Four Victorians named in 24-player Australian U-23 Women’s National Squad

The Australian U-23 Women’s National Team will play its first matches of 2023 when a 24-player squad travels to the AIS European Training Centre in Varese, Italy later this month for a training camp and two-match program. 

Australian U-23 Women’s Head Coach Melissa Andreatta has selected Victoria's Alana Murphy, Alana Cerne, Naomi Thomas, Chinnama and Polly Doran in a 24-player squad for two September matches.

Taking place during the September FIFA Women’s International Window, Australia will face Serie A Femminile side A.C Milan in a closed doors clash on Friday, 22 September in Milan before meeting Scotland’s newly formed U-23 Women’s National Team at the AIS European Training Centre on Tuesday, 26 September. 

Andreatta expressed the importance of Football Australia’s U-23 Women’s National Team program in light of the fast-paced development of women’s football globally. 

“The recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ demonstrated just how rapidly women’s football is advancing in terms of the quality on the pitch,” Andreatta said. 

“The U-23 Women’s National Team program is a vital step for us as a nation to continue the evolution of players in that crucial age group. It not only provides the honour of being able to represent Australia but also the opportunity to gain invaluable experience at international level which is difficult to replicate in any other forum.” 

The Australian squad consists of 16 players set to feature heavily in the upcoming 2023/24 A-League Women’s competition, with a further eight players plying their trade in the leagues across France, England, Sweden, Spain and Denmark. 

“In selecting the squad, we looked to reward players who have shown consistent form over a period of time in international leagues, the A-League Women’s and National Premier Leagues,” Andreatta explained. 

“Taking on A.C. Milan and Scotland presents a unique occasion for these players to face quality opposition and then to test themselves against those in their age group to learn about how they can continue to develop their international play.  

“These matches will assist in that critical transitioning work from youth to senior level, particularly for a cohort for whom very few would have the diversity of opponents that European teams present.  

“The camp provides them with good quality match minutes and demonstrates continued investment by Football Australia in players to provide them with the best platform for success in the advent of a senior team call-up,” Andreatta concluded.    

Fans will also be able to follow the matches via Facebook, Twitter @FootballAUS, and Instagram @FootballAUS.

U23 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM | MATCH SCHEDULE | SEPTEMBER 2023

A.C. Milan Women’s v Australia U-23 WNT
Date: Fri, 22 September 2023 (local) / Saturday, 23 September (AEST)
Kick-Off:  5.30pm (local) / 1:30 am (AEST)

Australia U23 WNT v Scotland U-23 WNT
Date: Tues, 26 September 2023
Venue:  AIS European Training Centre, Varese
Kick-Off: 11:30 am (local) / 7:30pm (AEST)

AUSTRALIA U-23 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD | SEPTEMBER 2023