Big decisions await Matildas head coach Ante Milicic, who is set to announce his Women’s World Cup squad tomorrow. FFA has partnered with Facebook Australia to premiere the squad announcement to fans around the country and across the globe from 9.30am AEST.
Captain Sam Kerr is coming off the back of an outstanding weekend in the U.S, after scoring a double and getting an assist to lead Chicago Red Stars to a 3-1 win over reigning Champions North Carolina Courage. However, not all Matildas are seeing the game time they need like the captain.
While the main core group will retain their spots, there’s still many names who aren’t certainties to be on the plane to France.
Certainties:
Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams, Mackenzie Arnold;
Defenders; Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Ellie Carpenter, Laura Alleway, Steph Catley;
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac, Elise Kellond-Knight, Tameka Yallop;
Attackers: Caitlin Foord, Emily Gielnik, Hayley Raso, Lisa De Vanna, Sam Kerr.
Uncertainties:
Goalkeepers: Eliza Campbell, Teagan Micah;
Defenders: Elizabeth Ralston, Gema Simon, Teigen Allen;
Midfielders: Aivi Luik, Amy Harrison, Katrina Gorry, Teresa Polias, Emily Van Egmond;
Attackers: Mary Fowler, Princess Ibini, Chloe Logarzo, Kyah Simon;
Young Wildcards: Karly Roestbakken, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Amy Sayer.
Milicic is set to name an extended 25-player squad for the upcoming training camp in Turkey prior to the international friendly against the Netherlands on June 2nd. This gives him a chance to look at two players who are either coming back from injury or on the cusp of breaking through.
Kyah Simon is one in particular with a question mark over her head following her ankle injury.
“Simon did have that 30 minute appearance against North Carolina Courage a couple of weeks ago,” Milicic told media.
“Unfortunately after this 30 minutes she didn’t pull up as well as she would have liked [and] as we would have liked,” he added.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is just 25 days away. The Matildas open their campaign against Italy on June 9th.
