Mariners star Isabel Gomez opens up on her shock Matildas call-up

Isabel Gomez was on the phone with her mother celebrating her matchwinning goal in the A-League women’s semi-final when a shock email changed everything.

In the aftermath of scoring the match winning goal and securing Central Coast Mariners a spot in the A-League’s Women’s grand final Isabel Gomez pulled out her phone to call her mum – and found a very unexpected email.

Gomez opened it, while talking to her mum and discovered she had been named in the 23-woman Matildas squad for the two-game window against Argentina.

“It was crazy,” Gomez said.

“It was a lot of emotions, my mum was trying to wrap her head around it too, she was saying ‘you’re in the grand final and the Matildas’, but she was super happy for me.”

With the grand final against Melbourne Victory set for Sunday Gomez said she hasn’t really had time to stop and process the selection news.

Isabel Gomez has been rewarded with a surprise call-up to the Matildas. Picture: Getty

It is the second time the 22-year-old midfielder has earned a call-up. But days after being named in the squad last November she suffered a knee injury in the ALW – ruling her out of the camp.

“I think it’s more special coming from you know my first call up and not being able to play to now, it’s a great feeling,” Gomez said.

Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said Gomez had been hard to miss this season.

“She’s really a blend of an all around midfielder player, she’s got an ability to play as a number six, or she can play as an attacking midfield player,” Sermanni said.

“She’s got that quality that gives a real versatility in midfield, she’s a good ball winner, good passer and stepped up and scored the critical goal at the weekend.”

Izzy Gomes A-League finals goal

It took Gomez 12 weeks to recover from the injury, with plenty of “ups and downs” but when she returned to the pitch in February it was like she had never left.

Four of her six goals this season have come post injury.

Her latest goal, albeit a controversial one, was scored in the 121st minute of the semi-final with premiers Melbourne City. It saved Mariners from going to a penalty shoot out and put them through to their first grand final.

Footage from the game does make it look like Gomez was off-side. But the referees didn’t raise the flag and with no Video Assistant Referee in the women’s competition the goal stood.

“I didn’t know anything until after the game, people were telling me it was off-side, but I haven’t been thinking about it too much,” Gomez said.

She said it certainly proved the point though that VAR which is used in the men’s was also needed in the women’s league.

Isabel Gomez celebrates on the final siren after sending the Mariners to the grand final. Picture: Getty

Gomez was a solid player last season but has certainly found a new level this season.

She put the big change down to confidence.

“This season I just feel different,” Gomez said.

“I feel like I had more confidence and my coach (Emily Husband) has given me more confidence not just as a player but as a person and a leader as well.

“(Husband) has been an awesome coach over the past two years and really instilled confidence in me which is something I’ve been struggling with, a lot of self doubt.”

Gomez said her lack of confidence was linked to having a bit of impostor syndrome.

“I’m always tough on myself, I don’t think I’ve ever played a good game, I do expect a lot from myself,” Gomez said.

“But I feel like I am good, I’m an all-right player and (Husband) says I’m doing enough for the team and that she trusts me to take those shots as well.”

On top of the boost from her coach Gomez, a Christian, credits her faith for her ability on the field.

“I pray a lot,” Gomez said. “I put God first and pray a lot to him and that helps me throughout everything. I pray every time I’m on the field as well, jut for Him to put strength in me, confidence in and to play how I want to play and it seems to really show on the field.”

Mariners players celebrate Gomez’s goal – which put them through to the grand final. Picture: Getty

Gomez plans to her new found level of self-belief in the Matildas camp later this month.

“I’m pretty nervous but I’m also super excited at the same time. Because I’ve played with a couple of those players like Kyra Cooney-Cross, Courtney Nevin, I went to school with them, played NPL with them, so it’s all really exciting,” Gomez said.

The midfielder has no hard feelings that her school mates have a great deal more experience in the Matildas camp than here.

“It has been a bit of a waiting game but I think this timing is perfect for me, like being called up for the first Matildas camp I wouldn’t say I’m fully ready but I feel like this second time around I’m ready to go in and try my best,” she said.

Matildas will play two games against Argentina during the window. While branded as friendlies and under interim coach Tom Sermanni, Gomez knows this could be her best opportunity to prove what she can do on an international stage ahead of next year’s Asian Cup.

“I’m just focusing on stepping on the field first, that is my main goal,” Gomez said.

But before any of that Gomez has a grand final to prepare and play.

Originally published as Mariners star Isabel Gomez opens up on her shock Matildas call-up