Three seems to be the magic number as Alen Stajcic has added 333 international caps to the Westfield Matildas squad facing Chile in the ‘Seven Consulting International Series' in November.
Seven players return to the squad, with the likes of established stars Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond and Lydia Williams joining the group that played France and England in their October tour of Europe.
The team take on Chile in a two-game series at Panthers Stadium and McDonald Jones Stadium, as our Westfield Matildas continue their preparation for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
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Notable inclusions Sam Kerr (70 caps), Katrina Gorry (71) and Alanna Kennedy (72) add more than 200 caps’ worth of experience to the squad, not to mention their overall quality. Kerr was rested for the Westfield Matildas’ tour of Europe, following her Golden Boot-winning 2018 season in the NWSL where she bagged 16 goals and 4 assists in 19 games.
Like Kerr, teammates Gorry and Kennedy return after their well-earned rest, and will have a few rounds of the Westfield W-League under their belt come kick-off.
They aren’t the only stars back in Stajcic’s squad, though. Michelle Heyman returns for the first time since moving to Adelaide United in the Westfield W-League, while Laura Alleway will hope to add to her 55 international caps.
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Fans will be more than familiar with these players, but perhaps more exciting is what the future holds. Alexandra Chidiac, currently with 13 caps, has the flare and tenacity to take on opponents and create myriad chances for our Westfield Matildas.
Chidiac is the squad’s only overseas-based player, selected on the back of her fine form for Atletico Madrid in Spain. The 19-year-old had a breakout 2017/18 in the Westfield W-League, and now she has six appearances, and two goals, thus far in Spain’s top flight, Primera División Femenina.
Joining Chidiac in Stajcic's squad are Princess Ibini and Amy Sayer, who are both capped at a full international level, and are capable of beating defenders on any given day. The girls, who play for Sydney FC in the Westfield W-League, have seemingly been rewarded for their fine form at club level, as well as during their performances for the Young Matildas.
With this squad, Stajcic sends a serious message not only to Chile, but to the rest of the football world. The Westfield Matildas are now a force to be reckoned with, and Chile will provide the perfect test as we near the big dance.
Game One of the ‘Seven Consulting International Series’ kicks off at 3:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, November 10 at Panthers Stadium. Click here to purchase tickets.
Or, click here to purchase tickets to Game Two on Tuesday, November 13 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:30pm (AEDT).