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ADELAIDE-BORN Emma Checker a little more than a week ago was pondering how she could be part of the Matildas after missing the initial cut for the AFC Asian Cup.
But Checker is now destined to make her big tournament debut at left-back when the Matildas face Jordan at Thong Nhat Stadium on Friday.
Checker, 18, was rushed into the squad last Friday, meeting the team a day after they arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Checker was grateful when Asian Football Confederation officials allowed all eight teams to add two players to the originally named 23 due to the heavy demands of playing a potential five matches in 11 days.
"I didn't know what to think at the start, it all came down to the fact that tough decisions had been made and I had just missed out,'' Checker said after training at Ho Chi Minh's Army Stadium on Thursday.
"I was looking forward to working hard and finding my spot eventually and that call came. I just have to make the most of it."
Emma Checker (L) in action for Melbourne Victory in the W-League. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: News Limited
Checker had planned to rejoin training at Birkalla with the men's reserves side and playing for the under 18s in the Football Federation SA's National Premier League before the Matildas call.
But her rise to the top has come as no surprise.
After completing year 12 at Immanuel College last year Checker had a fantastic second W-League season with Melbourne Victory, where the club claimed a 2-0 grand final win over Brisbane Roar at Lakeside Stadium.
When Checker was just 14 she was deemed good enough to play for the Lady Reds, but a ruling declared she was too young to participate before becoming a squad member in 2011 after she had turned 15.
But after making her Matildas debut in a clash against Hong Kong in a 4-0 win in 2012, Checker will be capped for the third time on Friday.
At 17, Emma Checker became the first ever woman to play in a Seniors Men's U18 competition at the West Torrens Birkalla Soccer Club. Source: News Limited
She could face Jordan's best midfielder, winger Shahnaz who was outstanding in her side's 3-1 opening round loss to hosts Vietnam on Wednesday.
"I guess there's always going to be nerves but I have to treat it like any other game and treat it like any other player coming at me," Checker said..
"I have to work her (Shahnaz) out quickly, see how quick she is and what foot she uses and take it from there.
"It's come around pretty quickly and I'm still very stunned by it all.
"I just have to soak it up, it's something I've dreamed of and now I've just got to take it in."
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