WA duo Cassidy and Johnston heading to China with Young Matildas

West Australians Georgia Cassidy and Grace Johnston have been selected for the CommBank Young Matildas' two-match international series away to China later this month.

The games are part of the preparations for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™.

Australia’s U-20 Women’s National Team will play their fellow Asia Cup qualifiers in Xiamen on Sunday, 3 December, and Wednesday, 6 December 2023.

Cassidy and Johnston are both in their first season at A-Leages Women's side Perth Glory after graduating through the Football West Hyundai NTC Program for Girls.

Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, said: “The tour of China is a significant opportunity for the CommBank Young Matildas to continue to build towards a key tournament in next year’s AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup.

“It builds upon our concerted approach to provide high-quality match minutes for the next generation of footballers and, as former AFC U-20 champions, China is one such nation that will provide invaluable international experience for the players.

“2023 has seen our youth representative teams play more internationals outside of competition than in previous years with trips to Italy, Korea Republic and now China.  We have already begun to see the benefits of that investment the advancing of players through the youth ranks and making history in the A-League Women’s competition.

“This is only possible with strong strategic partnerships, and we would like to thank the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and the Chinese Football Association for their collaboration.” 

National Foundation for Australia-China Relations CEO Peter Cai said, "The Foundation is proud to support the next generation of Matildas heading to China, particularly on the back of the Prime Minister's recent visit.  This tour will help build on longstanding links between Australia and China and showcase Australia's excellence in women’s sport."

China qualified for the eight-nation AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup after finishing Group B winners in Round 2 and is a six-time FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup participant.

The fixtures form a crucial part of Head Coach Leah Blayney’s groundwork for the side as they aim to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024™ with a top-four finish at the continental championships.

Blayney has selected a 24-player squad for the tour laden with A-League Women’s talent as a reward for strong performances in the opening five rounds of the 2023/2024 season.

“It has been an exciting start to the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season, and we have already witnessed an impressive level of technical skill, tactical awareness, physicality, and commitment to continuous development from youth players all across the league,” Blayney said.

“This squad has been selected to reflect and recognise those showings and ongoing performances within our recent national team environments.

“For a number of the players, it has been a little while since they have been with the national team group, so getting up to speed with the primary goal. For those who were a part of the qualification campaign, it is yet another chance to continue laying the platform for 2024.” 

Kick-off times and streaming details to be provided in the coming days.

COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS | CHINA INTERNATIONAL SERIES

China v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Sunday, 3 December 2023
Kick-off: TBC
Venue: Auxiliary Field of Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen

China v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Kick-off: TBC
Venue: Auxiliary Field of Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen

COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS | SQUAD | CHINA INTERNATIONAL SERIES