Matildas at full strength for Japan challenge

Australian coach Tom Sermanni will have a full complement of players available after the return of captain Cheryl Salisbury for today's Third Place match against Japan at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Australian coach Tom Sermanni will have a full complement of players available after the return of captain Cheryl Salisbury for today's Third Place match against Japan at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Long Serving skipper Salisbury returns to the Australian line-up after missing the last two matches with a calf strain.

"We will be looking to finish the tournament on a high and finish third in the tournament which should be considered somewhat of a success given the disruption in the squad," said Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.

"Ultimately we are rebuilding and trying to develop some momentum towards the next World Cup which is a lengthy process."

"I am though quite excited though by the young talent and prospects that we have coming through giving us a strong base and we have every reason to optimistic."

"The young players will benefit greatly from the experience from this tournament, but they will have to learn that at this level lapses of concentration are punished. This is really an area where we need to refocus our energies and was something we achieved well at the World Cup."

The match will be played at 7pm AEST, and will be followed by DPR Korea against China in the final.

Australian line-up v Japan: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Kim Carroll, Cheryl Salisbury, Clare Polkinghorne, Karla Reuter, Amy Chapman, Lauren Colthorpe, Collette McCallum, Heather Garriock, Lisa De Vanna, Kate Gill.

Following the tournament the Matildas will travel to South Korea for the prestigious Peace Cup where they have been drawn alongside world number one USA, World Cup runners up Brazil and Italy.