There are nine Liberty A-League-based players in the Junior Matildas’ squad for the upcoming AFC Under-17 Asian Cup.
Some of the most exciting prospects in the Liberty A-League are in the 23-player squad set to feature at next month’s tournament in Bali, Indonesia, where China PR, defending champions Japan and Thailand await Australia.
SEMI-FINAL DETAILS: Liberty A-League Semi-Finals locked in – everything you need to know
Shelby McMahon (Melbourne City), Kiera Meyers (Melbourne City), Emma Dundas (Newcastle Jets), Indiana Dos Santos (Sydney FC), Talia Younis (Western Sydney Wanderers), Annabelle Yates (Melbourne Victory), Sian Dewey (Adelaide United), Ruby Cuthbert (Brisbane Roar) and Jessica Skinner (Perth Glory) are in Rae Dower’s squad.
Players still in action during the Liberty A-League Finals Series will join the squad at the conclusion of their respective club’s campaign.
The top two teams from each group will advance to AFC Cup knockout phase, with the top three nations from qualifying for October’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic as AFC’s representatives.
BUY TICKETS TO CENTRAL COAST v SYDNEY FC
“We’re excited about the composition of the final squad. We’ve got more depth than ever across this cohort and we’re really happy with the team representing the nation at this prestigious tournament,” Dower said.
“It’s a squad that is adaptable and flexible, can play a variety of different systems with some strong, robust defenders and real ‘x-factor’ players; creative and dangerous in that middle and final third.
“We’ve got a great mix of players who have contributed to our Asian Cup qualification and have five debutants that have been working very hard in their respective Member Federation programs to gain selection.
“It’s hugely disappointing for the players who’ve succumbed to recent injuries. That’s a part of football and will provide a learning opportunity in dealing with disappointment and building resilience.
“Their misfortune is an opportunity for their teammates. We’ve been working on building depth and that means we’ve got players who will step up and do their country proud in the absence of others.
“I thank the respective Member Federations and club staff for their support and collaboration in the development of our next generation female footballers.”
BUY TICKETS TO NEWCASTLE JETS v MELBOURNE CITY
Match Schedule
China PR v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 7 May 2024
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local) / 6.00pm AEST
Venue: Bali United Training Centre, Bali
Australia v Japan
Date: Friday, 10 May 2024
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 9.00pm AEST
Venue: Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Bali
Australia v Thailand
Date: Monday, 13 May 2024
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local) / 6.00pm AEST
Venue: Bali United Training Centre, Bali
| NAME | POSITION | JUNIOR CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION | |
| Layla | ADAMS | Goalkeeper | Gold Coast United / Football Queensland |
| Caoimhe | BRAY | Goalkeeper | Emerging Jets / Northern NSW Football |
| Danella | BUTRUS | Forward | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Ruby | CUTHBERT | Defender | Brisbane Roar / Football West |
| Sienna | DALE | Forward | Manly FC / Football New South Wales |
| Sian | DEWEY | Midfielder | Adelaide United / Football South Australia |
| Indiana | DOS SANTOS | Midfielder | Sydney FC / Football New South Wales |
| Emma | DUNDAS | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets / Northern NSW Football |
| Mikayla | DUONG | Midfielder | FNSW Institute / Football New South Wales |
| Alice | FRANCOU | Forward | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Tiana | FULLER | Forward | FNSW Institute / Football New South Wales |
| Ehva | GUTSZMIT | Midfielder | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Isabela | HOYOS | Defender | FQ-QAS / Football Queensland |
| Alvina | KHOSHABA | Defender | FNSW Institute / Football New South Wales |
| Christina | KICEEC | Defender | FNSW Institute / Football New South Wales |
| Shelby | MCMAHON | Midfielder | Melbourne City / Football Queensland |
| Kiera | MEYERS | Midfielder | Melbourne City / Football Victoria |
| Chloe | PARKER | Defender | FQ-QAS / Football Queensland |
| Lily | PUNCH | Forward | FQ-QAS / Football Queensland |
| Jessica | SKINNER | Goalkeeper | Perth Glory / Football West |
| Amelia | TARTAGLIA | Defender | FV Emerging / Football Victoria |
| Annabelle | YATES | Defender | Melbourne Victory / Football Victoria |
| Talia | YOUNIS | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers / Football New South Wales |
