Sydney FC have upset favourites Brisbane Roar in a dramatic Westfield W-League semi-final 3-2 at the QSAC on Saturday.

Sydney FC go one better than last season | Getty 

2012 saw the first mass exodus of players overseas to the US and European leagues.  At one point in time there were up to 20 Australian footballers actively plying their trade in countries like the US, England, Sweden, Germany and Denmark. 

Brisbane Roar have fought back from a goal down to record a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Newcastle Jets in an action-packed Round 7 Westfield W-League clash at Wanderers Oval in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Once again outside influences have necessiated that the Matildas rebuild their squad.  In 2008 it was the retirement of several stalwarts, this time round its injury that has ravaged the World Cup squad. 

However, as last time, several promising players have stepped into the breach for the national team.  Here is the low down on five of those players you might not know but you will soon.

Ashley Brown stepping up into the breach | Graeme Gilmer 

Illness meant that we skipped a week's wrap of the Aussies Abroad and plenty has happened in that time.  There were Championships claimed, winless streaks stopped, winning streaks halted and goals aplenty from the Aussies Abroad. So catch up on the Aussies Abroad news, we have divided report of the last two weeks into Europe and the US.  Here is your look at Europe from 29 May 2012 – 11 June 2012.
Brondby back-to-back Champions | Photo: 3F Ligaen

The Young Matildas have fallen by a solitary goal for the second straight match in the AFC U19 Women's Championships. This time it was Japan's Mai Kyokawa's first half strike that separated the teams and led Japan to a 1 – 0 win at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Disappointment captured | AFC.com

On Thursday night the next generation of Matildas displayed the "never say die" spirit that has become snonymous with our women's national teams when they came from behind to defeat Vietnam 4 - 3.  For Young Matildas coach Jeff Hopkins, it wasn't the calm game he would have hoped for in his first match in charge. 

Nonetheless with three points are on the board, the Young Matildas today look to the next challenge of DPR Korea.  We caught up with Jeff ahead of this afternoon's second match of the AFC U19 Women's Championships.

A nerve racking start for the Young Matildas| TWG

The Westfield Young Matildas are on track with their 2012 FIFA U20 World Cup qualification with a nail biting victory over host nation Vietnam at the Thong Nhat stadium.
The thrilling performance saw the Young Matildas come back from 3 - 1 down early in the second half to claim victory on the back of a hat-trick by debutant Emily Gielnik.  The win importantly places the Australia on top of the goals table in the AFC U19 Women's Championships. 

Van Egmond celebrates with Gielnik | AFC