In alarming news for sides preparing for the Cup, the May 28-June 8 event is still to be handed a host nation.

The last Asian Cup in 2006 was held in Adelaide, so Australia is not likely to be considered for hosting rights to the 2008 version.

Meanwhile, a weakened Matildas side have begun their preparations for the Asian Cup with a 2-0 series win over New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast.

After a 2-0 win on Saturday the World Cup quarter finalists triumphed 2-1 yesterday.

An impressive Kate Gill opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Emma Kete equalised five minutes before the interval.

But Canberra-based striker Amy Chapman scored the winner - her first goal for the national team - two minutes into the second half.

Inspirational midfielder Collette McCallum was the provider for both goals. Gill finishing with a neat low 20 metre drive, and then Chapman scoring with a smart close-range volley from a pinpoint McCallum cross.

The second half saw brilliant Matildas striker Sarah Walsh twice denied by the woodwork, while Kiwi goalkeeper Jenny Bindon made a number of outstanding saves including a fingertip effort to prevent a Cheryl Salisbury header from crossing the line.

Absent from Monday's match through injury were Heather Garriock and Lisa De Vanna, while several other World Cup stars are absent from the series including Di Alagich, Kate McShea, Thea Slatyer, Alicia Ferguson and Joanne Peters amongst them.

The final game of the series is on Wednesday.