Three Westfield Matildas stars could feature for the first time in England this weekend after a successful stage of Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers.
Arsenal signing Caitlin Foord, Everton recruit Hayley Raso and Bristol City's Chloe Logarzo are reporting to their new teams after helping Australia top 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Group B and set up a winner-takes-all, two-legged showdown with Vietnam next month.
After three international matches in six days, the trio of new arrivals could pull on their new club jerseys on the other side of the world just days after Thursday’s 1-1 draw against China at Western Sydney Stadium booked the Green and Gold's place in the final Olympic Games playoff.
Featured image courtesy of arsenal.com
The two Westfield Matildas midfielders could even go head-to-head on their debuts in England as Logarzo’s Robins, coached by Aussie Tanya Oxtoby, take on Raso’s Toffees on Tuesday, 18 February at 6.30am AEDT in the Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round at Ashton Gate.
Foord’s Arsenal will face Lewes in another Fifth Round clash at midnight AEDT on Monday, 17 February, after coach Joe Montumerro’s Gunners claimed a 3-2 win against Liverpool in the Women’s Super League on Friday.
Westfield Matildas captain Sam Kerr returns to Chelsea ahead of their own Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Liverpool at Kingsmeadow in London. The match has had its kick-off time moved to Tuesday, 18 February at 5am AEDT because of weather concerns as Storm Dennis sweeps across the UK.
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Emily Gielnik heads back to Germany as Frauen Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich prepare for an away game against Bayer Leverkusen.
The Green and Gold attacker may line up with her third-placed side against their ninth-place opposition at Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion at midnight AEDT on Monday, 17 February.
In Italy, Lisa De Vanna’s Fiorentina hope to extend an eight-match unbeaten stretch when La Viola host Sassuolo in the Women’s Serie A at 12.30am AEDT on Sunday, 16 February,
Over in Spain, Alex Chidiac’s Atletico Madrid welcome Levante to the capital as second take on third in the Primera Division Feminina at 9pm AEDT on Sunday, 16 February.
Across in France, Mary Fowler will be hoping to maker her Montpellier debut against Bordeaux in their Feminine Division 1 match at 11pm AEDT on Saturday, 15 February.
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