 |
December 17, 2000
Three
players celebrate Christmas early with their debut Matildas selection
Three players
celebrate Christmas early with their debut Matildas selection as Interim
National Coach Adrian Santrac names his finalised Australian Team to contest
the upcoming Australia Cup test series against France.
The three new faces are joined by three former internationals making a
return to the top level after a year or more's absence from the green
and gold. The 18-member Team, today cut from the initial Interim Squad
of 24 players, is certainly a new-look combination. Just eleven of the
Olympic Team have been named in today's team, with only one of the Sydney
2000 players, goalkeeper Tracey Wheeler, having retired.
NSW's 23-year-old midfielder Taryn Rockall, yesterday named Julie Dolan
Medal winner, is one of the debutante trio. The striking department has
the other two rookies, Queensland's April Mann, age 22, along with 16-year-old
Justine McLaughlin from NSW. Mann was not part of the original Interim
Squad, but was brought in last week to replace Michelle Carney who ruled
herself unavailable.
Making their comeback are 1999 internationals Traci Bartlett and Kim Revell,
along with goalkeeper Claire Nichols who last played for Australia in
1995.
"This final Squad earned their places on merit," said Santrac. "They are
certainly a very mobile team, a ball-playing team, and I think a team
which produces exciting football."
"France are a very accomplished side who have achieved excellent results
this year," he added. "They will prove very tough opponents but I'm confident
we will achieve very positive results in this tournament."
The Australia Cup will be held in Coffs Harbour, Lismore, and the Gold
Coast 11-17 January, with the Matildas in camp from 3 January in Coffs.
|
Position |
Age |
State |
Hometown |
Caps |
| Dianne ALAGICH |
Def |
21 |
SA |
Adelaide |
24 |
| Traci BARTLETT |
Def |
28 |
QLD |
Sydney |
45 |
| Sharon BLACK |
Mid |
29 |
Oseas/SA |
Adelaide |
52 |
| Sarah COOPER |
Mid |
31 |
Oseas/ACT |
Darwin |
52 |
| Bryony DUUS |
Mid |
23 |
QLD |
Brisbane |
28 |
| Alicia FERGUSON |
Fwd |
19 |
QLD |
Brisbane |
31 |
| Alison FORMAN |
Mid |
31 |
Oseas/NNSW |
Newcastle |
68 |
| April MANN |
Fwd |
22 |
QLD |
Brisbane |
- |
| Justine McLAUGHLIN |
Fwd |
16 |
NSW |
Sydney |
- |
| Kate McSHEA |
Def |
17 |
QLD |
Brisbane |
12 |
| Julie MURRAY |
Fwd |
30 |
Oseas/NSW |
Canberra |
67 |
| Claire NICHOLS |
GK |
25 |
QLD |
Brisbane |
10 |
| Kim REVELL |
Mid |
25 |
QLD |
Brisbane |
28 |
| Taryn ROCKALL |
Mid |
23 |
NSW |
Sydney |
- |
| Cheryl SALISBURY |
Def |
26 |
NNSW |
Newcastle |
68 |
| Anissa TANN-DARBY |
Def |
33 |
NSW |
Sydney |
88 |
| Leanne TRIMBOLI |
GK |
25 |
SA |
Adelaide |
3 |
| Sacha WAINWRIGHT |
Def |
28 |
ACT |
Canberra |
32 |
|
