Stajcic’s squad will feature 2017 The Best FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Nominee, Sam Kerr, who recently equalled Kim Little’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) goal scoring record of 16 strikes in a single season for her club Sky Blue FC.

The Matildas enter their two-game campaign against Brazil with confidence having recorded a dominant 6-1 win over the South Americans at the recent 2017 Tournament of Nations (TON) held in the United States.

Nineteen of the players in Stajcic’s squad were part of the Matildas’ historic TON triumph in July, while W-League defender Georgia Yeoman-Dale has received a recall to the national set-up.

“There is a great buzz within this squad to come home and play and perform in front of large home crowds in Penrith and Newcastle,” Stajcic said. “It will be a privilege to host Brazil and the team can’t wait for the matches.

“Our (Matildas) staff are in contact with the players daily and we have access to a lot of footage of the girls playing abroad, and it has been fantastic to see so many of our girls performing consistently at a high level.”

Kerr’s recent exploits for Sky Blue FC in the United States have captured the attention and imagination of football fans in Australia and across the globe.

Coach Stajcic has been delighted with the standout displays of the 23-year-old attacker.

“Sam’s really had a breakout 12 months in the W-League and the NWSL,” he explained. “She’s matured as a player and a person, and the group couldn’t be prouder of her.”

“Sam is one of many exciting players we have selected that are keen to make the most of this series in New South Wales as we continue to build towards next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France,” he said.

Three train-on players – Amy Harrison, Michelle Heyman and Kyah Simon – will also be part of the camp.

Less than 1,500 tickets remain for the Westfield Matildas’ clash with Brazil at Pepper Stadium in Penrith on Saturday 16 September, while demand is also strong for the Newcastle match three days later, with over 9,000 tickets sold.

MATILDAS SQUAD INFORMATION:

Shirt Number

 Name

Club, Country

A International Caps (Goals)

5

ALLEWAY, Laura

Melbourne Victory, Australia

49 (2)

18

ARNOLD, Mackenzie

Brisbane Roar, Australia

14 (0)

13

BUTT, Tameka

Klepp I-L, Norway

59 (8)

21

CARPENTER, Ellie

Canberra United, Australia

10 (1)

7

CATLEY, Steph

Orlando Pride, USA

60 (2)

3

COOPER, Caitlin

Illawarra Stingrays, Australia

8 (1)

11

DE VANNA, Lisa

South Melbourne FC, Australia

124 (42)

9

FOORD, Caitlin

Vegalta Sendai, Japan

56 (10)

15

GIELNIK, Emily

Avaldsnes, Norway

15 (4)

19

GORRY, Katrina

Vegalta Sendai, Japan

55 (14)

8

KELLOND-KNIGHT, Elise

FFC Turbine Potsdam, Germany

83 (1)

14

KENNEDY, Alanna

Orlando Pride, USA

55 (3)

20

KERR, Sam

Sky Blue FC, USA

53 (12)

6

LOGARZO, Chloe

Avaldsnes, Norway

16 (0)

4

POLKINHGORNE, Clare

Brisbane Roar, Australia

96 (7)

16

RASO, Hayley

Portland Thorns, USA

19 (1)

2

SIMON, Gema

Avaldsnes, Norway

6 (0)

10

VAN EGMOND, Emily

VfL Wolfsburg, Germany

61 (14)

1

WILLIAMS, Lydia

Houston Dash, USA

60 (0)

22

YEOMAN-DALE, Georgia

Sydney FC, Australia

4 (0)