Emerging Melbourne City FC midfielder Nia Stamatopoulos has been included in the Westfield Junior Matildas 23-player squad for the forthcoming 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos.
The 15-year-old created history this season, becoming the fourth youngest player in Westfield W-League history and the youngest in Club history to make her debut when she was selected in Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s starting line-up ahead of City’s Round 1 clash with Canberra United at McKellar Park.
Last September, Westfield Junior Matildas Head Coach Rae Dower’s squad travelled to Bishkek in Kyrgyz Republic for the first phase of qualifying where the squad won all four of their matches to advance comfortably to round two.
Following a breakout season, Stamatopoulos expressed her intentions to continue developing as a footballer as she reflected on her international selection.
“I’m extremely proud and delighted to be selected to represent my country once again,” she said. “I can’t wait to join the squad, work hard, earn my place and play my role for this team.”
“Coming off the back of my first season in the W-League, I think I’ve developed both as a player and a person in a professional environment, where I have been able to learn from my peers.
“The past season with Melbourne City has been huge for my development, but I’m determined to keep working hard and growing as a footballer.”
Australia’s squad will enjoy a strong lead up to the second stage of qualifying, with a training camp on the Gold Coast to take place prior to camp in Laos ahead of the qualification matches against IR Iran, Vietnam and the host nation, Laos.
“I’m excited to announce the team for the upcoming round two qualifiers to be held in Laos in early March,” Junior Matildas Head Coach Rae Dower said. “We’ve seen the players at a hotly contested training camp recently at the AIS in Canberra, and in an internal match at Valentine Sports Park.”
“We’ve made a couple of changes since the first phase of qualifying which provides an opportunity to strengthen the depth of this playing cohort, exposing them to international competition.”
Australia will require a top two finish in their pool in Laos to advance to the 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, which will be held in September this year.
The 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship will serve as the qualification process for the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Westfield Junior Matildas 23-Player Squad | 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification – Round Two (Vientiane, Laos)
|
Name |
Member Federation / Club |
|
Emma ILIJOSKI |
Capital Football / Canberra United Academy |
|
Charlie RULE |
Football NSW / FNSW Institute |
|
Jessika NASH |
Football NSW / FNSW Institute |
|
Darcey MALONE |
Football NSW / FNSW Institute / Sydney FC |
|
Kahli JOHNSON |
Football NSW / Manly United Football Club |
|
Chloe CARMICHAEL (Gk) |
Football NSW / Western Sydney Wanderers FC / FNSW Institute |
|
Anna HUNT |
Football NSW Country / NSW Western Mariners |
|
Jordan JASNOS |
Football NSW Country / Riverino Rhinos |
|
Charlotte FARMER |
Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC |
|
Georgia BEAUMONT |
Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC |
|
Jamilla RANKIN |
Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC |
|
Mia BAILEY (Gk) |
Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar NTC / JCU Strikers FC |
|
Grace TARANTO |
Football Victoria / NTC Victoria |
|
Paige ZOIS |
Football Victoria / NTC Victoria |
|
Alana JANCEVSKI |
Football Victoria / NTC Victoria |
|
Nia STAMATOPOULOS |
Football Victoria / NTC Victoria / Melbourne City FC |
|
Hana LOWRY |
Football West / Perth Glory |
|
Isabella WALLHEAD |
Football West / Perth Glory |
|
Tijan MCKENNA |
Football West / Perth Glory / Cockburn City |
|
Josie MORLEY |
Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
|
Kirsty FENTON |
Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
|
Ruby JONES (Gk) |
Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
|
Teagan DOUGLAS |
Northern NSW Football / Newcastle Jets Academy |
Upcoming Matches | Westfield Junior Matildas
Westfield Junior Matildas v IR Iran – 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification (Round 2)
Date: Sunday, 3 March 2019
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Kick-off: 3.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Vietnam v Westfield Junior Matildas – 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification (Round 2)
Date: Tuesday, 5 March 2019
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Kick-off: 3.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Westfield Junior Matildas v Laos – 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualification (Round 2)
Date: Thursday, 7 March 2019
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Kick-off: 6.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
