

''I probably won't be playing this season in the [US] league unless Carre [Jonsson] gets injured, but I don't mind at all because she's probably one of the best keepers in the world at the moment,'' Williams told The Canberra Times from Chicago.

''I'm learning so much from her and its only making me better.''''... On crosses I think I'm a lot cleaner now and my foot work has improved, there is a whole lot of things have been cleaned up a little bit.''Williams said the experience had given her incentive to improve.

As the No1 Matildas goalkeeper, she was one of the most experienced players in the W-League. But in America, Williams was was an under-study to Swedish international Caroline Jonsson and is one of the youngest players in the league.

The women's pro soccer league season ends in August.
The official W-League draw is expected to be released in the next fortnight.

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Matildas China Squad named

"Only six players from last year's FIFA Women's World Cup campaign are involved in this squad that will tour China,"said Sermanni
Release below

MATILDAS GIVE CHINA A PRE-GAMES WORK OUT
Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni has named an 18-player squad for the Matildas upcoming two match tour of China in July.
Having placed fourth at the recent AFC Women's Asian Cup in Vietnam and with a strong performance at the 2008 Peace Cup in South Korea earlier this month, Sermanni will use this tour to give a number of younger players valuable international experience against the Chinese women's National Team who are preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The tour will involve two matches on the 6 & 9 July at the Olympic Stadium in Tianjin, which is same venue in which the Matildas played Brazil in the Quarter-Finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"Only six players from last year's FIFA Women's World Cup campaign are involved in this squad that will tour China,"said Sermanni

"As a result, we have a large number of younger players who will be able to get much needed experience at an international level on this trip.

"It is also very beneficial for us to play two challenging internationals against one the top teams in the world at a fantastic venue in front of a large crowd, particularly as they are preparing for a very important tournament for them - a home Olympics, " concluded Sermanni.

The Matildas will depart Australia on 3 July and return on 11 July and will face the New Zealand Women's Team at North Sydney Oval on Saturday 12 July (kick-off 12pm AEST) as the first part of a double header which will also see the Qantas Under 23s take on the New Zealand men's Under 23 team.

Matildas Squad for China Tour 3-11 July 2008

Melissa BARBIERI (Melbourne), Victoria BALOMENOS (Adelaide), Joanne BURGESS (Brisbane), Kim CARROLL (Brisbane), Amy CHAPMAN (Canberra), Lauren COLTHORPE (Brisbane), Leena KHAMIS (Sydney), Kate McSHEA (Brisbane), Caitlin MUNOZ (Canberra), Amber NEILSON (Newcastle), Ellyse PERRY (Sydney), Clare POLKINGHORNE (Brisbane), Karla REUTER (Brisbane), Renee ROLLASON (Sydney), Kyah SIMON (Sydney), Brooke SPENCE (Brisbane), Yesim Servet UZUNLAR (Sydney), Lydia WILLIAMS (Canberra).


Match Details
China PR v Australia
Sunday 6 July 2008 (Kick-Off Time TBC)
Olympic Stadium, Tianjin, China

China PR v Australia
Wednesday 9 July 2008 (Kick-Off Time TBC)
Olympic Stadium, Tianjin, China

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Matildas: Korea is now a crucial game.

Korea Republic beat Japan 3-1 last night in the Matildas group in the Asia Cup. So the group is now wide open.


The Matildas play Korea on Saturday; a win would mean the Matildas have four points, but would still need to beat Japan or draw on Monday, assuming all teams beat Taiwan.

Alternatively a defeat tomorrow, would mean a draw or a win against Japan would still see them through, but make the Japan game just a bit more nerve-racking.

Japan are ranked significantly higher than Korea so the next two games will be interesting!

From the highlights show on SBS:

Matildas played a very young side, but came through comfortably despite the conditions.
Ellyse Perry continues to shine. Some talent. Her crosses from the right, plus a rasping shot from 25 yards were wonderful.

I'd be surprised if she doesn't retain her place, and ditch that cricket:)
Heather Garriock took her goals well.
Canberra keeper Lydia Williams looked a little shaky on high balls.
Interesting to see Lauren Colthope in midfield.
Kim Carroll, Jenna Tristram have all worked hard to get back in the squad and got good game time.
Kyah Simon was quiet but showed enough.
The pitch was diabolical and made the game a total farce. With players reduced to juggling the ball to get it moving. What would happen if it rains against Japan or Korea?

A lot of experience to be added for the next game. The players should be fresh and ready to go.
And if it doesn't rain, the Matildas might get to play some real football.

