7/9/23
Above: Ischia Brooking (right) was selected once more for the Junior Matildas squad. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Junior Matildas squad announced for U17 Asian Cup Qualifying
Junior Matildas’ head coach Rae Dower has named the final 23-player squad for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifying Round Two.
Australia’s U-17 Women’s National Team have been drawn in Group B with matches held from 16 – 24 September 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Following extensive scouting across Australia and a successful tour of the Korea Republic in June, Dower has selected a squad that combines 15 experienced campaigners from the Round One Qualifying with eight fresh faces set to make their international debuts.
Head Coach Rae Dower stated that the selected squad was inspired and primed to battle for a place at next year’s AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup.
“We’re so excited to head to Hanoi, off the back of the Matildas’ amazing performances at the World Cup, and take another step towards securing our own U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification,” Dower said.
“We know that our opponents will be just as determined to secure that coveted spot at the Asian Cup finals next year, so we are under no illusions that the three matches will be hotly contested in trying conditions. We want to continue to evolve our playing style and I believe that the team we have assembled are adaptable and flexible to combat the different opponents we will face.”
Underscoring the national strength of the squad, seven Member Federations are represented through the final 23 including A-League Women’s Sydney FC champion Indiana Dos Santos, new Western Sydney Wanderers FC recruit Talia Younis, new Brisbane Roar signing Grace Kuilamu and a host of West Australian talent.
The eight fresh faces are a result of the extensive scouting and preparation work undertaken by Football Australia Technical Staff between Round One and Round Two to unearth more promising footballers from this age group.
“The staff and I can’t believe the depth across this cohort; it is truly extraordinary. In all of my years coaching, this was one of the hardest selection decisions I’ve ever encountered,” Dower explained.
“There is such depth across the country with the outstanding qualities these players possess and again, massive kudos to our Member Federation Programs who are continuing to raise the bar for female player development.
Some players have taken the next step in their football journeys and made their first Australian national team, whilst others continue to impress at every opportunity.
“With a number of these players stepping into the A-League Women’s competition for the first time next month, it’s my hope that fans of football will get to see what my excitement is about with this Next Gen when they face off against each other in our own backyard week in, week out,” Dower concluded.
The Junior Matildas will open their group play at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center against the Philippines on Wednesday, 20 September (7.00pm AEST). They will then face the Group B hosts Vietnam on Friday, 22 September (10.00pm AEST) before rounding out the Round 2 qualifiers against Bangladesh on Sunday, 24 September (7.00pm AEST). Broadcast details will follow nearer the time.
The top two nations at the completion of the round-robin matches will qualify for the U-17 Women’s Asian Cup to be held from 7 – 20 April 2024 in Indonesia.
Junior Matildas Squad:
| Layla | ADAMS | Goalkeeper | Gold Coast United FC / Football Queensland |
| Ischia | BROOKING | Midfielder | Hyundai NTC / Football West |
| Ava | CARLSON | Forward | Central Coast Mariners FC / Football NSW |
| Madeleine | CASPERS | Midfielder | Football NSW Institute / Football NSW |
| Ruby | CUTHBERT | Defender | Hyundai NTC / Football West |
| Sienna | DALE | Forward | Manly United FC / Football NSW |
| Sian | DEWEY | Midfielder | Football South Australia NTC / Football South Australia |
| Indiana | DOS SANTOS | Midfielder | Football NSW Institute / Football NSW |
| Emma | DUNDAS | Midfielder | Emerging Jets / Northern NSW Football |
| Mikayla | DUONG | Midfielder | Football NSW Institute / Football NSW |
| Tiana | FULLER | Forward | Football NSW Institute / Football NSW |
| Georgia | GROIDIS | Forward | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Isabela | HOYOS | Defender | Football Queensland-OAS / Football Queensland |
| Grace | KUILAMU | Forward | Football Queensland-OAS / Football Queensland |
| Shelby | MCMAHON | Midfielder | Gold Coast Knights FC / Football Queensland |
| Kiera | MEYERS | Midfielder | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Chloe | PARKER | Defender | Football Queensland-OAS / Football Queensland |
| Georgia | RITCHIE | Goalkeeper | Canberra United Academy / Capital Football |
| Lillian | SKELLY | Forward | Football NSW Institute / Football NSW |
| Jessica | SKINNER | Goalkeeper | Hyundai NTC / Football West |
| Amelia | TARTAGLIA | Defender | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Annabelle | YATES | Defender | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Talia | YOUNIS | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers FC / Football NSW |
Sydney FC’s AFC Women’s Club Championship draw revealed
Sydney FC have been drawn into Group B of the AFC Women’s Club Championship, an Invitational Tournament between eight of the best football teams in the Asian Federation.
They will be on the Uzbekistan side of the draw, with Group A taking place in Thailand.
The Sky Blues will take on Hyundai Steel Red Angels WFC (Korea Republic), FC Nasaf (Uzbekistan) and Bam Khatoom (Islamic Republic of Iran) from the 6th to the 12th oNovember.
Head Coach Ante Juric says he is excited about the competition.
“It’s going to be a great test for us and an excellent chance for our players to experience a different competition, against different opposition in a different country. We are excited, it will be challenging but it will give us a fantastic experience and I know our girls will give a very good account of themselves.”
Match details, along with broadcast information will be released in due course. Should Sydney FC top the group, the Final is expected to take place in May 2024 with the venue to be confirmed.
Jets announce signing of Copus-Brown
Newcastle Jets announced on Thursday the signing of midfielder Libby Copus-Brown for the 2023/24 season.
Copus-Brown returns to the Jets after making her debut in 2013. Previously, the midfielder has also had stints with Lewes FC in England and the Western Sydney Wanderers. In total, Copus-Brown has made 38 appearances for the Jets, scoring two goals.
The Newcastle local is looking forward to returning to the club. “I’m excited to be coming home. Newcastle is such a special club to me. After a successful World Cup with the Matildas finishing in the top four in the tournament, I believe that we are heading the right way in this country in Women’s Football.
“We can achieve really great things this season here at the Jets and I’m super excited to come back and get started.”
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