Three members of the new WAIS women’s football program have been selected for national duty, with the trio set to represent Australia at the AFC Under-19 Championships next month.
Current Perth Glory W-League and WAIS footballers Marianna Tabain, Samantha Kerr and Ella Mastrantonio have all been chosen by Westfield Young Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic to be part of the 23 player squad. The trio have gathered with their Young Matildas teammates in Sydney this week for a camp prior to departing for Asia to prepare for the tournament.
Tabain, Kerr and Mastrantonio are all expected to take part in the squad’s two pre-tournament friendlies against South Korea (Saturday 25th July and Monday 27th July) before the tournament proper commences on August 1. Australia has been grouped with hosts China, Chinese Tapei and Japan for the event.
The AFC Under-19 Championship is crucial tournament for the national side with qualification for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held in Germany in 2010, on the line.
