Roestbakken nominated for AFC Youth Player of the Year

Westfield Matilda Karly Roestbakken has been rewarded for a breakout 2019 with a nomination for AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women).

Roestbakken was named on a three-player shortlist, alongside China’s Wang Linlin and Jun Endo of Japan, for the prize that is awarded at the AFC Annual Awards Hong Kong 2019 on December 2.

The 18-year-old established herself as a key part of Canberra United’s Westfield W-League side and made collected her first of three senior international caps at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

A then uncapped Roestbakken was a last-minute call-up to Ante Milciic’s squad after an injury to Laura Alleway on the eve of the tournament in France.

She made a memorable Westfield Matildas debut as a stoppage-time replacement for Caitlin Foord in the 3-2 group stage victory against Brazil, and went on to make further substitute appearances against Jamaica and Norway in the Round of 16.

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The Queanbeyan, New South Wales, native starred in 10 Westfield W-League games in 2018/19, taking her career total to 23 club appearances, and was recognised for her performances for the Green Machine by being nominated for the 2019 NAB Young Footballer of Year award.

The adaptable defender also found time to lead the Westfield Young Matildas to advance to the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship during a three-match qualifying campaign in Myanmar.

She was named captain as head coach Leah Blayney’s side finished fourth at the Asian youth football showcase in Thailand earlier this month.