Andreatta confirms youthful final 28-Player Australian U-23 Squad For 2022 AFF Women's Championships

Head Coach Melissa Andreatta has finalised Australia's U-23 Representative Team to compete at the 2022 AFF Women's Championships in Manilla, Philippines.

Australia will take 28-players to face the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia in Group A of the tournament commencing on 4 July 2022.

Andreatta expressed her anticipation of facing the best nations in the South-East Asian region and the opportunity ahead for the team.

"It's an exciting time and to be preparing for an international tournament is something I've been really looking forward to. I know this group of players are too," Andreatta said.

"The 28 players that we've selected are some of our brightest young prospects in Australian football. They have been selected as players that have performed strongly in the A-League Women's season and then have moved into different environments and continued to perform consistently.

"They have shown qualities that we'd like to see tested at the next level and potentially identify a player for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™."

All but two members of the squad are aged 23 and under with Larissa Crummer and Matilda McNamara selected. Six members of the squad have recorded full senior international appearances with eight players participating in the recent June FIFA Women's International Window in Spain and Portugal with the CommBank Matildas.

A further 15 players were featured in Leah Blayney's CommBank Young Matildas squad that took part in the recent two-match international series between Australia and the Junior Football Ferns last month.

"Tournaments like this I think are crucial in continued the development of footballers gaining invaluable knowledge of playing in tournament mode against top nations," Andreatta added.

Australia's Full Schedule Confirmed For 2022 AFF Women's Championships
Australia's Full Schedule Confirmed For 2022 AFF Women's Championships

"Gaining vital match minutes, in the best possible environments, is something that we've known for a long time now is critical for the development of a player. Through this tournament, in addition to the recent CommBank Matildas and CommBank Young Matildas camps, we are providing the next generation of footballers more chances to build their bank of competition experience.

"There's a lot that gets me excited about this group and their quality. These players have shown some unique qualities that we think could add to what we already have and create more depth and competition in the extended CommBank Matildas squad.

"I'm eager to see these players take this opportunity with both hands and really test themselves against the best in South-East Asia."

Australia will kick off their tournament against hosts the Philippines on 4 July at Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan.

Philippines v Australia

Date: 4 July 2022

Venue: Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan

Kick Off: 7.00pm (local) / 9.00pm (AEST)

Thailand v Australia

Date: 6 July 2022

Venue: City of Imus Grandstand, Imus

Kick Off: 7.00pm (local) / 9.00pm (AEST)

Australia v Indonesia

Date: 8 July 2022

Venue: Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan

Kick Off: 4.00pm (local) / 6.00pm (AEST)

Singapore v Australia

Date: 10 July 2022

Venue: Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan

Kick Off: 4.00pm (local) / 6.00pm (AEST)

Australia v Malaysia

Date: 12 July 2022

Venue: City of Imus Grandstand, Imus

Kick Off: 7.00pm (local) / 6.00pm (AEST)

AUSTRALIA SQUAD | 2022 AFF WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS

NAME

POSITION

CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION

Alexia APOSTOLAKIS

Defender

Football NSW Institute / Football NSW

Chelsea BLISSETT

Defender

Lions FC on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Victoria

Naomi CHINNAMA

Defender

Blacktown Spartans on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Victoria

Larissa CRUMMER

Forward

Capalaba FC / Football QLD 

Leah DAVIDSON

Midfielder

APIA Leichhardt on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Queensland

Chelsie DAWBER

Forward

Chicago Red Stars / Football South Australia

Jynaya DOS SANTOS

Forward

Football NSW Institute / Football NSW

Daniela GALIC

Midfielder

Football NSW Institute / Football NSW

Sheridan GALLAGHER

Forward

Illawarra Stingrays / Football NSW

Katie GODDEN 

Forward 

DePaul University / Windlesham United 

Charlotte GRANT

Defender

FC Rosengard / Football South Australia

Mackenzie HAWKESBY

Midfielder

Sydney FC / Football NSW

Winonah HEATLEY

Defender

Sydney Olympic / Football QLD 

Sarah HUNTER

Midfielder

APIA Leichhardt on loan from Sydney FC / Football NSW

Princess IBINI-ISEI

Forward

APIA Leichhardt / Football NSW

Sally JAMES 

Goalkeeper 

Blacktown Spartans / Capital Football 

Caitlin KARIC 

Forward

FV Emerging Matildas / Football Victoria 

Abbey LEMON

Forward

Blacktown Spartans / Football NSW

Chloe LINCOLN

Goalkeeper

Canberra United Academy / Capital Football

Hana LOWRY

Midfielder

Blacktown Spartans on loan from Perth Glory / Football West

Matilda McNAMARA

Defender

Adelaide City FC / Football South Australia

Jessika NASH

Defender

Blacktown Spartans / Football NSW

Jamilla RANKIN

Defender

Blacktown Spartans / NNSW Football

Cushla RUE

Defender

Sydney University FC / Football NSW 

Amy SAYER

Midfielder

Stanford University / Football NSW

Ella TONKIN

Defender

Northern Tigers / Football SA

Jada WHYMAN

Goalkeeper

Sydney Olympic / Football NSW

Paige ZOIS

Midfielder

Bulleen Lions on loan from Melbourne Victory / Football Victoria

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