Mark Schwarzer reveals who he believes should be the Matildas’ starting goalkeeper at the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has revealed who he thinks Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson should put between the sticks this World Cup. Now have your say.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says the Matildas have the best keeper in the world among their ranks and she has more than earned her chance to be in the starting 11.

Normally when it comes to keeping, experience is paramount but Optus Sport football expert Schwarzer says that isn’t all that counts when it comes to a tournament like the World Cup.

He says Mackenzie Arnold, the second most capped keeper in the Matildas team, should be coach Tony Gustavsson’s first choice this World Cup.

Arnold has just 34 caps to her name, a far cry from the 102 matches Lydia Williams has starred in.

Williams, 35, has played in plenty of major competitions including six AFC Asian Cups, been named in four World Cup sides and competed in two Olympics.

Game time at a domestic level has been Williams’ trouble. She transferred from PSG to Brighton and Hove Albion in January – registering seven appearances in the WSL.

In contrast Arnold started in 20 matches for WSL side West Ham this season, keeping five clean sheets.

Rising star Teagan Micah’s name is also in the mix. But with the 25-year-old only just returning to the field after six months out with a head injury, she is unlikely to be Gustavsson’s first choice.

Mark Schwarzer has backed Mackenzie Arnold to start for the Matildas. Picture: Getty Images

“You obviously have an enormous amount of experience with Lydia Williams with more than 100 caps for the Matildas and she has now found game time which was really important for her, with Brighton in the WSL this season,” Schwarzer said.

“When you look at Mackenzie Arnold’s rise, her performance with the Matildas and with West Ham of course, I think she has been one of the best goalkeepers in the league, the WSL and I think she’s been a standout performer and has been absolutely enormous for West Ham.”

Arnold made her Matildas debut in 2012 and has patiently waited behind Melissa Barbieri, Williams and now Micah, for her time to come in the #1 jersey.

“When you see her performances with the national team, certainly over the last six months, there is a strong case to suggest she’ll be number one going into the World Cup,” Schwarzer said.

“Look at that last game against England she started and played the whole 90 minutes and she played all three games in the Cup of Nations and got player of the tournament.”

In that tournament, played in February, Arnold conceded two goals and made nine crucial saves.

Schwarzer said it was Arnold’s dominance in the 18-yard-box, a rarity in women’s football, that set her apart from anyone else.

“I actually believe that if she can perform anywhere near her best at this tournament I can see her being regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” he said.

“I like her all-round game. I think in the women’s game if you are able to dominate your 18-yard box, be as strong and confident as she is and be good on the ball you are setting yourself ahead of a lot of other goalkeepers.”

Lydia Williams has the edge when it comes to experience. Picture: Getty Images

RIVALS NAME TEAMS

Onome Ebi, 40, will don the captain’s armband for Nigeria at her sixth World Cup.

Ebi trains with the Abia Angels men’s team in her off-season to continue to push and reinvent herself.

“I hear it, I’m not going to lie. Some people say I’m too old to play football, that I shouldn’t be out on the pitch and that I should make way for younger players,” Ebi said.

“What can I say to that, apart from the fact that I love this sport more than anything? I was already kicking in my mum’s tummy.”

Also among the Super Falcons squad is European cup winner Asisat Oshoala and dynamic midfielder Rasheeday Ajibade.

Canada has named a 25-player squad which will be whittled down to 23 players on July 9.

The preliminary team includes captain Christine Sinclair – hoping to be the first player, of any gender, to score at six World Cups. Sam Kerr’s Chelsea teammates Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming also made the team along with Ashley Lawrence and midfielder Sophie Schmidt.

The Republic of Ireland has named a 31-woman training squad with Caitlin Foord’s Arsenal teammate Katie McCabe taking on the captaincy.

Their final 23-player team is due to be named on June 29.

Originally published as Mark Schwarzer reveals who he believes should be the Matildas’ starting goalkeeper at the FIFA Women’s World Cup