A pre-season clash is set to help Canberra United's young guns find their rhythm as the W-League club looks to become a top-four challenger this season.
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Heather Garriock's new-look side will be put to the test when they play a pre-season game against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.
The club has announced four new recruits so far as part of playing roster overhaul, including goalkeeper Annalee Grove, Hayley Taylor-Young, Jessie Rasschaert and former Wanderers striker Leena Khamis.
Khamis sits seventh on the league's all-time scoring list with 40 goals and joins Norwegian international Elise Thorsnes in the frontline, with their arrival to offset the departure of Ellie Carpenter to Melbourne City.
Thorsnes and two other international players are yet to arrive in the capital, giving the club's untested talent a chance to prove themselves ahead of the opening round.
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"It'll be a good hit-out but the focus will be on us and not [Western Sydney]," Khamis said.
"They've signed some good players and look like they're going to have a strong team.
"The focus will be on what we're working on at training and the lead up to round one. The preparations are going well and we're actually preparing for the first round game against Perth [Glory].
"It's a home game and I'm looking forward to playing in front of the Canberra United fans."
Canberra will kick off their W-League campaign against Perth at McKellar Park on November 17, before hosting Melbourne City in round two.
Khamis will reunite with younger sister and goalkeeper Shamiran for what will be her 12th season in the W-League, having played in the competition since its inauguration.
The 33-year-old striker has made over 100 appearances across stints with both the Wanderers and Sydney FC, where she played alongside her new coach Garriock.
Khamis says the league has changed dramatically since she made her debut on its opening weekend and hopes it continues to develop as a professional competition.
"We were the stepping stone for young girls coming through and we want to see it grow," Khamis said.
"It just keeps getting better each year. We've got a lot more attraction from overseas players now, sponsorship, growth and the young talent coming through is enormous.
"I can't wait for another ten years when I'm actually sitting at home watching and seeing the development of the league from day one. I just hope it keeps getting better.
"I want to see young girls having a professional football career in five-ten years time."
Canberra are yet to announce their four international signings but two arrived in the capital and joined their preparations this week.
Canberra finished eighth last season with three wins, four draws and five losses, with Garriock keen to build a robust roster capable of causing upsets against the team's more fancied rivals.
Rasschaert says the arrival of the two international players has increased intensity at training as the club's uncapped players prepare to make their W-League debuts.
"It's a little bit intimidating [to train alongside international players] but it pushes me to want to do better," Rasschaert said.
"It's good to see the standard of international players in comparison to ours. All in all, we definitely match up to them as well.
"The quality of the side is amazing. Every new person who comes in is as good as the last.
"I'm just happy to be a part of it all. It's good having us all together, training as a squad and getting to know each other."
CANBERRA UNITED SIGNINGS: Karly Roestbakken, Elise Thorsnes, Nikola Orgill, Shamiran Khamis, Annalee Grove, Taren King, Olivia Price, Laura Hughes, Hayley Taylor-Young, Jessie Rasschaert, Leena Khamis
CANBERRA UNITED FIXTURES
Round 1: Canberra United v Perth Glory at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday November 17
Round 2: Canberra United v Melbourne City at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday November 24
Round 3: Newcastle Jets v Canberra United at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.30pm Saturday November 30
Round 4: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park, 7.30 Thursday December 5
Round 5: Perth Glory v Canberra United at Dorrien Gardens, 10.15pm (AEST) Friday December 13
Round 6: Adelaide United v Canberra United at Marden Sports Complex, 4pm Sunday December 22
Round 7: Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers at McKellar Park, 7.30pm Thursday December 26
Round 8: Canberra United v Sydney FC at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday January 5
Round 9: Melbourne City v Canberra United at ABD Stadium, Thursday January 9
Round 10: Bye
Round 11: Melbourne Victory v Canberra United at Lakeside Stadium, 4pm Sunday January 26
Round 12: Canberra United v Adelaide United at McKellar Park, 4pm Sunday February 16
Round 13: Brisbane Roar v Canberra United at Lions Stadium, 5.30pm Saturday February 22
Round 14: Bye