Matildas to finish on a high

The Westfield Matildas today take on 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.


Lydia Williams and the Matildas looking for the final three points

Australia to face World Cup holders Japan

This afternoon at the Shandong Sports Centre, the Asian Champions the Westfield Matildas meet recently crowned world champions Japan in the third match of their 2012 London Olympic Games Asian qualification campaign.

Tameka Butt (R) and her teammates looking to upset Japan (TWG)

Matildas Two Toughest Olympic Qualifyers on ABCTV

ABC TV today announced it will broadcast two of the Matilda’s toughest football games – against FIFA Women’s World Cup Winners, Japan, and South Korea, – in a 2012 London Olympic Games qualifying tournament in China.

Stephanie Brantz (R) & former Matilda Alicia Ferguson (L) will be part of the broadcast

Let the Games begin!

The last time the Australian Women's National team qualified for the Olympic Games was back in 2004. Then Adrian Santrac was the coach, Cheryl Salisbury was captain and the likes of Joanne Peters, Dianne Alagich and Gill Foster were still taking the pitch. Only five players of that squad have survived to 2011 and one of those is centre back Thea Slatyer.

Slatyer against the US at the Athens Olympics

Michelle Heyman to join Matildas

Canberra United and Illawarra Stingrays star striker Michelle Heyman today departed Australia to join the Westfield Matildas in China as the replacement for the injured Sam Kerr.

Heyman set to join the Matildas Olympic qualification campaign

Kerr ruled out

Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni today confirmed that striker Sam Kerr has been ruled out of 2012 London Olympic Games Asian Qualification tournament after sustaining a serious knee injury during training in Jinan, China.

Kerr ruled out for the next 12 months

Matildas set for Olympic Qualifiers

Flanked by captain Melissa Barbieri and returning striker Sarah Walsh, Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni today announced his 20-player squad who will compete for a place at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Foord named Young Player of the Tournament

After mature performances against the world's best players, FIFA and Hyundai announced Westfield Matildas' defender Caitlin Foord as the first recipient at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ of the Hyundai Best Young Player award.  Caitlin Foord was judged by FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) to have demonstrated not only skill and creativity but also to have competed in accordance with the principles of fair play.

Foord in action for the Matildas during the World Cup (TWG)

From Australia, with love

On the eve of their World Cup opener, the Westfield Matildas received some much appreciated well wishes all the way from Western Australia. 

Matildas ready for Brazilian challenge

Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni has today named his starting line-up to play Brazil in Australia’s opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Mönchengladbach Stadium.

At the same venue where the Qantas Socceroos beat Germany only months ago, the Westfield Matildas will be attempting to trump their male counterparts on the world stage with a victory over the much fancied Brazil.

Sermanni has included seven FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants in the starting line-up including 16-year-old Caitlin Foord and 17-year-old Emily van Egmond.


Foord and Van Egmond ready for the game of their lives (TWG)

Matildas dressed by Australia's best

The Westfield Matildas will leave tomorrow to compete in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup dressed exclusively by Australian style icon Carla Zampatti – a first for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup winning team.

As an avid football follower and fan, Carla Zampatti is the perfect choice to dress the Westfield Matildas for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and her stylish skirt, pant, camisole and jacket design in black and cream will set the team apart as they fly to Germany to compete in this month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The iconic Zampatti to dress the Matildas during the World Cup (SMH)

Matildas name World Cup squad

With captain Melissa Barbieri by his side, today Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni announced his 21 player FIFA Women's World Cup squad. 

In sign of Australia's regeneration from the last edition of the tournament, the Matildas squad contains 13 World Cup debutants.  Further with an average age of just over 21, this is the youngest squad Australia has ever sent to a World Cup and looks to be one of the youngest squads in the tournament. 

De Vanna returns, Walsh resigned

The Westfield Matildas today enter their final Australian preparation camp before departing for Germany on June 14 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011.

Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni will take a reduced 24 player squad into the final camp seeing the return of star striker Lisa De Vanna.  While the forward is back on track for World Cup selection, long time strike partner Sarah Walsh has confirmed her withdrawal from squad, along with Sydney FC teammate Kylie Ledbrook.

Star striker back on track for World Cup (Cam Wheeler)