Wanderers captain Clare Hunt has been named in the 25-player CommBank Matildas squad set to contest the 2023 Cup of Nations to be hosted across New South Wales this month.
The six-match tournament will kick-off at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford on Thursday, 16 February with Match Day 2 in Sydney on Sunday, 19 February before the Cup of Nations concludes on Wednesday, 22 February in Newcastle.
“The first camp of the year is always an exciting prospect following a lengthy break from the team environment, and in a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ year, it adds a little more anticipation,” CommBank Matildas’ head coach Tony Gustavsson said.
“Our Cup of Nations squad has been selected in line with our principles built in the back half of 2022 as we continue to create consistency and chemistry among the playing group. This is particularly important in a tournament that mirrors the group stage play and presents an opportunity to maximise our time together with less than 200 days until the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ kicks off.”
Keeping to the principle, 21 players from the November 2022 FIFA Women’s International window feature in the squad. Meanwhile experienced trio Emily Gielnik (forward), Tameka Yallop (midfielder) and Mackenzie Arnold (goalkeeper) return to the squad after completing their time on the sidelines due to injury.
Western Sydney Wanderers’ defender Clare Hunt earns her first call-up for the senior national team following strong performances in the Liberty A-League Women’s competition.
“We were pleased with the way the team progressed towards the end of 2022 and the matches provided many learnings for us to build on during these games later this month,” Gustavsson explained.
“We know there are some areas we need to continue evolving in and that will be the focus of our matches against three opponents that provide real variety of approach,” Gustavsson concluded.
The CommBank Matildas three Cup of Nations matches will be broadcast live across 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+, with other matches live and exclusive to Paramount+.
COMMBANK MATILDAS SQUAD | 2023 CUP OF NATIONS
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB | CAPS (GOALS) | JUNIOR CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION |
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 29 (0) | Burleigh / Football QLD |
| Steph CATLEY | Back | Arsenal WFC | 106 (3) | East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria |
| Alex CHIDIAC | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory on loan from Racing Louisville FC | 22 (1) | Croydon Kings/ Football South Australia |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Hammarby IF | 22 (0) | Ballarat City / Football Victoria |
| Larissa CRUMMER | Forward | Brisbane Roar | 30 (4) | Peninsula Power / Football QLD |
| Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal WFC | 106 (27) | Warilla Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Mary FOWLER | Forward | Manchester City | 32 (8) | Leichhardt / Football QLD |
| Emily GIELNIK | Forward | Aston Villa | 57 (11) | Redlands United / Football QLD |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | Vittsjö GIK | 88 (16) | Mt Gravatt Hawks / Football QLD |
| Charlotte GRANT | Back | Vittsjö GIK | 13 (0) | Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football South Australia |
| Clare HUNT | Back | Western Sydney Wanderers | 0 (0) | |
| Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory | 114 (2) | Runaway Bay / Football QLD |
| Alanna KENNEDY | Back | Manchester City | 108 (8) | Campbelltown Cobras / Football NSW |
| Sam KERR | Forward | Chelsea WFC | 116 (61) | Western Knights / Football West |
| Aivi LUIK | Back | BK Hacken | 41 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | FC Rosengård | 14 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football QLD |
| Courtney NEVIN | Back | Leicester City on loan from Hammarby IF | 18 (0) | Oakville Ravens / Football NSW |
| Clare POLKINGHORNE | Back | Vittsjö GIK | 151 (14) | Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba / Football QLD |
| Hayley RASO | Forward | Manchester City | 66 (9) | Banora Point / Football QLD |
| Amy SAYER | Midfielder | Stanford University | 6 (0) | Northbridge FC / Football NSW |
| Emily VAN EGMOND | Midfielder | San Diego Wave FC | 124 (30) | Dudley-Redhead / Northern NSW Football |
| Cortnee VINE | Forward | Sydney FC | 11 (2) | Peninsula Power FC / Football QLD |
| Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Everton WFC | 11 (0) | Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football |
| Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | SK Brann | 109 (12) | Mudgeeraba / Football QLD |
| Lydia WILLIAMS | Goalkeeper | Brighton Hove & Albion | 102 (0) | Tuggeranong, Woden Valley / Capital Football |
