Westfield Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic today announced a 21-player squad for his team’s two-match series against China PR in Victoria next week, including Canberra United’s Michelle Heyman and Ellie Carpenter.
The Westfield Matildas will enter their two-game campaign against China PR with plenty of confidence having defeated Brazil twice in September in front of bumper crowds in New South Wales.
The Westfield Matildas’ squad for the forthcoming series against China PR is dominated by players currently starring in Australia’s Westfield W-League, and also includes two players – Caitlin Foord and Elise Kellond-Knight – who are currently playing their football abroad.
With an AFC Women’s Asian Cup next year in Jordan to prepare for, Stajcic said that the matches against China PR would provide his side with another opportunity to improve as a group.
“Our focus all throughout this year has been building the depth of the squad in the lead up to the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan,” said Stajcic.
“Our two games against China PR will be our 10th and 11th matches this year, and I believe that throughout 2017 we have progressed significantly.
“This camp will be important for players to put their hands up for selection for the Algarve Cup in Portugal next year, which will be our final competition before the Asian Cup.
“China PR are a very good team and will provide a tough test for us next week. Hopefully we can build on the fantastic support we received in New South Wales while in Victoria, while also progressing further as a team,” Stajcic concluded.
Heyman has burst back onto the scene following an ankle injury that sidelined her for much of the previous Westfield W-League season, scoring three times in two matches, including a brace in last weekend’s thrilling win over Sydney FC.
Carpenter continues to be a mainstay in the Westfield Matildas squad despite being only 17 years of ages, and her selection follows a fantastic performance in the Westfield W-League Round 3 win over Sydney.
Both of the Westfield Matildas’ matches against China PR will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and SBS VICELAND.
Tickets to see the Westfield Matildas play in Melbourne (Wednesday 22 November) and Geelong (Sunday 26 November) are available at: https://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/
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Name |
Club, Country |
A-International Caps (Goals) |
|||
|
Laura ALLEWAY |
Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA |
49 (2) |
|||
|
Mackenzie ARNOLD (GK) |
Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA |
14 (0) |
|||
|
Tameka BUTT |
Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA |
61 (8) |
|||
|
Eliza CAMPBELL (GK) |
Adelaide United, AUSTRALIA |
0 (0) |
|||
|
Ellie CARPENTER |
Canberra United, AUSTRALIA |
12 (1) |
|||
|
Steph CATLEY |
Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA |
62 (2) |
|||
|
Larissa CRUMMER |
Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA |
13 (2) |
|||
|
Lisa DE VANNA |
Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA |
126 (43) |
|||
|
Caitlin FOORD |
Vegalta Sendai, JAPAN |
58 (11) |
|||
|
Katrina GORRY |
Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA |
57 (14) |
|||
|
Amy HARRISON |
Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA |
5 (0) |
|||
|
Michelle HEYMAN |
Canberra United, AUSTRALIA |
53 (20) |
|||
|
Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT |
FFC Turbine Potsdam, GERMANY |
85 (1) |
|||
|
Alanna KENNEDY |
Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA |
57 (3) |
|||
|
Samantha KERR |
Perth Glory, AUSTRALIA |
55 (15) |
|||
|
Chloe LOGARZO |
Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA |
18 (0) |
|||
|
Clare POLKINGHORNE |
Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA |
97 (7) |
|||
|
Hayley RASO |
Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA |
21 (1) |
|||
|
Kyah SIMON |
Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA |
76 (21) |
|||
|
Emily VAN EGMOND |
Newcastle Jets, AUSTRALIA |
63 (14) |
|||
|
Lydia WILLIAMS (GK) |
Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA |
62 (0) |
