Australia women's national soccer team

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Australia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Matildas
Association Football Federation Australia
Sub-confederation AFF (South-East Asia)
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Head coach Alen Stajcic
Captain Lisa De Vanna
Clare Polkinghorne
Most caps Cheryl Salisbury (151)
Top scorer Kate Gill (41)
FIFA code AUS
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 5 Increase 4 (25 March 2016)
Highest 5 (March 2016)
Lowest 16 (October 2006)
First international
 Australia 2–2 New Zealand 
Sutherland, Australia; 6 October 1979
World Cup
Appearances 6 (First in 1995)
Best result Quarterfinal (2007, 2011, 2015)
Oceania Cup
Appearances 7 (First in 1983)
Best result Winners (1995, 1998, 2003)
Asian Cup
Appearances 6 (First in 1975)
Best result Winners (2010)

The Australian women's national soccer team represents Australia in international women's soccer. The team is controlled by the governing body for soccer in Australia, Football Federation Australia (FFA), which is currently a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) since leaving the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in 2006. The team's official nickname is the Matildas (from the song Waltzing Matilda), having been known as the Female Socceroos before 1995.[1] The current team manager is Alen Stajcic.

Australia is a three-time OFC champion, one-time AFC champion and one-time AFF champion, through became the first ever national team to win in two different confederations (before the men's team did the same in 2015 AFC Asian Cup). The team has represented Australia at the FIFA Women's World Cup on five occasions and at the Olympics Games on two, although has won neither tournament. Immediately following the 2015 World Cup, Australia was ranked ninth in the world by FIFA.[2]

History

Matildas before a game against Italy in 2009

The Australian Women's Soccer Association (AWSA) was founded in 1974[3] and a representative Australian team competed at the following year's Asian Women's Championship.[4] A national team made up primarily of players from New South Wales and Western Australia was sent to the 1978 inaugural World Women's Invitational Tournament, in Taipei, Taiwan.[5] Australia played against club teams at the tournament and none of the players' appearances counted as official caps.[6] Coached by Jim Selby, the selected players were: Sandra Brentnall (WA), Connie Byrnes (captain, NSW), Julie Clayton (WA), Kim Coates (NSW), Julie Dolan (NSW), Cindy Heydon (NSW), Barbara Kozak (WA), Sharon Loveless (WA), Toni McMahon (NSW), Sue Monteath (QLD), Sharon Pearson (NSW), Judy Pettitt (WA), Anna Senjuschenko (WA), Teresa Varadi (WA), Leigh Wardell (NSW) and Monika Werner (VIC).[7]

Australia's first official international match was against New Zealand at Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda, New South Wales, Australia on Saturday 6 October 1979, as it was billed as the "1st Australian Women's International Soccer Test". The Australian team listed in the match programme was Sue Monteith (Qld), Shona Bass (Vic), Kim Coates (Vic), Dianna Hall (SA), Carla Grims (SA), Fiana McKenzie (SA), Sandra Brentnall (WA), Judith Pettit (WA), Sharon Mateljan (WA), Julie Clayton (WA), Cindy Heydon (NSW), Julie Dolan (NSW), Toni McMahon (NSW), Jamie Rosman (NSW), Rosie van Bruinessen (NSW) and Leigh Wardell (NSW). Jim Selby remained as coach and the managers were Noelene Stanley and Elaine Watson. A lack of resources meant Australia's first eight official matches were all against New Zealand.[8]

The 1980s

Australia played in the first Oceania Cup in 1983 at New Caledonia, losing the final to New Zealand in extra time. It was the first time the Australians faced a team other than the "Football Ferns" of New Zealand. A team would not be assembled again until the next edition of the tournament in 1986 tournament in New Zealand, which featured Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan, as well as New Zealand's B team. Australia lost in the final again, beaten 4–1 by Taiwan.[9][10]