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Canberrans off to Asia Cup

Amy Chapman and Lydia Williams are in the squad to play their first full Matildas International tournament at next months Asia Cup in Vietnam. They will also play in the double header Socceroos/ Ghana. Matildas/Canada on May 23rd at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Canberra's experienced Matilda Caitlin Munoz is in line to play providing she fully recovers from her recent mysterious strains. But Sally Shipard has missed out due to injury.

Cricketing superstar Ellyse Perry has been called into her first Matildas squad and Kyah Simon the talented Indigenous striker looks like she's cemented her place in the full squad after an eye-catching tour of USA.

And you can hear an interview with Elyse Perry on the Nearpost radio this week, or here on the blog tomorrow.

FFA Release below.

MATILDAS SQUAD TO TACKLE ASIA'S FINEST ANNOUNCED


The Australian women's football team, the Matildas, will be aiming to become the first Australian team to be crowned Asian champions when they compete at the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, later this month.

"This tournament will really test the depth and experience of the squad with a number of players going into a major tournament for the first time," said coach, Tom Sermanni.
"We have lost a fair bit of experience since the World Cup with some players unavailable for a variety of reasons and the squad is reasonably different to what we had in China at the World Cup."

"However there is a genuine belief amongst the squad that we can match any opponent and that was reinforced with the team's performances against the USA recently."

The 20 woman squad is led by long-serving captain Cheryl Salisbury, and includes Heather Garriock, Melissa Barbieri, Di Alagich, Asian Women’s player of the Year runner-up Collette McCallum, Sarah Walsh and Lisa De Vanna amongst the key players from the team that participated last year in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Australia will be missing several mainstays from that team, with Joanne Peters and Sally Shipard both absent through injury, and Thea Slatyer and Alicia Ferguson unavailable.

Sermanni has also included two teenagers from last year's Young Matildas - Ellyse Perry and Kyah Simon.

Perry last year achieved the remarkable double of becoming a dual football and cricket international at the age of just 16. The Sydney-based defender scored for the Matildas in the second minute of her debut last August just a fortnight after becoming the youngest ever cricket player for Australia.
Indigenous striker Kyah Simon made her debut for the Matildas in the same match as Perry and featured in both recent matches against world number one USA. The 16 year old is also a team mate of Perry's in the NSW Institute of Sport squad.

Prior to jetting out for Vietnam, the Matildas will face world number nine Canada as part of a double-header at the Sydney Football Stadium on May 23 preceding the Qantas Socceroos match against African powerhouse Ghana.
The two sides last met in the Women's World Cup when the Matildas snatched an injury time equaliser to eliminate Canada from the tournament and reach the quarter finals for the first time.
"We want to go into every match and tournament looking to win and not just being there to make up the numbers," Sermanni said.

"Despite the absentees we will be looking to build further on our World Cup showing and also go one better than we did at the Women's Asian Cup two years ago when we lost the final on penalties.

"This is our most important tournament for the year and the team will be looking to bounce back after the disappointment of not qualifying for the Olympics."

The three overseas based players - Heather Garriock (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark), Kate Gill and Lisa De Vanna (both Linkopings, Sweden) - will join the squad in Vietnam.

Australia will open their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign against Chinese Taipei on Thursday 29 May, followed by the match against Korea Republic on Saturday 31 May before the final group match against Japan on Monday 2 June.



The Matildas squad for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup is:

Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Di Alagich (Sydney), Kim Carroll (Brisbane), Kate McShea (Brisbane), Ellyse Perry (Sydney), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle)
Midfielders – Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lauren Colthorpe (Brisbane), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle)

Forwards – Lisa DeVanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Kyah Simon (Sydney), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)


Matildas v Canada
Sydney Football Stadium, 5.15pm
(Followed by Qantas Socceroos v Ghana, 8pm)

2008 Women's Asian Cup
28 May - June 8, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Matildas ready to take on USA

Canberra's Lydia Williams stars in US defeat.

Australian Coach Tom Sermanni was in good spirits ahead of the Matildas second game against the USA tomorrow in Birmingham, Alabama.


Despite an under prepared Matildas side the team were narrowly defeated 3-2 in the final minute in Monday's first international.

"We should have most of the team back on deck for selection this weekend, so touch wood we've got another session tomorrow, we'll be okay." said Sermanni

"We're still a bit behind in comparison to the US at this stage. We're still a bit behind in practice, they've had three major tournaments this year, and that showed the other night. We did well to keep in touch and get back into the game.

