Canberra young guns Emma Ilijoski and Mia McGovern have continued their recent run of selections, with the pair named in the Westfield Junior Matildas squad for the upcoming 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Chonburi, Thailand.
Ilijoski and McGovern are two of 23-players in the squad, which will travel to Thailand next Tuesday before the tournament gets underway on 15 September.
The Canberra duo were a part of the Junior Matildas for their recent tour of the Pacific, and also spent time with the team at a Gold Coast training camp last week.
Junior Matildas head coach Rae Dower says both the Pacific tour and Gold Coast camp has set the side up for success at the championship.
“We’ve got a really well-balanced team on and off the field,” Dower said.
Mia McGovern in action for the Canberra United Academy. Credit: David Jordan
“The chemistry developed over the last 12 months together will serve us well in really trying conditions in Thailand.
“During our ‘Pacific Step-Up Tour’ and recently completed camp on the Gold Coast, we’ve been able to trial a number of players from across the group and believe we’ve developed substantial depth across the park.”
Dower’s squad will compete in Group A of the championship and will kick-off their tournament against Japan before facing hosts Thailand and Bangladesh later on.
“We’re excited to play Japan first up and have been working hard on areas of our game where we can be successful,” Dower said.
“We know the players and staff will represent Australia with passion and pride, and are confident that the principles we’ve been working on will give us the best opportunity to be successful in Thailand.”
Following the group stage of the championship, the semi-finals will commence on 25 September, with the final to be held on Saturday, 28 September.
Should Australia reach the final, they will automatically qualify as one of Asia’s representatives for the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Westfield Junior Matildas 23-Player Squad | 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship | Chonburi, Thailand
Name Club/Member Federation
Emma ILIJOSKI Gungahlin United FC/Capital Football
Mia MCGOVERN Canberra United Academy/Capital Football
Alana JANCEVSKI NTC Victoria/Football Victoria
Bryleeh HENRY Football NSW Institute/Football NSW
Charlize RULE Football NSW Institute/Football NSW
Charlotte FARMER Queensland Academy of Sport/Football Queensland
Claudia MIHOCIC NTC Victoria/Football Victoria
Darcey MALONE Football NSW Institute/Football NSW
Georgia BEAUMONT Queensland Academy of Sport/Football Queensland
Hana LOWRY Perth Glory FC/Football West
Isabella WALLHEAD Football West NTC/Football West
Jamilla RANKIN Brisbane Roar FC/ Queensland Academy of Sport
Jessika NASH Football NSW Institute/Football NSW
Jordan JASNOS Football NSW Institute/Football NSW
Josie MORLEY Newcastle Jets Academy/Northern NSW Football
Kirsty FENTON Newcastle Jets Academy/Northern NSW Football
Mia BAILEY (Gk) Queensland Academy of Sport/Football Queensland
Miranda TEMPLEMAN (Gk) Football West NTC/Football West
Nia STAMATOPOULOS NTC Victoria/Football Victoria
Paige ZOIS NTC Victoria/Football Victoria
Ruby JONES (Gk) Newcastle Jets Academy/Northern NSW Football
Taneesha BAKER Football West NTC/Football West
Tijan MCKENNA Cockburn City/Football West NTC
Westfield Junior Matildas Match Schedule | 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship
Australia v Japan
Date: Sunday, 15 September 2019
Location: Chonburi, Thailand
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEST)
Australia v Thailand
Date: Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Location: Chonburi, Thailand
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local); 10.00pm (AEST)
Australia v Bangladesh
Date: Saturday, 21 September 2019
Location: Chonburi, Thailand
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEST)