The late 80s had Australia encountering the American and European teams for the first time in the 1987 Women's World Invitational Tournament in Taiwan, and the 1988 FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament in China. For the latter tournament, the players had to sew themselves the own Australian crests onto the team tracksuits.[11] Hosting the 1989 Oceania Cup, the Australians finished third.[citation needed] The 1991 tournament doubled as qualifiers for the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, and the winner was determined by the best results from a group.[citation needed] Australia finished level on points with New Zealand, but had scored fewer goals, which resulted in New Zealand progressed to the World Cup as OFC representative.[citation needed]

The 1990s

Between 1991 and 1994, the Matildas played internationally during a tour of Russia in 1994.[citation needed] The Oceania tournament in 1995 again doubled as World Cup qualifiers in the same round-robin format. Again, Australia finished even with New Zealand on points but this time had a superior goal difference, and qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup.[10]

Before 1995, the nickname for the women's team was just "Female Socceroos", derivative of the male squad. Thus in 1995 the Australian Women's Soccer Association joined with Special Broadcasting Service to broadcast a naming competition for the female team. Out of five names, the popular vote chose "Matildas", from the song "Waltzing Matilda". The players themselves did not approve of the name, and took years to use the moniker to describe the team.[12]

At the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden, Australia were grouped with the United States, China and Denmark. During their opening match against Denmark, they lost 5–0.[citation needed] During the team's second match, a 4–2 loss to China, Angela Iannotta scored Australia's first goal at a World Cup.[citation needed] In the final group match against cup holders the United States, Australia scored first but went on to lose 4–1.[citation needed]

The Matildas would assert their Continental strength at the 1998 Oceania Cup, which doubled as a World Cup qualifying tournament. Australia thrashed their Pacific island opposition in their group games and semi-final, before defeating hosts New Zealand in the final 3–1 (the only goal conceded for the tournament), and qualifying for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in USA. At the tournament, Australia was grouped with Sweden, China and Ghana. In their opening match, they secured their first non-loss in a World Cup match with a 1–1 draw against the Ghanaians. Their following group matches were both 3–1 losses, finishing third in the group, but showing improvement on previous tournaments.

Australia still did not have much attention and respect, with the Matildas forced to train with second-hand equipment from the Socceroos, not getting paid and with few games to play.[10] To promote themselves and raise funds for the team, in 1999 the Matildas posed nude for a calendar, which sold over 40,000 units.[12]

The 2000s

The profile built for the sport carried into 2000, where the Matildas had a guaranteed spot for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. While in January a friendly match against the Czech Republic in Melbourne's Bob Jane Stadium attracted only 1,500 spectators, a crowd of 10,000 came to the Matildas' game against China at the Sydney Football Stadium in June.[12] Much anticipation surrounded the team's Olympic performance on home soil, but a 3–0 loss to Germany in their opening game brought those hopes down. A draw with Sweden and a final loss to Brazil ended their tournament in the first round. While the on-field performance was disappointing, attendances at matches were high for women's soccer in Australia, raising the profile of the game.

The team were the host nation for an annual invitational tournament called the Australia Cup, from 1999 to 2004 inclusive, winning it twice.

Following the Olympics, many problems halted the Matildas' schedules. As Ernie Merrick backed out on his intentions to coach the team, Adrian Santrac only took over as manager in November, and Australia played no games in 2001. The following year the team argued over the calendar proceeds with the promoter, and AWSA went defunct, being absorbed by Soccer Australia (current Football Federation Australia). In-between, many players opted to retire from the national team.[13]

In 2003, they won the Oceania Cup and qualified for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they finished in the first round.

The team won the 2004 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Fiji to return to Olympic tournament in Athens 2004.[14] The Matildas won their first Olympic game ever against Greece, and managed to qualify for the quarterfinals,[15] losing to Sweden 2-1.[16]

In 2006, Australia moved from the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation, and the country was given hosting rights to the AFC Women's Asian Cup that same year. The opening game for the Matildas was against South Korea. An early own goal by South Korea put the Matilda's up, finishing with 3 goals in the second half to give them a 4–0 win. The second match against Myanmar was also a win to the Matildas, who finished with 2 goals, with Sally Shipard and Lisa De Vanna scoring one a piece. The Matildas went on to reach the final, being defeated 4–2 on penalties by China after having a two-goal half time lead.

