Westfield Matildas squad named for China challenge

Westfield Matildas Head Coach Ante Milicic today announced Australia’s 20-player squad for the nation’s forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification matches to be played in Wuhan, China.

The bulk of the Westfield Matildas’ squad for Australia’s important set of fixtures against China PR, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand at the Five Rings Sports Centre in Wuhan will assemble in Sydney for a training camp prior to departing to China, with foreign-based duo Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC) and Emily Gielnik (FC Bayern Munich) to meet their teammates in Hubei Province prior to the start of the tournament.

Australia will need to finish either first or second in Group B of Asian qualifying to advance to the final phase of matches for a place at Tokyo 2020, which would consist of a home and away play-off against Korea Republic, Vietnam, or Myanmar in early March 2020.

“We have a great amount of experience in our squad, as well as some emerging talents, and I expect us to perform strongly in Wuhan,” Milicic said.



“Together with my staff I have been keeping a very close eye on the Westfield W-League, and it is pleasing that many of our players have produced strong performances in the competition over the past two months.

“The great amount of consistency within our squad from November’s series against Chile in Sydney and Adelaide means that we will be able to continue to make progress with many areas of our play from the moment we convene in Sydney as we build up to these crucial qualifiers.

“With only twenty (20) places in this squad and eighteen (18) for Tokyo should we qualify, every player will need to show her best in this upcoming camp and help the nation take another step towards the Olympic Games,” he said.

MORE: Your Westfield Matildas 2020 guide - key dates and more

AUSSIES ABROAD: Kerr produces backheel assist in action-packed Chelsea debut



The Westfield Matildas’ training camp in Sydney will be held between January 20 and 27, with the team to depart for China on January 28.

Australia’s games in Wuhan will be held on February 3, 6 and 9, with ticketing and broadcast information to be advised in due course.

Westfield Matildas’ 20-Player Squad | Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 Asian Qualifiers | Wuhan, China

Name Club, Country ‘A’ International Caps (Goals) Mackenzie ARNOLD (Gk) Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 23 (0) Ellie CARPENTER Melbourne City FC, Australia 38 (1) Steph CATLEY Melbourne City FC, Australia 78 (2) Caitlin FOORD Sydney FC, Australia 78 (17) Emily GIELNIK Bayern Munich, Germany 34 (8) Katrina GORRY Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 76 (14) Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 109 (2) Alanna KENNEDY Sydney FC, Australia 83 (7) Sam KERR (C) Chelsea FC, England 83 (38) Chloe LOGARZO Sydney FC, Australia 44 (7) Aivi LUIK Melbourne City FC, Australia 24 (0) Jenna MCCORMICK Melbourne Victory, Australia 2 (0) Teagan MICAH (Gk) Melbourne Victory, Australia 0 (0) Clare POLKINGHORNE Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 121 (9) Hayley RASO Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 41 (3) Karly ROESTBAKKEN Canberra United, Australia 3 (0) Kyah SIMON Melbourne City FC, Australia 87 (24) Emily VAN EGMOND Melbourne City FC, Australia 92 (18) Lydia WILLIAMS (Gk) Melbourne City FC, Australia 84 (0) Tameka YALLOP Brisbane Roar FC, Australia 83 (10)

Upcoming Matches – Westfield Matildas

Westfield Matildas v Chinese Taipei

Date: Monday, 3 February 2020

Venue: Five Rings Sports Centre, Wuhan, China

Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)



Thailand v Westfield Matildas

Date: Thursday, 6 February 2020

Venue: Five Rings Sports Centre, Wuhan, China

Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)



Westfield Matildas v China PR

Date: Sunday, 9 February 2020

Venue: Five Rings Sports Centre, Wuhan, China

Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)



Ticketing & broadcast information to be advised.

WATCH: Best Westfield Matildas goals of the last decade

WATCH: Best Westfield Matildas moments of the last decade