Sermanni makes wholesale changes for final game

Qantas Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has rung the changes for his sides final AFC Women’s Asian Cup group match against Thailand at Adelaide’s Marden Stadium with only three players backing up from Saturday’s tough encounter against DPR Korea (North Korea). Only goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, tireless defender Heather Garriock and pacy striker Sarah

Qantas Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has rung the changes for his sides final AFC Women-s Asian Cup group match against Thailand at Adelaide-s Marden Stadium with only three players backing up from Saturday-s tough encounter against DPR Korea (North Korea).

Only goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, tireless defender Heather Garriock and pacy striker Sarah Walsh will start a second match in three days.

A draw against the Thai-s will guarantee qualification for the semi finals though the Qantas Matildas will be looking to overhaul DPR Korea (North Korea) who currently lie ahead of Australia on goal difference. DPR Korea who are on seven points face a tough encounter against neighbours Korea Republic in their final outing who remain one point behind. Both matches will be played concurrently with the team finishing top of the group to meet the Group A runner-up China who today went down 1-0 to group winners Japan.

Defender Thea Slatyer will start her first match for the tournament having been hampered by a thigh complaint throughout the week.

Queenslander Alicia Ferguson who recently won her 50th cap for Australia will have the honour of wearing the captain-s armband for the first time in the absence of regular skipper Cheryl Salisbury and stand-in Joanne Peters.

“We are not in the semi finals yet so we intend to try and maintain our focus, play to the best of our abilities and win this match,” says Qantas Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.

“We will be approaching this match like we have the last three matches. We have kept three clean sheets to date and we want to keep it that way.”

Australian line-up: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Rhian Davies, Thea Slatyer, Karla Reuter, Heather Garriock; Leah Blayney, Alicia Ferguson, Kylie Ledbrook; Joanne Burgess, Sarah Walsh, Lisa De Vanna

Monday 24 July Thailand v Australia - Marden Stadium @ 14:30 DPR Korea v Korea Republic - Hindmarsh Stadium @ 14:30 Myanmar - Bye

All First round Tickets: Adults - $5; 16 and under - free.

Tickets available at the gate or from VenueTix

Further Qantas Matildas information including player profiles is available at the following link:- Matildas Player Profiles

Further tournament information is available at the AFC tournament website:- www.afc.com