2007 World Cup

Australia qualified for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and drawn into Group C. They defeated Ghana 4–1 on 12 September in Hangzhou,[17] followed by a 1–1 draw against Norway at the same venue on 15 September. Thanks to a late goal from Cheryl Salisbury, they drew against Canada 2–2 on 20 September in Chengdu to advance to the knockout round for the first time in team history. Australia came up against Brazil in their elimination match, losing to Brazil 3–2 to end their 2007 World Cup run at the quarter-final stage.

2008 tournaments

The Matildas failed to get through qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics held in 2007, where they lost to Korea DPR both home and away in the final round.

In 2008, the Matildas competed in the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup. They were drawn in Group B, placing second in the group with relative ease behind Japan, who they would eventually face in the third place playoff. With the Matildas progressing from the group stage to the semi-finals, they were paired up against Korea DPR. Korea DPR won the match 3–0 and went on to win the tournament. This led them on to the third place playoff, facing Japan for a second time in the tournament and lgain losing, leaving the Matildas in fourth place.

The 2010s

External video
video icon Aussies Abroad: The Matildas (ESPN) retrieved 12/18/2013

In 2010 the Matildas qualified for the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup in China. They beat Vietnam (2-0) and South Korea (3-1) before losing to China 1-0 which made them advance in second place and advance to the Semi Finals where they beat Japan 1-0. The final which was played in wet conditions was history making itself with it being the first senior soccer team (men or women) to make a final in the AFC. They created more history by being the first ever Australian soccer team to win in Asia after beating at the finals the team of Korea DPR in penalties, 5-4, after a regular time score of 1-1 (Australia's goal being scored by Samantha Kerr). The title gave the Matildas a berth at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.[18]

The following year the team contested the World Cup, being sorted into Group D. Despite losing 1-0 to Brazil in the opening game, victories of 3-2 and 2-1 over Equatorial Guinea and Norway respectively qualified the Matildas to the quarterfinals.[19] At the knockout stage, the team lost 3-1 to Sweden. Caitlin Foord was awarded Best Young Player of the tournament, and defender Elise Kellond-Knight was chosen for the All-Star Team.

During the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, they became the first Australian team, men's or women's, to win a knockout stage match at a World Cup when they defeated Brazil by a score of 1-0. The goal was scored by Kyah Simon after a shot by Lisa de Vanna was blocked and redirected by goalkeeper Luciana. In the quarterfinals, the Matildas lost to defending champions Japan in a late goal by Mana Iwabuchi.[20]

The following year, they contested in qualifiers for the 2016 Summer Olympics where they finished on top of the group after defeating all of the opponents bar China. [21] to get to the Olympic Games where they was drawn with Canada, Zimbabwe and Germany

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Australia Alen Stajcic
Assistant coach Australia Gary van Egmond
Goalkeeping coach Australia Paul Jones

Players

Current squad

The following 20 players were named for the friendlies against New Zealand on 4 June and 7 June 2016.[22] Caps and goals correct as of 9 March 2016.

