Montemurro supports Fowler withdrawal from Matildas friendlies
Australia will also be without Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry for matches against Germany and Haiti.
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has backed Mary Fowler’s withdrawal from the squad for personal reasons, saying Australia has midfield options to cover her absence against Germany and Haiti.
Fowler, 23, pulled out after discussions involving the coach, her club Manchester City and others. Montemurro said the circumstances were private and he would not discuss them further, but believed the decision had everyone’s support.
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold said she did not know why Fowler had returned home. She supported players seeking permission to leave international duty when personal circumstances required it, saying their lives could not always revolve around football.
With Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry also absent, Montemurro pointed to opportunities for other midfielders. He singled out Dani Galic of Vittsjo, Alana Murphy of Nottingham Forest and Valarenga’s uncapped Hana Lowry as players he believed could form the next generation.
The matches carry ranking points before the World Cup draw in December. Australia is ranked No.15, and beating No.3 Germany would help the Matildas remain in pot two of the four draw pots.
