Staj's 'new four-year cycle'

The Australians will undergo preparations for the 2017 Algarve Cup in Portugal where they have drawn Sweden, Netherlands and China PR, commencing March 1.

A 25-player squad was announced this morning, including uncapped teenagers Grace Maher (Canberra United), Jacinta Galabadaarachchi (Melbourne City) and goalkeeper Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (Western Sydney Wanderers).

Born in June 2001, Jacinta Galabadaarachchi could potentially feature for her country in Portugal

Fellow teenagers Alex Chidiac (Adelaide United) has one senior cap to her name as well as Olympian Ellie Carpenter (Western Sydney) who has played five games for her country.

After the camp in Canberra, the squad will be shortened to 18-20 players heading to Sydney’s west from 20-22 February ahead of their participation for the Algarve Cup.

German based midfield duo Elise Kellond-Knight (Turbine Potsdam) and Emily van Egmond (VfL Wolfsburg) will also join the squad in Portugal.

The last competitive match played by the Matildas was against Brazil in the Olympics as Australia was knocked out 7-6 on penalties after a goalless two hours.

“We are now heading into a new four year cycle, the last cycle ended after the Olympics so this is the beginning of a new cycle up until after the Tokyo Games,” Stajcic said.

“We’re looking at what kind of team we can take to qualify for the major tournaments, starting with the Asian Cup next year. It’s about having a squad that can peak in these tournaments.”

Teenagers Grace Maher and Alex Chidiac set to receive more experience with the seniors

Defenders Teigen Allen (Melbourne City) and Caitlin Cooper (Western Sydney) will be part of the squad after neither got the opportunity to play in the Olympics.

Canberra’s Emma Checker also returns who recently recovered from a long-term knee injury which she suffered in January, 2016, while her teammate Hayley Raso has not been involved with the Matildas since a 4-0 win over Vietnam in 2015.

Stajcic explained his close observation of the domestic league and players performances at youth level had him looking ahead to growing the Matildas.

“For the majority (of the squad) it is about what they showed in the W-League but others have done well at Young Matildas camps and in the U-17 national team. So it could have been on any major arena that we watched them play on.

“They’re players we think have the potential to be really good international footballers.”

“The biggest objective of this camp and one of the major factors in the squad we’ve selected is building the depth of the team, increasing the competition within the team and giving more players the experience of being in a Matildas camp and playing senior international football.”

Former Matilda Heather Garriock also joins current assistant coach Gary van Egmond in an assistant role for the two training camps and the Algarve Cup.

25-player squad: