Mini Matildas commence AFC qualifiers against Vietnam

The U17 national team begin their quest to qualify for the 2015 AFC U16 Championships when they take on Vietnam today in Melaka, Malaysia.

Drawn in Group C, the Mini Matildas are up against Vietnam, Hong Kong and Korea Republic in a league style competition with the group winner making their way through to the 2015 championships.

With only two players part of previous campaigns, for a majority of the side it is their first taste of Asian football and climate.

Although limited, coach Ante Juric has been satisfied with their preparation.

“It has been such a short preparation, so it has been a little difficult but generally it has been okay and they are doing well,” said Juric from Malaysia.

“As they come from all different states and NTC programs, we have been doing a lot of work around team structure and cohesion.”

“At this age it is also about confidence. They are good players so we have imparted being positive going forward.”

The first test for the squad is Vietnam, a nation who has steadily risen in women’s football in Asia.

Known for being well structured and defensively disciplined, Juric and his assistant, former U17s coach Vicki Linton, have prepared the team for the difficulty of breaking down the Vietnamese side.

“Historically they play a similar way so we are banking on that a little bit.”

“We are expecting them to be defensive and sit quite deep and so have been working on attacking in the front third where there will not be much space.

“On the flipside we have Plan B and C if that is not the way they set up.”

Key to those plans will be his more experienced players including goalkeeper Jada Mathyssen-Whyman, Adelaide United midfielder Alex Chidiac as well as Canberra United’s Grace Maher, Sydney FC train on striker Princess Ibini and Victorian twin midfielders Adriana and Melissa Taranto, to name a few.

However, as it will be the first international cap for a large percentage of the squad, Juric is looking for a collective effort to get the Mini Matildas off to the best possible start.

“At this age group all the players are important and I have tried to instill that.”

“We are only going to be as good as our weakest link.”

The match kicks off at 6.30pm (AEST) with updates on TWG’s Facebook andTwitter.

Australia v Vietnam

Saturday, 4 October 2014

Stadium Hang Tuah, Melaka, Malaysia

Kick off: 6.30pm (AEST)

Mini Matildas squad

Eliza Ammendolia (NSW Country), Lexi Anastassiou (VIC), Melina Ayres (VIC), Savannah Boller (QLD), Hannah Bourke (NNSW), Ashlee Brodigan (Northern NSW), Ellie Carpenter (NSW), Joey Cartwright (NSW Country), Alexandra Chidiac (SA), Chelsie Dawber (SA), Kobie Ferguson (Northern NSW), Clare Hunt (NSW Country), Princess Ibini (NSW), Alexia Karrys-Stahl (ACT), Grace Maher (ACT), Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (NSW Country), Aimee Medwin (TAS), Brianna Oliverio (NSW), Panagiota Petratos (NSW), Hannah Southwell (NNSW), Adriana Taranto (VIC), Melissa Taranto (VIC), Arina Tokunaga (QLD)

Head Coach: Ante Juric

Assistant Coach: Vicki Linton