Canberran stars
"We said when we were going on this trip that we'd play the goalkeepers game about, Lydia (Williams) has really kicked on in the last six or seven months and we really need to give her opportunities in these kind of games, to test her out, and she had an exceptionally good game.

Star striker Lisa De Vanna is not on this trip she "has a Sweden contract so we are looking at potentially getting her back for the Asia Cup and we were never going to bring her back for this trip." added Sermanni.

"Surin Kuralya and also Leah Blayney joined us on Monday. They are two players that have been playing in College over here, so when we came over it's an ideal opportunity to bring them back in to the system and have a look at them again and see where they are at.

"Any team that loses two strikers is going to be a bit short upfront, which is one of the reasons why we brought Kyah (Simon)into the squad. Not only is she starting to improve, but she also has the physical qualities to enable her to play and cope against the US. We started her and considering it was her first major international she did really well.

Injury update for tomorrow's game:
"Joey Peters is unlikely to be considered, she still has a niggling knee injury, Di Alagich will probably be in for selection and Caitlin (Munoz) we'll see how she goes tomorrow at training.

Asian Cup Preparations.

On the forthcoming Asia Cup Sermanni said, "We're probably a bit underdone. We've got these two games and then the two game against Canada. We're not in the same zone as we were for the World Cup. We'll have decent preparation (for the Asia Cup). We'll come into the Canada game around the 18th May, and have four or five games before we play our first game.

In relation to the kind of preparation that we normally get, that's not to bad."

And on Heather Garriock and her dash for the Danish Cup Final?

"Heather got injured in Monday's game, so we took her off. She didn't make the trip back to Denmark, but her team won 4-0 in the Cup Final without her. She'll play tomorrow. It takes a lot for Heather to miss a game."

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Canberrans to take on USA

Canberrans Amy Chapman, Caitlin Munoz, Lydia Williams and former local Sally Shipard are in the Matildas squad to take on America in two huge internationals, first one on Sunday in North Carolina.

Chappo, as Amy is known, has forced her way into the squad since the World Cup and will be hoping to get some game time.

The team flew out today, half their luck!

FFA Release below:

SALISBURY AIMING FOR FIRST WIN FOR MATILDAS OVER USA

The Australian women's football team, the Matildas, are aiming to break their duck against the number one team in world football, the USA, according to captain Cheryl Salisbury.

Australia is yet to defeat the United States in 18 encounters, 16 of which have been losses.

"But we've come very close to beating them in our past two or three matches and hopefully the first breakthrough will happen on this tour," said Salisbury who has played in nearly all of Australia's matches against the USA.

"The players are excited to be together again . It's the first time we have gone away since the World Cup and we have the Asian Cup in Vietnam next month so this tour will give us great preparation."

"USA is the current Olympic champion and, with Beijing not far away, they will be going all out to put in a good performance."

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

"It is fantastic that there is so much interest from other nations in playing us," added Salisbury.

"Making the quarter finals of the World Cup really put us on the map and there are nations now chasing us for matches ."

Midfielder Heather Garriock, currently playing professionally with Danish Club Fortuna Hjorring, will be looking to become the youngest Australian , at age 25, to reach 100 caps in the first match against the United States.

The Sydneysider, who will meet up with the squad in the USA, is set to join the century club alongside team mates Salisbury and Joanne Peters, as well as retired defender Anissa Tann.

The Matildas squad for the United States tour is:

Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Di Alagich (Sydney), Kim Carroll (Brisbane), Lauren Colthorpe (Brisbane), Kate McShea (Brisbane), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Joanne Peters (Newcastle), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)
Forwards – Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Kyah Simon (Sydney), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)

The Matildas are preparing for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup to be held from May 28 – June 8, 2008, in Vietnam.

Tour Fixtures:
Sunday, April 27
USA v Australia
WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, Nth Carolina, 7pm local time (9am AEST Monday)

Saturday, May 3
USA v Australia
Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama, 4pm local time (7am AEST Sunday)

The Matildas moved to an all-time high world ranking of 12 following the FIFA Women's World Cup, while the United States last month reclaimed their world number one ranking after their win in the 12-nation Algarve Cup.

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Matildas 2 New Zealand 0

Canberrans played key roles in Australia's 2-0 win over New Zealand yesterday.

Lydia Williams in goal, Caitlin Munoz upfront and Sally Shipard in defence for the first time all played their part. Amy Chapman also came on as sub in the 60th minute.

