Australian set to become first former Raven to participate in event

RINDGE, N.H. (September 19, 2003) - Franklin Pierce women's soccer fans will have more than a casual interest in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup as former standout April Mann and her Australian National Team looks to set several milestones at the four-year event.

The "Matildas" open Group D play on Sunday, September 21, when they face Russia at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 8:30 p.m. (ET). Joining Australia and Russia in Group D are the Republic of China and Ghana. The top two teams from group play advance to the knock-out round, which kicks off October 2.

"We would certainly like to get into the quarterfinals," said Australia coach Adrian Santrac. "We have yet to win a game in the World Cup, so that is where we need to start, but we want to do a little more than that."            

The Australians come into USA 2003 after completing a grueling four-week, three-continent tour that saw them change flights almost as often as they changed time zones. Santrac said all the flying, coupled with a mystery illness that hit 24 out of 28 members of the team in China still could not damper his squad's spirits.

"We've got a group where the mood is particularly light," Santrac said. "We all have our serious moments but there is always someone to crack a joke even though we've had some hard times. There is light-heartedness among everyone, so we all tend to stay relaxed and calm. It's a good group."

Strangely enough, Australia, China and Ghana were all in the same group during the 1999 Women's World Cup here in the United States, which the US won on penalty kicks over China before over 100,000 fans at the Rose Bowl.

Australia managed just a 1-1 draw with Ghana in 1999, which is their last encounter, while suffering identical 3-1 defeats at the hands of powers China and Sweden to bow out of the event. The Matildas defeated Russia 2-0 at the 2002 Nike Cup here in the United States and played a pair of tight matches with China while battling the stomach illness during the build up to this year's World Cup. Australia have never won a match in World Cup play, let alone advanced past the group stage.

"Our first goal is to win a match," said Mann from the team's hotel in Carson, Calif., on Friday "Our second step is to make it into the quarterfinals and take it from there

Mann is the first former Franklin Pierce soccer player (men or women) to participate in a World Cup. She was an All-Northeast-10 Conference midfielder for the Ravens in 2001 and tied for second on the team with 47 points, scoring 17 goals (four match-winners) and dishing 13 assists, in 23 matches.

Mann, a native of Brisbane, has 23 caps for Australia since breaking in with the squad at the 2001 Australia Cup series. She has netted 13 goals in international play and is contending for one of the two starting forward slots on Sunday. Mann played a key role in Australia winning the Oceania Region to earn a World Cup berth as she netted four goals in each of two wins over Papua New Guinea and Samoa during qualifying.

"I think we drew a very good group for us," said Mann. "I like that we're starting off with Russia as it will give us a chance to build some confidence before we play China."

Australia's match with China on Thursday, September 25, from the Home Depot Center will be televised live by ESPN2 at 10 p.m. (ET). That is the Matildas only scheduled television match before ESPN2 and ABC televises all of the knock-out matches.

"I can't wait for Sunday," said Mann. "For some reason yesterday (Thursday) felt like the day before a match. We can't wait to experience the crowd and get off to a fast start. Look out Russia!"

Australian National Team World Cup Schedule

All Times Eastern