The Westfield Matildas will start next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan as one of the tournament favourites given their incredible form under coach Alen Stajcic.
With stars like Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Emily van Egmond and Katrina Gorry in phenomenal touch, Australia will take some stopping by their AFC rivals.
Ahead of Saturday night’s draw, we take a look at the other nations involved at the tournament to be held in April, 2018.
JORDAN
World Ranking: 50
Coach: Michael Dickey
Key player: Stephanie Al-Naber
Best finish: Group stage in 2014
How they qualified: Qualified automatically as tournament hosts.
CHINA
World ranking: 13
Coach: Sigurdur Ragnar Eyjolfsson
Key player: Wang Shuang
Best finish: Champions on eight occasions
How they qualified: qualified automatically after finishing third in 2014.
PHILIPPINES
World Ranking: 70
Coach: Currently without a head coach
Key player: Eva Madarang
Best finish: Group stage
How they qualified: Finished second in the group in qualifying.
THAILAND
World Ranking: 29
Coach: Nuengrutai Srathongvian
Key player: Orathai Srimanee
Best finish: Champions in 1983
How they qualified: topped their group ahead of Chinese Taipei.
VIETNAM
World ranking: 31
Coach: Mai Duc Chung
Key player: Huynh Nhu
Best finish: Group stage
How they qualified: won their group unbeaten ahead of Myanmar
JAPAN
World ranking: 8
Coach: Asako Takakura
Key player: Saki Kumagai
Best finish: Champions in 2014
How they qualified: qualified automatically as defending champions.
KOREA REPUBLIC
World ranking: 15
Coach: Yoon Duk-yeo
Key player: Ji So-yun
Best finish: Third place in 2013
How they qualified: won their group on goal difference (three goals) ahead of DPR Korea.
*NOTE: China is the only nation the Westfield Matildas can’t face in the Group Stage as both are in the same pot.