First Matildas’ squad under Joe Montemurro hampered by missing stars and limited availability
With key players absent and many overseas based players only available for some of the Matildas’ upcoming matches, Joe Montemurro is in a race against the clock to prepare the national side for its first trophy in 15 years.
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Matildas captain Steph Catley and key striker Caitlin Foord won’t feature in new coach Joe Montemurro’s first squad with the Arsenal duo opting to take personal leave.
Montemurro’s appointment was almost 10 months in the making and the new coach has just four international windows to prepare the side for the Asian Cup which kicks off in Australia in March.
This window, which provides the opportunity for Asian countries to play four games, looked a prime opportunity for Montemurro to have a decent amount of time with the team and start to put some changes in place.
But with key players absent and a long list of overseas based players only taking part in the first week of the camp, Montemurro is going to be in a race against the clock to guide the Matildas to its first trophy in 15 years.
Catley and Foord’s absence is understandable given the huge workload the Champions League winning duo have had this past season.
The captain played 19 English Women’s Super League games – for a total of 1579 minutes – that doesn’t include her Champions League matches.
Foord played 1240 minutes across 20 games.
Catley and Foord are both familiar with Montemurro having worked with him in the A-League’s and at Arsenal.
They aren’t the only two missing the camp.
Katrina Gorry, who also missed the previous Matildas camp for personal leave, is once again absent for the same reason. Cortnee Vine is also on extended leave.
Tameka Yallop is out with a hamstring injury and Kahli Johnson has a thigh injury.
Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler are also both out following their ACL injuries.
The absences and changing personnel mean this window will serve as a get to know you – Montemurro won’t be expected to make sweeping tactical changes or shake it up too much.
In the 33-woman squad are two debutants – Grace Kuilamu and Adriana Taranto. The squad features 16 players with less than 10 senior international games under their boots.
“This window is about setting the tone. We’re laying the foundations for the next phase of our journey as we build relationships, create an understanding of our style of play, and enhance the high-performance environment that enables our players to thrive,” Montemurro said.
“It’s a rare opportunity to work with a broadened squad, give players their first or renewed taste of the environment, and assess where we are as a group.
“I can’t wait to get to work.”
While it hampers the coach’s ability to make a solid start on preparing for the Asian Cup it does open the door for fringe players to grab a spot back especially with several key positions with vacancies.
GOALKEEPER
Mackenzie Arnold has struggled to replicate the form she had during the 2023 FIFA World Cup and a run of injuries means she is lacking match fitness.
Playing for US based club Portland Thorns means Arnold will be in her pre-season when the Asian Cup rolls around.
Teagan Micah, who had the No. 1 spot before a serious concussion benched her for six months, has made a very good case to claim the jersey back. The Queensland keeper has had two solid seasons at Liverpool, despite struggling for game time, and has impressed between the sticks for the Matildas during the last few windows.
Micah is currently uncontracted but is expected to sign with a European based club.
She is staying for the entirety of this camp and it will give her a real chance to show Montemurro what she can bring to the Matildas.
DEFENDERS
Montemurro is very unlikely to make any changes to the starting defensive set up with Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt and Steph Catley – all but locked in. But there are a number of worthy defenders looking to sneak in as the super substitutes.
Charli Grant, who stepped into Carpenter’s role when she ruptured her ACL in 2022, has been very unlucky when it comes to game time in big tournaments.
She was used rarely off the bench by previous coach Tony Gustavsson during the World Cup and didn’t even make the final 18-woman squad for the Olympics.
Newcastle Jets defender Natasha Prior has had a good run under interim coach Tom Sermanni – scoring two goals from her nine appearances. She too has a very good case to make for selection.
MIDFIELDERS
The midfield is one of the Matildas biggest issues due to the key players all nearing their mid-30s.
Katrina Gorry (32), Yallop (34) and Emily van Egmond (31) are not expected to remain starting choice players for this four-year cycle. It means Montemurro is going to be on the hunt for replacements.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, who really announced herself at the World Cup, will be instrumental to the Matildas midfield moving forward.
The key will be finding players who can work with her. Clare Wheeler has proven she can do this.
And Amy Sayer, just back from her ACL, scored a brace in her opening match last window.
Chloe Berryhill (30), even stands a chance to earn a spot back given her experience. She has played 56 games for the Matildas before an ACL injury saw her left out of the World Cup squad. She has struggled to find a way back in as a regular player since.
STRIKERS
There are so many options when it comes to filling the Matildas attacking line – but regardless of the formation Caitlin Foord will feature.
Kerr will too, once she makes her return from injury.
A-League’s Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara is certainly a contender for a spot on the wing. Her speed and precision in front of the goal are lethal. She could possibly beat Kaitlyn Torpey to a spot in the team – especially if McNamara opts to stay in the A-League's as she will get more game time than Torpey, who plays in the NWSL, and will be in season.
Sharn Freier, who has missed the past couple of windows after having ankle surgery, is also a contender for a spot in the front line. The speedy winger has just signed with German side Wolfsburg FC and match minutes could dictate her chances of playing in the Asian Cup.
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