Full FFA reprot below

The Matildas scored a solid 2-0 win over New Zealand today at Stockland Park on the Sunshine Coast in the team's first outing since last year's quarter final appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup in China.

A goal in each half ensured victory for the home side in the first of a three-match series of international friendly matches, with the win extending Australia's unbeaten streak against the Kiwis to 12 matches dating back to 1994.

Striker Sarah Walsh celebrating her 50th cap by scoring the game's opener on 16 minutes after pouncing on an errant pass from the goalkeeper to finish clinically from the edge of the box.

Midfielder Joanne Burgess then doubled the advantage nine minutes after the interval with a firm drive from 20 metres.

Australia carved out a number of goalscoring opportunities while at the other end of the field Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams was rarely troubled.

Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock came closest to extending the lead only to see a shot cleared off the line moments before half time and then a second half header crash against the crossbar.

Coach Tom Sermanni is missing several members of last year's World Cup squad for the series with Lisa De Vanna was a late withdrawal from today's match with a hamstring complaint, however the enigmatic striker is considered likely to be available for the next match on Monday.
“I’m pleased with result considering the adjustments we had to make to our team,” Sermanni said.

“We are missing several regular and experienced players and it was our first competitive match since the World Cup.
“It was always going to be difficult against a well organised and focused New Zealand team, who have made considerable improvement since we last met in July last year.”

Australia will meet New Zealand again on Monday, and then in the final match of the series on Wednesday.
Match Details:
Australia 2 (Sarah Walsh 16’, Joanne Burgess 54’)
New Zealand 0

Matildas line-up: Lydia Williams (gk); Clare Polkinghorne, Karla Reuter (Lyndsay Glohe 63’), Cheryl Salisbury, Amber Neilson, Heather Garriock, Caitlin Munoz, Sarah Walsh, Collette McCallum, Sally Shipard, Joanne Burgess (Amy Chapman 60’)
Substitutes not used: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Victoria Balomenos, Kate Gill, Tameka Butt, Elise Kellond-Knight, Renee Rollason

Cautions: Garriock 58’

New Zealand: Jenny Bindon (gk); Ria Percival, Abby Erceg, Maia Jackman, Ali Riley, Simone Ferrara (Annalie Longo 65), Hayley Moorwood (Captain), Emily McColl, Kirsty Yallop (Emma Kete 75), Renee Leota (Wendi Henderson 86), Merissa Smith.
Substitutes not used: Rachel Howard (gk), Hannah Bromley.


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, 3.30pm

Australia v New Zealand
Monday 3 March, 3.30pm

Australia v New Zealand
Wednesday 5 March, 3.30pm

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

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Lydia Williams and Alex Butt take a break

 

Matildas keeper Lydia Williams is back. The former Tuggeranong United junior has recovered from her wrist operation and is back in full training.

Alex Butt? He's very busy too. Alex is Capital Football Coaching Development Officer, Nearpost radio host and Matildas and Joey's Coaching Assistant. Tough gig Alex!

>

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ACT Women in China with Young Matildas

Grace Gill-McGrath and Lydia Williams are two Canberrans in China with the Young Matildas for the AFC Under 19 Championships.

In a tough group, the top three finishers go forward to the World Cup in Chile next season.

Gill-McGrath and Williams also represented Australia at the Under 20 World Cup in Russia last year.

Full squad;


The Young Matildas will take enormous heart from the performance of their senior counterparts at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, when they kick off preparations for the AFC U/19 Women’s Championship later today in China.

Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne will back up from their efforts with the Matildas to lead the Young Matildas in two warm-up matches against China in Chengdu, where the Matildas played its final group match against Canada recently.

The AFC championship starts on October 6 in Chongqing, with Australia’s first match against Japan. It will be followed by another tough match against DPR Korea (reigning U/20 Women’s World Champions), with the final group match against Myanmar.

The top two teams from each group will then meet in the semi finals, with the top three teams qualifying for the next FIFA U/20 Women’s World Championship, which is set down to be played in Chile over the new year period of 2008-2009.

While Williams and Polkinghorne will be the key players, there is other players in the squad with previous experience at this level, with Olivia Kennedy, Caitlin Cooper (in her third campaign at this level), Servet Uzunlar, Grace Gill and Victoria Balomenos, all part of the squad that went to the FIFA U/20 Women’s World Championship in Russia last year.