Head coach: Alen Stajcic

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Lydia Williams (1988-05-13) 13 May 1988 (age 36) 52 0 United States Houston Dash
1GK Mackenzie Arnold (1994-02-25) 25 February 1994 (age 30) 9 0 Australia Perth Glory
1GK Casey Dumont (1992-01-25) 25 January 1992 (age 32) 1 0 Unattached
2DF Clare Polkinghorne (Co-captain) (1989-02-01) 1 February 1989 (age 35) 85 6 Australia Brisbane Roar
2DF Steph Catley (1994-01-26) 26 January 1994 (age 30) 47 2 United States Orlando Pride
2DF Laura Alleway (1989-11-28) 28 November 1989 (age 35) 43 2 United States Orlando Pride
2DF Alanna Kennedy (1995-01-21) 21 January 1995 (age 29) 41 1 United States Western New York Flash
2DF Teigen Allen (1994-02-12) 12 February 1994 (age 30) 37 0 Australia Sydney FC
2DF Caitlin Cooper (1988-02-12) 12 February 1988 (age 36) 5 1 Australia Western Sydney Wanderers
2DF Ellie Carpenter (2000-04-28) 28 April 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Australia Western Sydney Wanderers
3MF Elise Kellond-Knight (1990-08-10) 10 August 1990 (age 34) 69 1 Germany 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
3MF Tameka Butt (1991-06-16) 16 June 1991 (age 33) 54 7 Sweden Mallbackens
3MF Emily van Egmond (1993-07-12) 12 July 1993 (age 31) 52 14 Germany 1. FFC Frankfurt
3MF Caitlin Foord (1994-11-11) 11 November 1994 (age 30) 43 5 Australia Perth Glory
3MF Katrina Gorry (1992-08-13) 13 August 1992 (age 32) 42 13 Australia Brisbane Roar
3MF Chloe Logarzo (1994-12-22) 22 December 1994 (age 30) 6 0 Australia Newcastle Jets
4FW Lisa De Vanna (Co-captain) (1984-11-14) 14 November 1984 (age 40) 110 38 Australia Melbourne City
4FW Kyah Simon (1991-06-25) 25 June 1991 (age 33) 63 19 United States Boston Breakers
4FW Michelle Heyman (1988-07-04) 4 July 1988 (age 36) 46 18 Australia Canberra United
4FW Larissa Crummer (1996-01-10) 10 January 1996 (age 28) 9 1 Australia Melbourne City

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Australia squad within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Melissa Barbieri RET (1980-01-20) 20 January 1980 (age 44) 86 0 Australia Melbourne Victory 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
DF Georgia Yeoman-Dale (1994-02-24) 24 February 1994 (age 30) 4 0 Australia Newcastle Jets AIS Training Camp, 4 May 2016
DF Angela Beard (1997-08-16) 16 August 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Australia Brisbane Roar AIS training camp, 4 January 2016
DF Teresa Polias (1990-05-16) 16 May 1990 (age 34) 10 0 Australia Sydney FC AIS training camp, 12 November 2015
DF Ellie Brush (1988-08-19) 19 August 1988 (age 36) 2 0 United States Houston Dash AIS training camp, 12 November 2015
DF Servet Uzunlar (1989-03-08) 8 March 1989 (age 35) 48 2 Unattached 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
MF Caitlin Munoz (1983-10-04) 4 October 1983 (age 41) 57 13 Australia Canberra United AIS Training Camp, 4 May 2016
MF Aivi Luik (1985-03-18) 18 March 1985 (age 39) 16 0 England Notts County 2016 Summer Olympics qualifiers INJ
MF Amy Harrison (1996-04-21) 21 April 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Australia Sydney FC AIS training camp, 17 December 2015
MF Hayley Raso (1994-09-05) 5 September 1994 (age 30) 14 1 United States Portland Thorns FC 2015 Dewellbon Cup
MF Nicola Bolger (1993-03-03) 3 March 1993 (age 31) 6 0 Australia Sydney FC AIS training camp, 4 October 2015
FW Emily Gielnik (1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 (age 32) 9 1 Australia Brisbane Roar AIS Training Camp, 4 May 2016
FW Tara Andrews (1994-03-13) 13 March 1994 (age 30) 2 0 Australia Newcastle Jets AIS Training Camp, 4 May 2016
FW Ashleigh Sykes (1991-12-15) 15 December 1991 (age 33) 19 5 Japan AS Harima ALBION 2016 Summer Olympics qualifiers
FW Princess Ibini (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Australia Sydney FC AIS training camp, 17 December 2015
FW Samantha Kerr (1993-09-10) 10 September 1993 (age 31) 43 7 United States Sky Blue FC AIS training camp, 12 November 2015
FW Leena Khamis (1986-06-19) 19 June 1986 (age 38) 25 5 Australia Sydney FC AIS training camp, 12 November 2015

|}

Notes:

  • INJ = Withdrew due to an injury.
  • RET = Retired from the national team.

