Edwards names World Championship squad
Qantas Young Matildas coach Alistair Edwards has announced his squad that will represent Australia at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship to be held in Russia later this month.
Qantas Young Matildas coach Alistair Edwards has announced his squad that will represent Australia at the FIFA U-20 Women-s World Championship to be held in Russia later this month.
The team will be captained by Sally Shipard who is one of seven players with senior national team experience. Canberra-based Shipard, who already has 26 senior caps to her name at the age of 18, will be joined by vice-captains Collette McCallum and Kylie Ledbrook, plus Leah Blayney and Lydia Williams, all of whom were in the Qantas Matildas squad that qualified for the 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup in Adelaide last month. Queensland defensive duo Kim Carroll and Clare Polkinghorne also have experience with the senior team.
The age limit for the 2006 edition of the tournament has been increased from 19 to 20 with an U-17 Women-s World Cup scheduled to be introduced in 2008. Eleven players are backing up from the previous tournament held in Thailand two years ago, including Shipard, McCallum, Ledbrook, Blayney, Carroll, Alison Logue, Caitlin Cooper, Jenna Tristram, Danielle Brogan, Nicole Somi and Leena Khamis.
“We have some good depth in a number of positions so it was a difficult squad to select and there are undoubtedly a number of players that were unlucky to miss out on selection,” says Qantas Young Matildas coach Alistair Edwards.
“There is a lot of experience in the squad with a number of players having already represented Australia at senior level which is a great benefit, not only in playing terms, but also in assisting in the development of the more junior members of the squad.
“The team have had a good preparation for the tournament and have spent a significant time together through regular camps.
“The team also had a rigorous qualifying campaign which has been one of the great benefits of the move to Asia. The results achieved against some of the best nations in Asia have helped greatly with the team-s self-belief.
“Much like the Socceroos the team believes in it-s abilities, though at this level, and in such a competitive group, it can just be the bounce of the ball that can ultimately decide a match. “
The Qantas Young Matildas squad for the FIFA U-20 Women-s World Championship is:
Goalkeepers Lydia Williams (current home city - Canberra), Alison Logue (Newcastle), Kate Stewart (Hervey Bay)
Defenders Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane), Danielle Brogan (Sydney), Kim Carroll (Brisbane), Grace Gill (Canberra), Nicole Somi (Canberra)
Midfielders Olivia Kennedy (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Canberra), Kylie Ledbrook (Sydney), Leah Blayney (Blue Mountains), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Caitlin Cooper (Sydney), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amy Jackson (Melbourne), Renee Cartwright (Sydney)
Forwards Jenna Tristram (Coffs Harbour), Servet Uzunlar (Sydney), Sasha McDonnell (Brisbane), Leena Khamis (Sydney)
The Qantas Young Matildas became the first Australian team to qualify for a World Championship via an Asian qualifying tournament when they defeated Japan in a play-off for third in Malaysia in April. China and DPR (North) Korea will be the other teams representing Asia in Russia.
Australia have been dealt a tough draw after being matched with South American champions Brazil, European champions and host nation Russia, plus Oceania champions New Zealand in Group A of the 16-nation tournament.
Australia v New Zealand, Petrovsky Stadium, St Petersburg 17 August, 4pm (10pm EST)
Australia v Brazil, Petrovsky Stadium, St Petersburg 20 August, 4pm (10pm EST)
Australia v Russia, Torpedo Stadium, Moscow 23 August, 4pm (10pm EST)
Australia-s match against New Zealand in St Petersburg on August 17 will be the first of the tournament although the other Group A match later that evening between Russia and Brazil is considered the official opening match of the tournament. Three days later Australia will meet Brazil, also in St Petersburg, before moving to Moscow for the final group match against Russia on August 23. The final will be played in Moscow on September 3.
Meanwhile, three Australian match officials have been appointed to the tournament including referee Tammy Ogston, plus assistant referees Airlie Keen and Jacqueline Leleu.
FIFA U-20 WOMEN-S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, RUSSIA 2006 TV COVERAGE - SBS-TV :
Thursday 17 August @11pm Australia v New Zealand - DELAYED (Followed by Brazil v Russia @ 1am - LIVE)
Sunday 20 August @ 11pm Australia v Brazil - DELAYED
Wednesday 23 August @ 11pm Australia v Russia - DELAYED
Quarter Final (dependant on Australia appearing) Saturday 26 August @ 9.45pm (LIVE) or Sunday 27 August @ 12.45am (LIVE)
Semi Finals Thursday 31 August @ 9.45pm (LIVE) (Followed by second semi final)
Match for 3rd place (dependent on Australia appearing) Sunday 3 September @ 10.45pm (LIVE)
Final Monday 4 September @ 12.45am (LIVE)
* Check local guides