Glory midfielder Hana Lowry has been named in the Australia Under-23 squad set to take part in this month’s 2022 AFF Women’s Championships in Manila, Philippines.
The 19-year-old, who started all but one of Glory’s Liberty A-League games last season to take her appearances tally for the club to 27, is part of a 28-strong group which will face the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia in Group A of the tournament.
Head Coach Melissa Andreatta believes that taking on the best sides from the South-East Asia region will provide invaluable experience for the young players, some of whom could force their way into contention for a place in the Matildas squad at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It’s an exciting time and to be preparing for an international tournament is something I’ve been really looking forward to. I know this group of players are too,” she said.
“The 28 players that we’ve selected are some of our brightest young prospects in Australian football.
“They have been selected as players that have performed strongly in the A-League Women’s season and then have moved into different environments and continued to perform consistently.
“They have shown qualities that we’d like to see tested at the next level and potentially identify a player for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.”
Australia’s opening game is against the host nation, the Philippines, in Binan on 4th July and they then take on Thailand on 6th July, Indonesia on 8th July, Singapore on 10th July and Malaysia on 12th July.
This year will mark the second time Australia has competed in the tournament, having won on debut in 2008.
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