Head Coach Kelly Stirton has named a ten-player squad for the CommBank ParaMatildas upcoming international series with Japan.
As the build-up to the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships (Para Asian Cup) gathers momentum, Australia will travel to Osaka, Japan to take on their AFC counterparts in a three-match series scheduled for 2, 3 and 4 September 2023 at J-Green Sakai National Training Centre.
The series marks the CommBank ParaMatildas first internationals for the year as they continue preparations for the inaugural Women’s Para Asian Cup to be held at the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Victoria from 31 October – 12 November 2023.
Australia’s squad boasts a mix of experienced players including defenders Eloise Northam, Tahlia Blanshard and Rae Anderson, goalkeeper Katlyn Smith and forwards Georgia Beikoff and Nicole Christodoulou. They are joined by four emerging national team players – Rachel Tolson, Carly Salmon, Annmarie De Uriarte and Karina Grigorian – in line for coveted international debuts.
Stirton said: “Every opportunity for the players to test themselves at an international standard is invaluable for our team, particularly against a nation with the immense quality of Japan.”
“With just over 60 days until the Women’s Para Asian Cup kicks off, this three-match series is one where we will be able to gain some important insights into the players, build on our own playing principles and style, while continuing to foster a culture and team chemistry that can help us be successful in the months to come.”
“I would like to thank Football Australia and the Japan Cerebral Palsy Football Association (JCPFA) for their collaboration and support in the hosting of these crucial international friendlies,” Stirton concluded.
The international series will be the first time the two nations have met since their maiden clash at the 2022 IFCPF World Cup which saw Australia defeat Japan 4-0 thanks to goals from Northam, Beikoff and a Lainee Harrison brace.
As part of the tour, the CommBank ParaMatildas players and staff will participate in a community engagement day hosted by the JCPFA which will see several local clubs and CP Football programs involved in activities on Sunday, 3 September to further assist in strengthening and developing women’s and CP Football in Asia.
The CommBank ParaMatildas players and staff will depart for Japan tonight, Wednesday evening.
COMMBANK PARAMATILDAS MATCH SCHEDULE | SEPTEMBER 2023
Match Day 1
Japan v Australia
Date: Saturday, 2 September 2023
Venue: J-Green Sakai (Indoor)
Kick-Off: 10:30am (local) / 11.30am (AEST)
Match Day 2
Japan v Australia
Date: Sunday, 3 September 2023
Venue: J-Green Sakai (Indoor)
Kick-Off: 10:30am (local) / 11.30am (AEST)
Match Day 3
Japan v Australia
Date: Monday, 4 September 2023
Venue: J-Green Sakai (Indoor)
Kick-Off: 10:30am (local) / 11.30am (AEST)
COMMBANK PARAMATILDAS SQUAD | JAPAN INVITATIONAL TOUR 2023
FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | AGE | CAPS(GOALS) | CLASSIFICATION | POSITION | MEMBER FEDERATION |
Rae | ANDERSON | 26 | 3 (0) | FT1 | Defender | Northern NSW Football |
Georgia | BEIKOFF | 30 | 5 (13) | FT2 | Midfielder | Football NSW |
Tahlia | BLANSHARD | 23 | 5 (0) | FT1 | Defender | Football NSW |
Nicole | CHRISTODOULOU | 30 | 3 (2) | FT2 | Forward | Football NSW |
Annmarie | DE URIARTE* | 15 | 0 (0) | FT3 | Forward | Football NSW |
Karina | GRIGORIAN* | 18 | 0 (0) | FT1 | Defender | Football NSW |
Eloise | NORTHAM | 20 | 5 (5) | FT3 | Midfielder | Football NSW |
Carly | SALMON* | 24 | 0 (0) | FT1 | Goalkeeper | Capital Football |
Katelyn | SMITH | 26 | 5 (2) | FT2 | Goalkeeper/Defender | Football West |
Rachel | TOLSON* | 23 | 0 (0) | FT2 | Defender | Football Tasmania |
* Uncapped player
