Canberra United young guns Ellie Carpenter and Amy Sayer have been selected by Westfield Matildas’ coach Alen Stajcic in the squad for their Tournament of Nations title defence.
Sayer was the only uncapped player selected in the initial squad prior to Mary Fowler being added recently, but brings with her a wealth of experience at youth international and recently Westfield W-League level.
During the 2017/18 season under Heather Garriock, Sayer made 10 appearances including seven starts, and scored a sublime goal against Perth Glory early in the season at McKellar Park.
Carpenter’s selection continues her light speed career, with 21 international appearances and one goal already to her name at Westfield Matildas level.
Her first season with the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League has gone brilliantly, becoming the youngest debutant in league history and the youngest goalscorer as well.
Stajcic said that the fact that he has been able to name a largely settled squad, and one that also includes the bulk of his 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup roster, is positive leading into a crucial 12 months for the Westfield Matildas.
“The forthcoming Tournament of Nations kicks off a massive 12 months for women’s football in Australia,” said Stajcic.
“While we will naturally be aiming to defend our Tournament of Nations title, we will also be focussed on continuing to develop as a unit while we are in the USA as we look ahead to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
“Brazil, Japan, and the USA will provide tough opposition for us over the comings weeks, however over the past year we have shown on multiple occasions that we can not only match, but beat, the very best.
“The 2018 Tournament of Nations offers us an opportunity to show that we can continue to perform at the highest level against three of the top ranked nations in world football,” he said.
The Westfield Matildas will assemble in Kansas on Monday, 23 July 2018 and will open their campaign against Brazil on Thursday, 26 July (local time) at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
The team will then travel to East Hartford, Connecticut to tackle the United States at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Sunday, 29 July (local time), before rounding out their campaign against Japan at Toyota Park in Illinois on Thursday, 2 August (local time).
All three of the Westfield Matildas’ matches at the 2018 Tournament of Nations will be broadcast LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS in Australia.
