Eyeing off the future

NATIONAL women’s football coach Alen Stajcic is continuing his policy of “drip-feeding’’ teen talent into his squad with a 16-year-old included in the Matildas named to defend Australia’s crown at the prestigous Tournament of Nations event in the US this month.

Stajcic named a 20-player squad with the immediate goal of winning the Tournament of Nations and the longer-term aim of making a mark at next year’s World Cup in France.

The only new face in the Matildas squad is 16-year-old centre midfielder Amy Sayer, who Stajcic says has all the “tools for success’’.

Gold Coasters Elise Kellond-Knights, Tameka Butt, Hayley Raso and Mackenzie Arnold all won places.