The Young Matildas squad to face New Zealand U-20s on Wednesday night in Canberra will be vastly different to the squad announced last week after several players have been forced into isolation due to Covid.
While only a few players have tested positive, strict rules in the ACT mean Covid-positive people and household or close contacts must be in quarantine for at least seven days. This has meant the bulk of the team are in isolation.
The news is a huge blow to the Young Matildas setup who haven’t played since December 2019.
It is understood several new players have been rushed into the squad. The good news is, several youngsters will now get an opportunity they didn’t expect in national team colours.
If the Young Matildas win it will be a remarkable effort considering what they have gone through this week.
FA and the Young Matildas coaches have worked tirelessly behind the scenes with the government over the past few days to ensure the game still happens.
Despite the challenges, spirits are still high among the playing group, who were enjoying the camp as they began preparations for the U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica in August.
The team and coaching staff will undergo Covid tests before the game.
It is unknown how many current players in isolation will be available for Sunday’s second game. Some will miss both games.
FA will announce the replacement players later today. It is expected most players coming in are based in Sydney, partly for logistical reasons.
The selected team will be announced one hour before kickoff. The game will be live on YouTube and Facebook with kick-off set for 6.30pm AEST.
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