Brisbane Roar’s strong contingent of Westfield W-league players has helped the Westfield Matildas reach the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in China.
Tameka Butt, Kim Carroll, Lauren Colthorpe, Elise Kellond-Knight, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne and Karla Reuter have all featured for the Westfield Matildas while reserve goalkeeper Casey Dumont has yet to be called upon.
Colthorpe, Butt, Luik and Reuter were all named in coach Tom Sermanni-s starting line-up for the 2-0 victory against Vietnam in the opening game.
Sydney FC-s Leeana Khamis opened the scoring with her club-mate Kylie Ledbrook making the game safe from the penalty spot after Butt was felled in the area.
And Australia-s progress to the semi-finals was guaranteed after the squad triumphed 3-1 over South Korea in the second pool match.
Butt, Luik and Reuter were all rested for the Korean match while Polkinghorne, Kellond-Knight and Carroll were all promoted to the starting line-up.
And it was Carroll who got the ball rolling in the second half, striking home a perfectly controlled volley before Lisa De Vanna and youngster Sam Kerr made the three points safe.
With a semi-final spot in the bag, Sermanni rang the changes for the third and final game of the pool against China.
But the return of Luik, Reuter and Butt couldn-t stop the Westfield Matildas sliding to a 1-0 defeat.
And to make matters worse, star striker De Vanna was stretchered off with what was later confirmed as a broken leg.
Australia finished second in the pool with six points, pipped by the fast finishing China squad (seven points).
Australia will face either Japan or DPR Korea in the semi-finals on Thursday.
