Matildas Head Coach Ante Milicic has announced his first 23 player squad for the upcoming Cup of Nations to be held in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
With input from the Matildas coaching staff, the selected squad boasts 21 players from the recent W-League season, supplemented by Spanish-based midfielders Alex Chidiac and Aivi Luik.
“I am looking forward to all the players and staff arriving in camp and getting to work,” Milicic said.
“We will have four great days of training in Brisbane before traveling to Sydney to play New Zealand in the first match of the tournament.”
The Cup of Nations squad sees recalls for Sydney FC championship winning captain Teresa Polias, Melbourne Victory defender Teigen Allen and Perth Glory goalkeeper Eliza Campbell.
Meanwhile Brisbane Roar forward Hayley Raso returns to the squad after a successful recovery from the back injury which kept her out of the game for almost six months.
The Matildas will arrive for the pre-Cup of Nations training camp on Saturday.
“It is important that we make the most of the next two weeks that we have together both on and off the pitch,” said Milicic.
“With matches and travel in quick succession throughout the Cup of Nations, this tournament will replicate some of the demands that we will experience at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, which will be a good test for everyone involved.”
The six-match 2019 Cup of Nations will kick-off at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah on Thursday, 28 February with Argentina playing Korea Republic followed by the Westfield Matildas against New Zealand.
Matildas 23-Player Squad | 2019 Cup of Nations
|
Name |
Club, Country |
A-International Caps (Goals) |
|
Teigen ALLEN |
Melbourne Victory FC, Australia |
39 (0) |
|
Laura ALLEWAY |
Melbourne Victory FC, Australia |
57 (2) |
|
Mackenzie ARNOLD (GK) |
Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
22 (0) |
|
Tameka BUTT |
Melbourne City FC, Australia |
74 (10) |
|
Eliza CAMPBELL (GK) |
Perth Glory FC, Australia |
2 (0) |
|
Ellie CARPENTER |
Canberra United, Australia |
28 (1) |
|
Steph CATLEY |
Melbourne City FC, Australia |
69 (2) |
|
Alex CHIDIAC |
Atletico Madrid, Spain |
14 (1) |
|
Lisa DE VANNA |
Sydney FC, Australia |
143 (45) |
|
Caitlin FOORD |
Sydney FC, Australia |
67 (14) |
|
Emily GIELNIK |
Melbourne Victory FC, Australia |
24 (5) |
|
Princess IBINI |
Sydney FC, Australia |
5 (0) |
|
Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT |
Melbourne City FC, Australia |
102 (1) |
|
Alanna KENNEDY |
Sydney FC, Australia |
74 (6) |
|
Samantha KERR |
Perth Glory FC, Australia |
72 (27) |
|
Chloe LOGARZO |
Sydney FC, Australia |
37 (6) |
|
Aivi LUIK |
Levante UD, Spain |
19 (0) |
|
Teresa POLIAS |
Sydney FC, Australia |
10 (0) |
|
Clare POLKINGHORNE |
Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
112 (9) |
|
Hayley RASO |
Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
30 (2) |
|
Gema SIMON |
Newcastle Jets FC, Australia |
8 (0) |
|
Emily VAN EGMOND |
Newcastle Jets FC, Australia |
82 (18) |
|
Lydia WILLIAMS (GK) |
Melbourne City FC, Australia |
74 (0) |
Note: Brisbane Roar FC attacker Allira Toby will train with the squad while the team is in Brisbane ahead of the 2019 Cup of Nations.
2019 Cup of Nations – Match Schedule
Matchday One
Date: Thursday, 28 February 2019
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah (Sydney), New South Wales
Match One: Argentina v Korea Republic – 4.35pm kick-off (AEDT) – Live on FOX SPORTS
Match Two: Westfield Matildas v New Zealand – 7.30pm kick-off (AEDT)
Tickets: https://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets
Broadcast: LIVE on FOX SPORTS & SBS VICELAND* (please check local guides)
Matchday Two
Date: Sunday, 3 March 2019
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
Match One: Argentina v New Zealand – 3.05pm kick-off (AEST); 4.05pm (AEDT)
Match Two: Westfield Matildas v Korea Republic – 6.00pm kick-off (AEST); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Tickets: https://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets
Broadcast: LIVE on FOX SPORTS, delayed on SBS* (please check local guides)
Matchday Three
Date: Wednesday, 6 March 2019
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Match One: Korea Republic v New Zealand – 3.05pm kick-off (AEDT)
Match Two: Westfield Matildas v Argentina – 6.00pm kick-off (AEDT)
Tickets: https://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets
Broadcast: LIVE on FOX SPORTS & SBS VICELAND* (please check local guides)
