Four of Sydney FC’s young Premiership winning Liberty A-League squad have been rewarded for their successful seasons with selection in the Young Matildas squad for the two match international series against the New Zealand Junior Football Ferns in Canberra next week.
19-year old Charlize Rule, 18-year old’s Sarah Hunter and Khali Johnson and 17-year old Jessika Nash have been called up, as the Young Matildas commence their preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™.
Rule, who played the majority of the Sydney FC season at right back said: “I’m super excited to get back into camp with the girls and to work towards that under 20’s World Cup which is a goal of mine.
“Coming off the back of the great Sydney FC season we had, I think this will be good for me and I feel I am ready.
“Having three of my Sydney FC team mates in the squad is excellent and having the experience with Sydney FC together means we can definitely work together on the park too.
“Hopefully I can make my debut, put in a good effort and help the girls.”
Australia will host New Zealand in the nation’s capital on 6 April and 10 April 2022 with the internationals the first competitive match action for Leah Blayney’s team since the conclusion of the 2019 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship.
The Young Matildas entered a pre-camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) today and it concludes on 12 April 2022.
Head Coach Leah Blayney emphasised the importance of having competitive fixtures for the youth national team with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ a little over five months away.
“This two match international series against New Zealand is the first phase in ensuring the Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas are best prepared for the exciting moment ahead of them in August,” Blayney said.
“We have been building together as a group for almost two years without the opportunity to test ourselves in international standard match conditions. It makes this series crucial in bringing together the players and fostering familiarity with our coaching staff and each other.”
There are a combination of A-League Women’s players and players from Member Federation underpinning development programs. A majority of the squad named have been previously involved at U-17s level and in the Future Matildas program.
“The 28 players selected have been recognised for their excellent season in the A-League Women’s, as well as providing several others with a chance to display their capabilities in a high performance environment,” Blayney said.
“I am pleased we can have an assembly that has international fixtures attached and provides the players with a clear goal over the next two weeks. We have an array of talent in our country and these home matches are an excellent platform to showcase the next generation of Australian footballers.”
The Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas camp and internationals in Canberra is part of the continued return of all the women’s national teams with the Junior Matildas currently undertaking a training camp and the ParaMatildas also due to commence national team activity.
Supporters can watch the games for FREE on 6 April and 10 April 2022.
MATCH DETAILS
Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas v New Zealand
Wednesday, 6 April 2022
Venue: Deakin Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off: 6.30pm (AEDT)
Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand
Sunday, 10 April 2022
Venue: Viking Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off: 2.00pm (AEDT)
COMMONWEALTH BANK YOUNG MATILDAS SQUAD | 31 MARCH – 12 APRIL 2022
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB / MEMBER FED |
| Naomi CHINAMA | Defender | Melbourne City / Football Victoria |
| Kirsty FENTON | Defender | Newcastle Jets / NNSW Football |
| Gemma FERRIS | Defender | Football NSW |
| Daniela GALIC | Midfielder | Football NSW |
| Sheridan GALLAGHER | Forward | Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Abbey GREEN | Forward | Perth Glory / Football West |
| Bryleeh HENRY | Forward | Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Sarah HUNTER | Midfielder | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Emma ILIJOSKI | Defender | Canberra United / Capital Football |
| Sally JAMES | Goalkeeper | Melbourne City / Capital Football |
| Kahli JOHNSON | Forward | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Hannah JONES | Midfielder | Wellington Phoenix / Football NSW |
| Aideen KEANE | Forward | Perth Glory / Football NSW |
| Chloe LINCOLN | Goalkeeper | Canberra United / Capital Football |
| Hana LOWRY | Midfielder | Perth Glory / Football West |
| Darcey MALONE | Midfielder | Melbourne City / Football NSW |
| Leticia MCKENNA | Midfielder | Melbourne City / Football West |
| Claudia MIHOCIC | Defender | Perth Glory / Football Victoria |
| Alana MURPHY | Forward | Melbourne Victory / Football Victoria |
| Emilia MURRAY | Midfielder | Adelaide United / Football SA |
| Jessika NASH | Defender | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Leia PUXTY | Defender | Adamstown Rosebud FC / NNSW Football |
| Jamilla RANKIN | Defender | Brisbane Roar / NNSW Football |
| Charlize RULE | Defender | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Sofia SAKALIS | Forward | Perth Glory / Football Victoria |
| Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG | Defender | Canberra United / Capital Football |
| Miranda TEMPLEMAN | Goalkeeper | Adelaide United / Football West |
| Ella TONKIN | Midfielder | Adelaide United / Football SA |
