Tune in to watch the Matildas take on Spain and Portugal over the coming week, and you’re guaranteed to see an Australian outfit unlike any you’ve seen in recent years.
For starters, there’s no Sam Kerr. The Chelsea FC and Matildas star has returned to Perth for a well-deserved rest at the conclusion of a trophy-laden club campaign.
There’s no Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley or Alanna Kennedy. Hayley Raso, Aivi Luik, Caitlin Foord, Kyah Simon and Mary Fowler are also absent. For those clamouring to see the next tier get exposed at international level, well, this is the moment.
Their collective absence offers opportunities aplenty to those on the fringes to show their wares to head coach Tony Gustavsson, who takes a new-look squad to Europe for the pair of friendlies.
Amongst the 24-player squad are six potential debutants, and a trio breaking back into the camp after significant periods of absence.
Whether receiving a fresh start or a first crack, these players are the ones with the most to prove to Gustavsson across the two friendlies; places in the Matildas’ squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are attainable for those who seize the moment when opportunity knocks.
Featured image credit: Football Australia.
MATCH DETAILS
The Matildas’ are scheduled to play two friendly fixtures against Spain and Portugal on Sunday, June 26 and Wednesday, June 29 (AUS).
The fixture schedule is as so:
Spain v Australia
Date: Saturday, June 25 (local) / Sunday, June 26(AUS)
Kick-off: 9.30pm (local) / 5.30am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Colombino, Huelva
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play, Paramount+
Portugal v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 28 June (local) / Wednesday, 29 June (AUS)
Time: 9.00pm (local) / 6.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, Estoril
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play, Paramount+
DROUGHT-BREAKERS
Larissa Crummer
Matildas caps: 23
Last Matildas appearance: October 9, 2018
Quite simply the comeback story of the current Matildas camp. Larissa Crummer, the 23-capped Matildas striker, faced not only a potential career-ending injury in 2019 – she almost lost her leg.
Playing for Newcastle Jets in the then-W-League, Crummer collided with Adelaide United ‘keeper Sarah Langman and broke her tibia and fibula in her left leg. Doctors inserted a steel rod in her leg for support, with the surgeon telling Crummer the impact was similar to that of a motor vehicle accident.
“I’d pretty much made up my mind that I wasn’t going to be able to come back to football,” Crummer told Matildas media.
Crummer spent many weeks in hospital with her leg wound open, drained of excess blood and fluid in the hopes the swelling would go down. Crummer later suffered a bone infection which led to the steel rod being removed and replaced, before yet another operation was required to take out a series of screws from her leg.
The horrific injury is something Crummer admits may take the rest of her life to overcome – but that hasn’t stopped her making a miraculous return to football via the A-Leagues.
It was former Brisbane Roar coach Jake Goodship who offered Crummer the chance to train with the club two years on from the life-altering injury. It led to the decision to return to the top flight of Australian domestic football in January, 2021, when Crummer played 18 minutes off the bench against Perth Glory – scoring on her triumphant return.
She signed on for another season under Garrath McPherson in 2021-22, starting the season slowly before burying five goals in her last three games to finish on eight goals and two assists for the campaign.
She’s since capped off her memorable Roar season with a return to the senior Matildas squad.
“I just want to get my name back out there,” Crummer added. “I want to be consistent in the way I play, play good football and hopefully that leads to me being in and around the Matildas in the future.
Crummer added: “It’s been a hectic journey and it’s definitely helped me to grow as a player and a person. As a player, I’ve learned the game a little bit more. I think I’ve become a bit fitter, I’m faster and I’m stronger from all the rehab.
“But as a person, I think I have a completely different outlook on life. I’ve got a partner now and I’ve got two little ones from her, so I think everything’s just different these days… But playing for my country is something I never let go of.”
Princess Ibini
Matildas caps: 6
Last Matildas appearance: March 3, 2019
Princess Ibini made a splash on the international stage as a teenager. Now, the 22-year-old Sydney FC winger is back in the Matildas frame, and eager to join the likes of Awer Mabil, Alou Kuol and Kusini Yengi as a shining light in green and gold for a generation of Australians with African heritage to look to for inspiration.
Despite her age, Ibini has long been a star for the Sky Blues in the A-League Women’s. In 79 games for Sydney FC Ibini has made 58 starts, netted 17 goals and notched nine assists. Last season was her most productive to date, with a total of nine goal contributions (five goals, four assists) career highs in both categories (record goals, equal-record assists with 2017/18).
Ibini is of Nigerian heritage, and identifies strongly with the nation in which she was born. She holds the honour of being of African origin and representing Australia in high esteem, and hopes to show the way for African-Australians in the future to leave their mark on Australian football.
“To be one of only a handful of African-Australian (players representing the nation) is something that I really hold close to my heart,” Ibini said whilst in Matildas camp on Monday night (AEST). “To be able to not just inspire but to make them say that they can play football as well.”
