Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson has revealed his 23-player squad for the final round of Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers against Uzbekistan, recalling A-Leagues legend Michelle Heyman after a six-year absence from the international scene.
Heyman is one of four new inclusions from the last round of Olympic qualifiers, including the long-awaited return of Western United midfielder Chloe Logarzo, while Sydney FC goalkeeper Jada Whyman enters the fold along with former Melbourne City winger Kaitlyn Torpey.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr drops out of the squad as she continues her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as does Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lydia Williams (ankle surgery) and Charlie Rule, who has a hip injury.
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A-Leagues great Steph Catley – now playing for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League (WSL) will captain the Matildas in Kerr’s absence.
The 23-player squad will be reduced to 22 by Gustavsson before a two-game home-and-away series against world number 47 Uzbekistan on February 24 and 28, with the series winner booking a spot at the Paris Olympic Games as one of two Asian Football Confederation (AFC) representatives.
The first leg on February 24 will take place at Tashkent’s Milliy Stadium (8pm AEDT kick-off), with the return leg taking place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on February 28 (8pm AEDT).
The Matildas’ Liberty A-Leagues contingent in the 23-player Olympic Qualification squad:
- Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
- Jada Whyman (Sydney FC)
- Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
- Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar)
- Chloe Logarzo (Western United)
Heyman’s return to the Matildas fold after six years comes off the back of a stellar run of form in the Liberty A-League; the 35-year-old leads this season’s Golden Boot tally with 10 goals scored in 14 league games.
Capped 61 times by the Matildas, Heyman announced her retirement in 2019 but returned to Canberra United in December, 2020.
Heyman has since added 41 Liberty A-League goals to her career tally, surpassing Sam Kerr as the league’s all-time scorer and becoming the first player to score 100 league goals in January, 2024.
Former City star Torpey earns a call-up to the Matildas squad in what has been a memorable week for the electric winger; on Tuesday City revealed Torpey had signed for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side San Diego Wave in an Australian outgoing record transfer, joining Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond at the American club.
Western United midfielder Logarzo is back in the Matildas fray after an agonising absence through injury, missing out on selection for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after an ACL injury, followed by plantar fasciitis in her left foot.
Matildas coach Gustavsson said selecting the squad for the final round of Olympic qualifiers was a challenge that focused on finding the balance between in-form players at club level and those who would bring connectivity and chemistry to the squad on the field.
“After a significant 2023 and well-earned break, we are itching to come together with a clear focus and mission in front of us as we look to complete the first phase of our Olympic journey,” Gustavsson said.
“We appreciate the task ahead of us. Uzbekistan is equally motivated to create their own nation’s history and will be a well-prepared opponent.”
“Selecting this squad has been a challenge with a lot of moving parts; from injuries to some players and reduction of competitive match minutes for other players due to off-seasons,” Gustavsson added.
“The challenge has also created opportunity with consistent performers provided an opening to be contributors during a vital set of Olympic Qualifiers.
“We have been evaluating players consistently in recent months and our goal has been to find the balance between the most in-form and those who will work well in terms of on pitch connections and chemistry.”
The Matildas face Uzbekistan after topping Group A in the penultimate phase of Asian qualifiers; Uzbekistan finished second in Group C, leading the two teams to go head-to-head for a place at the Olympic tournament at Paris 2024.
23-player Matildas squad – Olympic Qualifiers
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB | CAPS (GOALS) | JUNIOR CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 44 (0) | Burleigh Heads SC / Football Queensland |
| Ellie CARPENTER | Defender | Olympique Lyon | 72 (4) | Cowra and District JSC / Football New South Wales |
| Steph CATLEY (C) | Defender | Arsenal | 121 (5) | East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Arsenal | 40 (0) | Bli Bli United FC / Football Queensland |
| Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal | 119 (33) | Warilla Wanderers / Football New South Wales |
| Mary FOWLER | Midfielder | Manchester City | 48 (13) | Leichhardt FC / Football Queensland |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | West Ham United | 105 (17) | Mount Gravatt Hawks FC / Football Queensland |
| Charlotte GRANT | Defender | Tottenham Hotspur | 21 (1) | Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football South Australia |
| Michelle HEYMAN | Forward | Canberra United | 61 (20) | Illawarra Stingrays / Football NSW |
| Clare HUNT | Defender | Paris Saint-Germain | 16 (0) | Grenfell Junior Soccer Club / Football New South Wales |
| Alanna KENNEDY | Defender | Manchester City | 119 (9) | Campbelltown Cobras SC / Football New South Wales |
| Chloe LOGARZO | Midfielder | Western United | 55 (8) | Carlingford Redbacks / Football New South Wales |
| Aivi LUIK | Defender | BK Häcken | 44 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | Liverpool | 15 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football Queensland |
| Clare POLKINGHORNE | Defender | Kristianstads DFF | 165 (16) | Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba Bulldogs / Football Queensland |
| Hayley RASO | Forward | Real Madrid Femenino | 82 (15) | Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland |
| Amy SAYER | Midfielder | Kristianstads DFF | 10 (0) | Northbridge FC / Football New South Wales |
| Kaitlyn TORPEY | Defender | San Diego Wave | 0 (0) | Olympic FC / Football Queensland |
| Emily VAN EGMOND | Midfielder | San Diego Wave | 139 (31) | Dudley Redhead United FC / Northern NSW Football |
| Cortnee VINE | Forward | Sydney FC | 26 (3) | Peninsula Power FC / Football Queensland |
| Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Everton | 18 (1) | Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football |
| Jada WHYMAN | Goalkeeper | Sydney FC | 0 (0) | Tolland Football Club / Football New South Wales |
| Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar | 119 (13) | Mudgeeraba SC / Football Queensland |
Match Details – Olympic Qualifiers
Uzbekistan v Australia
Saturday, 24 February 2024
Kick-off: 2.00pm (local) / 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Broadcast: Paramount+
Australia v Uzbekistan
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria
Broadcast: Paramount+
