A maiden call-up for teen sensation Daniela Galic headlines Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni’s first squad since taking the reins.
As expected, Sermanni has largely turned to experienced players based in Europe for friendlies against Switzerland in Zurich on October 25 and Germany in Duisburg on October 28, with few shocks.
Australia’s entire Olympics squad and reserve players, bar explosive winger Cortnee Vine (personal reasons) and retired goalkeeper Lydia Williams, have been selected.
Skipper Steph Catley has been named despite an injury-interrupted start to her season with Arsenal, alongside fellow mainstays such as Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter and Mackenzie Arnold.
Clare Polkinghorne, who will retire this year, is in the 23-player squad.
There is only room for four A-League Women players: veteran pair Michelle Heyman and Tameka Yallop, attacker Sharn Freier and untested goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.
Other local players are more likely to be involved in games against Brazil and Taiwan across November and December.
Superstar captain Sam Kerr and young attacker Amy Sayer both remain sidelined with ACL tears.
Daniela Galic (left)’s career keeps rising, from Melbourne City to FC Twente in the Netherlands and now a Matildas call-up under interim coach Tom Sermanni. (Getty Images: Jason McCawley)
Exciting playmaker Galic, 18, has previously been a train-on, but earns her first full squad berth off the back of form with Melbourne City, then new club FC Twente.
Liverpool shot-stopper Teagan Micah (ankle) is unavailable, with uncapped Lincoln and Jada Whyman jostling to be the second-choice goalkeeper behind Arnold.
“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 in a statement.
“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 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.”
Football Australia also named former Western Sydney Wanderers men’s coach Jean-Paul de Marigny and Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney to work as Sermanni’s assistants, with Mel Andreatta on maternity leave.
Matildas squad:
- Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln*, Jada Whyman*
- Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charli Grant, Winonah Heatley*, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne
- Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Daniela Galic*, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop
- Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sharn Freier, Michelle Heyman, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey
* denotes uncapped players
AAP