Emerging Melbourne City FC midfielder Sofia Sakalis has been included in the Westfield Young Matildas 20-player-squad for this month’s training camp and international friendly fixture against Thaliand at Leichhardt Oval on Friday, 16 March 2018.
Sakalis became the eighth youngest player in the history of the W-League to make her senior debut when she replaced Amy Jackson in the final minutes of City’s 5-2 win over Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park this season.
Widely considered to be one of the most exciting young midfielders in the country, Sakalis will now carry her Championship winning experience with City into the international arena as the Young Matildas prepare for next year’s 2019 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship.
The match against Thailand at Leichhardt Oval in Lilyfield will kick-off at 12.30pm (AEDT), and admission will be free.
Van Egmond’s squad features many players to have already made their mark on the Westfield W-League, and some of whom to have already represented Australia at senior international level.
Van Egmond, who is currently in Portugal with the Westfield Matildas at the 2018 Algarve Cup, said that the week-long training camp and match would provide the squad with the chance to begin their preparations ahead of next year’s U-19 Championship.
“It is great to see activity for the Westfield Young Matildas,” said van Egmond. “This will be the beginning of our preparation towards qualification for the next AFC U19 Women’s Championship.”
“The squad assembled includes a number of players from the last campaign, so they will be able to offer great leadership to the new players joining the squad.
“We are looking forward to playing Thailand, a nation making big strides in the development of their junior players.
“This will be a great opportunity for the public to come out and see players who have the opportunity to play for the Westfield Matildas in years to come. It wasn’t so long ago that the likes of Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy were in this team,” he concluded.
Westfield Young Matildas Squad for ASEAN-Australia Football Exchange (Camp & Friendly Match)
|
Name |
2018 NPL Club |
Westfield W-League 2017/18 Club |
|
MelindaJ BARBIERI |
Calder United SC |
Melbourne Victory |
|
Ellie CARPENTER |
N/A |
Canberra United |
|
Kyra COONEY-CROSS |
Geelong Galaxy |
Melbourne Victory |
|
Chelsie DAWBER |
Adelaide City |
Adelaide United |
|
Shadeene EVANS |
Football NSW Institute |
– |
|
Sheridan GALLAGHER |
Football NSW Institute |
– |
|
Annalee GROVE |
Newcastle Jets |
Newcastle Jets |
|
Emily HODGSON |
West Adelaide |
Adelaide United |
|
Angelique HRISTODOULOU |
Football NSW Institute |
Sydney FC |
|
Princess IBINI |
Football NSW Institute |
Sydney FC |
|
Rachel LOWE |
Football NSW Institute |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
|
Jayme MILLARD |
Football NSW Institute |
– |
|
Courtney NEVIN |
Football NSW Institute |
|
|
Susan PHONSONGKAM |
Football NSW Institute |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
|
Taylor RAY |
Football NSW Institute |
Sydney FC |
|
Olivia RIDDEL |
Football NSW Institute |
|
|
Karly ROESTBAKKEN |
Canberra United |
Canberra United |
|
Sofia SAKALIS |
South Melbourne |
Melbourne City FC |
|
Amy SAYER |
North Shore Mariners |
Canberra United |
|
Julia VIGNES |
Football NSW Institute |
Sydney FC |
Westfield Young Matildas v Thailand U19 Women’s
Date: Friday, 16 March 2018
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield
Kick-off: 12.30pm (AEDT)
Admission: Free
