Five Adelaide United W-League players in Young Matildas for Asian Under-19 Championships qualifiers

A COUNTRY girl who traded her ballet shoes for soccer boots a decade ago may play for Australia tomorrow, as one of five Lady Reds in the Young Matildas.

29.10.2014. Monique Iannella, Emily Condon, Alex Chidiac, Isabel Hodgson, Dylan Holmes. Five Adelaide United W-League players have been selected in the Young Matildas squad. Photo Sam Wundke

A COUNTRY girl who traded her ballet shoes for soccer boots a decade ago may play for Australia tomorrow.

Brompton’s Monique Iannella is one of five Adelaide United W-League players included in the Young Matildas squad for next week’s Asian Under-19 Championships qualifiers in Vietnam.

For Iannella, 18, her selection completes a journey which started as an eight year old at Gambier Centrals Soccer Club in Mount Gambier.

“I was waiting to go to ballet practice while my brother was at soccer training and I got asked to join in,” says Ianella, a left-back who has never represented Australia at any level.

“I fell in love straight away and quit dancing for it.

“I was probably the worst player you would ever see ... but if I’m told I can’t do something I want it more so I fell in love with the challenge of it.

“The love is still there, even though I’m a bit more co-ordinated with the ball now, so to finally get into an Australian team is a phenomenal feeling.”

The Lady Reds contingent, including strikers Isabel Hodgson, of Henley Beach, and Emily Condon, of Port Pirie, and midfielders Alex Chidiac, of Windsor Gardens, and Dylan Holmes, of Heathfield, flew out for Hanoi last Thursday.

The side, which also features Adelaide-born Emma Checker, of Melbourne Victory, plays Hong Kong tomorrow, before facing Singapore two days later and host nation Vietnam on Sunday.

The top team in Group C will progress to next year’s championships in China.

“At United training everyone is fighting for a position so it’s really competitive and enjoyable, and it’s pretty much the same thing (with the national team),” says Iannella, who played in the Western Borders senior men’s competition at 14.

“I just want to play my best and perform so I can show that I’m ready to be selected for the Matildas in the future.”

The Adelaide quintet are products of Football Federation SA’s National Training Centre program, which has been established by Lady Reds coach Ross Aloisi.

Iannella, who moved to Adelaide three years ago to further her soccer career, says sharing national selection with her former state junior teammates is “extra special”.

“The guidance of Ross and (assistant coach) Paul Pezos is amazing ... and their dedication is the extra mile that pays off,” the former Cumberland United and Adelaide City player says.

“Everyone in the (national) team has become friends really quickly, but it’s amazing that I get to go away with people that have actually been my really close friends for years.

“Moving to Adelaide was a big move for me but it was something that had to happen and it’s a great feeling to see that my hard work is starting to pay off.”