Dower finalises CommBank Junior Matildas squad for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Indonesia 2024™ | Football Australia

CommBank Junior Matildas’ Head Coach, Rae Dower has finalised Australia’s 23-player squad to participate at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024™.

Hosted across two venues in Bali, the tournament will see the best of Asia’s next generation take to the pitch from 6–19 May 2024.

The U-17 Women’s National Team begins their Group B campaign against China PR on Tuesday, 7 May 2024 at Bali United Training Center (6.00pm AEST). They will then take on defending champions Japan on Friday, 10 May 2024 at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium (9.00pm AEST).

Australia will round out their group stage fixtures back at Bali United Training Center against Thailand on Monday, 13 May 2024 (6.00pm AEST).

CommBank Junior Matildas Head Coach Rae Dower said the selected squad was the culmination of 18 months of concerted scouting, camps and Talent Development Scheme matches across Australia with almost 100 footballers provided the opportunity to showcase their abilities. 

“We’re excited about the composition of the final squad. We’ve got more depth than ever across this cohort and we’re really happy with the team representing the nation at this prestigious tournament,” she said. 

“It’s a squad that is adaptable and flexible, can play a variety of different systems with some strong, robust defenders and real ‘x-factor’ players; creative and dangerous in that middle and final third.”

Six different Member Federations are represented in the final squad with nine players currently signed with A-Leagues Women’s clubs. Recent injuries to a number of players in A-League Women’s clubs have ruled them out of final team selection, opening the door for some first-time call-ups.

"We’ve got a great mix of players who have contributed to our Asian Cup