Matilda veterans retire from international duty.

Australian womens Olympic captain, Alison Forman (pictured), and teammate Sharon Black, announced their retirement from nternational football over the christmas break.

Forman has played 77 A-International matches making her the third highest capped player for the Matildas. Since making her debut in 1989 she played a role in all of Australia's main campaigns in womens soccer, leading the Matildas to their first Olympic games in Sydney during her reign as captain. She also took part in Australia's campaign in the womens world cup finals ('95 and '99) as well as the unsuccessful qualifiers for the inaugural womens world cup in 1991.

Black earnt herself 61 caps for the Matildas scoring 20 goals in that time, making her the third highest goal scorer for Australia. The 31 year old midfielder is also the leading hat-trick scorer with four. Black played in Australia's Olympic and 1999 world cup team topping off a great career.

The veterans of the Matildas side will now focus on playing for Danish club side Fortuna Hjorring.

On a more somber note Australia's oldest Socceroo, James (Jimmy) Osborne, Australian Soccer hall of fame member, passed away at the age of 94 on Monday the 23rd of December.

Osbourne made his debut in 1933 against New Zealand at the SCG and continued to represent Australia until 1941.



posted 27 December 2002

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