Brisbane Roar’s strong domestic campaign has transformed into international dominance after eight players were named in the Westfield Matildas 23 player squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup in China.
Tameka Butt, Kim Carroll, Lauren Colthorpe, Casey Dumont, Elise Kellond-Knight, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne and Karla Reuter were all named in the national squad after helping the Roar reach its second straight Westfield W-league grand final.
The defending premiers stormed into the competition-s showpiece event, but fell short of becoming the first squad to win successive titles after succumbing 3-2 to Sydney FC.
However, Westfield Matildas coach Tom Sermanni saw enough in the Roar-s talent stocks to select almost a third of his squad from the Brisbane club.
Westfield W-league champions Sydney FC are well represented with five players, while players from Canberra United, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory have also been selected.
Overseas players such as Lisa De Vanna and Sarah Walsh have also been called into the squad with the outcome of the tournament deciding three spots for the FIFA Women-s World Cup in Germany next year.
“The World Cup route through Asia is extremely difficult as four of the top 15 teams in the World come from this zone,” Sermanni said.
“This will be a tough test but the squad we have assembled continues to surprise me with how well they have gelled and I-m sure they will cause some surprises next month in China.”
The Westfield Matildas will play in Group B alongside host nation China, South Korea and Vietnam when the tournament kicks-off on May 19.
Westfield Matilda-s 23 player squad
Teigen Allen (Sydney FC), Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne Victory (Captain) (GK)), Tameka Butt (Brisbane Roar), Collette McCallum (Perth Glory), Kim Carroll (Brisbane Roar), Lauren Colthorpe (Brisbane Roar), Casey Dumont (Brisbane Roar (GK)), Lisa De Vanna (Perth Glory/Washington Freedom (USA)), Heather Garriock (Sydney FC/Fortuna Hjørring (Denmark)), Kate Gill (Perth Glory/LdB Malmö (Sweden)), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane Roar), Samantha Kerr (Perth Glory), Leena Kharmis (Sydney FC), Kylie Ledbrook (Sydney FC), Aivi Luik (Brisbane Roar), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar), Sally Shipard (Canberra United), Thea Slatyer (Canberra United), Kyah Simon (Sydney FC), Karla Reuter (Brisbane Roar), Servet Unzular (Sydney FC), Sarah Walsh (Sydney FC/Boston Breakers (USA)), Lydia Williams (Canberra United (GK))
