Three Reds named in youthful final 28-Player Australian U-23 Squad For 2022 AFF Women’s Championships

Head Coach Melissa Andreatta has finalised Australia’s U-23 Representative Team to compete at the 2022 AFF Women’s Championships in Manilla, Philippines.    

Australia will take 28-players to face the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia in Group A of the tournament commencing on 4 July 2022.   

Andreatta expressed her anticipation of facing the best nations in the South-East Asian region and the opportunity ahead for the team.   

“It’s an exciting time and to be preparing for an international tournament is something I’ve been really looking forward to. I know this group of players are too,” Andreatta said. 

“The 28 players that we’ve selected are some of our brightest young prospects in Australian football.  They have been selected as players that have performed strongly in the A-League Women’s season and then have moved into different environments and continued to perform consistently.   

“They have shown qualities that we’d like to see tested at the next level and potentially identify a player for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.”  

All but two members of the squad are aged 23 and under with Larissa Crummer and Matilda McNamara selected. Six members of the squad have recorded full senior international appearances with eight players participating in the recent June FIFA Women’s International Window in Spain and Portugal with the CommBank Matildas.   

A further 15 players were featured in Leah Blayney’s CommBank Young Matildas squad that took part in the recent two-match international series between Australia and the Junior Football Ferns last month.   

“Tournaments like this I think are crucial in continued the development of footballers gaining invaluable knowledge of playing in tournament mode against top nations,” Andreatta added. 

“Gaining vital match minutes, in the best possible environments, is something that we’ve known for a long time now is critical for the development of a player.  Through this tournament, in addition to the recent CommBank Matildas and CommBank Young Matildas camps, we are providing the next generation of footballers more chances to build their bank of competition experience.    

“There’s a lot that gets me excited about this group and their quality. These players have shown some unique qualities that we think could add to what we already have and create more depth and competition in the extended CommBank Matildas squad.   

“I’m eager to see these players take this opportunity with both hands and really test themselves against the best in South-East Asia.”   

Australia will kick off their tournament against hosts the Philippines on 4 July at Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan.  


Philippines v Australia 
Date: 4 July 2022 
Venue: Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan 
Kick Off: 7.00pm (local) / 9.00pm (AEST) 

Thailand v Australia 
Date: 6 July 2022 
Venue: City of Imus Grandstand, Imus  
Kick Off: 7.00pm (local) / 9.00pm (AEST) 

Australia v Indonesia 
Date: 8 July 2022 
Venue: Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan 
Kick Off: 4.00pm (local) / 6.00pm (AEST) 

Singapore v Australia 
Date: 10 July 2022 
Venue: Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan 
Kick Off: 4.00pm (local) / 6.00pm (AEST) 

Australia v Malaysia 
Date: 12 July 2022 
Venue: City of Imus Grandstand, Imus 
Kick Off: 7.00pm (local) / 6.00pm (AEST) 

AUSTRALIA SQUAD | 2022 AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS 

NAME  POSITION CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION 
Alexia APOSTOLAKIS Defender Football NSW Institute / Football NSW 
Chelsea BLISSETT Defender Lions FC on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Victoria 
Naomi CHINNAMA Defender Blacktown Spartans on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Victoria 
Larissa CRUMMER Forward Capalaba FC / Football QLD  
Leah DAVIDSON Midfielder APIA Leichhardt on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Queensland 
Chelsie DAWBER  Forward Chicago Red Stars / Football South Australia 
Jynaya DOS SANTOS Forward Football NSW Institute / Football NSW 
Daniela GALIC Midfielder Football NSW Institute / Football NSW 
Sheridan GALLAGHER Forward Illawarra Stingrays / Football NSW 
Katie GODDEN  Forward  DePaul University / Windlesham United  
Charlotte GRANT Defender FC Rosengard / Football South Australia 
Mackenzie HAWKESBY Midfielder Sydney FC / Football NSW 
Winonah HEATLEY Defender Sydney Olympic / Football QLD  
Sarah HUNTER Midfielder APIA Leichhardt on loan from Sydney FC / Football NSW 
Princess IBINI-ISEI Forward APIA Leichhardt / Football NSW 
Sally JAMES  Goalkeeper  Blacktown Spartans / Capital Football  
Caitlin KARIC  Forward FV Emerging Matildas / Football Victoria  
Abbey LEMON Forward Blacktown Spartans / Football NSW 
Chloe LINCOLN Goalkeeper Canberra United Academy / Capital Football 
Hana LOWRY Midfielder Blacktown Spartans on loan from Perth Glory / Football West 
Matilda McNAMARA Defender Adelaide City FC / Football South Australia 
Jessika NASH Defender Blacktown Spartans / Football NSW 
Jamilla RANKIN Defender Blacktown Spartans / NNSW Football 
Cushla RUE Defender Sydney University FC / Football NSW  
Amy SAYER Midfielder Stanford University / Football NSW 
Ella TONKIN Defender Northern Tigers / Football SA 
Jada WHYMAN Goalkeeper Sydney Olympic / Football NSW 
Paige ZOIS Midfielder Bulleen Lions on loan from Melbourne Victory / Football Victoria