CommBank Young Matildas head coach Alex Epakis has selected a strong 23-player squad featuring capped senior Matildas and Ninja A-League stars galore for three AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers in August.
The Young Matildas squad will convene in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, ahead of their three Group C Asian Cup qualifiers against Tajikistan, Palestine and Chinese Taipei.
Placed in one of eight qualification groups, Australia must secure a top-two finish in Group C to ensure their qualification for the Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup in Thailand in April, 2026.
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Head coach Epakis has selected several of the Ninja A-League’s brightest rising stars, including Melbourne City’s Alexia Apostolakis and Brisbane Roar’s Grace Kuilamu, who both debuted for the Matildas against Panama in Bunbury earlier this month.
Epakis says the selected 23-player squad possesses strength in depth as well as a mixture of experienced U-20 campaigners and emerging prospects making a step up for the qualification campaign.
“The CommBank Young Matildas squad selected for the upcoming AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026TM Group C Qualifiers, held in Tajikistan, showcases a group of players who have impressed throughout the (Ninja A-League 2024-25) season, as well as in the various National Premier Leagues competitions across the country.
“The squad features a blend of players with previous experience within the U-20 age bracket and emerging new talent, reflecting the ongoing positive work of Australia’s national youth development pathways,” Epakis said.
“While a number of players were unavailable for this August’s qualifiers, we are pleased to have named a strong, well-balanced squad capable of performing across what will be a demanding schedule in Tajikistan.
“We have excellent depth and a group of exciting players who are hungry to begin our qualification campaign for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026.
“The squad has benefited from a recent domestic camp in July, which provided valuable time to further refine our playing style, strengthen our team culture, and build cohesion – all of which puts us in a strong position heading into the tournament.
“I’m really excited about the group we have selected and look forward to working alongside our staff to help the team of players perform at the highest level.”
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Young Matildas squad – AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia | APOSTOLAKIS | Defender | Melbourne City FC / Football NSW |
| Amelia | BENNETT | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC NPL / Football NSW |
| Tegan | BERTOLISSIO | Defender | Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW |
| Jasmine | BLACK | Goalkeeper | Northern Tigers FC / Football NSW |
| Milly | BOUGHTON | Forward | Unattached / Football NSW |
| India | BREIER | Forward | Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW |
| Madeleine | CASPERS | Midfielder | Sydney University / Football NSW |
| Amelia | CASSAR | Midfielder | Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW |
| Sian | DEWEY | Midfielder | Football South Australia NTC / Football SA |
| Sofia | FANTE | Goalkeeper | Sydney University / Football NSW |
| Tiana | FULLER | Forward | Sydney Olympic FC / Football NSW |
| Skye | HALMARICK | Forward | NWS Spirit FC / Football NSW |
| Isabela | HOYOS | Defender | Brisbane Roar FC / Football QLD |
| Zara | KRUGER | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar / Football QLD |
| Grace | KUILAMU | Forward | Brisbane Roar FC | FQ Academy QAS Women / Football QLD |
| Maya | LOBO | Defender | Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW |
| Ilona | MELEGH | Goalkeeper | Football SA NTC / Football SA |
| Avaani | PRAKASH | Midfielder | Bulls FC Academy / Football NSW |
| Sienna | SAVESKA | Forward | Illawarra Stingrays / Football NSW |
| Rubi | SULLIVAN | Defender | NWS Spirit FC / Football NSW |
| Caley | TALLON-HENNIKER | Forward | Illawarra Stingrays / Football NSW |
| Peta | TRIMS | Forward | Sydney Olympic FC / Football NSW |
| Talia | YOUNIS | Forward | Western Sydney Wanderers FC NPL / Football NSW |
Match details
Australia v Tajikistan
Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2025 / Thursday, 7 August 2025
Time: 10.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Palestine v Australia
Date: Friday, 8 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 10 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
