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ABC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro names squad for Slovenia and Panama friendlies
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has given Australia's next generation of football talent the nod as he plots a path to the 2026 Asian Cup. Montemurro has cast a wide net for his first Matildas team and named 14 A-League Women players in a 33-strong squad for upcoming games against Slovenia and Panama. Matildas captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window, with the trio taking leave. Montemurro, well familiar with the domestic league after stints with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, says the four-game window in Western Australia presents the perfect opportunity to experiment with personnel. Reigning Julie Dolan medallist Alex Chidiac and Victory striker Emily Gielnik return to the national team after being overlooked regularly by Tony Gustavsson and Tom Sermanni. "It's a good opportunity to roll out some new ideas and obviously the focus is the Asian Cup," former Lyon coach Montemurro said. "This camp is really an identification process. It's a process for the players to understand where we're heading. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ "It's really, really important that we give every player an opportunity." Cortnee Vine remains on leave after Montemurro flagged reaching out to the North Carolina Courage winger. Vine, who shot to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic quarter-final penalty shootout at the Women's World Cup, hasn't played for the national team since the Paris Olympics. Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Yallop remains sidelined with a leg injury, while recent debutant Kahli Johnson has been ruled out with a thigh injury. In their place, Montemurro has handed Roar forward Grace Kuilamu and Western United's Adriana Taranto their first call-up. Meanwhile, vice-captain Ellie Carpenter returns from personal leave, while Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and Sharn Freier will make their comebacks from injury. Midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who has yet to find a new home after her time at Portuguese club Sporting CP came to an end, returns to the Matildas for the first time since June 2022. The Matildas face Slovenia on June 26 and 29, then Panama on July 5 and 8, in WA. Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold*, Chloe Lincoln**, Sally James**, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman* Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy*, Winonah Heatley*, Alexia Apostolakis*, Jessika Nash**, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross*, Alex Chidiac, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler*, Chloe Berryhill**, Amy Sayer, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi**, Alana Murphy, Adriana Taranto** Forwards: Emily Gielnik, Michelle Heyman, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey*, Sharn Freier*, Bryleeh Henry**, Grace Kuilamu**, Remy Siemsen* * Participating in Slovenia series only ** Participating in Panama series only AAP
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
New coach names Matildas squad for upcoming games as quartet of stars unavailable
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has given Australia's next generation of football talent the nod as he plots a path to the 2026 Asian Cup. Montemurro has cast a wide net for his first Matildas team and named 14 A-League Women players in a 33-strong squad for upcoming games against Slovenia and Panama. Matildas captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window, with the trio taking leave. Montemurro, well familiar with the domestic league after stints with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, says the four-game window in Western Australia presents the perfect opportunity to experiment with personnel. Reigning Julie Dolan medallist Alex Chidiac and Victory striker Emily Gielnik return to the national team after being overlooked regularly by Tony Gustavsson and Tom Sermanni. 'It's a good opportunity to roll out some new ideas and obviously the focus is the Asian Cup,' former Lyon coach Montemurro said. 'This camp is really an identification process. It's a process for the players to understand where we're heading. 'It's really, really important that we give every player an opportunity.' Cortnee Vine remains on leave after Montemurro flagged reaching out to the North Carolina Courage winger. Vine, who shot to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic quarter-final penalty shootout at the Women's World Cup, hasn't played for the national team since the Paris Olympics. Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Yallop remains sidelined with a leg injury, while recent debutant Kahli Johnson has been ruled out with a thigh injury. In their place, Montemurro has handed Roar forward Grace Kuilamu and Western United's Adriana Taranto their first call-up. Meanwhile, vice-captain Ellie Carpenter returns from personal leave, while Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and Sharn Freier will make their comebacks from injury. Midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who has yet to find a new home after her time at Portuguese club Sporting CP came to an end, returns to the Matildas for the first time since June 2022. The Matildas face Slovenia on June 26 and 29, then Panama on July 5 and 8, in WA. Australia's 33-player squad Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold*, Chloe Lincoln**, Sally James**, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman* Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy*, Winonah Heatley*, Alexia Apostolakis*, Jessika Nash**, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross*, Alex Chidiac, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler*, Chloe Berryhill**, Amy Sayer, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi**, Alana Murphy, Adriana Taranto** Forwards: Emily Gielnik, Michelle Heyman, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey*, Sharn Freier*, Bryleeh Henry**, Grace Kuilamu**, Remy Siemsen* * Participating in Slovenia series only. ** Participating in Panama series only.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Setting the tone': Joe Montemurro opts for mix of experience and potential with first Matildas squad
