CommBank Young Matildas Travel To Aotearoa New Zealand For International Hit Out

The Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas will head internationally for the first time in almost three years when they take on the Junior Football Ferns in New Zealand on 12 June 2022.   

Following a two-match international series between the two nations in April, Leah Blayney’s side will travel to meet their Trans-Tasman neighbours in Auckland for the first time since 2013.   

With both countries set to compete at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ in August, ����Ӱ�� CEO, James Johnson, believes this is a clear demonstration of how the Australia-New Zealand partnership strengthens both nations.   

“We are delighted to support Leah and her team in providing quality preparation for this year’s U-20 tournament in Costa Rica,” Johnson said. 

“Australia and New Zealand have always shared a close, mutually beneficial football relationship.  This is just another example of our two federations working together to provide our national teams with the best platform to be successful.”   

The CommBank Young Matildas are coming off a block of domestic camps and head coach Blayney believes that the return fixture against New Zealand will supply a different set of learnings ahead of Costa Rica.   

“It has been a while since we have had to travel as a team and this trip to Aotearoa New Zealand will provide us with an opportunity to test our processes on and off the pitch.”   

“Since the last series international in Canberra, we have been focused on ourselves and our own development as individuals and as a unit.  This fixture is an excellent chance to apply that progression against a challenging team on their own World Cup journey.”    

“There is no substitute for international matches and the unique atmosphere and experiences they offer.  Taking on a home nation will only hold us in good stead when we play our opening match against Costa Rica in August.”   

The CommBank Young Matildas and Junior Football Ferns last faced off in April this year with Australia recording a 5-1 win and 1-1 draw against the Kiwis.   

Australia will commence their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ campaign against host nation Costa Rica on Thursday, 11 August 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José.  Kick-off is at 12.00pm AEST with all the action on SBS.   

UPCOMING COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS FIXTURES:  
 
New Zealand v Australia 
Date: Sunday, 12 June 2022 
Time: 2pm (local) / 4pm (AEST) 
Venue: Kiwitea Street, Auckland 
Tickets: Open to the public free of charge