The Matildas are getting ready for a big stretch of international action! After opening against Slovenia on June 26 and 29, they’ll play Panama on July 5 and 8. The matches will take place across Western Australia. This offers a unique opportunity for the Australian women’s national soccer team to demonstrate their skills and game plan ahead of upcoming events.
Head coach Joe Montemurro calls this series more important than any other. He stated, “It’s a good opportunity to roll out some new ideas and obviously the focus is the Asian Cup.” This new format tournament will be an opportunity for the Matildas to trial their squad and work on their game.
Squad Changes and Player Absences
The team will experience a number of significant absences in the player roster for these matches. Cortnee Vine, who scored the decisive penalty in the Matildas’ quarter-final shootout during the Women’s World Cup, remains on leave. Vine last donned the national team colours since her initial trip to the Paris Olympics. This caused Montemurro to reach out to the North Carolina Courage winger about her long-term inclusion.
To make matters worse, attackers Caitlin Foord and defender Steph Catley will be unavailable for all four matches with injuries. Additionally, Katrina Gorry is missing, as she is throughout this four-game window, taking away even more experience and depth from the squad. Midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross will only join the team for the two games against Slovenia.
Returning Players and New Opportunities
In spite of these absences, though, there are promising returns to the squad. Vice-captain Ellie Carpenter is returning from personal leave, and her leadership will be welcomed as the team looks to bounce back. Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, and Sharn Freier are all making comebacks from injury, which is expected to bolster the team’s performance.
For all the players that switched, Montemurro emphasized the importance of these games to change their career trajectory. He remarked, “It’s really, really important that we give every player an opportunity,” indicating a commitment to developing the squad’s overall strength.
The Matildas still have a tough road ahead with matches against Slovenia and then Panama. These matches provide an opportunity for teams to try out new strategies under pressure. These tournaments foster team unity as the players gear up for their next tournament together.