“Not just following my footsteps but to create their own to do whatever they want to do; if it’s football or anything else.
“To be able to wear the Australian jersey, a country that I’ve grown up in my whole life, and represent this country is something I always dreamt of.”
Amy Sayer
Matildas caps: 4
Last Matildas appearance: April 10, 2021
It’s been more than a year since Amy Sayer last represented her nation. The extended absence is what led the 20-year-old attacking midfielder to experience the excitement of an “unexpected” recall to the Matildas squad for the upcoming FIFA window.
Sayer was preparing to fly home from the United States to Australia for a seven-week holiday when the news broke of her inclusion in Gustavsson’s squad.
Finishing high school with an ATAR of 99.25, Sayer attained a similarly stellar result in the United States SAT college admissions test before bidding farewell to New South Wales to accept a position at elite American university Stanford. That move put an end to Sayer’s time in the A-League Women’s after two seasons at Sydney FC which followed her debut campaign at Canberra United.
Sayer is studying a four-year human biology degree, and recently completed her sophomore year with the Stanford Women’s Soccer Team. After just one week home with the family, Sayer has put her holiday plans on hold for another crack in the green and gold.
Sayer has made four Matildas appearances to date, debuting in 2018 against Japan and last featuring against Germany in April, 2021. From California to Huelva, Spain, Sayer says it took an estimated total of 65 hours and a lot of cancelled flights and layovers to arrive in Spain – but she’s now looking forward to what the Matildas camp has to offer.
“I think in these next 10 days I’m really looking forward to just putting my best foot forward, doing my best and having fun,” Sayer told Matildas media.
“Against a team like Spain, I’m really looking forward to seeing how I match up against some of the best players in the world and one of the best teams in the world. I’m aiming to see the areas that I need to improve in.”
DEBUTANTS
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi
It’s a Matilda’s camp with potential to significantly alter the career path of 21-year-old Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, flying in her domestic career but uncapped at International level, with three countries eager to secure her services for the coming years.
Eligible to play for Australia, Argentina and Italy, Galabadaarachchi admitted the Argentinian style of football might be the best fit for her playing style. It’s the nation her mother hopes to see her represent – but should she step out for the Matildas in either friendly against Spain or Portugal, it will go a long way to securing her future in green and gold.
Galabadaraachchi is coming off a magnificent season at Scottish outfit Celtic FC, voted the PFA Scotland Women’s Young Player of the Year and Celtic Women’s Player of the Year. She began her career at Melbourne City in the A-League Women’s before joining Perth Glory, going on to represent West Ham and Napoli before starring in Scotland.
Mackenzie Hawkesby
Mackenzie Hawkesby is on the cusp of a maiden Matildas cap after a stunning individual A-League Women’s season in Sky Blue. The attacking midfielder’s 15 goal contributions (five goals, 10 assists) monstered her previous best of five in the 2020-21 campaign. Her presence in the Sydney squad was a key reason for their imperious regular season and subsequent acquisition of the Premiers Plate – now, the 22-year-old is making a late bolt into Gustavsson’s vision ahead of the World Cup.
But for now, a call-up to the Matildas squad, and the prospect of an international debut is the focus for Hawkesby, who says the achievement “is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Winonah Heatley
Winonah Heatley gambled on a move from Brisbane Roar to Melbourne City ahead of the 2021-22 A-League Women’s season – a gamble which paid off in spades, with the teenage defender ending the campaign on the cusp of the Grand Final and a member of the PFA’s Team of the Season.
The versatile defender can play in central defence and as a full-back, and operated combination of a back-three with wing-backs throughout the 2021-22 campaign – a system used often by Matildas boss Gustavsson. Heatley’s rise to prominence in the A-League Women’s has her in the mix for World Cup selection – a debut in the upcoming FIFA window would be the next logical step on that path for a defender exciting Matildas fans.
Taylor Ray
It’s take two for Taylor Ray and the Matildas.
The Sydney FC central midfielder has finally made it to the senior camp after contracting COVID-19 when first called up in January. It was a “devastating” turn of events, admits Ray, who was bound for the Dubai training camp prior to the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup before illness struck.
Ray was on her way to the movies with a friend when she received the news of her inclusion in the current squad bound for Europe. This time, nothing is stood in the way of the central midfielder’s first taste of life in the Matildas camp – with a dream debut now within reach.
It was throughout the 2021-22 A-League Women’s campaign when Ray came into her own, stepping up in the absence of Teresa Polias to become the key cog in Sydney’s midfield across 15 games (12 starts).
It hasn’t been an easy road for the 21-year-old, who suffered two ACL tears before the age of 17. Her family uprooted life in Townsville to relocate to Sydney when Ray was just 14 years of age – the subsequent injuries led the emerging midfielder to “feel like a failure”.