Alex Chidiac has been recalled into the Matildas squad to face Slovenia and Panama is a series of friendlies in Australia. Alex Chidiac has been recalled into the Matildas squad to face Slovenia and Panama is a series of friendlies in Australia. Photograph: Darren Pateman/AAP Joe Montemurro will use the start of his tenure to test the depth of Australian women's football, after the new Matildas coach announced an extended squad for four friendlies that lacks star power and is awash with fresh and fringe faces. Continuing the experimentation of interim coach Tom Sermanni, nearly half of the 33 players called up by Montemurro for the series against Slovenia and Panama have fewer than 10 caps. Advertisement Related: Matildas usher in new era after key interim role is filled perfectly by Tom Sermanni | Joey Lynch Notable absences include stand-in captain Steph Catley and forward powerhouse Caitlin Foord, who are taking personal leave. Tameka Yallop is out with injury, Katrina Gorry remains on leave and Sam Kerr's return to playing remains a mystery. Mary Fowler's extended absence also continues as she recovers from an ACL injury sustained during Manchester City's FA Women's Cup semi-final in April. Along with six uncapped players – including Young Matildas Grace Kuilamo and Adriana Taranto, who have received their first senior call-ups – Montemurro has brought back into the fold a handful of experienced Matildas who have been on the fringe in recent years. Advertisement Dynamic midfielder Alex Chidiac returns off the back of a successful A-League Women season with Melbourne Victory after which she received the Julie Dolan medal for best player in the league. Chidiac most recently stepped out in the green and gold for some token minutes during the 2023 Women's World Cup. Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo) and Emily Gielnik will also join the squad after returns to form and fitness. Berryhill's long-awaited return to the national team was cut short in December last year when she suffered a concussion in the 27th minute. Montemurro said the long international window allows him to lay the groundwork for the major tournaments on the horizon, chiefly the home 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. 'This window is about setting the tone,' he said. 'We're laying the foundations for the next phase of our journey as we build relationships, create an understanding of our style of play, and enhance the high-performance environment that enables our players to thrive. Advertisement 'We wanted to use this window not just to prepare for the matches, but to really explore the talent that's coming through.' Holly McNamara, Jamilla Rankin, Natasha Prior, Bryleeh Henry, Winonah Heatley and Jessika Nash – all relatively new to the national set-up – will have another chance to shine with senior players out of the mix. One exception though is breakout star and debutant from the Argentina series Kahli Johnson who has been ruled out with an injury she picked up in the second match. Ellie Carpenter is back after taking a short break to get married, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, midfielder Hayley Raso and forward Sharn Freier have all recovered from injury. The former Lyon and Arsenal coach said his selections represent a good balance of experience and potential. Advertisement 'Slovenia and Panama have been strategically scheduled to give us the right mix of conditions and opposition as we begin this phase,' he said. 'With the blend of players in this extended squad, these fixtures allow us to explore tactical ideas, build cohesion, and gradually shape the way we want to play moving into the next cycle.' Not all players in the extended squad will be available for both the Slovenia and Panama series. Matildas squad Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln, Sally James, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman; Alexia Apostolakis, Ellie Carpenter (vc), Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Jessika Nash, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin; Chloe Berryhill, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Alex Chidiac, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Alana Murphy, Amy Sayer, Adriana Taranto, Emily Van Egmond (vc), Clare Wheeler; Sharn Freier, Emily Gielnik, Bryleeh Henry, Michelle Heyman, Grace Kuilamu, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘Setting the tone': Joe Montemurro opts for mix of experience and potential with first Matildas squad
Joe Montemurro will use the start of his tenure to test the depth of Australian women's football, after the new Matildas coach announced an extended squad for four friendlies that lacks star power and is awash with fresh and fringe faces. Continuing the experimentation of interim coach Tom Sermanni, nearly half of the 33 players called up by Montemurro for the series against Slovenia and Panama have fewer than 10 caps. Notable absences include stand-in captain Steph Catley and forward powerhouse Caitlin Foord, who are taking personal leave. Tameka Yallop is out with injury, Katrina Gorry remains on leave and Sam Kerr's return to playing remains a mystery. Mary Fowler's extended absence also continues as she recovers from an ACL injury sustained during Manchester City's FA Women's Cup semi-final in April. Along with six uncapped players – including Young Matildas Grace Kuilamo and Adriana Taranto, who have received their first senior call-ups – Montemurro has brought back into the fold a handful of experienced Matildas who have been on the fringe in recent years. Dynamic midfielder Alex Chidiac returns off the back of a successful A-League Women season with Melbourne Victory after which she received the Julie Dolan medal for best player in the league. Chidiac most recently stepped out in the green and gold for some token minutes during the 2023 Women's World Cup. Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo) and Emily Gielnik will also join the squad after returns to form and fitness. Berryhill's long-awaited return to the national team was cut short in December last year when she suffered a concussion in the 27th minute. Montemurro said the long international window allows him to lay the groundwork for the major tournaments on the horizon, chiefly the home 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. 'This window is about setting the tone,' he said. 'We're laying the foundations for the next phase of our journey as we build relationships, create an understanding of our style of play, and enhance the high-performance environment that enables our players to thrive. 'We wanted to use this window not just to prepare for the matches, but to really explore the talent that's coming through.' Holly McNamara, Jamilla Rankin, Natasha Prior, Bryleeh Henry, Winonah Heatley and Jessika Nash – all relatively new to the national set-up – will have another chance to shine with senior players out of the mix. One exception though is breakout star and debutant from the Argentina series Kahli Johnson who has been ruled out with an injury she picked up in the second match. Ellie Carpenter is back after taking a short break to get married, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, midfielder Hayley Raso and forward Sharn Freier have all recovered from injury. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion The former Lyon and Arsenal coach said his selections represent a good balance of experience and potential. 'Slovenia and Panama have been strategically scheduled to give us the right mix of conditions and opposition as we begin this phase,' he said. 'With the blend of players in this extended squad, these fixtures allow us to explore tactical ideas, build cohesion, and gradually shape the way we want to play moving into the next cycle.' Not all players in the extended squad will be available for both the Slovenia and Panama series. Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln, Sally James, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman; Alexia Apostolakis, Ellie Carpenter (vc), Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Jessika Nash, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin; Chloe Berryhill, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Alex Chidiac, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Alana Murphy, Amy Sayer, Adriana Taranto, Emily Van Egmond (vc), Clare Wheeler; Sharn Freier, Emily Gielnik, Bryleeh Henry, Michelle Heyman, Grace Kuilamu, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Fresh faces: Montemurro unveils new-look Matildas squad
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has given Australia's next generation of football talent the nod as he plots a path to the 2026 Asian Cup. Montemurro has cast a wide net for his first Matildas team and named 14 A-League Women players in a 33-strong squad for upcoming games against Slovenia and Panama. Matildas captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window, with the trio taking leave. Montemurro, well familiar with the domestic league after stints with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, says the four-game window in Western Australia presents the perfect opportunity to experiment with personnel. Reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Alex Chidiac and Victory striker Emily Gielnik return to the national team after being overlooked regularly by Tony Gustavsson and Tom Sermanni. "It's a good opportunity to roll out some new ideas and obviously the focus is the Asian Cup," former Lyon coach Montemurro said. "This camp is really an identification process. It's a process for the players to understand where we're heading. "It's really, really important that we give every player an opportunity." Cortnee Vine remains on leave after Montemurro flagged reaching out to the North Carolina Courage winger. Vine, who shot to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic quarter-final penalty shootout at the Women's World Cup, hasn't played for the national team since the Paris Olympics. Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Yallop remains sidelined with a leg injury, while recent debutant Kahli Johnson has been ruled out with a thigh injury. In their place, Montemurro has handed Roar forward Grace Kuilamu and Western United's Adriana Taranto their first call-up. Meanwhile, vice-captain Ellie Carpenter returns from personal leave, while Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and Sharn Freier will make their comebacks from injury. Midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who has yet to find a new home after her time at Portuguese club Sporting CP came to an end, returns to the Matildas for the first time since June 2022. The Matildas face Slovenia on June 26 and 29, then Panama on July 5 and 8, in WA. AUSTRALIA'S 33-PLAYER SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold*, Chloe Lincoln**, Sally James**, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman* Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy*, Winonah Heatley*, Alexia Apostolakis*, Jessika Nash**, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross*, Alex Chidiac, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler*, Chloe Berryhill**, Amy Sayer, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi**, Alana Murphy, Adriana Taranto** Forwards: Emily Gielnik, Michelle Heyman, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey*, Sharn Freier*, Bryleeh Henry**, Grace Kuilamu**, Remy Siemsen* * Participating in Slovenia series only. ** Participating in Panama series only.
