Canberrans will get the chance to watch one of the best players in the world next month with Sam Kerr locked in for the Matildas' upcoming game in the ACT.
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The Chelsea FC striker was named in Tony Gustavsson's 23-player squad for the two-game series against the Football Ferns in April.
Football Australia promised to bring its best squad to the capital and it delivered. Kerr will be joined by Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Kyah Simon, Tameka Yallop, Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord and the ACT's own Lydia Williams for the April 12 match at Canberra Stadium.
All players from the 2022 AFC Asian Cup were chosen, with the addition of midfielder Katrina Gorry who returns after giving birth last year. The 29-year-old turned down a position in the Cup squad due to the risk of travelling to India during COVID-19 with her daughter.
The Brisbane Roar player, who is set to join Swedish club Vittsjo GIK, said it felt amazing to know she would be reunited with the side after almost two years.
And confirmed she still had her eyes set on making the squad for the FIFA 2023 World Cup next year.
"This is probably the healthiest, happiest, best I've been playing in a very long time," she said.
"I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't go over to India with the team but obviously Harper's safety was priority for me and I'm just so excited to be back in the team this camp and I can't wait to get back in there.
"When I took a step away to have Harper I didn't know if I wanted to return, I wasn't really sure what ... the future held for football for me. And I guess taking that time away from football I fell back in love with the game and ... it's pure enjoyment now and I think that shows in my game at the moment."
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Gustavsson is yet to meet Gorry in person but has been supporting her return to the field for the national team virtually.
He expressed the importance of the New Zealand matches as it signified the start of the 16-month preparation for the World Cup where they hoped to hone in on combinations for the tournament.
"We are all really excited to come back together as a team and return to the pitch again on home soil," Gustavsson said.
"It's been a long two months since the group was in assembly, but we have used that time effectively to undertake an in-depth technical review similar to the one conducted following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
"With two major tournaments in the last 12 months, this April window gives us an opportunity to start the process of implementing the lessons learned over that timeframe. With only the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on the horizon, the New Zealand series will be the first step towards the tournament.
"Over the past year we have had a close look at over 75 players in high performance environments but as we focus in on the FIFA Women's World Cup preparation, it is essential for us to start zeroing in on our best combinations and providing them time together."
AT A GLANCE
- Matildas v New Zealand on April 8, North Queensland Stadium 7.45pm kick off
- Australia v Football Ferns on April 12, Canberra Stadium 7.45pm kick off
- Both matches will be streamed live on 10 Bold
Matildas 23-player squad: Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Katrina Gorry, Charlotte Grant, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Aivi Luik, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kyah Simon, Emily Van Egmond, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Lydia Williams, Tameka Yallop.
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
