Preview: Thailand v Australia (U20) - AFF Women's Championships - The Women's Game

The Young Matildas take on Thailand in their opening match of the AFF Women's Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The only youth representative side in the tournament, it is a stern first up challenge for Ante Juric's side as they face a Thailand team heading to this year's FIFA Women's World Cup.

[More: Young Matildas draw Group A at 2015 AFF Women’s Championships]

"This is an amazing opportunity for our young players to experience playing against older opposition at this tournament," said Team Analyst and Perth Glory assistant coach Tanya Oxtoby.

"As a squad we are looking to develop our players to play positive style of football, and this game will be a great chance for the group to come together to do that against some difficult opposition."

The Young Matildas are not without their own experienced players. Sydney FC's Amy Harrison, Melbourne Victory's Emma Checker and Adelaide United's Alex Chidiac all have senior caps to their names while 16 members of the 22 player squad played minutes in the recent W-League season.

The preparation for the tournament has been condensed with the squad departing on Wednesday. Despite that Oxtoby believes they are prepared to put on a good showing at the championships.

"The girls had their first sessions yesterday and are looking really good," she said.

"They can't wait to get out there and get started which is good to see."

[More: Young Matildas squad named for AFF Women's Championship]

The task for the Young Matildas will be in breaking down a compact Thai defence while ensuring they are not found wanting by their quick strikers on the counter attack.

However, with several of the squad members already possessing international experience at youth or senior level, Oxtoby doesn't believe they will be overawed by the task ahead.

More importantly, the AFF Women's Championships are set to serve as key preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, the 2015 AFC U19 Championships.

"This tournament will allow the players to showcase there individual talent, but also as a group allow them to develop the teams style and philosophy and work together in a competitive environment."

"The message for the group is again to go out and be positive, in everything we do - with and without the ball."

With the top two nations in Group A, consisting of Thailand, Australia, Laos and Indonesia, to progress to the semi-finals of the championships, points on the opening match day could prove important in the final wash.

The match will not be broadcast but follow us on Facebook and Twitter for full coverage of the campaign.

Match Details

Thailand v Australia

1 May 2015

Kick off: 4.00pm (local time), 7.00pm (AEST)

Thong Nhat Stadium

Young Matildas’ Squad

Jordan BAKER (Western Sydney Wanderers), Angela BEARD (Brisbane Roar), Ellie CARPENTER (FNSW), Emma CHECKER (Melbourne Victory), Alex CHIDIAC (Adelaide United), Emily CONDON (Adelaide United), Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (Perth Glory), Julia DE ANGELIS (Canberra United), Kobie FERGUSON (NNSW), Sunny FRANCO (Brisbane Roar), Beattie GOAD (Melbourne Victory), Brooke GOODRICH (Brisbane Roar), Amy HARRISON (Sydney FC), Monique IANELLA (Adelaide United), Princess IBINI (FNSW), Kally LEWIS (FNSW), Annabel MARTIN (VIC), Teagan MICAH (Brisbane Roar), Chloe O’BRIEN (Western Sydney Wanderers), Panagiota PETRATOS (FNSW), Olivia PRICE (Sydney FC), Natalie TOBIN (Sydney FC)