Westfield Matildas ready for Korea

The Westfield Matildas will play Korea Republic in the fifth and final match of their 2012 London Olympics qualification campaign.

The Westfield Matildas will play Korea Republic in the fifth and final match of their 2012 London Olympics qualification campaign.

A win for the Westfield Matildas will secure them a minimum third place at the tournament-s end.

The Westfield Matildas still have a slim chance of finishing second and qualifying for the Olympics, but it would require them defeating Korea Republic and for Thailand to defeat DPR Korea.

DPR Korea are currently placed second, on eight points. Thailand have lost all four of their previous Olympic qualification matches.

Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni said that the team was focused on their final match.

“Winning will definitely put us third,” said Sermanni. “That-s the aim and we can-t think about anything else.

“This game-s going to be as difficult as the games against DPR Korea and China,” he said. “It-s important that we go out with a positive attitude and focus on the task at hand, just as we did in the match against China.”

Sermanni said that he hopes a number of players who-ve been struggling with injuries will be available for the match.

“In this tournament, we-re been more hampered by injuries than we have in previous tournaments,” continued Sermanni.

“Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord will not be available for the match against Korea Republic,” he said. Simon injured her ankle playing against China on 8 September.

“Although they are not 100 per cent fit, there-s a good chance that Sarah Walsh and Sally Shipard will be available for selection.”

The match against Korea Republic with be the Westfield Matildas- fifth in 11 days. The teams that finish in the top two will qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The Westfield Matildas have won two and lost two of their previous four matches and have six points. Heading into the final match, Japan leads the group on 10 points and DPR Korea sits second with on eight points.