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Commonwealth Bank Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson has named a 23-player squad for April’s fixtures against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ co-host New Zealand in Townsville and Canberra.

Australia will take on their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ co-hosting partners at QCB Stadium in Townsville on Friday, 8 April in a historic match in North Queensland. Four days later they will return to Canberra for the first time in nine years with a clash at GIO Stadium on Tuesday, 12 April.

The squad consists of 22 players who contested the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup with the addition of experienced midfielder Katrina Gorry. Gorry returns to the national team following the birth of her first child in 2021 with the 29 year old putting in stellar performances in her comeback season.

Australia’s squad for the two fixtures features a host of senior CommBank Matildas led by captain Sam Kerr and vice-captain Steph Catley. Nine Queenslanders will have the chance to play in their home state since 2019 and Canberra native Lydia Williams makes the return home.

Meanwhile recently crowned 2022 A-League Women’s Champions, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin, have also made the final roster following Melbourne Victory’s back-to-back championship win. A-League Women’s Premiers Sydney FC are represented by forwards Cortnee Vine and Remy Siemsen.

Gustavsson expressed the importance of the April FIFA Window as it signifies the start of the 16 month preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

“Naturally, we were all disappointed at how our AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign concluded in January,” Gustavsson said. “Following our technical review, these April internationals are an opportunity for us to start implementing the lessons we have learned from our experiences over the past 12 months with only the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ on the horizon.”

“It is with this consideration that the 23 players have been selected as we work to start building consistency in performance and historically, we know that is aided by consistency in selection. Over the past year we have had a close look at over 75 players in high performance environments but as we focus in on the FIFA Women’s World Cup preparation, it is essential for us to zero in on our best combinations and providing them time together.”

Players and staff will commence arrival into camp on Monday with Australian based players entering first and European and American based players following the completion of this weekend’s league fixtures.

Since meeting in Australia’s first women’s “A” international match in 1979, Australia and New Zealand have faced each other 48 times in their history with the CommBank Matildas leading the head to head 31-8-9.

Both matches will be broadcast live and free on 10 Bold and simulcast on 10 Play and Paramount+, with coverage to commence from 7:00pm AEST.

The first match of the Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand 2022 is proudly supported by Townsville City Council, and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand

Friday, 8 April 2022

Venue: QCB Stadium, Townsville

Kick-Off: 7:45 pm (AEST)

Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+. Check your local tv guides.

Ticketing Details:

Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand

Tuesday, 12 April 2022

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Kick-Off: 7.45 pm (AEST)

Broadcast: Live and free on 10 Bold and simulcast on 10 Play and Paramount+.

Ticketing Details:

$1 (plus GST) from every ticket will be donated to the for women and girls with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from stroke.