Coach Alen Stajcic named his squad for next month’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan on Monday, with a good mix of established stars and new faces amongst his 23-player squad.
And there’s seven members who will be heading to their first appearance at the tournament.
Here’s a look at the seven players who will be on the plane to their first Asian Cup in April.
Mackenzie Arnold
While she is a regular in the Westfield Matildas squad these days, this will be Arnold’s first appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after missing out four years ago.
Brisbane Roar’s Arnold kept the most clean sheets of any keeper during the Westfield W-League season and she’s always delivered in the green and gold.
She’ll likely battle with the experienced Lydia Williams for the no.1 shirt at the tournament.
Ellie Carpenter
Another who is set to make her debut at the tournament, despite being a consistent member of the squad under Stajcic of late.
Still just 17, Carpenter has 16 international caps to her name and is all-action at right-back, with great engines to get up and down the flank.
Alex Chidiac
The Adelaide United teenager is one of the long list of exciting young talent in the Australian women’s game.
Chidiac was probably the Reds’ most consistent performer during the recent Westfield W-League campaign, dominating the middle of the park.
Despite her tender age has shown she has the talent to handle what will be a pressure-cooker environment in Jordan.
Caitlin Cooper
After playing a key role in Sydney FC’s charge to the Westfield W-League decider, Cooper has earned her spot among Stajcic’s squad.
At 30, she’ll add some experience to an already formidable defensive unit, with her work-rate and composure on the ball a feature of Cooper’s game.
Larissa Crummer
Despite struggling to break into Melbourne City’s Westfield W-League side in 2017/18, Crummer remains a consistent part of Stajcic’s plans.
The 22-year-old, who has three goals from 19 appearances in the green and gold, is likely to see plenty of game time, especially with the three group games played over just six days.
Emily Gielnik
The return to the Westfield W-League with Brisbane Roar this season was a masterstroke for Gielnik, who ended the campaign in blistering form.
Her goals, assists and all-round attacking threat was a major reason why Roar secured the Premiership.
With four goals from just 15 appearances for the Westfield Matildas, Gielnik will hope to play a big role for the side in Jordan.
Chloe Logarzo
It will come as no surprise that the Sydney FC midfielder will be at her first Asian Cup, having racked up 24 caps over the last couple of years.
The 23-year-old is a real box-to-box midfielder who is equally comfortable playing a little higher up the pitch.
Logarzo is not only a great athlete but she is technically excellent, which makes her the perfect player in this Westfield Matildas side.
