Sermanni optimistic after draw for AFC Women's Asian Cup

The Matildas have been drawn into Group B for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008 alongside Japan, Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei at the official draw ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam this afternoon.

Matilda’s Head Coach Tom Sermanni was optimistic about his team’s chances following the announcement of the draw.

“I think we are placed in the more challenging of the two groups, but we have experience against each of our opponent’s in recent years so it won’t be as daunting as our first Asian Cup appearance,” said Sermanni.

“Although there is no qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup up for grabs at this tournament, it is important that we finish with a high placing to make sure we are seeded for the next round of qualifiers in 2010.

“We definitely want to build on the momentum that we had at last year's FIFA Women’s World Cup and continue improving the performance of our national team on the world stage," concluded Sermanni.

The eight nation tournament will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 28 May to 8 June 2008, with matches played at the Thong Nhat Stadium and the Army Stadium.

The Matildas were the 2nd seeds for the tournament behind China, who won the last AFC Women’s Asian Cup which was held in Adelaide during 2006.

Australia will open their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008 campaign against Chinese Taipei on Thursday 29 May, followed by the match against Korea Republic on Saturday 31 May before the final group match against Japan on Monday 2 June.

The top two teams in each group will progress to the semi-finals and meet the top two teams of Group A which features China, DPR Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.

The Matildas, are currently placed 12th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, with China ranked at 14th, DPR Korea is currently the top ranked nation at 6th with Japan ranked at 10th.

This will be Australia’s second appearance at Asia’s premier Women’s Football competition. The Matildas were runners-up at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2006 after losing the final on penalties to China.

The Matildas will continue their preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008 with a three match tour to the United States at the end of the month, which includes two matches against the top FIFA Women’s ranked team, the USA.

For more information regarding the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008 please click here

For more information regarding the FIFA Women’s World Rankings please click here

For more information on the Matildas please click here

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008 – Vietnam - Draw

Seedings: 1.China PR (14), 2.Australia (12), 3.DPR Korea (6) 4.Japan(10),
Qualifiers: Chinese Taipei (30), Korea Republic (25), Thailand (34), Vietnam (37)
Note: Number in brackets indicates current FIFA Women’s World Ranking

Group A: China, DPR Korea, Vietnam, Thailand
Group B: Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei

First Round
Wednesday - 28 May 2008
Match 1: China vs Thailand
Match 2: DPR Korea vs Vietnam

Thursday - 29 May 2008
Match 3: Australia vs Chinese Taipei
Match 4: Japan vs Korea Republic

Friday - 30 May 2008
Match 5: Thailand vs DPR Korea
Match 6: Vietnam vs China

Saturday - 31 May 2008
Match 7: Chinese Taipei vs Japan
Match 8: Korea Republic vs Australia

Sunday - 1 June 2008
Match 9: China vs DPR Korea
Match 10: Thailand vs Vietnam

Monday - 2 June 2008
Match 11: Australia vs Japan
Match 12: Chinese Taipei vs Korea Republic

Tuesday - 3 June 2008 - Rest Day
Wednesday - 4 June 2008 - Rest Day

Semi Finals
Thursday - 5 June 2008
Match 13: Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B
Match 14:Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A

Friday - 6 June 2008 - Rest Day
Saturday 7 June 2008 - Rest Day

Finals & 3rd/4th Play Off
Sunday - 8 June 2008
3rd/4th Play Off: Loser Match 13 vs Loser Match 14
Final: Winner Match 13 vs Winner Match 14



________________________________


Taken from FFA Site.


This will be a really tough draw for the girls. I can't see us finishing top of the group without a little bit of luck. The battle for 1st and 2nd will be between Korea/Australia/Japan and I can see a team or two slipping through the pressure and maybe even allowing Chinese Taipei to slip in un-noticed.

Prediction:

1. Japan
2. Australia
3. Korea Republic
4. Chinese Taipei

Australia to get China in next round and close win. Play Japan again, maybe even go into extra time and penalties. But still win

The Aussie couldn't have got a worse draw if they'd tried. Fingers crossed they get in the top two berths. They have improved greatly at the w/c from the last time I saw them.

Honestly i'd rather have China in the knockout stages though when Australia have a little bit more to play for, we generally do well under immense pressure, like against Brazil in the World Cup, coming from 2-0 down to 2-2 only to suffer a 3rd stunning goal from Cristiane late into the second half. It will be tight but we will do it.

There does seem to be good team bonding there. When there down the heads don't drop now. Don't you have a young manager who congratulates every player as they come off the pitch , even at half time time. I thought that was so cute in the w/c. Hope I've got the right team with that one

the scottish bloke? Can't recall a name right now, might have been us, can't remember that either

Your having just as good a day as me

His name is in the article!! In the title even!

Tom Sermanni!

It's been a long day

The name means nowt to me , I'd know him if I saw him. Might have to find a Aussie game to see.

they have one coming up against the World Number 1s

I'll have a look on some dvds , think I've got one from the w/c.

It'll be a good game against the US , that's being shown in the states

so i'll get it on TV and I won't be on here sooking

Matildas and womens A-League is generally shown on a 45 minute delay over here.

I think we've both managed to go completely off the thread here

this generally happens when we're chatting.

I'm off to bed anyway. goodnight/morning its 1:35am

Goodnight

Tom Sermanni (born 1 July 1954 in Glasgow) is a Scottish football (soccer) coach, who is currently in charge of the Australian womens national team and the female AIS program.

Sermanni has been coach of the Australian side, also known as the Matildas, since 2005. This is the second time he has been Matilda's coach after first taking the role from 1994 to 1997.

As a player in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he played in Scotland at Albion Rovers and in England with Blackpool F.C. and Torquay United, before returning to Scotland to play with Dunfermline Athletic. He moved to Australia in 1983 to join Marconi Stallions and later with Canberra City SC.

In 1997, he resigned to take charge of Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima with Eddie Thomson.

At the end of his first spell at the Matilda's helm, Sermanni followed a series of coaching appointments in Australia, including a time at NSL side Canberra Cosmos from 1999-2001, before heading to San Jose CyberRays and New York Power in the former United States Women's Professional Soccer League, where he was named as one of league's top three coaches. After a short time as director of soccer development in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, he returned to the national coaching appointment.

Thanks for that G-man