Salisbury expects tough finale

Departing captain Cheryl Salisbury is not expecting an easy passage into retirement when she leads the Matildas into battle for the final time on Saturday.

Departing captain Cheryl Salisbury is not expecting an easy passage into retirement when she leads the Matildas into battle for the final time on Saturday.

Salisbury will hang up her boots at the completion of this weekend's international friendly against the highly ranked Italy.

Since making her international debut against Russia in 1994, the 34-year-old has made 150 'A' international appearances in the green and gold, scoring 37 goals along the way.

"Any international these days is a challenge," Salisbury explained.

"When you turn up to play you've got to be ready to play and that's probably the thing that has changed over the years."

"(In the past) you knew some games were going to be a little easier than others and you knew some were going to be tougher than others."

"Now every game is tough when you walk on to a field no matter if it's a friendly or a World Cup game they're all tough."

Coach Tom Sermanni is also expecting a tough encounter when the sides face off in the first of two upcoming friendly fixtures.

"It'll be a tough game tomorrow. We played the Italians in South Korea last year and although we won that game (3-0) it was a very close and very tight game, and actually I thought for much of the game Italy were the better side," Sermanni recalled.

"They're ranked just above us in the world, they're preparing for the European Championships this year. Italy and football go hand in hand and they don't like to be beaten so it'll be a very tough competitive game."

Italy coach Pietro Ghedin promised a spirited contest, but knows the Matildas represent a tough challenge.

"We're not here for a holiday, we're here to play football," coach Pietro Ghedin said.

"They are strong, we met last year and we lost 3-0."

"In the second half they continued to run and we made some bad mistakes to be honest, but Australia deserved to win."

Salisbury, meanwhile, insists she has no doubts over her decision to retire but concedes keeping her emotions in check will not be easy.

"I know come Saturday when that final whistle blows and I step off the field for the last time, I'm sure there'll be a few tears," Salisbury said.

"Hopefully I'll be totally mobbed by all the rest of the girls and they'll hide me from the cameras focusing on my tears."

"I'm actually quite excited, it's been a long journey and a great journey but I am excited to move on in the next part of my life and do something different."