Youngsters Alexia Apostolakis and Peta Trimis have earned their spots in the Young Matildas squad for next month’s AFC U-20 Women’s Asia Cup in Uzbekistan.
The two 17-year-olds join up with the U-20s outfit as they prepare for the tournament running from March 3-16.
They are both part of a team that is dominated by A-League Women’s players, with only one player from the 23 players currently plying their trade outside Australia.
Both players have previous experience with the U-20s Matildas team and Alexia Apostolakis has particularly established herself as a regular with her club, Western Sydney Wanderers,
The young defender has featured in 14 games for the Wanderers this season (starting 13 of them), helping keep four clean sheets as well as bagging a goal.
She is remarkably playing in her third season of professional football after debuting in 2021, showcasing a considerable amount of experience for someone of her young age which will hopefully put her in good stead heading into this tournament.
Peta Trimis is considerably less experienced in comparison to Apostolakis, with this season marking her debut campaign as a professional footballer.
The talented Central Coast Mariners forward has impressed in her 15 games (starting in eight of them), scoring three goals, with her performances earning her an upgrade from a scholarship to a full contract just last month.
The two players will hope to contribute as the team strives to finish in the top two of their group that includes Korea Republic, hosts Uzbekistan, and Chinese Taipei.
A top two finish will not only ensure advancement to the knockout stage of the tournament but also qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia later this year, increasing the stakes even further for this competition.
Young Matildas manager Leah Blayney expressed her confidence and happiness with the squad they have, commending its depth, versatility and high motivation and form.
“This is one of the most exciting cohorts that I have worked with over my six years with the national team, and it highlights the fantastic work being undertaken across the Australian football landscape,” Blayney said in the announcement of the squad.
“We are determined to do everything possible to qualify for this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which will provide further opportunities for this talented group of players,” Blayney concluded.
The players will have a pre-camp ahead of the tournament in Sydney and Dubai from February 19–28 Sydney, and will officially arrive in Tashkent on March 1 for the tournament.
The three group matches will take place from March 3-9, with the semi-finals set for March 13 and the third-place match and Final both scheduled for March 16.
The matches will be streamed live and free on 10 Play.
Fixtures
Korea Republic v Australia, Sun March 3
Kick-off: 1.00pm (local) / 7.00pm AEDT
Venue: Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Australia v Uzbekistan, Wed March 6
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local) / 10.00pm AEDT
Venue: JAR Stadium, Tashkent
Australia v Chinese Taipei, Sat, March 9
Kick-off: 1.00pm (local) / 7.00pm AEDT
Venue: Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent
