Three of Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League squad have been named in Westfield Young Matildas Head Coach Ante Juric’s 23-player squad for the AFC U-19 Women’s Championships to be held in Nanjing, China later this month.
Sky Blues Natalie Tobin, Olivia Price and Westfield W-League Young Player of the Year Amy Harrison will head to China with the Young Matildas looking to emulate the senior Westfield Matildas squad with their exploits on the international stage.
The squad includes four players who have been capped for the Westfield Matildas, including Larissa Crummer who featured in Australia’s recent FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Canada.
There are also five players from Newcastle’s Emerging Jets program as well as American based Ayesha Norrie who is currently playing with Colorado Pride.
“I believe this squad is one with enormous potential, is well balanced and has quality in every position on the field,” Juric said.
“Larissa Crummer, Emma Checker, Amy Harrison and Alex Chidiac have all represented the Matildas, while there are a number of exciting talented 15 and 16 year old players who could be stars of the future.”
“With 10 players eligible for the next Young Matildas campaign, this team is also one for the future and looking ahead to the bigger picture of becoming key players in our senior national setup.”
The AFC U-19 Women’s Championship, which doubles as the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016 in Papau New Guinea, sees the Westfield Young Matildas drawn in Group A alongside hosts China PR, Japan and Uzbekistan.
The Westfield Matildas must reach the Final or progress to and win the 3rd/4th play-off to qualify for the World Cup, an assignment Juric knows is going to be a massive challenge.
“The task of qualifying for the World Cup will be an extremely tough one and that all important top three finish would be a huge achievement considering our preparation in contrast to the likes of Japan, China, DPR Korea and South Korea,” Juric said.
“However, we have a belief that we can overcome anything that is thrown our way and we will put our best foot forward in this endeavour.”
The Westfield Young Matildas depart for China on 13 August ahead of their first match against Japan at Jiangsu Training Base Stadium on Tuesday 18 August.
Westfield Young Matildas – AFC U-19 Women’s Championship squad
Alex Chidiac – Adelaide United, SA
Amy Harrison – Sydney FC, NSW
Angela Beard – Brisbane Roar, QLD
Ayesha Norrie – Colorado Pride, USA
Beattie Goad – Bulleen FC, VIC
Brooke Miller – Emerging Jets, NNSW
Chloe O’Brien – Western Sydney Wanders, NSW
Clare Wheeler – Emerging Jets, NNSW
Ellie Carpenter – FNSW NTC, NSW
Emma Checker – Melbourne Victory, VIC
Georgia Plessas – FNSW NTC, NSW
Hannah Southwell (gk) – Emerging Jets, NNSW
Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (gk) -FNSW NTC, NSW
Jordan Baker – Illawarra Stingrays, NSW
Kobie Ferguson – Emerging Jets, NNSW
Larissa Crummer – Brisbane Roar, QLD
Nat Tobin – Sydney FC, NSW
Oliva Price – Sydney FC, NSW
Princess Ibini – FNSW NTC, NSW
Sophie Nenadovic – Emerging Jets, NNSW
Sunny Franco – Brisbane Roar, QLD
Tara Pender – Blacktown Spartans, NSW
Teagan Micah (gk) – Brisbane Roar, QLD
Westfield Young Matildas AFC U-19 Women’s Championship – Matches
Japan v Westfield Young Matildas
Tuesday 18 August 2015
Jiangsu Training Base Stadium, Nanjing (Kick-Off 4.00pm local, 6.00pm AEST)
Westfield Matildas v China PR
Thursday 20 August 2015
Jiangning Sports Centre Stadium, Nanjing (Kick-Off 7.00pm local, 9.00pm AEST)
Westfield Matildas v Uzbekistan
Saturday 22 August 2015
Jiangsu Training Base Stadium, Nanjing (Kick-Off 4.00pm local, 6.00pm AEST)
Semi Finals
Wednesday 26 August 2015
Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B
Winner Group B v Runner Up Group A
Jiangning Sports Centre Stadium, Nanjing
Final
Saturday 29 August 2015
Jiangning Sports Centre Stadium, Nanjing (Kick-Off 8.00pm local, 10.00pm AEST
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