Football Australia has unveiled the 24 players invited to attend a domestic selection camp in Sydney for the Australia Women’s National Futsal Team, with Canberrans Michaela Thornton and Sofia Palywoda named in the camp squad.
Miles Downie – who has been appointed by Football Australia as Head Coach for this qualification campaign – has selected a talented group of players from across the country for the camp which will run from 16-20 December 2024 at The Centre, Dural NSW.
This upcoming camp represents a crucial step in preparing for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025™ Qualifiers, as it’s where the final 14-player squad will be selected.
The AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ Qualifiers, scheduled for 11-19 January 2025, will see Australia compete in Group C alongside host nation Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the Philippines, and Kuwait. The Draw for the Qualifiers was conducted on 17 October at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where teams were placed into four groups to play in a centralised league format.
The inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ 2025, set to be hosted in the Philippines, presents an opportunity for Football Australia to stand up a team specifically for this qualification cycle where participation in the AFC Qualifiers also marks Australia’s debut on the Asian Futsal stage and highlights a targeted effort to support the sport’s growth.
Head Coach Miles Downie expressed his excitement for the upcoming camp and highlighted its significance for Women’s Futsal in Australia.
“This is a truly special moment for everyone involved in bringing this to life, our first-ever Women’s National Futsal team competing in Asia is a massive step forward, and it’s a move that will inspire future generations of players,” Downie said.
“The camp is an essential part of thisjourney as it’s the first time we will have all the players together. It will be key from a development perspective both individually and collectively as well as to identify the final squad that will represent Australia at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers in January.
“This is a rare opportunity for players to be part of history. The players have been working towards this happening for a long time, and this gives them the platform to push themselves further and potentially represent their country.
“With the incentive of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup and FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup on the horizon, this camp is a pivotal moment in our collective desire to see an Australian Women’s National Futsal team compete on the international stage,” Downie concluded.
Due to the timing of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 China™ Qualifiers, several players are unavailable for selection due to their respective Ninja A-League and Club commitments.
The squad for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 China™ Qualifiers to be held in Uzbekistan will be selected and announced in late December.
To view further information around the format and qualification for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025™ CLICK HERE.
