de Reus names Matildas squad for NZ friendlies

De Reus names squad for her first internationals | TWG

Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus has today announced her first squad for the June international series with New Zealand.

The 20 player squad has seen the new coach retain many of the established performers while Sam Kerr (WNY Flash), Servet Uzunlar (Sportstoto WFC) and Emily Gielnik (Ottawa Fury) have been recalled from their overseas clubs to suit up for the national team.

The squad also sees the return of several players from ACL injuries including Brisbane duo Elise Kellond-Knight and Kim Carroll while Brisbane Roar's Vedrana Popovic and Sydney FC's Sham Khamis make their first senior Matildas squad.

“I am very much looking forward to the upcoming matches”, said de Reus

“We have restructured some parts of our game and this will be a good test to see how we have adjusted.

“I have also included three players, who are currently based overseas, who I haven’t worked with yet so we will see how they fit in.

“Our matches will be a good challenge to see how the process is tracking.

“New Zealand, from what I have heard, are good rivals for Australia so I am looking forward to experiencing those matches in particular

“Later the Netherlands and France matches in Europe will be especially challenging as both teams are preparing for the UEFA Women’s tournament.

“Our overall goals at the moment are to qualify for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup and also the next Olympic Games so this is the first step on that road,” concluded de Reus.

A noticeable omission is former Matildas vice-captain Collette McCallum.  TWG has been informed that the midfielder has not attended the last couple of training camps and is seriously contemplating her future with the national team.

The two match series, de Reus' first in charge of the national team will see Australia re-engage a rivalry with neighbours New Zealand with which Australia has an iron grip.

However, despite an 19 year winless streak, the Kiwis enter the series confident after placing third behind England and Canada in the Cyprus Cup earlier this year.

Australia host New Zealand on 13 June 2013 (closed door) and 16 June 2013 with the latter open to the public and televised on ABC TV.

Match details

Westfield Matildas v New Zealand

Sunday 16th June 2013

McKellar Park, Belconnen, ACT

Kick-Off 2:00pm

Gates Open: 1.00pm