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Sam Kerr named in Australia squad to face Chile in Olympic tune-up

Sam Kerr will lead a strong Matildas squad for their Tokyo Olympics qualifying tune-up games against Chile next month.

Fresh off another record-breaking campaign in the United States' NSWL, Kerr was among 18 members of Australia's World Cup squad selected in coach Ante Milicic's 21-player group for the internationals against the South Americans on Nov. 9 in Sydney and Nov. 12 in Adelaide.

Emma Checker (three caps) and uncapped duo Jenna McCormick and goalkeeper Sarah Willacy have been selected as they push their claims for inclusion for February's 2020 Games qualifiers.

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"We held a great training camp in Sydney earlier this month, however, for footballers nothing beats playing matches," Milicic said.

"The players are all excited by the opportunity to come back to Australia to play on home soil for the first time since the Cup of Nations in March.

"These two games against Chile will be our only fixtures prior to February's first phase of qualifying for Tokyo 2020, so we will be treating them with the utmost concentration and professionalism as we aim to make great use of our time together."

Australia will face China, Taiwan and Thailand in their Olympics qualifiers between Feb. 3 and 9.

In a revamped qualifying format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the two-leg crossover playoffs, which take place on March 6 and 11.

Full Matildas squad to face Chile:

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Sarah Willacy, Lydia Williams

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Emma Checker, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Jenna McCormick

Midfielders: Katrina Gorry, Amy Harrison, Elise Kellond-Knight, Chloe Logarzo, Aivi Luik, Karly Roestbakken, Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop

Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Emily Gielnik, Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso