Adelaide United is thrilled to announce goalkeeper, Ilona Melegh has been selected for the CommBank Young Matildas AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Campaign.
CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has confirmed the 23-playing squad that will travel to Thailand to compete in the U20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 running from 1-18 April.
The squad selected reflects both current performance and future potential within the CommBank Young Matildas environment. Players such as Alexia Apostolakis, Avaani Prakash and Talia Younis have shown strong consistency across the A-League Women this season, bringing that form and leadership into the side.
Australia has been placed in Group C, alongside Japan, Chinese Taipei and India. The CommBank Young Matildas will first face Chinese Taipei on April 2 at Pathum Thani Stadium.
The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 also serves as the qualification pathway for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026, with the top four teams earning a place at the global event.
Australia will be aiming to secure one of those coveted spots and continue to cement its place in youth football.
CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis said the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup presents a significant moment for the squad as they prepare to take on the challenges of the tournament:
“The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup is something we have been building towards with real intent.
“We know that big moments such as this require our full focus, so we’ve selected a squad with the depth, versatility and ambition to meet those demands. Across the squad, there is a strong base of players with meaningful A-League Women match and training exposure. This supports our focus on building on our team identity, where players can perform and compete at the required level. Supported by the development of the players across the cycle and previous activities, the group is match ready and equipped for the demands of tournament football.
“While we have some key players unavailable through injury and non-release, this has created an opportunity to expose a group who will form an important part of the next U20 cycle. Thirteen players in this squad remain age eligible, which is a positive for both this tournament and ongoing development within the Matilda’s ecosystem. It allows them to test themselves early, showcase their strengths, and gain valuable experience against a range of teams and playing styles.
“What really stands out about this group and excites me, is the variety of attacking strengths, their ability to execute a fluid style of play, strong competitive mindset, and a clear commitment to a team first environment. We have belief in what this squad can deliver, and we are focused on leaving a mark on the tournament through our style, intent and collective belief.”
The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 will take place from 1 – 18 April 2026 and serve as the qualification tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 from 5 – 27 September 2026.
COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS | SQUADFixtures | Group C | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION | ||
| Alexia | APOSTOLAKIS | Defender | Melbourne City FC/ Football NSW | |
| Amelia | BENNETT | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC/ Football NSW | |
| Tegan | BERTOLISSIO | Defender | Canberra United FC/Football NSW | |
| Jasmine | BLACK | Goalkeeper | George Washington University Womens Soccer Team/Football NSW | |
| India | BREIER | Defender | Newcastle Jets FC / Football NSW | |
| Daisy | BROWN | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC/Football QLD | |
| Danella | BUTRUS | Forward | Melbourne City FC/ Football VIC | |
| Amelia | CASSAR | Forward | Sydney FC /Football NSW | |
| Alexis | COLLINS | Forward | Newcastle Jets FC /NNSW Football | |
| Sienna | DALE | Forward | Canberra United FC/Football NSW | |
| Emma | DUNDAS | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets FC /NNSW Football | |
| Tiana | FULLER | Forward | Central Coast Mariners FC/Football NSW | |
| Skye | HALMARICK | Forward | Sydney FC /Football NSW | |
| Clara | HOARAU | Midfielder | Fleury FC 91/Football West | |
| Zara | KRUGER | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC/ Football QLD | |
| Shelby | MCMAHON | Midfielder | Melbourne City FC/Football QLD | |
| Ilona | MELEGH | Goalkeeper | Adelaide United FC/ Football SA | |
| Poppy | O’KEEFE | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory FC/Football VIC | |
| Avaani | PRAKASH | Midfielder | Central Coast Mariners FC /Football NSW | |
| Georgia | RITCHIE | Goalkeeper | Newcastle Jets FC/Capital Football | |
| Rubi | SULLIVAN | Defender | Sydney FC /Football NSW | |
| Peta | TRIMIS | Forward | Central Coast Mariners FC /Football NSW | |
| Talia | YOUNIS | Forward | Wester | |
CommBank Young Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Thursday 2 April 2026
Kick-off: 4.00pm local
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
India v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Sunday 5 April 2026
Kick-off: 4.00pm local
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Japan v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Wednesday 8 April 2026
Kick-off: 4.00pm local
Venue: Nonthaburi Stadium