Qantas Matildas Squad for AFC Women's Asian Cup

Qantas Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has announced a 20-strong squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup to be played in Adelaide from 16-30 July 2006. The tournament has added importance as it also serves as the qualifier for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup which will be held in China.

Qantas Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has announced a 20-strong squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup to be played in Adelaide from 16-30 July 2006. The tournament has added importance as it also serves as the qualifier for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup which will be held in China.

Sermanni is confident that the squad that he has assembled is more than capable of staging an assault on the title of Asian Champions in their inaugural attempt.

”We know it's going to be a very tough & diffucult tournament, but the players have prepared extremely well for this event and I have a great deal of confidence in them,” said Sermanni.

"The squad is chronologically young, but very experienced with many players that have been involved at World Cups and Olympic Games before so they won't be over-awed by the occasion.

"We have a good knowledge of our opposition from a number of international friendly fixtures, so we know what to expect in the group & play-off stages," concluded Sermanni.

The Qantas Matildas are currently the fourth ranked team in Asia (15th in the World) and have been drawn in Group B with Myanmar (World Ranking - 43), Korea Republic (23), DPR Korea (7) & Thailand (41). The teams in Group A are China PR (8), Japan (13), Chinese Taipei (25) & Vietnam (35).

The two finalists from the AFC Women's Asian Cup will automatically qualify for the FIFA Women-s World Cup 2007 in China.

The winner of the 3rd/4th playoff will also get a second chance to qualify for the FIFA Women-s World Cup when they play-off against the 3rd placed team from Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in November. The situation also gets complicated if China PR is among the top 3 countries, as they have already qualified for FIFA Women-s World Cup 2007 by virtue of hosting the tournament. If this occurs, then the fourth placed team will earn the right to play the third ranked CONCACAF side for a place at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Qantas Matildas squad will arrive in Adelaide on Monday 11 July to prepare for their opening match on 16 July against the Korea Republic at Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 2:30pm).

Qantas Matildas Squad for AFC Women's Asian Cup 16-30 July 2006

GK Melissa Barbieri (Current Home City - Melbourne Victoria) Lydia Williams (Canberra - ACT)

DF Rhian Davies (Sydney - NSW) Kate McShea (Brisbane - Qld) Thea Slatyer (Sydney - NSW) Dianne Alagich (Sydney - NSW) Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle - NSW) Karla Reuter (Newcastle - NSW) Heather Garriock (Sydney - NSW)

MF Sally Shipard (Canberra - ACT) Alicia Ferguson (Brisbane - QLD) Kylie Ledbrook (Sydney - NSW) Joanne Peters (Newcastle - NSW) Collette McCallum Leah Blayney (Sydney - NSW)

FW Joanne Burgess (Sydney - NSW) Sarah Walsh (Sydney - NSW) Kathryn Gill (Newcastle - NSW) Caitlin Munoz (Canberra - ACT) Lisa DeVanna (Canberra - ACT)

Qantas Matildas Coach - Tom Sermanni (Canberra - ACT)

Round 1 Draw - Pool B

16 July 06: Myanmar vs Thailand @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1200) 16 July 06: Australia vs Korea Republic @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1430)

18 July 06: Thailand vs DPR Korea @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1200) 18 July 06: Myanmar v Australia @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1430) 20 July 06: DPR Korea v Myanmar @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1200) 20 July06: Korea Republic v Thailand @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1430)

22 July 06: Korea Republic V Myanmar @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1630) 22 July 06: Australia v DPR Korea @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1900) 24 July 06 Thailand v Australia @ Marden Stadium (Kick-Off 1430) 24 July 06 DPR Korea v Korea Republic @ Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 1430)

Semi Final Structure - Thursday July 27th, 2006

Semi Final 1: Winner Group A v Runners Up Group B Semi Final 2: Winner Group B v Runners Up Group A

Final and 3rd/4th Playoff - Sunday July 30th, 2006

3rd/4th Playoff: Loser Semi Final 1 v Loser Semi Final 2 Final: Winner Semi Final 1 v WinnerSemi Final 2

For more information regarding the AFC Women's Asian Cup please click here