NSW stars feature in Junior Matildas squad
As many as seven young promising NSW stars have been selected to represent the Westfield Junior Matildas side for the forthcoming 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos.
The likes of NSW born players such as Charlie Rule, Jessika Nash, Darcey Malone, Kahli Johnson, Chloe Carmichael, Anna Hunt, and Jordan Jasnos have all been selected into Rae Dower’s squad.
Last September Dower’s squad ventured to Bishkek in Kyrgyz Republic for the first phase of qualifying and won all four of their matches to advance comfortably to round two.
Australia’s squad will enjoy a strong lead up to the second stage of qualifying to be held in Vientiane, with a training camp on the Gold Coast to take place prior to a camp in Laos ahead of the Westfield Junior Matildas’ qualification matches against IR Iran (3 March), Vietnam (5 March), and the host nation (7 March).
“I’m excited to announce the team for the upcoming round two qualifiers to be held in Laos in early March,” Dower said. “We’ve seen the players at a hotly contested training camp recently at the AIS in Canberra, and in an internal match at Valentine Sports Park.”
“We’ve made a couple of changes since the first phase of qualifying which provides an opportunity to strengthen the depth of this playing cohort, exposing them to international competition.
“Naturally some players will be disappointed, but it’s important for the players that missed out to continue to work hard back at their clubs and look to improve themselves so that they’re ready to go when the next opportunity arises.
“I’m really looking forward to getting the team together for our upcoming camp in Queensland before we head off to Laos. We’ll all be working hard in preparation with our sights firmly set on the Iran match on 3 March,” she said.
Australia will require a top two finish in their pool in Laos to advance to the 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, which will be held in September this year.
The 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship will serve as the qualification process for the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Westfield Junior Matildas 23-Player Squad | 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification – Round Two (Vientiane, Laos)
| Name | Member Federation / Club |
| Emma ILIJOSKI | Capital Football / Canberra United Academy |
| Charlie RULE | Football NSW / FNSW Institute |
| Jessika NASH | Football NSW / FNSW Institute |
| Darcey MALONE | Football NSW / FNSW Institute / Sydney FC |
| Kahli JOHNSON | Football NSW / Manly United Football Club |
| Chloe CARMICHAEL (Gk) | Football NSW / Western Sydney Wanderers FC / FNSW Institute |
| Anna HUNT | Football NSW Country / NSW Western Mariners |
| Jordan JASNOS | Football NSW Country / Riverino Rhinos |
| Charlotte FARMER | Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC |
| Georgia BEAUMONT | Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC |
| Jamilla RANKIN | Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC |
| Mia BAILEY (Gk) | Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC / JCU Strikers FC |
| Grace TARANTO | Football Victoria / NTC Victoria |
| Paige ZOIS | Football Victoria / NTC Victoria |
| Alana JANCEVSKI | Football Victoria / NTC Victoria |
| Nia STAMATOPOULOS | Football Victoria / NTC Victoria / Melbourne City FC |
| Hana LOWRY | Football West / Perth Glory |
| Isabella WALLHEAD | Football West / Perth Glory |
| Tijan MCKENNA | Football West / Perth Glory / Cockburn City |
| Josie MORLEY | Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
| Kirsty FENTON | Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
| Ruby JONES (Gk) | Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
| Teagan DOUGLAS | Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
Upcoming Matches | Westfield Junior Matildas
Westfield Junior Matildas v IR Iran – 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification (Round 2)
Date: Sunday, 3 March 2019
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Kick-off: 3.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Vietnam v Westfield Junior Matildas – 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification (Round 2)
Date: Tuesday, 5 March 2019
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Kick-off: 3.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Westfield Junior Matildas v Laos – 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification (Round 2)
Date: Thursday, 7 March 2019
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Kick-off: 6.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
