The Young Matildas have announced their squad for next month’s Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup in Thailand.
Australia will face Japan, Chinese Taipei and India in Group C in the tournament, which will run from April 1 to 18.
This Asian Cup also serves as the qualification pathway for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Poland later this year.
The squad is packed with A-League Women talent, headlined by Melbourne City’s Alexia Apostolakis who already has one cap for the Matildas, as well as Western Sydney Wanderers’ breakout star Talia Younis, who has dazzled in recent weeks.
Other well known names to get the call-up are Tegan Bertolissio (Canberra United), Amelia Cassar (Sydney FC), Emma Dundas (Newcastle Jets), Tiana Fuller (Central Coast Mariners), Shelby McMahon (Melbourne City), Avaani Prakash (Central Coast Mariners) and Peta Trimis (Central Coast Mariners).
There are also two overseas based players included: Fleury 91 midfielder Clara Hoarau and George Washington University goalkeeper Jasmine Black, formerly of Sydney FC.
“The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup is something we have been building towards with real intent,” Young Matildas coach Alex Epakis said.
“We know that big moments such as this require our full focus, so we’ve selected a squad with the depth, versatility and ambition to meet those demands. Across the squad, there is a strong base of players with meaningful A-League Women match and training exposure.
“This supports our focus on building on our team identity, where players can perform and compete at the required level. Supported by the development of the players across the cycle and previous activities, the group is match ready and equipped for the demands of tournament football.
“While we have some key players unavailable through injury and non-release, this has created an opportunity to expose a group who will form an important part of the next U20 cycle. Thirteen players in this squad remain age eligible, which is a positive for both this tournament and ongoing development within the Matilda’s ecosystem.
“It allows them to test themselves early, showcase their strengths, and gain valuable experience against a range of teams and playing styles.
“What really stands out about this group and excites me, is the variety of attacking strengths, their ability to execute a fluid style of play, strong competitive mindset, and a clear commitment to a team first environment.
“We have belief in what this squad can deliver, and we are focused on leaving a mark on the tournament through our style, intent, and collective belief.”
Full Young Matildas squad for the U20 Women’s Asian Cup
NAME POSITION CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION Alexia APOSTOLAKIS Defender Melbourne City FC/ Football NSW Amelia BENNETT Defender Western Sydney Wanderers FC/ Football NSW Tegan BERTOLISSIO Defender Canberra United FC/Football NSW Jasmine BLACK Goalkeeper George Washington University Womens Soccer Team/Football NSW India BREIER Defender Newcastle Jets FC / Football NSW Daisy BROWN Midfielder Brisbane Roar FC/Football QLD Danella BUTRUS Forward Melbourne City FC/ Football VIC Amelia CASSAR Forward Sydney FC /Football NSW Alexis COLLINS Forward Newcastle Jets FC /NNSW Football Sienna DALE Forward Canberra United FC/Football NSW Emma DUNDAS Midfielder Newcastle Jets FC /NNSW Football Tiana FULLER Forward Central Coast Mariners FC/Football NSW Skye HALMARICK Forward Sydney FC /Football NSW Clara HOARAU Midfielder Fleury FC 91/Football West Zara KRUGER Midfielder Brisbane Roar FC/ Football QLD Shelby MCMAHON Midfielder Melbourne City FC/Football QLD Ilona MELEGH Goalkeeper Adelaide United FC/ Football SA Poppy O’KEEFE Midfielder Melbourne Victory FC/Football VIC Avaani PRAKASH Midfielder Central Coast Mariners FC /Football NSW Georgia RITCHIE Goalkeeper Newcastle Jets FC/Capital Football Rubi SULLIVAN Defender Sydney FC /Football NSW Peta TRIMIS Forward Central Coast Mariners FC /Football NSW Talia YOUNIS Forward Western Sydney Wanderers FC /Football NSW