25 Ninja A-League sensations called up by Young Matildas for Four Nations tournament

The CommBank Young Matildas’ squad for the upcoming PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament is dominated by Ninja A-League players.

Australia Under-20s are set to go up against Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Thailand in Canberra and the 26-player squad features 25 from the A-Leagues.

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Central Coast Mariners’ 16-year-old sensation Tiana Fuller has been rewarded with her incredible Ninja A-League form, as has Brisbane Roar star Grace Kuilamu and Alexia Apostolakis, who is playing a key role in Melbourne City’s stunning unbeaten start to the season.

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The Young Matildas will kick off their tournament against Vanuatu at Viking Park on February 19 before meeting Solomon Islands three days later at the same venue. Deakin Stadium will stage Australia’s final fixture against Thailand on February 25.

The 25 Ninja A-League squad members selected in the Young Matildas squad come from 10 clubs:

Adelaide United: Sian Dewey, Ilona Melegh
Brisbane Roar: Isabela Hoyos, Zara Kruger, Grace Kuilamu
Canberra United: Tegan Bertolissio, Mary Stanic-Floody
Central Coast Mariners: Tiana Fuller, Peta Trimis
Melbourne City: Alexia Apostolakis, Shelby McMahon
Newcastle Jets: Claire Adams, Josie Allan
Perth Glory: Jessica Skinner
Sydney FC: Jasmine Black, Madeleine Caspers, Indiana Dos Santos, Amber Luchtmeijer, Rubi Sullivan, Caley Tallon-Henniker
Western Sydney Wanderers: Amelia Bennett, Maya Lobo, Sienna Saveska, Talia Younis
Western United: Avaani Prakash

“After some time away from each other and with the start of a new exciting two-year cycle, the PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament presents an exceptional opportunity to assemble a talented group of young Australian footballers for invaluable international experience,” said interim head coach Kory Babington.

“They have been on a football development journey for many years with their local grassroots clubs, Ninja A-League clubs and CommBank Junior Matildas, with the ultimate goal of being elite senior footballers capable of being CommBank Matildas. 

“This squad is a strong mix of players, many with experience at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™, paired with rising talents identified through the National Youth Championships, Member Federations, and the Ninja A-League, where many of them are already making key contributions for their respective clubs.

“This tournament marks the beginning of an important two-year journey towards the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ and provides all players with the opportunity to showcase their technical, tactical, and physical qualities against senior opponents. 

“Our immediate focus is to create an environment where these footballers come together as a cohesive unit that plays dynamic, fluid football while embracing the winning mentality that Australians are renowned for.”

PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament details

Australia U-20 v Vanuatu
Date: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEDT
Venue: Viking Park, Canberra
Broadcast: Football Australia YouTube, FIFA+ 

 Australia U-20 v Solomon Islands
Date: Saturday, 22 February 2025
Kick-off: 6:30pm AEDT
Venue: Viking Park, Canberra
Broadcast: Football Australia YouTube, FIFA+

Australia U-20 v Thailand U-20
Date: Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Kick-off: 6:30pm AEDT
Venue: Deakin Stadium, Canberra
Broadcast: Football Australia YouTube, FIFA+

Young Matildas squad