Westfield Matildas’ head coach Alen Stajcic announced a 20-player squad which features four Brisbane Roar FC W-League players, for the upcoming international matches against New Zealand in early June. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, Tameka Butt, Katrina Gorry and Brisbane Roar FC W-League captain Clare Polkinghorne have all been named.
Westfield Matildas’ co-captain Polkinghorne is excited about the upcoming games against the New Zealand Football Ferns in Ballarat (4 June) and in Melbourne (7 June) ahead of the Rio games.
“We have a strong rivalry with the Kiwi’s and these matches will no doubt be extremely competitive,” said Polkinghorne.
“It is always special to play on home soil and give fans in Australia the opportunity to witness football at the highest level.”
Head coach Stajcic knows the two matches against the Football Ferns, will be invaluable for the teams Rio preparation.
“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.” said Stajcic.
Polkinghorne agreed with Stajcic, with the opening match of the Rio Games against Canada on 3rd August fast approaching.
“These matches are the final ones before we head to Rio, it will definitely give us a chance as a team to work on the structures we’ve been practising on the training ground,” Polkinghorne said.
Westfield Matildas squad for international matches against New Zealand
|
Name |
Date of Birth |
Position |
A International Caps (Goals) |
|
Teigen Allen |
12/02/1994 |
Defender |
37 (0) |
|
Laura Alleway |
28/11/1989 |
Defender |
43 (2) |
|
Mackenzie Arnold (gk) |
25/02/1994 |
Goalkeeper |
9 (0) |
|
Tameka Butt |
16/06/1991 |
Midfielder |
54 (7) |
|
Ellie Carpenter |
28/04/2000 |
Defender |
2 (0) |
|
Stephanie Catley |
26/01/1994 |
Defender |
47 (2) |
|
Caitlin Cooper |
12/02/1988 |
Defender |
5 (1) |
|
Larissa Crummer |
10/01/1996 |
Forward |
9 (1) |
|
Lisa De Vanna |
14/11/1984 |
Forward |
110 (38) |
|
Casey Dumont (gk) |
25/01/1992 |
Goalkeeper |
1 (0) |
|
Caitlin Foord |
11/11/1994 |
Midfielder |
43 (5) |
|
Katrina Gorry |
13/08/1992 |
Midfielder |
42 (13) |
|
Michelle Heyman |
4/07/1988 |
Forward |
46 (18) |
|
Elise Kellond-Knight |
10/08/1990 |
Midfielder |
69 (1) |
|
Alanna Kennedy |
21/01/1995 |
Defender |
41 (1) |
|
Chloe Logarzo |
22/12/1994 |
Midfielder |
6 (0) |
|
Clare Polkinghorne |
1/02/1989 |
Defender |
85 (6) |
|
Kyah Simon |
25/06/1991 |
Forward |
63 (19) |
|
Emily van Egmond |
12/07/1993 |
Midfielder |
52 (14) |
|
Lydia Williams (gk) |
13/05/1988 |
Goalkeeper |
52 (0) |
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