The full squad is:
Goalkeepers: Lydia Wiliams, Casey Dumont, Rachel Cooper

Defenders: Caitlin Cooper, Clare Polkinghorne, Grace Gill-McGrath, Stacey Day, Rachel Doyle

Midfielders: Lyndsay Glohe, Olivia Kennedy, Ellyse Perry, Elise Kellond-Knight, Teresa Polias, Renee Rollason, Tameka Butt, Ella Mastrantonio

Forwards: Jenna Kinglsey, Servet Uzunlar, Kyah Simon, Ashleigh Connor, Victoria Balomenos

Coach: Alen Stajcic (NSW)

In August the baulk of this squad was chosen to represent the Matildas against Hong Kong in an Olympic Games qualifier, with the girls winning emphatically by the tune of 8-1 in Hong Kong. Tameka Butt recorded a hat-trick, with Renee Rollason grabbing a double.

Young Matildas midfielder Ellyse Perry is also a highly promising cricketer and has played for the senior Australian Women’s Cricket team.

The first match against China tonight kicks off at 8pm (AEST) and is followed by a second game on Sunday at 6pm.

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Matildas doing the hard yards!

The Matildas training session at the
Hangzhou Dragan Stadium prior to Wednesday's opening World Cup match v Ghana tomorrow 7pm SBS Live.

L-R Clare Polkinghorne, Lydia Williams, Melissa Barbieri, Sally
Shipard, Lauren Colthorpe

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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 Star Lydia Williams playing with a broken wrist!

Spare an ouch for Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams.

Canberra's Lydia Williams, the nineteen year old Indigenous back-up Matildas keeper to Melissa Barbieri, has a broken wrist, but she is still going to the World Cup in China!

"I broke my wrist three months ago, and the cast came off two months ago. I'll go to the World Cup with a splint on."

Doesn't it hurt?

"A bit but I want to play in a World Cup."

"And after the World Cup I'll stay in China for the Under 20 Asia Cup. Hopefully we can do well there and go to the Under 20 World Cup in Chile next year."

Williams played many sports when she was younger.

"I grew up in Kalgoorlie, WA. Out there AFL is popular, so I played that and any sport where you had to run.

"When I moved to Canberra Mum got me into a soccer team and I went from there really."

"I want to play in more World Cups, Asia Cups and Olympics over the next ten years."

"We are well prepared. We've been to China many times. We know the culture and move around freely.

"Hopefully the Chinese people know us a bit more now as well."

The Matildas are in a group with Norway, Canada and Ghana. All games will be shown on SBS live in prime time starting 12 September.

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Lydia Williams waits on Matildas selection

Canberra's Indigenous Australian keeper Lydia Williams has been given the all clear to play in the up coming World Cup in China.

Lydia, had her wrist in a cast recently, and missed the Olympic qualifiers against North Korea.

"I'm fine now, " said Lydia today. "I had the cast off two weeks ago and now I just have to wait to see if I'm in the squad."

With thirty players called into the recent camp at Coffs Harbour, Lydia like the other three keepers will have a nervous wait overnight.

Coach Tom Sermanni is expected to announce the squad of 23 tomorrow.

Lydia had just returned from work when I spoke to her today. Just six weeks out from the World Cup the thought crossed my mind how different life was for out female stars.

Can you imagine Mark Scharzwer having to do a job while waiting to see if he was in the World Cup squad!

Still good luck to Lydia and all the players from the ACT.

Amy Chapman, Caitlin Munoz and of course Sally Shipard who writes each week for this blog will all be aiming to get the phone call tomorrow from Sermanni to say, "Yes you're in you're off to the World Cup."

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Sally Shipard writes.

Hi I'm Sally Shipard, here's my update for this week.

Last weekend Camp at the AIS was so exciting. The girls were all in top form on the pitch and having Pink perform at the AIS arena was something extra to make the experience that little bit more special.

I always look forward to the camps. I was especially looking forward to this camp as I would be training with the girls again. I suffered from a slight muscle strain in my left quad early on but by the last day I managed to get on the pitch for 20 minutes of the game against touring US side University of North Carolina, it felt so good to be back.

This week a team of 18 will be announced for the North Korean trip next week. Tommy will be choosing the best team for the 2 games; 10 girls have to miss out who trained over the weekend. Fingers crossed I will be leaving the country next Monday.

My two Canberra mates...Lydia Williams and Caitlin Munoz are out injured. Caitlin is working back into training and should be fit for the second leg in Coffs harbour and Lydia Williams has fractured her wrist and will be out for at least 6 weeks. Lydia will be training as a 'field player' for the next few weeks, she trained with ACTAS (ACT Academy Squad)last night and I was impressed!!!:-)

bye for now

Sally

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