Young Matildas squad named for 2015 AFC U19 Championships

Young Matildas coach Ante Juric has announced the 23 player squad for the 2015 AFC U19 Women's Championships to be held in Nanjing, China from 19-29 August 2015.

The squad includes four players with senior Matildas caps in Larissa Crummer, Amy Harrison, Emma Checker and Alex Chidiac and four players from the Young Matildas 2013 AFC Championship campaign.

While a majority of the squad took part in the qualification campaign in November 2014 and the AFF Women's Championships where the Young Matildas claimed bronze.

"I believe this squad is one with enormous potential, is well balanced and has quality in every position on the field,” said Juric.

“Larissa Crummer, Emma Checker, Amy Harrison and Alex Chidiac have all represented the Matildas, while there are a number of exciting talented 15 and 16 year old players who could be stars of the future.”

Northern NSW has seen five players selected from their Emerging Jets program while NSW and Queensland consist of the majority of the squad.

“With 10 players eligible for the next Young Matildas campaign, this team is also one for the future and looking ahead to the bigger picture of becoming key players in our senior national setup.”

Australia has been draw in a tough Group A that includes hosts China, Japan and Uzbekistan with the top two nations progressing to the knockout stages.

From there the top three nations will qualify for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

Australia has not qualified for the U20 Women's World Cup since 2006.

“The task of qualifying for the World Cup will be an extremely tough one and that all important top three finish would be a huge achievement considering our preparation in contrast to the likes of Japan, China, DPR Korea and South Korea,” Juric said.

“However, we have a belief that we can overcome anything that is thrown our way and we will put our best foot forward in this endeavour.”

The Westfield Young Matildas depart for China on 13 August ahead of their first match against Japan at Jiangsu Training Base Stadium on Tuesday 18 August.

Young Matildas Group Squad

Alex Chidiac (Adelaide United), Amy Harrison (Sydney FC), Angela Beard (Brisbane Roar), Ayesha Norrie (Brisbane Roar), Beattie Goad (Melbourne Victory), Brooke Miller (Emerging Jets, NNSW), Chloe O'Brien (Western Sydney Wanderers), Clare Wheeler (Emerging Jets, NNSW), Ellie Carpenter (FNSW NTC), Emma Checker (Melbourne Victory), Georgia Plessas (FNSW NTC),Hannah Southwell (gk) (Emerging Jets), Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (gk) (FNSW NTC), Jordan Baker (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kobie Ferguson (Emerging Jets, NNSW), Larissa Crummer (Brisbane Roar), Nat Tobin (Sydney FC), Oliva Price (Sydney FC), Princess Ibini (FNSW NTC), Sophie Nenadovic (Emerging Jets), Sunny Franco Brisbane Roar), Tara Pender (Blacktown Spartans), Teagan Micah (gk) (Brisbane Roar)