Westfield Matildas star Kellond-Knight joins elite 100 Club

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive officer David Gallop AM has congratulated Westfield Matildas midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight on reaching 100 international caps for the national team on Wednesday morning.

The Queenslander became just the seventh Matilda to reach 100 ‘A’ Internationals, providing the pinpoint corner for Clare Polkinghorne to head home the equaliser in the one-one draw with England in London.

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Mr Gallop said Kellond-Knight, who made her international debut in 2007 has been an outstanding leader for our women’s national team over the past 11 years.

“On behalf of the football community we congratulate Elise on reaching this significant milestone. This is a great time for the women’s game in Australia.  We are now the most popular women’s sport in the country and it is role models like Elise that our young players look up to.

“Our Westfield Matildas are currently ranked sixth in the world and we enter next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France as one of the favourites. We also look forward to having our national team back on home soil next month for two international friendlies against Chile as we continue our preparation for France,” he said.

Westfield Matildas coach Alen Stajcic said he was proud of the midfielder who has been a great ambassador for Australian football on and off the park.

“Elise has been a fantastic player for this team for a long time now. Having been named in two separate best World Cup squads in 2011 and 2015 in two different positions is a rare achievement for any player at any level representing Australia,” he said.

Speaking after the game in London this morning Kellond-Knight said it was a great honour to be part of the Australian Women’s national football team.

“It’s a good feeling. It’s a sign of how much dedication and commitment I’ve had to the game over the years and I love being part of it. There’s an enormous amount of pride to be able to put on that jersey for the 100th time. Every time I do, it’s a special feeling,” she said.

Kellond-Knight will be looking to represent Australia at her third FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. She was also part of the team that reached the quarter finals of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

The midfielder will also line up for Melbourne City FC in the Westfield W-League 2018/19, which kicks off in just 15 days’ time.