Thirroul Junior Football Club

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Updated: Thirroul junior Ashley Dribbus scores again for Mini Matildas

Thirroul junior Ashley Dribbus has scored a second goal for Australia as the Mini Matildas maintained their unbeaten record in the AFC Women's Under 16s qualifying tournament with an 8-0 win over Iraq.

Ashley, who made her international debut in the opening match of the tournament, scored from left back in the 36th minute of the match at the Vietnam Youth Training Centre in Hanoi on Monday.

She had already scored for Australia after finding the back of the net in the 54th minute of her debut for the Mini Matildas as they thrashed Palestine 28-0 last Thursday.

The 15-year-old, who made six first grade appearances for the Stingrays in this season's NWPL NSW competition but still trains regularly with her former team-mates in the Thirroul JFC U16.1 team, started at left back against Palestine before moving to right back, from where she scored her first goal in Australian colours.

Ash was one of nine Australian goal scorers in the match, which was played in 38 degree temperatures, with midfielder Courtney Nevin finishing with a stunning nine goal haul and Sofial Sakilis coming off the bench to score five second half goals.

Mini Matildas coach Ante Juric chose an almost completely different side for the second match against Hong Kong, which Australia won 14-0, and rested Ashley before recalling her for the game against Iraq.

Australia's next match is against Vietnam on Thursday and they play Uzbekistan in their final pool match on Saturday.

The AFC Under-16s Championship qualifiers mark the start of the elite women's football pathway and the first steps for young female players who aspire to play for the Matildas.

The tournament also serves as the qualifiers for the AFC U16 Women's Championship, which will be played in China in September, 2017.

The top three nations from the AFC Championships will progress to the 2018 FIFA U17 World Cup in Uruguay.

Originally published as Thirroul junior Ashley Dribbus scored in Australian debut

Thirroul junior Ashley Dribbus has scored a second goal for Australia as the Mini Matildas maintained their unbeaten record in the AFC Women's Under 16s qualifying tournament with an 8-0 win over Iraq.

Ashley, who made her international debut in the opening match of the tournament, scored from left back in the 36th minute of the match at the Vietnam Youth Training Centre in Hanoi on Monday.

She had already scored for Australia after finding the back of the net in the 54th minute of her debut for the Mini Matildas as they thrashed Palestine 28-0 last Thursday.

The 15-year-old, who made six first grade appearances for the Stingrays in this season's NWPL NSW competition but still trains regularly with her former team-mates in the Thirroul JFC U16.1 team, started at left back against Palestine before moving to right back, from where she scored her first goal in Australian colours.

Ash was one of nine Australian goal scorers in the match, which was played in 38 degree temperatures, with midfielder Courtney Nevin finishing with a stunning nine goal haul and Sofial Sakilis coming off the bench to score five second half goals.

Mini Matildas coach Ante Juric chose an almost completely different side for the second match against Hong Kong, which Australia won 14-0, and rested Ashley before recalling her for the game against Iraq.

Australia's next match is against Vietnam on Thursday and they play Uzbekistan in their final pool match on Saturday.

The AFC Under-16s Championship qualifiers mark the start of the elite women's football pathway and the first steps for young female players who aspire to play for the Matildas.

The tournament also serves as the qualifiers for the AFC U16 Women's Championship, which will be played in China in September, 2017.

The top three nations from the AFC Championships will progress to the 2018 FIFA U17 World Cup in Uruguay.