The playmaker, and 2014 AFC Women’s Player of the Year, told the Matildas’ official website that the match, Australia’s first ever in Perth, was a vital part of preparations for Jordan 2018.

“It’s a huge opportunity and a building block into the Asian Cup,” she said.

“To be playing in Perth…it’s pretty exciting. It’s a beautiful city and we’re so excited to be here.

“It’s exciting to see that we finally got here for the Perth public. They love their sport so hopefully they can get out and support us and I’m sure we’ll put on a great show.”

Made by world-renowned silversmiths Thomas Lyte of London, the new trophy embodies the spirit of the competition and is an impressive 52.5cm height being crafted from 5.5 kilogrammes of Hallmarked Sterling Silver bullion.

Thomas Lyte’s craftsmen have delivered some of the most iconic sporting trophies, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy took 140 hours to create, passing through the hands of eight different craftsmen.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said: “The new AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy is a striking design that reflects the value of the competition as the Continent’s top women’s football tournament. I look forward to seeing the winning team lift the coveted piece of silverware at the final on April 20 in Amman, Jordan.

“The AFC has trusted Thomas Lyte for all of our trophy designs since 1997 and I am happy to see this relationship flourish with this magnificent trophy which is fitting of such a prestigious competition.”

 

The 2017 SEA Games gold medallists will meet face European giants FC Bayern Munich on Monday, before facing TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, also of the Germany’s elite Frauen-Bundesliga, on Thursday in their final fixture before Jordan 2018.

Experienced head coach Mai Duc Chung pulled few surprises in his selection. Seventeen of the 23 players chosen were also present in last April’s successful qualifying campaign in Hanoi, with forward Nguyen Thi Muon, a goal scorer at the Asian finals four years ago, among the players to be recalled.

Head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian’s 23-strong squad includes a number of the key figures of Thailand’s history-making Canada 2015 campaign, including Orathai Srimanee (pictured above); the two-goal hero in the nation’s maiden World Cup win over Ivory Coast.

Fresh from three goals in as many international matches, in-form striker Kanjana Sung-Ngoen unsurprisingly retains her place, as do veteran defenders Duangapa Srtiala and Sunisa Srangthaisong.

US-based Suchawadee Nildhamrong, scorer of the goal that secured Thailand’s ticket to Jordan, has also been named, while experienced forward Nisa Romyen has missed out on what would have been her fourth successive AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The US-based 32-year-old – whose glittering résumé includes a FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and an Olympic silver medal, was named in Asako Takakura’s side despite not featuring for the Nadeshiko since March 2016.

Kawasumi (pictured above, right), who contributed two goals when Japan became world champions in Germany in 2011, is yet to feature in Takakura’s plans since her appointment as head coach following the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying tournament.

Key players Sam Kerr, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kenendy are all present, in addition to Matildas all-time top scorer Lisa De Vanna, who is set to appear in the tournament for a fifth time.

However, influential winger Caitlin Foord will not be on the plane to Jordan after the 2016 AFC Women’s Player of the Year failed to recover from the foot injury she sustained in the recent W-League finals series.

Kyah Simon, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso and Emily Gielnik – all recent fixtures on the Australian injury list – have recuperated sufficiently to be named in the squad.

Stajcic’s squad is blessed with experience. 13 of the 23 players named have amassed over 50 international caps, and four – Kerr, De Vanna, Simon and Michelle Heyman – have scored at least 20 international goals.

Head coach Yoon Duk-yeo made two changes to the playing group that finished equal seventh at this week’s Algarve Cup in Portugal, with Kim Do-yeon and Kim Hye-yeong replacing the injured Sim Dam-young and Shim Seo-yeon.

Chelsea star and Taegeuk Ladies all-time top scorer Ji So-yun headlines the squad, with the 27-year-old just one appearance away from becoming the fourth Korea Republic international to reach 100 caps.

Ji is one of five players who play their club football abroad, alongside newly Norwegian-based midfield leader Cho So-hyun, Melbourne Victory forward Jeon Ga-eul and INAC Kobe Leonessa duo Cho Ye-seul and Lee Min-a.