Matildas News

Matildas defender Anissa Tann is set to play her 100^th A-international during the upcoming Nike US Women’s Cup, becoming the first Australian soccer player, male or female, to reach that historic milestone.

The Olympian and dual-World Cup player has also been named Australian captain for this tour to Canada and the US.

At age 34, Tann is currently on 97 full international appearances, and if all goes to schedule, will hit the century in the Matildas’ opening match of the prestigious Nike US Women’s Cup against world champions USA on 3 October (Aust time).

The record is testament to Tann’s ability and durability at the highest level, although she suffered a couple of setbacks along the way.

Tann was first selected for Australia in 1986, but off-field problems resulted in all the NSW players withdrawing from the team and they were ruled ineligible for the following year as well. The Sydneysider finally made her international debut in 1988, a celebrated 1-0 win against Brazil, in the first FIFA International Women’s Tournament.

Tann was again out of the top ranks for almost another two years after missing selection following the 1995 US Women’s Cup, played shortly after the 1995 World Cup. She managed to fight her way back into the team, making her comeback in the 1997 US Cup. Ironically now she will lead the Matildas out and create history during the 2002 edition of the very same event.

Tann is also no stranger to the Australian captaincy, having held that honour during the period 1991 to 1994.

Her time in the green and gold has certainly been a period which has witnessed immense change in the sport. Tann made her debut in a tournament which served as a dress rehearsal for the first Women’s World Cup, only to then suffer the disappointment of Australia not qualifying for the big event in 1991. She has gone on to play in all three FIFA championships in which Australia has competed – the 1995 and 1999 Women’s World Cups and the 2000 Olympic Games.

Tann however isn’t focusing on the record, more intent on the team as a whole. "I don’t look at it as being my hundred caps," she said today. "I’ll keep playing while I’m enjoying it, while I’m fit enough and motivated enough. What’s more important is that I want the team to play as well as I believe we can. On this tour I’d like to see players stand up and say ‘Australia can play’ and hopefully as captain I can now push that a bit more."

National Coach Adrian Santrac was happier to dish out praise to Tann. "As the highest-capped Australian player, Anissa is soon to play her 100^th which is a remarkable achievement," he said. "The greater significance of the milestone is Anissa’s commitment to women’s soccer and soccer in general which has spanned some sixteen years. At a time when we’re seeking greater levels of commitment from all players in women’s soccer to achieve the highest standards of performance, Anissa is a wonderful example."

The Nike US Cup is this year contested by USA, Australia, Russia, and Italy. The Matildas placed third on both previous occasions in this top-line event. Australia first travels to western Canada for two friendly internationals against Canada before arriving on the US east coast for the Nike US Cup. All four opponents on the tour competed in the 1999 World Cup.

The Matildas assemble in Sydney this Saturday 21 September before departing for Canada the following day.

This page is produced by Women's Soccer in Australia

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