FOOTBALL –
Kyah Simon of Tacoma has been selected for a 25-player Matildas squad in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland on September 22, a match that will herald in a three-year international cycle with three top-tier trophies up for grabs.
Beginning with a run of test matches including multiple games to be played in NSW, the three-year cycle will include the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India in 2022, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
The squad to take on Ireland, to be played at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, will include 18 returnees from the Tokyo Olympic squad and three debutants.
Wamberal’s Ellie Carpenter and Tacoma’s Kyah Simon have been reselected and will look to excel in their 51st and 102nd international caps, respectively.
The tour will involve a training camp ahead of four yet-to-be confirmed matches in post-lockdown NSW.
They include two matches against Brazil in October, followed by two more against the USA in November.
The Matildas will then enter the Asian Cup in January of 2022 hoping to redeem being runners up twice and winning their first Asian trophy since 2010.
This competition will be a prelude to the much-anticipated 2023 World Cup, perhaps the best chance the hosts will ever get at taking out the crown jewel in football.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will complete the cycle, by which point most of the dominant players and teams in the world arena will have played each other multiple times.
This may result in the women’s game becoming more competitive than ever as it experiences perhaps the biggest years in its history.
Matildas Head Coach, Tony Gustavsson, unveiled his new team with comments on how he expects them to bounce back from a disappointing end to the Tokyo Games.
“While there were many aspects of our Tokyo campaign that we were proud of, I share the strong sentiment of the playing group that there is still unfinished business,” he said.
“It is what makes our whole team extremely motivated and energised for the next phase of this journey towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We have analysed our performances and have some great insights for us to work with.
“However, as we keep working to improve all areas of our game, we will ensure that our aggressive pressing game and our attacking mindset will always remain at the heart of who we are.
“The next phase presents a fresh start for all players – whether they are plying their trade in Australia, Europe, Asia, the United States or elsewhere.
“We have a long runway to 2023 and we want to utilise every camp, every match, every moment possible to become one day better.
“We have previously stated the importance of presenting players with opportunities to experience the national team environment and, with our scouting network, we will look to continue to do so in a measured manner.”
Source:
Media release, Sep 8
Football Australia