Brisbane Roar trio Grace Kuilamu, Isabela Hoyos and Zara Kruger have been selected as part of the CommBank Young Matildas for the upcoming AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Qualifiers this August.
This call-up follows Kuilamu’s senior national team debut in the CommBank Matildas’ two-game series against Panama earlier this month, and outstanding performances from both Hoyos and Kruger throughout the 24/25 Ninja A-League season.
Australia is due to face Tajikistan, Palestine, and Chinese Taipei in Group C, with all the matches to take place at Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. As the reigning bronze medalists from the 2024 tournament, the CommBank Young Matildas will need to finish in the top two positions of the group with the eight group winners and three best runners up advancing.
Qualification at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ will also mean a direct pathway to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™.
The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers will kick off on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, with Australia opening its campaign against host nation Tajikistan, before facing Palestine on 8 August and Chinese Taipei on 10 August.
AFC U-20 WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP THAILAND 2026™ QUALIFIERS | GROUP C
Australia v Tajikistan
Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2025 / Thursday, 7 August 2025
Time: 10.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Palestine v Australia
Date: Friday, 8 August 2025/ Saturday, 9 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 10 August 2025/ Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
