Wanderers captain Clare Hunt has been named in 24-player CommBank Matildas squad for the April FIFA International Window which will see Australia take on Scotland and England in London.
As the build-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ gathers steam, Australia will host Scotland at Cherry Red Records Stadium, the home of AFC Wimbledon, on Friday, 7 April (local) before taking on world number four, England, at Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday, 11 April (local).
Following on from the 2023 Cup of Nations victory, head coach Tony Gustavsson has recalled 21 members of that squad for the European-based camp as the team continues to knit together.
“It’s always special to come together, especially with the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ just a little over 100 days away,” Gustavsson said. “We have been pleased not only with the progression of the team play, but also the progression of a number of individual players who, when they return to their clubs, have really committed to ensuring they are ready for our environment.”
“We have selected a squad that continues to impress us with how quickly they are seeing the same picture whenever we come together. Building on those foundations is important as we take on two tough opponents in Scotland and England where we resume working towards creating that consistent 90-minute football. For the long term, it is vital as we have the ability to continue to evolve our plans heading in July.
“We have full awareness that we are not the finished product and in February we identified some further areas for improvement. These scheduled matches are a great opportunity to carry on addressing those areas against one of the best teams in the world who will test us in all facets of the game.”
Positively, the April assembly will see the return of defender Ellie Carpenter and forward Holly McNamara from long-term injuries sustained in 2022.
The duo returned to club football recently with Carpenter recording full-match performances for Olympique Lyon and McNamara notching up minutes with Melbourne City. Goalkeeper Jada Whyman has also been added to the April roster following another strong season with Sydney FC.
Unavailable for this camp will be vice-captain Steph Catley (foot) and forward Emily Gielnik (ankle) who will remain with their English clubs as part of their recovery from injury.
“We have all been delighted to see both Ellie and Holly come back to football following the incredible amount of hard work and professionalism they have shown in their recovery,” Gustavsson stated.
“In the minutes they have already played, they have both shown they have the qualities within their arsenal that can be beneficial to the team. Now with the realities of our roster for this camp, we have the chance to welcome them back to the national team environment and see first-hand what they can produce at this international intensity,” he concluded.
Australia v Scotland tickets have been set at family-friendly prices starting at £5 for children and £12 for adults and are available for all supporters at AFC Wimbledon’s Ticketing site.
April’s two matches will be broadcast live across Network 10 and Paramount+.
COMMBANK MATILDAS MATCH SCHEDULE | APRIL 2023
CommBank Matildas v Scotland
Date: Fri, 7 April 2023
Venue: Cherry Red Records Stadium, London
Kick-Off: 1.15 pm (local) / 10.15 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets are available from here
England v CommBank Matildas
Date: Tues, 11 April 2023 (local) / Wed, 12 April (AEST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium, London
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm (local) / 4:45 am (AEST)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
COMMBANK MATILDAS SQUAD | APRIL 2023
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB | CAPS (GOALS) | JUNIOR CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION |
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 32 (0) | Burleigh / Football Queensland |
| Ellie CARPENTER | Back | Olympique Lyon | 59 (3) | Cowra and District / Football NSW |
| Alex CHIDIAC | Midfielder | Racing Louisville FC | 25 (2) | Croydon Kings/ Football South Australia |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Hammarby IF | 25 (0) | Ballarat City / Football Victoria |
| Larissa CRUMMER | Forward | Brisbane Roar | 32 (4) | Peninsula Power / Football Queensland |
| Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal WFC | 108 (29) | Warilla Wanderers / Football New South Wales |
| Mary FOWLER | Forward | Manchester City | 34 (9) | Leichhardt / Football Queensland |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | Vittsjö GIK | 91 (17) | Mt Gravatt Hawks / Football Queensland |
| Charlotte GRANT | Back | Vittsjö GIK | 16 (0) | Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football South Australia |
| Clare HUNT | Back | Western Sydney Wanderers | 3 (0) | Grenfell Junior Soccer Club / Football NSW |
| Alanna KENNEDY | Back | Manchester City | 108 (8) | Campbelltown Cobras / Football New South Wales |
| Sam KERR | Forward | Chelsea WFC | 119 (62) | Western Knights / Football West |
| Aivi LUIK | Back | BK Häcken | 42 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland |
| Holly McNAMARA | Forward | Melbourne City | 3 (0) | Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club / Football NSW |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | FC Rosengård | 14 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football Queensland |
| Courtney NEVIN | Back | Leicester City on loan from Hammarby IF | 20 (0) | Oakville Ravens / Football New South Wales |
| Clare POLKINGHORNE | Back | Vittsjö GIK | 154 (16) | Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba / Football Queensland |
| Hayley RASO | Forward | Manchester City | 68 (12) | Banora Point / Football Queensland |
| Emily VAN EGMOND | Midfielder | San Diego Wave FC | 127 (30) | Dudley-Redhead / Northern NSW Football |
| Cortnee VINE | Forward | Sydney FC | 14 (3) | Peninsula Power FC / Football Queensland |
| Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Everton WFC | 12 (0) | Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football |
| Jada WHYMAN | Goalkeeper | Sydney FC | 0 (0) | Football NSW |
| Lydia WILLIAMS | Goalkeeper | Brighton & Hove Albion | 102 (0) | Tuggeranong, Woden Valley / Capital Football |
| Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | SK Brann | 110 (12) | Mudgeeraba / Football Queensland |
