KEY Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock says the Australian team is ¿quietly confident`` of progressing to the semi finals of the AFC Women`s Asian Cup going into the final group match against Japan in Ho Chi Minh City.After recording impressive victories in their opening two matches against Chinese Taipei (4-0) and South Korea (2-0), the Matildas must still avoid defeat in their final group match to ensure a semi final berth.
Head to head results will determine final group placings if two or more teams are equal on points and would then likely be decided by goal difference between the teams concerned in what would be an extremely tight and complicated finish.
Sydney-born Garriock recently celebrated her 100th appearance for the Matildas and is set to be the most experienced player in the team in the absence of captain Cheryl Salisbury who will likely miss the match with a calf strain amongst an otherwise fully fit squad.
“We played very well in our last match against South Korea and we are building momentum nicely as the tournament continues so we are quietly confident of doing what is required to qualify,`` Garriock said.
“We feel that our best is yet to come so the squad as a whole is looking forward to the encounter and claiming a spot in the semi finals.
“Our squad has gelled extremely well and the younger players have stepped up and made some really valuable contributions.`` Coach Tom Sermanni has rotated his squad throughout the two matches with only midfielder Lauren Colthorpe having played both matches.
Korea and China have already qualified from Group A .
Agence France-Presse
