Forwards Holly McNamara and Cortnee Vine complete 23-player AFC Women's Asian Cup squad

The 23-players that will represent Australia at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ have been finalised by Commonwealth Bank Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson at the conclusion of a pre-tournament training camp in Dubai. 

Following the announcement of the initial player selections, forwards Cortnee Vine and Holly McNamara will round out the representatives at Asia’s continental championships. 

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In confirming the inclusion of Sydney FC’s Vine and Melbourne City’s McNamara, Gustavsson praised the forwards for forcing their way into their first senior international squad.

“It has been a week of high quality from everyone in this pre-tournament training camp,” Gustavssson said.  “The quality of performances from the players already selected, and from the four pushing for the final two positions, has made this decision an extremely difficult one.”

“I want to be clear, this wasn’t a case of Karly Roestbakken and Wini Heatley playing themselves out of contention but a case of Cortnee Vine and Holly McNamara playing themselves into the Asian Cup squad.”

Players training in pre-camp in Dubai


“I think a lot of people out there probably thought we were going to go with one defender, one attacker out of the four players however, we felt that with the experience and the multifunctional players that we already had selected for this tournament, we have the cover in the defensive positions. “

“We decided instead that we will select the best players for this tournament that are in the best form. Holly and Cortnee have shown us that that's the case right now and they deserve to be selected.” 

With Australia’s opening match only five days away, attention has turned to Indonesia with the Commonwealth Bank Matildas opening their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign on Friday, 21 January 2022 at Mumbai Football Arena.

READ: How to watch: Australia vs Indonesia

Having now finalised the squad, Gustavsson believes the team is in great shape to once again be a strong contender for the Asian Cup trophy. 


“I think when it comes to that team chemistry, I have a really good feeling of the group,” Gustavsson continued.  “You can see that there are a lot of players that are starting to find their vibe and that tournament vibe.” 


“Right now, the only focus is the opening game. We want to start on the front foot. We want to have a good performance to open the tournament in the best way possible and that's where all the focus is.”

Australia will arrive in India on Monday as they complete their ground work in Mumbai.  

All matches will be broadcast live on Network 10 and streamed via 10 Play in Australia. 

MORE: Ultimate Guide: 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Name

Position

Club

Caps (goals)

Junior Club / Member Fed

Mackenzie ARNOLD

Goalkeeper

West Ham United

27 (0)

Burleigh / Football QLD 

Ellie CARPENTER

Back

Lyon

54 (1)

Cowra and District / Football NSW

Steph CATLEY

Back

Arsenal WFC

96 (3)

East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria

Kyra COONEY-CROSS

Midfielder

Melbourne Victory

14 (0)

Ballarat City / Football Victoria

Caitlin FOORD

Forward

Arsenal WFC

95 (21)

Warilla Wanderers / Football NSW

Mary FOWLER

Forward

Montpellier

20 (5)

Leichhardt / Football QLD

Emily GIELNIK

Forward

Aston Villa

50 (11)

Redlands United / Football QLD

Charlotte GRANT

Back

FC Rosengård

3 (0)

Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football South Australia

Alanna KENNEDY

Back

Manchester City

102 (8)

Campbelltown Cobras / Football NSW

Sam KERR

Forward

Chelsea

104 (49)

Western Knights / Football West

Aivi LUIK

Back

Pomigliano

33 (0)

Palm Beach SC / Football QLD

Holly McNAMARA

Forward

Melbourne City

0 (0)

Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club / Football NSW

Teagan MICAH

Goalkeeper

FC Rosengård

8 (0)

Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football QLD

Courtney NEVIN

Back

Melbourne Victory

7 (0)

Oakville Ravens / Football NSW

Clare POLKINGHORNE

Back

Vittsjö GIK

138 (12)

Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba / Football QLD

Hayley RASO

Forward

Manchester City

58 (6)

Banora Point / Football QLD

Remy SIEMSEN

Forward

Sydney FC

2 (0)

Manly United / Football NSW

Kyah SIMON

Forward

Tottenham Hotspur

105 (27)

Quakers Hill, Hills Brumbies / Football NSW

Emily VAN EGMOND

Midfielder

Newcastle Jets (on loan)

112 (23)

Dudley-Redhead / Northern NSW Football

Cortnee VINE

Forward

Sydney FC

0 (0)

Peninsula Power FC / Football QLD

Clare WHEELER

Midfielder

Fortuna Hjørring

5 (0)

Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football

Lydia WILLIAMS

Goalkeeper

Arsenal WFC

95 (0)

Tuggeranong, Woden Valley / Capital Football 

Tameka YALLOP

Midfielder

West Ham United

101 (11)

Mudgeeraba / Football QLD



Commonwealth Bank Matildas Matches | AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ | Group Stage


Commonwealth Bank Matildas v Indonesia
Date: Friday, 21 January 2022
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Kick-off: 3.30pm (local), 9pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on 10 Bold and 10 Play

Philippines v Commonwealth Bank Matildas
Date: Monday, 24 January 2022
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Kick-off:  3.30pm (local), 9pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on 10 Bold and 10 Play

Commonwealth Bank Matildas v Thailand
Date: Thursday, 27 January 2022 / Friday, 28 January 2022
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local), 01:00am (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on 10 and 10 Play

For more information on the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, please visit here.