The Matildas will be feared at the Asian Cup after the naming of an imposing squad
AUSTRALIAN soccer and favourites in any tournament are words rarely put in the same sentence but all that is about to change. Following Matildas boss Alen Stajcic naming his Asian Cup squad, the Aussies should be feared.
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AUSTRALIAN soccer and favourites in any tournament are words rarely put in the same sentence but Matildas boss Alen Stajcic has just rubber-stamped the reasons why the women’s national team will be feared at next month’s AFC Asian Cup in Jordan.
Stajcic on Monday named a very strong AFC Asian Cup squad which will first loosen its shackles when it meets Thailand in a friendly at nib Stadium in Perth on Monday night before the Matildas fly to Jordan on Easter Sunday.
WHAT NEXT? WHY THE MATILDAS NEED SILVERWARE
Four years after taking over the side in controversial circumstances from former boss Hesterine de Reus, who was sacked just three weeks before the AFC Asian Cup in Vietnam where the Matildas finished second to the then reigning FIFA women’s World Cup holder Japan, Stajcic has chosen a 23-person squad blended with youth an experience.
With the Matildas currently FIFA ranked fourth, the Asian Cup also serves as World Cup qualifiers for the tournament in France next year for the top five nations in Jordan.
“The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is the major tournament on our calendar this year and will also be serving as a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier so there is plenty at stake,” said Stajcic
“The players have set themselves specific goals for the Asian Cup which is one of the three major international tournaments along with the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympics.
“We have a good fortnight in Perth before we head to Jordan which allows us to prepare for the tournament in ideal conditions.”
Australia will face Korea Republic in the opening Asian Cup clash in Jordan before taking on Vietnam and Japan in Group B before the knockout phase of the tournament kicks off for the top two teams.
“Looking to the tournament, we certainly do not underestimate any of our opposition,’’ Stajcic said.
“The Korea Republic have made great improvements in recent times and Japan are the defending champions so there will be definitely no complacency on our part.
“We are also all looking forward to playing our first ever match in Perth against Thailand which should be a good challenge and will allow us to see how we are tracking leading into the tournament.”
Kyah Simon, Emily Gielnik, Steph Catley, and Hayley Raso have all recovered to rejoin superstar Sam Kerr in the squad after they missed out on valuable game time at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.
MATILDAS SCHEDULE
Monday, March 26
FRIENDLY
Matildas v Thailand at nib Stadium, Perth
Kick off: 8.30pm (CDST)
TV: Fox Sports, SBS Vice-Land
AFC ASIAN CUP GROUP STAGE JORDAN
Sunday, April 8
Matildas v Korea Republic at King Abdullah Stadium II, Amman, Jordan
Kick off: 2.30am (CST)
TV: Fox Sports
Wednesday, April 11
Vietnam v Matildas at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
Kick off: 2.30am (CST)
TV: Fox Sports
Friday, April 13
Japan v Matildas at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
Kick-off: 11:15pm (CST)
TV: Fox Sports
Matildas squad: Lydia Williams (GK), Caitlin Cooper, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne, Laura Alleway, Chloe Logarzo, Steph Catley, Elise Kellond-Knight, Alex Chidiac, Emily van Egmond, Lisa de Vanna, Casey Dumont (GK, Tameka Butt, Alanna Kennedy, Emily Gielnik, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Larissa Crummer, Michelle Heyman
MATILDAS SQUAD
1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk)
2. Caitlin COOPER
3. Aivi LUIK
4. Clare POLKINGHORNE
5. Laura ALLEWAY
6. Chloe LOGARZO
7. Steph CATLEY
8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT
9. Alex CHIDIAC
10. Emily VAN EGMOND
11. Lisa DE VANNA
12. Casey DUMONT (gk)
13. Tameka BUTT
14. Alanna KENNEDY
15. Emily GIELNIK
16. Hayley RASO
17. Kyah SIMON
18. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk)
19. Katrina GORRY
20. Samantha KERR
21. Ellie CARPENTER
22. Larissa CRUMMER
23. Michelle HEYMAN
Originally published as The Matildas will be feared at the Asian Cup after the naming of an imposing squad