CommBank Matildas 23-player squad selected for 'Til it's Done Farewell Series

CommBank Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson has selected the 23-player squad for the ‘Til It's Done Farewell Series against China PR in Adelaide and Sydney.

Australia opens the series against the defending AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ champions on 31 May in Adelaide, marking their first game in South Australia in five years. The match at Adelaide Oval kicks off at 7:40 pm ACST.

Three days later, the two nations face off again at Accor Stadium in Sydney (7:40 pm AEST) in their final home match before their final preparations for the Paris 2024™ Olympics. This game will also celebrate veteran goalkeeper Lydia Williams who recently announced her retirement plans from international football.

The squad features 21 of the 23 players who helped the team qualify for the Paris 2024™ Olympics with 17 players based internationally. Six home-based players, including two from the Liberty A-League Women Championship winning side, Sydney FC also make the squad.

Head Coach Tony Gustavsson emphasised the squad selected for the China PR series is the culmination of numerous camps and international matches since the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™. He sees this as an important opportunity for the players to make their claims for the Olympic squad to be named in early June.

“The squad we have named for this upcoming series against China PR is based on their performances for their respective clubs and also in our national team environment,” Gustavsson stated. “Some players are selected based on past performances, in tournaments and in previous camps, while others are chosen for their current strong form.”

“With the Olympics approaching, selection is about looking at the overall picture spanning four years of performance and assembling the best team possible.

“We have looked at providing cover in each of the different positions and ensuring the player profile for those positions enhances the squad overall. We are pleased and confident we have those options across the pitch,” he explained.

Defenders Clare Hunt and Courtney Nevin and goalkeeper Lydia Williams return to the squad after being unavailable for April’s FIFA International window in the United States.

Katrina Gorry (ankle) is still unavailable as she continues her rehab following surgery in April, while attacker Amy Sayer (ACL) and forward Sam Kerr (ACL) remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries. Kerr and Sayer will continue their rehabilitation programs in their home club environments and subsequently will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games.

“I think everyone can do the math here and understand that obviously the Olympic roster will be based mostly out of those that are in this upcoming May/June camp,” Gustavsson outlined. 

“However, we also have some players in Katrina (Gorry) and Aivi (Luik) unavailable for selection for this window but most likely will be physically available to be part of an Olympic roster. This window will be a tough one for me and my staff in terms of evaluating players, where they are, and then the final selection process for Paris.”

“We want to use this camp to summarise the evolved playing style we have built upon in the last couple of months. To go back to what we did at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and the core things we did well there and then add the layers we have worked on since.

“Then we will see if we can get more of a complete overview of where we are positioned, work on nuances and details and get some answers of where are we and what do we need to keep working on come the Olympics,” Gustavsson concluded.

While general admission tickets have now sold out for both matches, there are still hospitality options available by contacting hospitality@footballaustralia.com.au.

Fans will also be able to watch the CommBank Matildas’ ‘Til It's Done Farewell Series on 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+.

Football Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the New South Wales and South Australian Governments for hosting these matches.

COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE

Match One

CommBank Matildas v China PR
Date: Friday, 31 May 2024
Kick-off: 7.40pm ACST / 8.10pm AEST
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, South Australia
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold (PER), 10 Play and Paramount+ 

Match Two

CommBank Matildas v China PR
Date: Monday, 3 June 2024
Kick-off: 7:40pm AEST
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold (PER), 10 Play and Paramount+

FINAL SQUAD | ‘TIL IT’S DONE FAREWELL SERIES | 27 MAY – 4 JUNE 2024