Westfield Matildas Head Coach Hesterine de Reus today named a strong squad that will meet China PR in two matches later this month.
Westfield Matildas Head Coach Hesterine de Reus today named a strong squad that will meet China PR in two matches later this month at WIN Stadium, Wollongong (Sunday 24 November (kick-off 3pm), and at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta (Wednesday 27 November (kick-off 7pm)).
de Reus is looking forward to the opportunity of testing her side against a traditional powerhouse of Asian women-s football.
“This is a great opportunity to get the girls in camp and get some consistency going,” said de Reus.
“We have some new players to look at as well, so a different dynamic and a new perspective added.
“We would like to work on pro-active defending, more so than in the US game. In an attacking sense we want to have more control of possession so that is the technical areas we wish to primarily work on.
“Playing an Asian opponent is a good challenge for us. We lost to China last November which adds just a little bit of extra incentive for the players.”
The squad features many of the players that travelled to USA last month for a meeting with the world No1.
The only uncapped player in the squad is Canberra United-s Nicole Sykes. There is also a recall for twin sister Ashleigh who made four international appearances in 2008.
Other players returning to the squad are Nicola Bolger - who has made just one appearance for the Westfield Matildas in 2012 - Hayley Raso, Amy Chapman and Vedrana Popovic.
Chapman and Popovic will come into the squad for the second match only. Bolger and Sam Kerr will be released after the first match due to Sydney FC-s commitments at the Women-s World Club Championship in Japan.
The Westfield Matildas, who are currently ranked 8th in the world, last faced the 1999 FIFA Women-s World Cup runners-up, who are ranked 16th, in an EAFF Women-s East Asian Cup qualifier in November 2012 with Australia suffering a 2-1 defeat in Shenzhen.
Tickets for the two matches in Wollongong and Sydney can be purchased at www.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets
For all Westfield Matildas news visit www.footballaustralia.com.au or follow us on Twitter @TheMatildas or Facebook www.fb.com/matildas.
Westfield Matildas Squad
Teigen Allen Western Sydney Wanderers FC Laura Alleway Brisbane Roar FC Nicola Bolger * Sydney FC Tameka Butt Brisbane Roar FC Kim Carroll Brisbane Roar FC Stephanie Catley Melbourne Victory FC Brianna Davey Melbourne Victory Lisa De Vanna Melbourne Victory FC Kathryn Gill Perth Glory FC Katrina Gorry Brisbane Roar FC Michelle Heyman Canberra United Elise Kellond-Knight Brisbane Roar FC Samantha Kerr * Sydney FC Clare Polkinghorne Brisbane Roar FC Hayley Raso Brisbane Roar FC Ashleigh Sykes Canberra United Nicole Sykes Canberra United Emily Van Egmond Western Sydney Wanderers FC Lydia Williams Canberra United Vedrana Popovic ** Brisbane Roar FC Amy Chapman ** Brisbane Roar FC
* First match only ** Second match only
Match Details
Westfield Matildas v China PR 24 November 2013 Kick-off: 3pm WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Westfield Matildas v China PR 27 November 2013 Kick-off: 7pm Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Tickets for the two matches can be purchased at www.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets