New Opportunities for fresh faces in CommBank Matildas Squad for Spain and Portugal

Commonwealth Bank Matildas’ head coach Tony Gustavsson has called up a host of fresh faces to the 24-player squad to take on Spain and Portugal in the June FIFA International Window.

Australia will take on the two Women’s EURO-bound nations later this month with the opening match against Spain on Saturday, 25 June (local) at Estadio Nuevo Colombino in Huelva. Three days later the CommBank Matildas will line up against Portugal on Tuesday, 28 June (local) at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota in Estoril.

Gustavsson said: “This upcoming camp and international window is a big opportunity for many players in the squad selected. I am excited to see the group in action and witness how we can rise to the challenge as a team and as individuals.”

“Spain and Portugal are quality nations in the final stages of their preparations for one of the biggest trophies in women’s football and they will be a tough challenge in many aspects of the game.”

Gustavsson has chosen a combination of regular national team squad members, a cohort of recalled players and some first-time senior national team attendees.

The roster includes 14 members of the squad that defeated New Zealand in the April series with several players in strong form. Midfielder Clare Wheeler was recently named the Fortuna Hjørring Player of the Year in a season where the Danish club claimed the Cup title and finished runners-up in the league.

San Diego Wave’s Emily van Egmond has been instrumental in their winning start to their inaugural NWSL season and Swedish-based duo Teagan Micah and Charli Grant assisted league leaders FC Rosengard in claiming the Swedish Cup title last month.

Meanwhile, the FIFA window will see goalkeeper Lydia Williams in line to become the first female Australian goalkeeper to reach 100 appearances for Australia.

When it comes to fresh faces, trio Mackenzie Hawkesby, Matilda McNamara and Taylor Ray will partake in a senior training camp for the first time. Capped players Angela Beard, Larissa Crummer, Princess Ibini-Isei, Rachel Lowe and Amy Sayer all return after absences. Uncapped defender Winonah Heatley and Celtic FC’s Jacynta Galabadaarachchi have also received a recall for this window.

June will see the absence of a host of regular names including CommBank Matildas captain Sam Kerr, vice-captain Steph Catley, as well as a number of senior players. Defender Ellie Carpenter will also be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future with the Lyon star sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

“As we draw closer to the commencement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, all our decision-making is centred around the strongest possible preparation for all players vying to be a part of 23 in 23.”

“Selection for this June squad has been based on a combination of factors but ultimately it has been about individualising player programs with a long-term view. In preparing the specialised plans, we have evaluated where the players currently are and where they will need to be and determined the best course of action for each player.

“For some players, this has meant being a part of these invaluable matches with Spain and Portugal providing a chance to demonstrate how they can make our team stronger. For another cohort, it results in being proactive around reoccurring ailments and re-establishing a fitness baseline without the need to focus on peaking for matches.

“This is a crucial period in our groundwork for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and there has been a true collaboration between players and staff to ensure we capitalise on the opportunities to position us well for 2023.”

Australia’s international friendlies against Spain and Portugal will be broadcast live on Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+. Coverage for the CommBank Matildas v Spain will commence at 5.00 am AEST.  

UPCOMING COMMBANK MATILDAS FIXTURES:

Spain v Australia 

Date: Saturday, 25 June (local) / Sunday, 26 June (AUS) 

Time: 9.30pm (local) / 5.30am (AEST) 

Venue: Estadio Nuevo Colombino, Huelva 

Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and 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 and Paramount+

COMMONWEALTH BANK MATILDAS SQUAD | JUNE 2022 FIFA INTERNATIONAL WINDOW