Young Matildas to take on NZ with 3 games in 5 days | TWG Young Matildas to take on NZ with 3 games in 5 days | TWG

The Young Matildas continue their preparations for the AFC U19 Championships with a three match series against the Junior Football Ferns in New Zealand.

For Young Matildas coach Spencer Prior it is the next step for his charges following several camps at the Australian Institute of Sport and a challenging hit out against South Korea's U19 squad in April.

"The AIS has been a fantastic facility and we are thankful for the work they have done in supporting us," said Prior.

"But I now want to see the girls away for the comfort of the AIS and playing NZ away from home is a good change of environment."

Departing yesterday, the squad will take on the Junior Football Ferns with three games in five days.  While demanding for a squad largely out of season in relation to the W-League, Prior hopes the tournament like schedule will prepare them for the 5 matches in 9 days they will need to weather in October.

The squad is a largely settled one from the April series against South Korea with standouts Chloe Logarzo, Amy Harrison and Liz Ralston retaining their spots.

However Prior has added several solid W-League regulars to the roster including 2012/13 Goalkeeper of the Year MacKenzie Arnold and speedster striker Hayley Raso.  They replace Canberra United's Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Sydney FC's Larissa Crummer, both of whom were ruled out due to injury.

The series gets underway tomorrow, Thursday 25th July with a closed doors match followed by further matches on Saturday 27 July and Monday 29 July.

Junior Football Ferns v Australia

Thursday 25 July, 2013

Rangitoto College, Auckland

Kick Off: 3.00pm

Note: This is a closed door match only open to authorised media

Junior Football Ferns v Australia

Saturday 27 July, 2013

Kiwitea Street, Auckland

Kick off: 2.30pm

Junior Football Ferns v Australia

Monday 29 July, 2013

Seddon Fields, Auckland

Kick off: 2.30pm

YOUNG MATILDAS SQUAD

Last NameFirst NameClub
1KHAMISShamMarconi Stallion
2SOUTERRachelNSW NTC
3HUYHNAlexNSW NTC
4FIELDGraceACTAS
5CHECKEREmmaFFSA NTC
6ROJANSallyACTAS
7LOGARZOChloeNSW NTC
8TOBINNatalieNSW NTC
9PRICEOliviaNSW NTC
10RASOHayleyQAS NTC
11WHITFIELDBrittanyQAS NTC
12ANDREWSTaraEmerging Jets
13ARNOLDMackenzieACTAS
14MCLAUGHLINMegACTAS
15RALSTONElizabethNSW NTC
16HARRISONAmyNSW NTC
17WHEELERNatashaQAS NTC
18CACERASMelissaNSW NTC
19MACINTYREGraceEmerging Jets
20BASSAlyciaNSW NTC

Junior Football Ferns squad

1 - Lily ALFELD; 2 - Corina BROWN; 3 - Catherine BOTT; 4 - Meikayla MOORE; 5 - Emily JENSEN; 6 - Megan LEE; 7 - Laura MERIN; 8 - Holly PATTERSON; 9 - Daisy CLEVERLEY; 10 - Hannah CARLSEN; 11 - Katie BOWEN; 12 - Chloe KNOTT; 13 - Lauren DABNER; 14 - Hannah HOEKSEMA; 15 - Jasmine PEREIRA; 16 - Martine PUKETAPU; 17 - Emma ROLSTON; 18 - Belinda VAN NOORDEN; 19 - Briar PALMER; 20 - Tayla O’BRIEN