Matildas chasing football success at AFC Asian Cup in Jordan

THE Matildas are in Jordan for their most important tournament of the year. SWOOP’s guide to the Asian Cup, Australia’s passport to the women's World Cup.

The Matildas are working overtime ahead of the crucial Asian Cup

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THE Matildas are in Jordan for their most important tournament of the year.

The Asian Cup is the Australia’s passport to the women’s World Cup.

We look at the players charged with the important job of qualifying Australia and the road to what they hope is victory.

The Matildas are working overtime ahead of the crucial Asian Cup

LEAD-UP EVENT

The Matildas lead-in game to the tournament was a friendly against Thailand on March 26 in Perth. MATCH REPORT HERE

REUNION: Family rushing to be with Matilda

NO SHOW: Why Sam Kerr's mum missed this key moment

Sam Kerr will play a vital role in the Matildas success.

IMPORTANCE

The Asian Women’s Cup runs from April 7-22, 2018.

It is a crucial event with the top five nations earning entry to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France

GAME ONE: The aftermath

CONFIDENCE: Matildas ready to live up to top billing

WHO PLAYS WHO

Teams are divided into two pools at the tournament.

Group A: Jordan (Current FIFA world ranking: 50), China PR (13), Thailand (29), Philippines (70)

Group B: Japan (8), Australia (6), Korea Republic (15), Vietnam (31)

Tameka Butt, centre, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against China last year.

THE MATILDAS

An experienced 23-player squad, with 1108 international caps between them, will represent Australia

Coach Alen Stajcic will be at the helm of the Matildas who have a number of top players returning from injury in a major boost.

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The players included in the camp who were not available (or who did not play due to injury) for the recent Algarve Cup include Kyah Simon, Emily Gilnik, Steph Catley and Hayley Raso.

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic and players at training.

ASIAN CUP GROUP STAGE

April 8: Matildas v Korea Republic at King Abdullah Stadium II, Amman, Jordan.

Kick off: 2.30am (CST)

TV: Fox Sports. MATCH REPORT FROM JORDAN

April 11: Vietnam v Matildas at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan

Kick off: 2.30am (CST)

TV: Fox Sports MATCH REPORT FROM JORDAN

April 13: Japan v Matildas at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan.

Kick-off: 11:15pm (CST)

TV: Fox Sports MATCH REPORT FROM JORDAN

MORE MATCH NEWS

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Games will be played at the 17,600-seater Amman International Stadium and the 13,000-seater King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman. All games will be played in Amman. Games will be played at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm local time.

Tameka Butt is a hotly contested battle for the ball against China.

WHO’S PLAYING

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.

Originally published as Matildas chasing football success at AFC Asian Cup in Jordan