Australia Team Page
Squad
Coach: Tom Sermanni
Roster
Goalkeepers: Melissa Barbieri, Lydia Williams, Emma Wirkus
Defenders: Di Alagich, Rhian Davies, Heather Garriock, Kate McShea, Clare Polkinghorne, Cheryl Salisbury, Thea Slatyer
Midfielders: Lauren Colthorpe, Alicia Ferguson, Collette McCallum, Joanne Peters, Sally Shipard, Danielle Small
Forwards: Joanne Burgess, Lisa DeVanna, Kate Gill, Caitlin Munoz, Sarah Walsh
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 15th (fourth in the AFC)
Strengths: There is a newfound confidence in Australian soccer and it’s not just because the men’s team managed to make it past the group stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Since moving from the weak Oceania region to the Asian Football Confederation in January 2006, the Australian women’s team has brought its game to new levels. The Matildas finished second in that region’s qualifying for the World Cup: ahead of the Koreas and Japan: and losing in penalties to China in the final. Recently, Australia posted two wins over China on their rivals’s home turf. Sermanni has his troops organized and Australia’s speed and size will give teams trouble in the tournament.
Weaknesses: The confidence is there, but can Australia put its previous poor World Cup tournaments behind them? In three World Cups, the Matildas have yet to get past the group stage, managing a record of no wins, two draws and seven losses. Sermanni picked a squad heavy on youth and will have to look to his World Cup veterans — defender Cheryl Salisbury, midfielder Joanne Peters and fullback Di Alagich — to help groom the rookies for the big stage. Lineup depth could become an issue with injuries.
Player to watch: Salisbury. The 33-year-old is entering her fourth World Cup and has a wealth of playing experience at every position. Primarily a central midfielder or defender, the towering Matildas’s captain has a remarkable touch on the ball and her seasoned soccer IQ makes those around her better. She’s also the country’s all-time caps and goals leader (male or female).
Prognosis: Making the knockout stage is not out of reach for Australia, a spirited squad which will benefit from fan support in China. However, roster depth and World Cup experience could interfere with those plans.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Australia secured passage to China 2007 by placing second in the final competition of the 2006 AFC Women’s Championship.
Qualification record: 6 games played, 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
Goals for: 15 Goals against: 2
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Lisa De Vanna (3)
Qualifying results:
Round robin (Group B) – in Adelaide, Australia
July 16, 2006 – Australia 4, Korea Republic (South) 0
July 18, 2006 – Myanmar 0, Australia 2
July 22, 2006 – Australia 0, Korea DPR (North) 0
July 24, 2006 – Thailand 0, Australia 5
Final rounds (knock-out format)
Semifinal
July 27, 2006 – Australia 2, Japan 0
Final
July 30, 2006 – Australia 2, China PR 2 (China wins 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout)
Women’s World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 12 – Ghana vs. Australia in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 17:00
Sept. 15 – Australia vs. Norway in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 19 – Australia vs. Canada in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 17:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY
After failing to qualify for the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in China in 1991, the Matildas made their debut on the international stage at the 1995 event in Sweden.
The Aussies failed to advance past the opening round after losses to group opponents Denmark, China and the United States.
At the 1999 tournament in the U.S., Australia grabbed its first-ever point at a Women’s World Cup with a draw against Ghana. They still failed to advance past the group stage, however, with 3-1 losses to Sweden and China.
Australia’s draw looked promising at the 2003 event in the U.S. Grouped with Ghana, Russia and China, the Matildas failed to take advantage of their weak group, losing to Ghana and Russia before tying China to end their tournament.
Number of previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 3
Hosted the Women’s World Cup: Never
1991 – Did not qualify
1995 – First round
1999 – First round
2003 – First round
