Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has refrained from making any drastic changes to the Matildas squad for their upcoming clashes with Switzerland and Olympic bronze medallists Germany.
Sermanni, stepping back into the top role while Football Australia looks to find a permanent replacement for Tony Gustavsson, has made just two changes to the 22-woman Olympic team – forced on him due to injury – and brought Winonah Heatley back to round out the 23.
Winger Cortnee Vine has not been named in the squad – a reason for her absence was not given.
Vine, who made the move from Sydney FC to NWSL side North Carolina Courage this season has played just three matches for her new side.
The club lists her as an “excused absence” on their availability reports.
It is the second time this year the speedy winger has missed a national team camp for “personal reasons” – after making herself unavailable for the Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan in February.
Goalkeeper Teagan Micah has been ruled out with an ankle injury that she has been nursing for several months.
Sermanni has called on 2023/24 A-League’s Women’s young player of the year Daniela Galic to replace Vine and Matildas U20s goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.
Gaelic, who starred for Melbourne City last season – scoring seven goals in 22 matches – is in the midst of her first overseas professional contract.
The 18-year-old has already scored one goal from her first five games with Danish club FC Twente.
Lincoln plays for Western United in the A-League’s and played a vital role during the Young Matildas FIFA U20s Women’s World Cup campaign.
It will be the first time the Matildas are back in camp together since their poor performance at the Paris Olympics – heralding the start of the new four-year cycle.
Their next tournament is not until the home-hosted Asian Cup in 2026.
Sermanni is expected to be at the helm until at least the end of the year when the Matildas take on China and Brazil in a four-game series across 10 days in Victoria and Queensland.
He is yet to meet the squad face-to-face.
“The last couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of phone calls, text messages and virtual meetings but nothing beats the opportunity to come together face-to-face,” Sermanni said.
“As we begin the road to the home Asian Cup in 2026, our next two camps are a chance to set the foundations with this October squad featuring a core of experienced members currently playing and training consistently in their club environments.
“The young, uncapped players in Daniela and Chloe come highly regarded thanks to their performances over the last 12 months, including helping the CommBank Young Matildas to their best Asian Cup performance in almost two decades.
“We have six invaluable matches from October to December to cultivate opportunities for players whether they are Australian or overseas based, and I am looking forward to commencing the rewarding work.”
Sermanni has made a number of changes to his coaching staff with Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney and A-Leagues’ coach Jean-Paul de Marigny joining as assistants while
Melissa Andreatta is on maternity leave.
Matildas play Switzerland at 5am (AEDT) on October 26 and Germany at 4.10am (AEDT) on October 29.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Jada Whyman, Chloe Lincoln
Defenders: Steph Catley (Captain), Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Kaitlin Torpey, Courtney Nevin, Charli Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Polkinghorne
Midfielders: Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Clare Wheeler, Sharn Freier, Daniela Galic, Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop
Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman