ON the weekend they celebrated in Jordan after helping the Matildas to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but there is still work for Ellie Carpenter and Tameka Butt to do before they come home.
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The Central West duo are now intent on seeing the Matildas win the Asian Cup.
Western NSW graduate Carpenter and Orange native Butt are part of the Australian team which will take on Thailand in the semi-finals of the competition on Tuesday.
They earned their spot in the qualifier for the final on the back of an undefeated run in the group stage – posting nil-all draw against South Korea, thumping Vietnam 8-0 then drawing 1-all with Japan.
That draw with Japan at Amman International Stadium is what sealed their place in the World Cup, which will be contested in France.
“We were all pretty relieved after the [Japan] match, we definitely had to work hard for it, but we were expecting that,” Butt told footballaustralia.com.au
“Overall we were pretty happy with our performance and definitely pretty stoked to go to the World Cup.”
Butt, who played on the left side of Australia’s midfield, was a member of the last Matildas side to win the Asian Cup in 2010. She would dearly love to add another to her list.
“I can still remember when we did hold it. Definitely we would love to hold it again,” Butt said.
“It’s always amazing to lift some silverware and we definitely want to take it home to Australia.”
If the Matildas beat Thailand, they will meet either China or Japan in the decider.
