So we're halfway through the season now and I think the teams that will challenge for the title, Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners, have separated themselves from the pack.
I still think that Brisbane are the team to beat (can anyone say depth? they have it in spades), but there are also a few variables that I think may just come into it. Click to continue reading...

So now we are officially halfway through the season and the contenders I think have truly separated from the pack. Namely, Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC. Within 24-hours of each other, they have both recorded W-League record scores. It was the Central Coast Mariners that set the record for biggest ever win in Season 1, with a 5-0 win over Adelaide. Click to continue reading...

So first of all, apologies for the lack of posts this week but have been struck down by unfortunate case of killer flu. Next week will (hopefully) be back to normal. But before then we have a whole of Round 4 to go and it's going to provide some crackers. Just thinking of last year's game between Canberra United and Melbourne Victory makes me all wistful for the amazing talent that is Amy Chapman, I can still picture her wonder-scross that curled in over Melissa Barbieri that ended up being the winner in the 93rd minute. Click to continue reading...

So is this the round that the Mariners prove they are real Westfield W-League title contenders? They are up against Brisbane Roar - the inaugural champions who so far haven't missed a beat. Then there is the team that met Brisbane in the grand final of the first season, Canberra United, who haven't registered a single point this year. Click to continue reading...

Less than two weeks out now, and woo hoo, another squad! So with Canberra United (who may still have a few high profile names to come, and one that is very unexpected but exciting), the Central Coast Mariners, Brisbane Roar and now Melbourne, we are at the halfway mark for teams.
So here is Melbourne, most back from last year including international Marlies Oostdam, who is joined by two new international visitors, American Julianne Sitch (from women's pro soccer champions Sky Blue FC) and Canadian Katie Thorlakson. Click to continue reading...

Editor of Australia's newest football magazine David Hall, "We'll be covering the W-League every week. This week we've got an interview with Melissa Barbieri and a couple of the W-League Coaches. Stephanie Brandtz will be doing a column for us about women's football, she's got good contacts with The Matildas. Click to continue reading...

With José Luis López' addition, Ernie Merrick's off-season recruitment seems to have reached its end. But work on the Victory's W-League and National Youth League teams is still well underway. Melbourne has signed Matilda's goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, who becomes the first signing for the Victory's inaugural W-League team. Click to continue reading...

Picture from C.Times
Canberra's Caitlin Munoz, left, and Lydia Williams, third from right, joined Heather Garrock, Sarah Walsh, Karla Reuter, Tanya Oxtoby, Cheryl Salisbury, Melissa Barbieri, Jenna Tristram, Di Alagich and Victoria Balomenos at the launch of the W-League in Sydney. Picture: BONITA MERSIADES
Green's great but where's the white hoops said the Celtic fan. Click to continue reading...

Japan Defeats the Matildas in Kobe. FFA Release below
The Matildas have been defeated 0-3 by the Japanese Women's National Football team at the Home's Stadium in Kobe tonight.
With a revamped defensive line following the recent retirement of Di Alagich, Caitlin Munoz showed her versatility by starting the match at left back with Clare Polkinghorne and Kim Carroll in the middle and Brooke Spence taking the right back position. Click to continue reading...

Matildas Squad for China Tour 3-11 July 2008
Melissa BARBIERI (Melbourne), Victoria BALOMENOS (Adelaide), Ellen BEAUMONT (Brisbane), Joanne BURGESS (Brisbane), Kim CARROLL (Brisbane), Amy CHAPMAN (Canberra), Lauren COLTHORPE (Brisbane), Leena KHAMIS (Sydney), Kate MCSHEA (Brisbane), Caitlin MUNOZ (Canberra), Amber NEILSON (Newcastle), Clare POLKINGHORNE (Brisbane), Karla REUTER (Brisbane), Renee ROLLASON (Sydney), Kyah SIMON (Sydney), Brooke SPENCE (Brisbane), Yesim Servet UZUNLAR (Sydney) and Lydia WILLIAMS (Canberra). Click to continue reading...

"Only six players from last year's FIFA Women's World Cup campaign are involved in this squad that will tour China,"said Sermanni
Release below
MATILDAS GIVE CHINA A PRE-GAMES WORK OUT
Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni has named an 18-player squad for the Matildas upcoming two match tour of China in July. Click to continue reading...

Interestingly despite some relatively heavy losses to Japan and North Korea in the Asia Cup recently Australia seem to run the World Number 1, USA, close, again and again and again.
Recent 4-3 and 3-2 losses in the US have been followed up by a narrow 2-1 defeat in the Aussies Peace Cup opener in Korea today. Click to continue reading...

Matildas open their Peace Cup campaign against the USA on Sunday in Korea. FFA release below.

MATILDAS SQUAD BOOSTED AHEAD OF BRAZIL & USA CHALLENGES
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The Matildas have received a boost with the return of World Cup midfielder Joanne Burgess to the squad that will compete at the prestigious Peace Cup which commences on Saturday. Click to continue reading...

FFA tell us:
Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri believes the Australian team has the ability to be crowned Asian champions despite significant changes from the squad that reached the quarter finals at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Matildas will be looking to become the first Australian team to win an Asian championship when they tackle the continent's finest at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City over the coming fortnight. Click to continue reading...