Central Coast Mariners star Isabel Gomez rewarded with Matildas call up for upcoming window

Mariners semi-final hero Isabel Gomez has earned a Matildas call-up as a number of big name stars are ruled out of what could be Tom Sermanni’s final coaching window. Full squad news.

Grand final-bound Central Coast Mariners star Isabel Gomez has been called into the Matildas squad after scoring the match winning goal against Melbourne City in front of interim coach Tom Sermanni at the weekend.

The 22-year-old scored Mariners’ only goal in the 121st minute of their semi-final against the premiers to launch her team into their first A-League’s Women’s grand final this weekend.

Sermanni, who was at the match, said he already had Gomez’s name on the list.

“It was the week before in the first leg of the semi final against Melbourne City that I thought she was really impressive and she followed it up with a good performance at the weekend,” Sermanni told Code Sports.

With nine regular Matildas players unavailable due to injury or personal leave Sermanni had little choice but to bolster his 23-woman squad for the upcoming two-game series against Argentina with ALW players.

Isabel Gomez of the Mariners has been called into the Tillies squad. Picture: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

The injury list includes Sharn Freier (ankle), Tameka Yallop (hamstring), Mackenzie Arnold (lower leg), Hayley Raso (quad), Mary Fowler (ACL) and Sam Kerr (ACL).

Cortnee Vine, Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry are out for personal reasons.

Sermanni said with the injury list growing it was vital to give an opportunities to the next generation so everyone could be as prepared as possible come next year’s Asian Cup.

“From the injury list six of them are attacking players so it’s become critically important for people who have not had opportunities or have not been in the squad to actually come in and hopefully get some game time,” Sermanni said.

“If we were going to an Asian Cup tomorrow you want to bring in players that have had opportunities or have been in the national team set up, so the upside of having such a horrific injury and unavailable list at the moment is it gives opportunities to players that might be required for an important tournament.”

Matildas player Mary Fowler is out with a knee injury. Picture: Instagram

It has opened the door for ALW players Gomez, Bryleeh Henry, Leah Davidson, Holly McNamara and Natasha Prior to really show what they can do ahead of next year’s Asian Cup.

Former Western United player Kahli Johnson, who has transferred to the new Canada Women’s League, has been given her first senior national team call up.

Amy Sayer is back in the squad after battling through her ACL rehabilitation, she has been out of action since May 2024.

Keeper Jada Whyman is back after a lengthy injury battle and Morgan Aquino has been selected after impressing in the USL Super League.

Kahli Johnson has been named in the side for the first time. Picture: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP

This could be Tom Sermanni’s final window as coach. Picture: SAEED KHAN / AFP

This window is expected to be the last for Sermanni, with a new coach expected to be announced in June.

Sermanni said every window between now and the Asian Cup was a chance to test the team against challenging opponents and different styles of football.

He is expecting Argentina to play like Brazil or Colombia.

“The last experience I had against them was when I was (coaching) Canada,” Sermanni said.

“We played them in Spain and beat them but it was a really tough difficult team. A typical Argentian team, they are no different to the men’s team, they are uncompromising, good football and very tough so it will be two challenging games.

“On paper, with our full squad, I would say these are two games we should win. Obviously we have lost a significant number of key players, so it’s going to be tight and it’s going to be tough but I think if our players turn up on the night and we go about the game the same way we did in the recent Korean games then I’m confident that we can get good results.”

Matildas will play Argentina in Melbourne on May 30 and then again in Canberra on June 2.

FULL SQUAD:

GK: Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman, Morgan Aquino

Defender: Steph Catley, Charli Grant, Alanna Kennedy, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin

Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Clare Wheeler, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, Isabel Gomez, Leah Davidson

Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Bryleeh Henry, Michelle Heyman, Kahli Johnson, Holly McNamara, Kaitlyn Torpey

Originally published as Central Coast Mariners star Isabel Gomez rewarded with Matildas call up for upcoming window