Disrupted Matildas still confident
Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri believes the Australian team has the ability to be crowned Asian champions despite significant changes from the squad that reached the quarter finals at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup.
Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri believes the Australian team has the ability to be crowned Asian champions despite significant changes from the squad that reached the quarter finals at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Matildas will be looking to become the first Australian team to win an Asian championship when they tackle the continent's finest at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City over the coming fortnight. The Australian team narrowly missed out two years ago after losing the final on penalties against China in Adelaide.
Only 11 members of the 21-strong squad that took the field last year in China are present in Vietnam, with the current squad hit by a number of injuries and unavailability. The squad features a number of current Young Matildas with a total on nine players 21 years old or younger.
"The recent performances against the United States and Canada give us confidence in ourselves despite all the changes in the squad," says Barbieri, Australia's most capped male or female goalkeeper.
"You would expect the changes to disrupt us but that hasn't been the case to any great degree and we firmly believe that we can win it.
"The young players are not all intimidated by name teams or quality players which is refreshing and the signs are very good for the team despite the changes."
The Matildas will open their AFC Women-s Asian Cup campaign against Chinese Taipei on Thursday, followed by the match against Korea Republic on Saturday with the final and crucial group match against Japan on Monday.
"At the moment we are concentrating on making the semi final as our first goal and then anything is possible."
"As a team we certainly have the attributes to make the final and we are looking to go one better than we did two years ago.
"The weather conditions are a factor in how we prepare for the games but it is not an excuse. We are preparing well off the field and focussing on adapting to the conditions as best as possible."
Australia's overseas based contingent - Heather Garriock (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark), Kate Gill and Lisa De Vanna (both AIK Solna, Sweden) arrived overnight and are set to train with the team for the first time tomorrow after completing their club commitments. Arriving later today are 16 year old midfielder Ella Mastrantonio and striker Jenna Tristram who will join the squad as late replacements for Sarah Walsh and Joanne Burgess, meaning the full squad will train together just once before Thursday's opening match.
First Round
Wednesday - 28 May 2008 Match 1: China vs Thailand Match 2: DPR Korea vs Vietnam
Thursday - 29 May 2008 Match 3: Australia vs Chinese Taipei Match 4: Japan vs Korea Republic
Friday - 30 May 2008 Match 5: Thailand vs DPR Korea Match 6: Vietnam vs China
Saturday - 31 May 2008 Match 7: Chinese Taipei vs Japan Match 8: Korea Republic vs Australia
Sunday - 1 June 2008 Match 9: China vs DPR Korea Match 10: Thailand vs Vietnam
Monday - 2 June 2008 Match 11: Australia vs Japan Match 12: Chinese Taipei vs Korea Republic
Tuesday - 3 June 2008 - Rest Day Wednesday - 4 June 2008 - Rest Day
Semi Finals
Thursday - 5 June 2008 Match 13: Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B Match 14:Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A
Friday - 6 June 2008 - Rest Day Saturday 7 June 2008 - Rest Day
Finals & 3rd/4th Play Off
Sunday - 8 June 2008 3rd/4th Play Off: Loser Match 13 vs Loser Match 14 Final: Winner Match 14 vs Winner Match 14