Key reason A-League stars have put international-based Matildas on notice
Senior Matildas are on notice as a major issue emerges for our top level players plying their trade in competitions around the world.
Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni’s willingness to use home-based talent in the national team should serve as a warning for many of the senior players – especially with so many of them getting so few minutes in club land.
CODE Sports analysed the statistics of the core Matildas players and found of the overseas based players just three had played more than 700 minutes this season – Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter and Emily van Egmond.
The rookie Matildas players used in this window have delivered some noteworthy performances that could make them hard to overlook for the She Believes Cup squad in February.
While not a major tournament, it is the first time Australia have been invited to compete and it will see them face off against Asian Cup opponent Japan as well as the USA and Colombia.
Sermanni will no doubt want to make a mark on the competition.
It means this Christmas-New Year period is crucial for the overseas-based Matildas when it comes to building their match fitness.
Carpenter, named the AFC International Player of the Year, has logged 985 minutes with Lyon so far this season.
Van Egmond played in all 26 games for San Diego Wave in the NWSL – equalling a massive 1890 minutes of football.
The midfielder will be in pre-season for the next window.
The English WSL is only eight rounds in (plus Champions League and Cup games).
Foord has played in each of Arsenal’s WSL and Champions League games – for a total of 855 minutes.
Matildas’ captain Steph Catley, who has had some injury woes this season, has just 609 minutes, while Kyra Cooney-Cross has played 355 minutes across 10 games.
Hayley Raso made the move from Real Madrid to Tottenham chasing more game time but it hasn’t delivered – she has played just 370 minutes across five games. She played 28 matches, with 10 starts for a total of 1212 minutes with Real Madrid last season.
Clare Hunt, also new to Tottenham, has played in all eight games for a total of 652 minutes. She hasn’t played a full 90 minutes since November 3. Charli Grant has just 103 minutes under her boots from three matches.
Manchester City is slightly kinder to its Australian players with Alanna Kennedy clocking up nine appearances and 600 minutes.
Mary Fowler, who missed this recent camp due to mental and physical fatigue has played 11 games for 737 minutes.
The WSL has a short break over Christmas leaving players the opportunity to play another six games before the She Believes Cup.
Micah, hampered by injury, has played just one game for Liverpool this season. But as she proved against Brazil at the Gold Coast she is back in fine form.
Arnold, who made the move from West Ham to NWSL side Portland Thorns played just five of the possible 11 games for her club. Going into the most recent Matildas camp she hadn’t played a game since September 29.
Regular Matildas playing in the A-League’s Women’s competition are just four rounds in.
Michelle Heyman and Tameka Yallop have played in each match, falling just shy of playing the full 90 minutes in each game.
Sharn Freier missed one game with muscle tightness but has played the remaining three games.
Recalled Matildas player Emily Gielnik has scored six goals in four games for Melbourne Victory – playing 324 minutes.
Come February they will be hitting their peak.
Along with many of the fringe Matildas Sermanni opted to use this camp, including Chloe Logarzo, Natasha Prior, Gielnik, Alex Chidiac and Leah Davidson.
With an interim coach at the helm no one’s spot is guaranteed.
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