Matches

Recent results and fixtures

Historical results and fixtures

Years Article
1975 to 1999 Australia women's national soccer team results (1975–99)
2000 to 2009 Australia women's national soccer team results (2000–09)
2010 onwards Australia women's national soccer team results (2010–19)
2015–2016 season Current Season

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

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Main article: Australia at the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
China 1991 Did not qualify
Sweden 1995 Group stage 12th 3 0 0 3 3 13
United States 1999 Group stage 11th 3 0 1 2 3 7
United States 2003 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 3 5
China 2007 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 2 1 9 7
Germany 2011 Quarter-finals 8th 4 2 0 2 6 7
Canada 2015 Quarter-finals 7th 5 2 1 2 5 5
France 2019 To be determined
Total 6/7 0 titles 21 5 5 11 29 43

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
United States 1996 Did not qualify
Australia 2000 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 6
Greece 2004 Quarter-finals 5th 4 1 1 2 3 4
China 2008 Did not qualify
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016 Qualified
Japan 2020 To be determined
Total 3/6 0 titles 7 1 2 4 5 10

OFC Women's Championship

OFC Women's Championship record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
New Caledonia 1983 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 20 3
New Zealand 1986 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 0 2 4 6
Australia 1989 Third place 3rd 4 1 1 2 7 6
Australia 1991 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 21 1
Papua New Guinea 1995 Champions 1st 4 3 0 1 13 2
New Zealand 1998 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 49 1
Australia 2003 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 45 0
Total 7/7 3 titles 28 19 2 7 159 19

AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
Hong Kong 1975 Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 12 6
India 1979 Third place* 3rd 6 2 0 4 3 12
Australia 2006 Runners up 2nd 6 4 2 0 15 2
Vietnam 2008 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 7 9
China 2010 Champions 1st 5 4 0 1 7 3
Vietnam 2014 Runners up 2nd 5 3 1 1 9 5
Total 6/18 1 title 31 17 3 11 53 37
  • 1979 AFC Women's Championship had a team from Australia, who were from Western Australia, but were not the Australian National Team.

AFF Women's Championship

AFF Women's Championship record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
Vietnam 2006 Did not participate
Myanmar 2007
Vietnam 2008 Champion 1st 5 5 0 0 21 1
Laos 2011 Did not participate
Vietnam 2012
2013–present See Australia women's national under-20 soccer team
Total 1/6 1 title 5 5 0 0 21 1

Records

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See also: Australia women's national soccer team all-time record

Most caps

Player Span Caps Goals
Cheryl Salisbury 1994–2009 151 38
Heather Garriock 1999–2011 130 20
Lisa De Vanna 2004– 110 38
Joanne Peters 1996–2009 110 28
Anissa Tann 1988–2002 102 8

Most goals

Player Span Caps Goals
Kate Gill 2004–2015 86 41
Lisa De Vanna 2004– 110 38
Cheryl Salisbury 1994–2009 151 38
Sarah Walsh 2004–2012 70 32
Joanne Peters 1996–2009 110 28

Honours

Winners (3): 1995, 1998, 2003
Runners-up (3): 1983, 1986, 1991
Winners: 2010
Runners-up: 2006, 2014

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  3. ↑ Williams 2007, p. 165
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Williams 2007, p. 157
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 It's been a long road to recognition as Matildas face their shot at glory
  11. ↑ Women's World Cup 2015: Remove the gender lens and back the Matildas
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Waltzing a fine line
  14. ↑ 2004 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers > Australia
  15. ↑ [1]
  16. ↑ [2]
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ [3]
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Bibliography

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External links

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Preceded by OFC Women's Champions
1995 (First title)
1998 (Second title)
2003 (Third title)		 Succeeded by
2007 New Zealand 
Preceded by Asian Cup Champions
2010 (First title)		 Succeeded by
2014 Japan 

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Template:AFC women's teams

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