One girl in the squad that has tasted playing overseas is striker Caitlin Munoz, who played in Boston last year. “It was the best thing I’ve done in football. I would love to go back overseas – it depends how well the team goes.”

However, it’s been a tough year for the 23-year-old who plays in a Viduka-style role up front. Munoz has been battling a knee injury for most of the year, only making it back into the team for the second North Korea game.

Being based, along with Shipard, at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Munoz has been able to take advantage of its facilities including the gym, spas, physios and doctors, a vital lifeline to an injured player in the women’s game.

While Munoz, chocolate bar in hand, doesn’t sound overly enamoured with the gym, she looks at the positive side of her stint on the sideline. “I became a gym junkie because I couldn’t run. It was good to have a bit of a break, just to get the mind going again – because you pretty much train every day and then at the gym if you’re not on the field training...”

Now Munoz is fit, in form and raring to get on the plane. She has played in China before and enjoys it there despite being understandably wary of the hot conditions.

“I love to shop there in the markets – we all go on the bus together and then everyone splits into groups to find the best bargains – some people are better at it than others. Then we come back and have lunch and see what everyone’s got. Then go out again.

“We always have a good time when we’re away. You’ve got your lulls here and there but most of the time everyone’s laughing and giggling and playing jokes on each other.”

While laughter is sure to feature in China, this is Munoz’s first major tournament for Australia and she is unsure what to expect.

“For friendlies we’ll train once or twice a day and then maybe have a day off. But because this is my first World Cup I’m not sure how serious it will all be. All the training will definitely be very serious but I’m sure we’ll have a couple of shopping days...”

On the other end of the spectrum, no Australian footballer – male or female – has more experience at international level as Cheryl Salisbury, who boasts more than 130 caps.

Her reputation is immense, and she has the physical presence to match. Standing a tad under six foot, she comes striding out for a FourFourTwo photoshoot and plays the role of captain to perfection, making sure to inspect the other girls’ uniforms and tucking them in where necessary.

However once the posing and photo-hijinx begin, it becomes clear that she is just one of the girls, laughing as she watches Barbieri play up to the camera.

“I don’t really feel any different to the others. I’m probably even closer to some of the younger players,” claims Salisbury.

Despite the admission, at 33 she admits that Beijing was probably her last shot at Olympic Gold as a player. “From the waist up I feel great – my heart and my mind will go for another 20 years.”

Certainly watching her train for her fourth World Cup it seems like she could go on to play in a fifth, as she dominates from the back with occasional surges into midfield.

Salisbury adds that she won’t be dwelling on the disappointment of the Olympics. She prefers to be grateful for the amazing moments and opportunities that she has had during her stellar career.

We’ll all be hoping she has at least one more mark to make before she hangs up her playing boots – World Cup winner 2007.