Vic
11-29-2010, 10:30 PM
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2010/11/30/1225963/302030-china-womens-soccer-asian-cup.jpg
The gender of Equatorial Guinea's players is the least of the Matildas' worries going into the World Cup, seeing as not even coach Tom Sermanni has seen the Africans in action.
"They've obviously beaten Ghana to get in there so they're not easybeats,'' Barbieri said.
"I know they're quality footballers but that element of the unknown is always a bit scary.
"You don't have that fear factor about thinking how good this team is but you might not have that respect either, it might go the other way.''
Australia's other opponents are far more familiar, the Matildas' meeting both on their way to the quarter-finals in the 2007 World Cup in China.
The Norwegians were held to a 1-1 draw in the group stages while Brazil, on their way to a runner-up finish, defeated the Matildas in the quarter-finals 3-2.
And while Barbieri concedes both are world-class opponents, having won the Asian Cup earlier this year she feels Australia has nothing to fear.
"We can take on anyone in the world and not be afraid,'' she said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/matildas-meet-equatorial-guinea-brazil-in-2011-world-cup-draw/story-e6frfg8x-1225963297809
The gender of Equatorial Guinea's players is the least of the Matildas' worries going into the World Cup, seeing as not even coach Tom Sermanni has seen the Africans in action.
"They've obviously beaten Ghana to get in there so they're not easybeats,'' Barbieri said.
"I know they're quality footballers but that element of the unknown is always a bit scary.
"You don't have that fear factor about thinking how good this team is but you might not have that respect either, it might go the other way.''
Australia's other opponents are far more familiar, the Matildas' meeting both on their way to the quarter-finals in the 2007 World Cup in China.
The Norwegians were held to a 1-1 draw in the group stages while Brazil, on their way to a runner-up finish, defeated the Matildas in the quarter-finals 3-2.
And while Barbieri concedes both are world-class opponents, having won the Asian Cup earlier this year she feels Australia has nothing to fear.
"We can take on anyone in the world and not be afraid,'' she said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/matildas-meet-equatorial-guinea-brazil-in-2011-world-cup-draw/story-e6frfg8x-1225963297809