The Commonwealth Bank Matildas make their return to home soil in 2022, taking on our Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in a two-match series.
Australia will take on their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ co-hosting partners at QCB Stadium in Townsville on Friday, 8 April in a historic match in North Queensland. Four days later they will return to Canberra for the first time in nine years with a clash at GIO Stadium on Tuesday, 12 April
Here’s everything you need to know about this friendly series.
Background
Australia and New Zealand face off regularly, with our second game in Canberra marking the 50th meeting between the two sides, the most we have played any nation.
A meeting at Tokyo 2020 was the last time they battled, ending 2-1 in Australia's favour with goals to Tameka Yallop and Sam Kerr.
The first meeting between the two sides on Australian soil came back in 1979, when a 19-year-old Julie Dolan captained Australia in their first-ever 'A' international, a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
READ: Katrina Gorry makes her much-anticipated return
Squad
The squad consists of 22 players who contested the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup with the addition of experienced midfielder Katrina Gorry. Gorry returns to the national team following the birth of her first child in 2021 with the 29-year-old putting in stellar performances in her comeback season.
This will be the first time in over 12 months that no uncapped players will be featuring in the squad, with all players named having at least one international cap to their name.
SQUAD: 23 players selected for April International against New Zealand
Currently sitting on 99 caps, Caitlin Foord can join Emily van Egmond, Kyah Simon, Sam Kerr, Alanna Kennedy, Tameka Yallop and Steph Catley in notching up a century of appearances for Australia.
If Foord was to make her 100th appearance against New Zealand, it would complete a full circle moment with Foord making her international debut against the Football Ferns as a 16-year-old back in 2011.
Opponent
The Football Ferns are bringing an all too familiar squad down under, however, will be missing some key players with CJ Bott out with a hip injury and Abby Erceg opting to stay in America to focus on her club football.
Sydney FC's Remy Siemsen and Cortnee Vine will come up against two Sky Blue teammates donning the black and white, with Paige Satchell called into the team and Ally Green making the switch from representing Australia to New Zealand, however, will be a training player while her FIFA information is finalised.
Some of the players selected will be very familiar to Australian fans with the likes of Lily Alfeld, Elizabeth Anton, Claudia Bunge, Rebekah Stott, Grace Jale, Malia Steinmetz, Paige Satchell and Hannah Wilkinson all plying their trade in the A-League Women's this season.
Match details
Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand
Friday, 8 April 2022
Venue: QCB Stadium, Townsville
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm (AEST)
Gates Open: 6:15pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+. Check your local tv guides.
Ticketing Details: Buy now!
Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand
Tuesday, 12 April 2022
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live and free on 10 Bold and simulcast on 10 Play and Paramount+.
Ticketing Details: Buy now!
$1 (plus GST) from every ticket will be donated to the ParaMatildas, Australia’s first national team for women and girls with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from stroke.