Preview: Westfield Matildas vs China PR

The Westfield Matildas play their final two matches of a memorable 2017 this week in Victoria - and it all starts on Wednesday night at AAMI Park. 

Australia meet China PR in dual internationals to wrap what has been a breakthrough year for our national side.

WHEN AND WHERE

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Kick-Off: 7:30pm (AEDT)

RECENT MEETINGS

The two nations met at the Algarve Cup in March, with Australia emerging 2-1 winners.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, second-half goals from substitute Emily Gielnik and Ellie Carpenter gave the Westfield Matildas the win.

Australia also played China PR in March 2016 as part of qualification for the Rio Olympics.

Both sides had already qualified and played out a 1-1 draw, with Emily van Egmond scoring with five minutes remaining to snatch a share of the points in Japan. 

AUSTRALIAN SQUAD NEWS

Alen Stajcic has named an experienced squad, with the only uncapped player 22-year-old Adelaide United goalkeeper Eliza Campbell.

There are five changes to the squad that beat Brazil twice in September, with Campbell, Kyah Simon, Michelle Heyman, Larissa Crummer and Amy Harrison coming in.

All but two of the Westfield Matildas squad are currently plying their trade in the Westfield W-League.

The exceptions are Japan-based Caitlin Foord and Elise Kellond-Knight who plays in Germany.

The full squad assembled in Melbourne on Monday. 

Matildas

 

CURRENT WORLD RANKINGS

Australia: 6

China PR: 13

FINAL WORD

Westfield Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has urged his side to treat these games like World Cup knockout matches.

After a breakthrough year, the last thing our national coach wants is to end 2017 with anything less than impressive performances against one of their big Asian rivals.

The two could come head-to-head again in next year's Asian Cup, so there's definitely a psychological advantage to be gained here.

The Westfield Matildas would like nothing more than to repeat their dual victories against Brazil in September.

But don't underestimate China PR - they're a growing force in Asian football and will sense a chance to continue what has been a pretty good recent record against Australia.

And with their own Sam Kerr in "Lady Messi", striker Wang Shuang, they've got a cutting edge. 

Three of their last four meetings have been 1-1 draws, with March's narrow 2-1 defeat enough to give them confidence ahead of this two-game series.

A good attendance is expected at AAMI Park as the Matildas roadshow rolls on to Victoria.