Aussies not intimidated by World Cup big guns

Expect the Westfield Matildas to play fearless, attacking football at next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, with a strike-force dripping with talent and speed to burn.

Coach Alen Stajcic revealed his 23-player squad on Tuesday and vowed to take it to the world’s best in a group which includes number two ranked USA, fifth-ranked Sweden and African champions Nigeria.

Westfield Matildas name World Cup squad

So full of goal-scoring threats, Stajcic was forced to leave out the Matildas’ greatest-ever goal-scorer Kate Gill.

Gill was a shock omission from the squad, despite finishing with the Westfield W-League’s golden-boot and with 40 goals from 83 caps to her name.

The Westfield Matildas will play Vietnam at Kogarah Oval on Thursday 21st May.

"[We had a four-month preparation time] and players were picked on form during that period,” Stajcic said.

"She's [Gill] performed really well, the problem is the other players have as well.

"When you look at our striker force, you've got people like Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Lisa De Vanna, Michelle Heyman and Kyah Simon.

"You can only pick so many and we had to make a decision on who was going to be more effective for us at the World Cup.

"Kate missed out by a small inch but they're the decisions that have to be made at this level. It's very hard.”

The Westfield Matildas starting XI for their clash against DPR Korea.


The Matildas open their tournament against one of the World Cup favourites in the USA, with Stajcic vowing to go all out for three points.

"I'm not worried about the rest of the tournament at the moment I'm only worried about that game against America," he said.

"We're not in there for a draw or to get a satisfactory 1-0 loss, we're going to go in there to get a win."

One of the feel-good stories of the squad was the selection of goal-keeper Melissa Hudson, nee Barbieri, who is on her way to a fourth World Cup.

The 35-year-old missed out on last year’s Asian Cup but impressed Stajcic during the recent training camps and friendlies with Brianna Davey the unlucky shot-stopper to miss out.

"Melissa's consistency, her organisation and her communication is probably the best in the team," Stajcic said.

"She's just got so much drive and determination. She's a winner."

Westfield Matildas FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Canada – Group Matches

USA v Westfield Matildas

Monday 8 June 2015

Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg (Kick-Off 6.30pm local, 9.30am AEST Thursday 9 June)

Westfield Matildas v Nigeria

Friday 12 June 2015

Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg (Kick-Off 4.00pm local, 7.00am AEST Saturday 13 June)

Westfield Matildas v Sweden

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton (Kick-Off 6.00pm local, 10.00am AEST Wednesday 17 June)

All matches from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ will be live on SBS ONE, SBS HD and online, with the only exceptions being the concurrent group stage matches which will be streamed live online at www.sbs.com.au/theworldgame.