Canberra is proving to be a hub for developing national team goalkeepers with two following in Lydia Williams' footsteps in the Young Matildas squad.
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Canberra United goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln, and Melbourne City goalkeeper Sally James - who is a Canberran - were joined by United's Emma Ilijoski and Hayley Taylor-Young in the 28-player squad named on Thursday.
The side will face off against New Zealand on April 6 and 10 in the ACT as they prepare for the under-20s FIFA World Cup in Japan in August.
James, a former Belconnen United junior, and Lincoln are following the same path Williams did before her senior career.
"It's a bit of a trend, isn't it?" James laughed.
"I've looked up to Lydia my whole life and getting anywhere close to where she's been at throughout her career would be amazing. She's such an inspiration.
"I'll just keep chipping away, brick by brick, and hopefully I can get [to the Matildas]."
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The side has a 13-day camp at the AIS, with games at Deakin Stadium on April 6 and Viking Park on April 10 against NZ.
It marks the final match Football Australia promised Capital Football when it began its $33.5 million Home of Football venture, and adds to the Matildas game set for April 12.
The squad consists of 25 ALW players, and three NPL players, who were chosen from the 2021-22 season and through elite matches played back in 2020.
Head coach Leah Blayney said the performances of Canberra products Ilijoski and Taylor-Young in the ALW showed why they were chosen.
She said it emphasised the importance of having competitive fixtures for the youth national team with the World Cup about five months away.
"Taylor-Young, she offers us a versatile player. She can play multiple positions. And then you have Emma, who's been a fairly consistent player for matches she was available for with Canberra," she said.
"We have been building together as a group for almost two years without the opportunity to test ourselves in international standard match conditions.
"It makes this series crucial in bringing together the players and fostering familiarity with our coaching staff and each other."
AT A GLANCE
Young Matildas squad: Naomi CHINAMA, Kirsty FENTON, Gemma FERRIS, Daniela GALIC, Sheridan GALLAGHER, Abbey GREEN, Bryleeh HENRY, Sarah HUNTER, Emma ILIJOSKI, Sally JAMES, Kahli JOHNSON, Hannah JONES, Aideen KEANE, Chloe LINCOLN, Hana LOWRY, Darcey MALONE, Leticia MCKENNA, Claudia MIHOCIC, Alana MURPHY, Emilia MURRAY, Jessika NASH, Leia PUXTY, Jamilla RANKIN, Charlize RULE, Sofia SAKALIS, Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, Miranda TEMPLEMAN, Ella TONKIN
- Free entry to both games
- Wednesday, April 6: Young Matildas v New Zealand, Deakin Stadium 6.30pm
- Sunday, April 10: Young Matildas v New Zealand, Viking Stadium 2pm
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
