Melbourne City Women’s regulars Lisa De Vanna, Larissa Crummer, Steph Catley and Laura Alleway have been selected in the Matildas side to take on New Zealand in a two-match series in June.
The quartet are regulars in Alen Stajcic national team side who will use the tune-up to prepare for the Olympic Games in Rio.
Stajcic, who has signed on as Matildas Head Coach for the next four years said the series will give him the opportunity to not only prepare his side for Rio but make important squad selections for the 18-player side he can take to Brazil.
“This squad (for the matches against New Zealand) will obviously contain a lot of the players that will head to Rio but it’s certainly not 100 per cent finalised yet,” Stajcic said.
“There’s still a chance for players to put their hand up and again we’re trying to increase the depth of the team so we can be as competitive as we can internally and on the international stage as well.”
The series will take international football to Ballarat for the first time with the familiar Morshed Park Stadium hosting the first of the two matches with the second at Etihad Stadium before the Socceroos v Greece match.
“This is actually the only time we’ll be together as a full squad prior to arriving in Brazil so I’m really happy to have the whole squad together and it makes this camp even more precious and the two matches against a quality opponent even more important,” he said.
“Being the only two matches we play before we head over to Brazil, these two hit outs against New Zealand are extremely important. We’re very fortunate that we’ve got a world class opponent on our door step and we’re thankful they are coming over for the two matches.”
The City quartet are also likely to come up against a familiar face with Football Ferns regular Rebekah Stott likely to be selected for the side.
Match Details
Westfield Matildas v New Zealand
Saturday 4 June 2016
Morshead Park Stadium, Ballarat
Kick-Off: 3:00pm AEST
LIVE on FOX SPORTS and ABC TV
Click here for ticketing details.
Westfield Matildas v New Zealand
Tuesday 7 June 2016
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 5:00pm AEST
Click here for ticketing details.
Both matches will be LIVE on FOX SPORTS and ABC TV
