The Westfield Junior Matildas’ preparations for their forthcoming 2019 AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos have received a boost, with confirmation that Australia will play two friendly matches against Myanmar in Queensland over the coming days.
Tomorrow, Rae Dower’s side will play a training match against Myanmar at Lions Stadium in Richlands from 6pm (local), before playing Myanmar in an international friendly at the Croatian Sports Centre in Carrara on Sunday from 6.30pm (local).
Both matches will be open to the public, with Sunday’s fixture also to be streamed live on the Westfield Matildas’ official website.
With games coming up in March against IR Iran (3 March), Vietnam (5 March), and Laos (7 March), Westfield Junior Matildas Head Coach Dower said the two matches against Myanmar represent great preparation for her squad.
Four Queenslanders, Charlotte Farmer, Georgia Beaumont, Jamilla Rankin and Mia Bailey, are in Dower’s 23-player squad.
“As a team we’re really looking forward to hosting matches against our neighbours Myanmar throughout our camp on the Gold Coast,” Dower said.
“Having watched them [Myanmar] in a training game already they will provide us with really strong opposition as preparation for our tournament. They have some very skilful players, are very fit and fast, and will present us with some football problems like those we’ll come up against in the tournament [in Laos].
“It will also be very exciting for the football community to watch the next crop of talented young players from across the country play international football in their own backyard.
“I’d like to thank Ken Stead, Runaway Bay Super Centre, Lions FC, Gold Coast Knights FC, and the FFA for the support they’ve shown to assist this opportunity to happen.
“I would encourage everyone that can make it to the games or tune in to watch the live stream of the second match to do so to see just how outstanding these young players are.”
Australia will require a top two finish in their pool in Laos to advance to the 2019 AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship, which will be held in September this year.
The 2019 AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship will serve as the qualification process for the 2020 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup.