Four of Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League stars have been selected in the final 23-player Westfield Young Matildas squad to compete in the AFC U19 Women’s Championship later this month.
NAB Young Footballer of the Year for 2016/17 Remy Siemsen is included in the squad, along with fellow Sky Blues Ally Green, Taylor Ray and Princess Ibini.
The remainder of Head Coach Gary van Egmond’s squad is predominately made up of players aligned to Clubs in Australia’s Westfield W-League, however also includes one player, former Sky Blue Hannah Bacon, who is playing her football abroad.
The AFC U19 Women’s Championship is a crucial competition for Australia given the top three teams in the tournament will advance to the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in France as Asia’s representatives.
The Westfield Young Matildas will contest Group B of the eight-team competition, and play their pool matches against Korea Republic (Monday 16 October 2017), Japan (Thursday 19 October 2017), and Vietnam (Sunday 22 October 2017).
A top two finish in Group B will be required for the team to advance to the semi-final stage of the competition and keep their hopes of continental glory, as well as international accomplishment, alive.
Speaking prior to the Westfield Young Matildas’ departure to China today van Egmond said that he believes his squad is well prepared for the tournament.
“We’ve had a really good preparation,” said van Egmond.
“Over the past month we have had numerous four to six day camps in which we have been able to work on all facets of our game.
“This year we have also played friendly matches against the United States and Canada, and this international competition has been fantastic for the girls because it has given them a good idea about what the level is going to be like.
“There are no easy games in Asia, and as we have seen historically the teams that have qualified through Asia have gone on to do quite well in the World Cup. Japan and DPR Korea have both had recent success internationally, so we are under no illusions as to how tough the competition will be.
“But our girls are ready for this challenge and our goal is not only to qualify for the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this month, but also to become Champions of Asia,” he said.
Westfield Young Matildas Squad – 2017 AFC U19 Women’s Championship
|
Name |
Club, Country |
|
Melina AYRES |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
|
Hannah BACON |
Trondheims-Ørn, Norway |
|
Georgia BORIC (GK) |
Canberra United, Australia |
|
Ellie CARPENTER |
Canberra United, Australia |
|
Alex CHIDIAC |
Adelaide United, Australia |
|
Emily CONDON |
Adelaide United, Australia |
|
Bethany GORDON |
Sydney University, Australia |
|
Ally GREEN |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
Annalee GROVE (GK) |
Emerging Jets, Australia |
|
Princess IBINI |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
Rachel LOWE |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
|
Grace Maher |
Canberra United, Australia |
|
Annabel MARTIN |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
|
Jada MATHYSSEN-WHYMAN (GK) |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
|
Sophie NENADOVIC |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
Susan PHONSONGKHAM |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
|
Georgia PLESSAS |
Canberra United, Australia |
|
Taylor RAY |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
Amy SAYER |
Canberra United, Australia |
|
Remy SIEMSEN |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
Kaitlyn TORPEY |
Brisbane Roar, Australia |
|
Cortnee VINE |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
Clare WHEELER |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
Westfield Young Matildas Match Schedule – 2017 AFC U19 Championship (Nanjing, China)
Korea Republic v Westfield Young Matildas
Monday 16 October 2017
Jiangsu Football Training Base, Nanjing
Kick-off: 3pm (local); 6pm (AEDT)
Westfield Young Matildas v Japan
Thursday 19 October 2017
Jiangning Sports Centre, Nanjing
Kick-off: 7pm (local); 10pm (AEDT)
Westfield Young Matildas v Vietnam
Sunday 22 October 2017
Jiangsu Football Training Base, Nanjing
Kick-off: 3pm (local); 6pm (AEDT)
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