Sara Walsh is out of action but hopefully will return to full strength after breaking her leg during the Canada game (2-1) of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Walsh is one of Australia's top goal scorers and will be sorely missed. But honestly, if you saw the game, you have to say.. "MEN ARE WUSSES!" or something more colorful along those lines.
full item from Football Australia
Matildas hit by loss of key players on eve of Asian Cup
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Sarah Walsh
Sarah Walsh celebrates after scoring against Ghana at the FIFA Women's World Cup
© Getty Images
The Matildas squad has been hit by the loss of key players on the eve of the AFC Women's Asian Cup losing experienced duo Sarah Walsh and Joanne Burgess less than a week out from the commencement of the tournament.
Australia will open their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign against Chinese Taipei on Thursday 29 May, followed by the match against Korea Republic on Saturday 31 May with the final group match against Japan on Monday 2 June.
Walsh who is one of Australia's all-time highest goalscorers, suffered a fractured leg in Friday night's 2-1 win over Canada in Sydney and is expected to be out of action for several months. Midfielder Burgess, another regular from last year's World Cup campaign has withdrawn due to family reasons.
Coach Tom Sermanni has called into his Asian Cup squad the three young players who were in camp during the week in Sydney. Young Matildas 16-year-old pair Tameka Butt and Ella Mastrantonio, along with striker Jenna Tristram will join the 21-strong squad which today departs for Vietnam.
Perth midfielder Mastrantonio is yet to make her debut at senior level while Gold Coast based midfielder Butt has already made four appearances for the Matildas including as a substitute in Friday's morale boosting victory over Canada. They will join fellow members of last year's Young Matildas team already selected for the tournament - Ellyse Perry, Kyah Simon, Clare Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams.
21 year old Tristram made a welcome return to the national team on Friday night having been absent for over twelve months after suffering a serious knee injury a day after making her Matildas debut in her home town of Coffs Harbour in April last year.
The Matildas will be aiming to become the first Australian team to be crowned Asian champions in the final in Ho Chi Minh City on June 8.
The Matildas squad for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup:
Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Di Alagich (Sydney), Kim Carroll (Brisbane), Kate McShea (Brisbane), Ellyse Perry (Sydney), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lauren Colthorpe (Brisbane), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Ella Mastrantonio (Perth), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle)
Forwards – Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Kyah Simon (Sydney), Jenna Tristram (Brisbane),
(current home city)
2008 Women's Asian Cup
28 May - June 8, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2008 Peace Cup
June 14-21, Suwon, Korea
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