SYDNEY (AP) — sam carr Australia will be captaining their fifth Women’s Asia Cup, but Matildas coach Joe Montemurro decided to bet on Mary Fowler’s fitness on Thursday by naming her in the squad for the regional tournament hosted by Australia. soccer The tournament starts in 10 days.
Fowler It is her first return to the Matildas squad since April last year, when she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Manchester City in the Women’s FA Cup semi-final, requiring reconstructive surgery on her right knee.
She has only played 15 minutes of game time since her injury, but returns to a squad full of familiar faces. Coach Kerr will have veterans Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter as his vice-captains as Australia aim for their second Asian Cup win after winning in 2010.
The Asian Cup and next year’s World Cup in Brazil could be one of the last major world tournaments for the majority of the Matildas squad, most of whom will be competing in the 2023 World Cup in Australia.
“Selecting a team is never easy,” Montemurro said in a statement. “But it’s an honor to bring together players who truly represent the Matildas’ identity and spirit and who understand the responsibility of representing Australia.”
Australia will face the Philippines in their tournament opener in Perth on March 1, followed by group games against Iran on the Gold Coast south of Brisbane on March 5 and 2022 finalists South Korea in Sydney on March 8.
The contents of the tournament with 12 teams are as follows: defending champion china The competition will conclude with the final at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium on March 21st. Matches will be played at five venues, two stadiums each in Perth and Sydney, and the Gold Coast.
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Australia: Sam Kerr (captain), Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Alex Sidiac, Kyla Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Ford, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorey, Winona Heatley, Michelle Hayman, Claire Hunt, Carly Johnson, Alana Kennedy, Holly McNamara, Tegan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Jamila Rankin, Haley Lasso, Charlize Ruhl, Amy Thayer, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily Van Egmond, Claire Wheeler, Jada Wyman.
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