The CommBank Matildas are back in action on Channel 10, 10 Play and Paramount+, taking on Uzbekistan on Saturday, 24 February, live from 7.00pm AEDT.
The second match will be Wednesday, 28 February, live from 7.30pm AEDT on 10, 10 Bold in Perth, 10 Play and Paramount+.
Game one is set to be played in Uzbekistan’s capital city Tashkent, with game two lined up for Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
If the Matildas win both games, they will be on their way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Uzbekistan is currently ranked number 47 in the world, with the only other time the teams have played each other – during the Olympic Qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Olympics – ending in a score of 10-0 to the Matildas.
After tearing her ACL last month, Sam Kerr will not be taking to the field for the games.
“We are all heartbroken for Sam and shocked and devastated when she did her ACL,” Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy said. “It’s a blow for us but we take confidence in the World Cup we had.
“I have confidence in the squad that we have. For other players it’s an opportunity to step up and show what they can do as well.”
Cortnee Vine will also be missing after withdrawing from the games for personal reasons.
Replacing Kerr and Vine are Canberra United’s Michelle Heyman and Western Sydney Wanderers’ Sophie Harding respectively.
“It’s a super-important moment for me. It’s obviously extremely exciting, something I’ve dreamt about for a long time,” Harding said about getting the call-up.
“Sometimes it didn’t really seem achievable so this season’s been super important in playing a part in that and I’m really excited to just take in as much knowledge as I can and learn as much as I can.
“They’re some of the best female players in the world so just playing around them in itself is a privilege.”
Commbank Matildas v Uzbekistan:
• Saturday, 24 February: live from 7.00pm AEDT on 10, 10 Play and Paramount+.
• Wednesday, 28 February: live from 7.30pm AEDT on 10, 10 Bold in Perth, 10 Play and Paramount+.