Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni has selected the 23 player squad to travel to Chengdu, China, to compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2010 from 19-30 May.
In a boost to the Western Australian Institute of Sport Women’s Football Program four (WAIS-AIS) scholarship holders were included, with Collette McCallum, Lisa De Vanna, Katie Gill and Sam Kerr all in line to represent the Matildas.
The 23 players, selected following intensive camps in Canberra and the Gold Coast and matches against New Zealand and DPR Korea, will gather on the Gold Coast on May 4 to begin final preparations before their May 11 departure to China.
Included in the squad are youngsters Teigen Allen and Sam Kerr who, at 16 and 17 years-old respectively, join Sally Shipard and Ellyse Perry as two of the youngest players ever to appear for the Westfield Matildas at a major international competition.
Experienced goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri will captain the Westfield Matildas in what will be one of the team’s hardest tournaments to date as the Westfield Matildas attempt to reach a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup.
“I’m very happy with the way the girls stepped up to the challenge over the selection period and I’m very proud of those girls who stepped up and pushed for places,” said Westfield Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri.
“We’ve got a very strong squad with a mix of seasoned campaigners and talented young players who have the benefit of having no expectations and no real pressure on them but the self-confidence to know they deserve their place in the squad.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting the girls together and lifting us to the next level and make sure the girls realise the importance of the matches.”
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2010 consists of eight teams competing for three available places for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 in Germany.
Australia will play host nation heavyweights China, South Korea and Vietnam in Group B with DPR Korea, Japan, Myanmar and Thailand making up Group A.
The top three teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Making the semi-finals, which requires finishing first or second in Group B, is Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni’s primary target,
“First and foremost, we would like to make it to the last four. If we can make it, we will try our best to make it to the final.
“Winning the (AFC) Asian Cup would be a massive result for this relatively young team.”
Sermanni understands that World Cup qualification through Asia is tough but knows the team he has selected, including the return of overseas stars Kate Gill, Lisa De Vanna, Sarah Walsh and Heather Garriock, can make an impact in the competition.
“The World Cup route through Asia is extremely difficult as four of the top 15 teams in the World come from this zone.
“This will be a tough test but the squad we have assembled continues to surprise me with how well they have gelled and I’m sure they will cause some surprises next month in China.”
– Football Australia
