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Four Sydney FC Stars In Young Matildas

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.”

Sarah Hunter (L) and Charlize Rule (R) have been selected in the Young Matildas squad.

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

NAMEPOSITIONCLUB / MEMBER FED
Naomi CHINAMADefenderMelbourne City / Football Victoria
Kirsty FENTONDefenderNewcastle Jets / NNSW Football
Gemma FERRISDefenderFootball NSW
Daniela GALICMidfielderFootball NSW
Sheridan GALLAGHERForwardWestern Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Abbey GREENForwardPerth Glory / Football West
Bryleeh HENRYForwardWestern Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Sarah HUNTERMidfielderSydney FC / Football NSW
Emma ILIJOSKIDefenderCanberra United / Capital Football
Sally JAMESGoalkeeperMelbourne City / Capital Football
Kahli JOHNSONForwardSydney FC / Football NSW
Hannah JONESMidfielderWellington Phoenix / Football NSW
Aideen KEANEForwardPerth Glory / Football NSW
Chloe LINCOLNGoalkeeperCanberra United / Capital Football
Hana LOWRYMidfielderPerth Glory / Football West
Darcey MALONEMidfielderMelbourne City / Football NSW
Leticia MCKENNAMidfielderMelbourne City / Football West
Claudia MIHOCICDefenderPerth Glory / Football Victoria
Alana MURPHYForwardMelbourne Victory / Football Victoria
Emilia MURRAYMidfielderAdelaide United / Football SA
Jessika NASHDefenderSydney FC / Football NSW
Leia PUXTYDefenderAdamstown Rosebud FC / NNSW Football
Jamilla RANKINDefenderBrisbane Roar / NNSW Football
Charlize RULEDefenderSydney FC / Football NSW
Sofia SAKALISForwardPerth Glory / Football Victoria
Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNGDefenderCanberra United / Capital Football
Miranda TEMPLEMANGoalkeeperAdelaide United / Football West
Ella TONKINMidfielderAdelaide United / Football SA