Loading...

Apostolakis and Gallagher named in Australia’s preliminary squad for AFF Women’s Championship

Alexia Apostolakis and Sheridan Gallagher have been named in a preliminary 35-player squad ahead of the commencement of the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship to run from 4 – 17 July 2022.

It will be Australia’s sixth appearance at the biennial competition to see who will be crowned champions of the ASEAN region.  Following the official draw on 28 May, Australia will face hosts Philippines, and other group members, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in Group A.  

Australia’s group action will commence on 4 July with matches scheduled every two days until the final group fixture on 12 July.  The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout phase and a chance at the AFF Women’s Championship.  

CommBank Matildas Assistant Coach, Melissa Andreatta, has been appointed as head coach for the Australian representative team with Leah Blayney named as her Assistant Coach.  

With several FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ bound nations participating, Andreatta is eagerly anticipating the prospect of providing the next generation of players exposure and growth experiences in a competitive environment and match conditions.  

“We have some exciting promising talent across our player pool and since the resumption of international football in 2022, we have been working extremely hard to ensure that they are given every opportunity to grow and develop as players that will represent Australia prominently over the coming years.,” Andreatta said.   

“The AFF Women’s Championships is a tournament with great history that will provide the next generation of player Australian footballers with strong learnings as they embark on their next phase of personal and professional development. More competitive match minutes at the highest available intensity will only be beneficial for the national team in the long term. 

“Playing in match conditions allows us to work with the group closely and continue integrating them into the style of play that will give them the best foundations to challenge for a position on the roster for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™.”

A little over a month out from the commencement of the tournament, Andreatta has selected a preliminary 35-player squad. With host of football action to be undertaken over the coming weeks, the squad will be whittled down over the coming weeks.  


AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS | GROUP A

·           Australia

·           Indonesia

·           Malaysia

·           Philippines

·           Singapore

·           Thailand

AUSTRALIA PRELIMINARY 35-PLAYER SQUAD | 4-17 JULY 2022

NAME POSITIONCLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION
Alexia APOSTOLAKISDefenderFootball NSW Institute / Football NSW
Chelsea BLISSETTDefenderLions FC on loan from Melbourne City FC / Football Victoria
Naomi CHINNAMADefenderBlacktown Spartans / Football Victoria
Larissa CRUMMERForwardCapalaba FC / Football QLD 
Chelsea DAWBER ForwardChicago Red Stars / Football South Australia
Leah DAVIDSONMidfielderAPIA Leichhardt / Football QLD
Kirsty FENTONDefenderNWS Spirit FC / NNSW Football
Holly FURPHY Forward Santa Clara University / Football Victoria
Jacynta GALABADAARACHCHIForwardCeltic FC / Football Victoria
Daniela GALICMidfielderFootball NSW Institute / Football NSW
Sheridan GALLAGHERForwardIllawarra Stingrays / Football NSW
Katie GODDEN Forward DePaul University / Windlesham United 
Charlotte GRANTDefenderFC Rosengard / Football South Australia
Annalee GROVEGoalkeeperWest Adelaide SC / NNSW Football
Mackenzie HAWKESBYMidfielderSydney FC / Football NSW
Winonah HEATLEYDefenderSydney Olympic / Football QLD 
Bryleeh HENRYForwardBlacktown Spartans / Football NSW
Sarah HUNTERMidfielderAPIA Leichhardt / Football NSW
Sally JAMES Goalkeeper Blacktown Spartans / Capital Football 
Princess IBINI-ISEIForwardAPIA Leichhardt / Football NSW
Abbey LEMONForwardBlacktown Spartans / Football NSW
Chloe LINCOLNGoalkeeperCanberra United Academy / Capital Football
Rachel LOWEForwardSydney University FC / Football NSW
Hana LOWRYMidfielderBlacktown Spartans / Football West
Matilda McNAMARADefenderAdelaide City FC / Football South Australia
Jessika NASHDefenderBlacktown Spartans / Football NSW
Jamilla RANKINDefenderBlacktown Spartans / NNSW Football
Taylor RAYMidfielderSydney Olympic / Football NSW
Cushla RUEDefenderSydney University FC / Football NSW
Charlize RULEDefenderSydney Olympic / Football NSW
Amy SAYERMidfielderStanford University / Football NSW
Ella TONKINDefenderNorthern Tigers / Football SA
Cortnee VINEForwardSydney Olympic / Football QLD
Jada WHYMANGoalkeeperSydney Olympic / Football NSW
Paige ZOISMidfielderBulleen Lions / Football Victoria