Star United duo Johnson and Prakash earn Young Matildas nod

Kahli Johnson Avaani Prakash Western United

Western United young guns Kahli Johnson and Avaani Prakash have been selected in the upcoming Young Matildas camp in China.

The squad will come together for 10 days in late November-early December, giving both players continued exposure to a national team environment during the Liberty A-League Women season.

Get down to City Vista and watch the future stars in action this Saturday

For Johnson, this selection is the latest in an ever-growing number of national team nods that she has received in her burgeoning career.

Johnson has started the Liberty A-League season in fine form, featuring in all five of Western United’s matches so far and scoring two goals, including a stunner against Melbourne City in Round 3.

Prakash, meanwhile, is relatively new to the Young Matildas set-up having previously blossomed at Under-18 level where he scored two goals in the Junior Matildas’ successful 2022 AFF U18 Championship campaign.

The 16-year-old exploded into her Western United debut against Melbourne City, showing the Green and Black faithful and the Liberty A-League the size of her potential.

This call-up comes on the back of Prakash’s inclusion in a training camp in August and is her first as a senior professional footballer after she joined Western United last month.

Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato praised the two young stars and challenged them to continue taking steps forward in their development.

“We are delighted as always to see our players earning national team recognition and we congratulate both Kahli and Avaani on their efforts,” he said.

“Being a regular in this environment for some time, we are eager to see Kahli push herself further now and take the next step forward in her senior career.

“For Avaani, this is her first call-up as one of the Green and Black family and we are immensely excited by her potential. We are eager to see her continue to push the boundaries and work towards becoming a prominent figure in our national teams set-up.”

Come and see Kahli, Avaani and the next generation of Matildas as Western United faces Western Sydney Wanderers at City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field this Saturday.

Become a Western United A-League Women member, and remember kids aged 16 and under can get in for free all season long with the Liberty Pass.