ACL tear number two proved to be just a blip on the teenager’s road to A-League Women’s stardom, and the cusp of a life-changing Matildas debut.
“”The sacrifices my family have made for me, to even move to Sydney in the first place all comes down to one moment and one feeling that I’ll get when I step onto that field,” Ray explained to Matildas media, pondering her debut.
“Everything I’ve gone through in my career, it’s all worth it when I can make myself and my family proud. That’s a really big thing for me.”
Matilda McNamara
Matilda the Matilda – it simply makes sense.
McNamara is in the Australian camp for the very first time after increasing her total minutes, appearances and quality for the third season running at Adelaide United. The defender played 15 games in the 2021-22 A-League Women’s season, building on 12 from the campaign prior, and four in 2019/20.
McNamara’s consistency in central defence has improved with age, and at just 23 the hopeful Matildas debutant has quickly become one of the key members of the Adelaide squad. Now, there’s opportunities presenting at international level.
Jamilla Rankin
The late withdrawal of one fringe Matilda has paved the way for another to step in and pursue her maiden cap, with Jamilla Rankin replacing Angela Beard in the squad.
Rankin, 19, is a late arrival in Matildas camp – but will hope to show her readiness for any opportunities that present against Spain and Portugal after excelling throughout the last two A-League Women’s seasons at Brisbane Roar.
The teenage full-back has experienced both the highs and lows of football in successive campaigns; in 2020-21 she started all of Brisbane’s 13 games on the way to the A-League Women’s semi-finals, earning a nomination for Young Footballer of the Year. The following season the Roar struggled, finishing outside the top four and winning just five of 14 games.
Rankin started all 14 of Brisbane’s league fixtures; in fact, since her Roar debut as a 16-year-old on March 1, 2020, she has started all of her 28 league appearances.
Rankin can play at both central defence and left-back, and with the likes of Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and Ellie Carpenter absent for the Matildas, the 19-year-old will find herself in Gustavsson’s thoughts in a range of personnel and positional reshuffles as he tinkers with his defence across the two friendlies.
Keen to watch the Matildas in action? Don’t miss a minute thanks to LIVE and FREE coverage from Network 10 and 10 Play. Both friendlies will also be broadcast via Paramount+.
FULL MATILDAS SQUAD
Supplied by Football Australia.
| Name | Position | Club | Caps (goals) | Junior Club / Member Fed |
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 28 (0) | Burleigh / Football QLD |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Hammarby IF | 16 (0) | Ballarat City / Football Victoria |
| Larissa CRUMMER | Forward | Capalaba FC | 23 (4) | Peninsula Power / Football QLD |
| Jacynta GALABADAARACHCHI | Forward | Celtic FC | 0 (0) | South-Eastern Piranhas / Football Victoria |
| Emily GIELNIK | Forward | Aston Villa | 52 (11) | Redlands United / Football QLD |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | Vittsjö GIK | 80 (15) | Mt Gravatt Hawks / Football QLD |
| Charlotte GRANT | Back | FC Rosengård | 5 (0) | Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football South Australia |
| Mackenzie HAWKESBY | Midfielder | Sydney Olympic | 0 (0) | Figtree Football Club / Football NSW |
| Winonah HEATLEY | Back | Sydney Olympic | 0 (0) | Mossman and Cairns / Football QLD |
| Princess IBINI-ISEI | Forward | APIA Leichhardt | 6 (0) | Earlwood Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Rachel LOWE | Forward | Sydney University / Sydney FC | 1 (0) | West Pymble FC / Football NSW |
| Matilda McNAMARA | Back | Adelaide City | 0 (0) | Adelaide City FC / Football South Australia |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | FC Rosengård | 9 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football QLD |
| Courtney NEVIN | Back | Hammarby IF | 10 (0) | Oakville Ravens / Football NSW |
| Clare POLKINGHORNE | Back | Vittsjö GIK | 143 (12) | Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba / Football QLD |
| Jamilla RANKIN | Back | Blacktown Spartans | 0 (0) | Eureka FC / Northern NSW |
| Taylor RAY | Midfielder | Sydney Olympic | 0 (0) | Townsville Warriors FC / Football QLD |
| Amy SAYER | Midfielder | Stanford University | 4 (0) | Northbridge FC / Football NSW |
| Remy SIEMSEN | Forward | AIK | 4 (0) | Manly United / Football NSW |
| Emily VAN EGMOND | Midfielder | San Diego Wave | 118 (30) | Dudley-Redhead / Northern NSW Football |
| Cortnee VINE | Forward | Sydney Olympic | 4 (0) | Peninsula Power FC / Football QLD |
| Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Fortuna Hjørring | 9 (0) | Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football |
| Lydia WILLIAMS | Goalkeeper | Arsenal WFC | 99 (0) | Tuggeranong, Woden Valley / Capital Football |
| Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | West Ham United | 105 (12) | Mudgeeraba / Football QLD |
