Latest news with #Matildas'


West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro announces first squad in charge for four-game series in Perth and Bunbury
A raft of familiar faces are set to head west for the Matildas' four-game series in WA, but several stars have been rested from Joe Montemurro's inaugural squad as coach. The Montemurro era has begun, with the former Arsenal, Juventas and Olympique Lyonnais coach naming 33 players for the first squad of his reign. However, the Matildas' historic clash in Bunbury will come without more than a handful of big names, with the expanded squad set to be somewhat split between the twin two-game series against Slovenia and Panama. With Sam Kerr still absent as she continues her recovery from a torn ACL, Arsenal stars Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry are all on personal leave and will not take part in the series, while Tameka Yallop is also injured and Cortnee Vine remains on extended leave. Domestic season commitments, individual management and strategic planning means only 13 players will be available for all four matches. Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Wheeler are the biggest names to only be available for the first two games against Slovenia in Perth. On the plus side, Hayley Raso, Emily van Egmond, Clare Hunt, Charli Grant, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Alex Chidiac and Amy Sayer will be available for all four matches. Sharn Freier marks her return with her inclusion after missing out previously due to injury and A-League Women's stars Michelle Heyman, Emily Gielnik, Holly McNamara, Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo), Natasha Prior and Alana Murphy have all been included. One-time Perth Glory attacker Jacynta Galabadaarachchi has been named in the squad for the first time in three years, but there was no call-up for ex-Glory goalkeeper and Perth product Morgan Aquino — although another former Glory shot-stopper in Sally James did get the nod. There are five uncapped players in the squad (Galabadaarachchi, Jada Whyman, Adriana Taranto, Grace Kuilamu and Alexia Apostolakis) and 16 players with fewer than 10 caps. Matildas players available only for Slovenia games at HBF Park on June 26 and June 29 Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Sharn Freier, Winonah Heatley, Alanna Kennedy, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Clare Wheeler, Jada Whyman. Matildas players available only for Panama games at Hands Oval on July 5 and at HBF Park on July 8 Alexia Apostolakis, Chloe Berryhill, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Bryleeh Henry, Grace Kuilamu, Sally James, Chloe Lincoln, Jessika Nash, Adriana Taranto. Matildas players available for all four games Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik, Charli Grant, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Holly McNamara, Teagan Micah, Alana Murphy, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond.


Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
REVEALED: Montemurro's first Matildas squad for WA stint
A raft of familiar faces are set to head west for the Matildas' four-game series in WA, but several stars have been rested from Joe Montemurro's inaugural squad as coach. The Montemurro era has begun, with the former Arsenal, Juventas and Olympique Lyonnais coach naming 33 players for the first squad of his reign. However, the Matildas' historic clash in Bunbury will come without more than a handful of big names, with the expanded squad set to be somewhat split between the twin two-game series against Slovenia and Panama. With Sam Kerr still absent as she continues her recovery from a torn ACL, Arsenal stars Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry are all on personal leave and will not take part in the series, while Tameka Yallop is also injured and Cortnee Vine remains on extended leave. Domestic season commitments, individual management and strategic planning means only 13 players will be available for all four matches. Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Wheeler are the biggest names to only be available for the first two games against Slovenia in Perth. On the plus side, Hayley Raso, Emily van Egmond, Clare Hunt, Charli Grant, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Alex Chidiac and Amy Sayer will be available for all four matches. Ellie Carpenter will play the first two games in WA. Credit: DeFodi Images / DeFodi Images via Getty Images Sharn Freier marks her return with her inclusion after missing out previously due to injury and A-League Women's stars Michelle Heyman, Emily Gielnik, Holly McNamara, Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo), Natasha Prior and Alana Murphy have all been included. One-time Perth Glory attacker Jacynta Galabadaarachchi has been named in the squad for the first time in three years, but there was no call-up for ex-Glory goalkeeper and Perth product Morgan Aquino — although another former Glory shot-stopper in Sally James did get the nod. There are five uncapped players in the squad (Galabadaarachchi, Jada Whyman, Adriana Taranto, Grace Kuilamu and Alexia Apostolakis) and 16 players with fewer than 10 caps. Matildas players available only for Slovenia games at HBF Park on June 26 and June 29 Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Sharn Freier, Winonah Heatley, Alanna Kennedy, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Clare Wheeler, Jada Whyman. Matildas players available only for Panama games at Hands Oval on July 5 and at HBF Park on July 8 Alexia Apostolakis, Chloe Berryhill, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Bryleeh Henry, Grace Kuilamu, Sally James, Chloe Lincoln, Jessika Nash, Adriana Taranto. Matildas players available for all four games Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik, Charli Grant, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Holly McNamara, Teagan Micah, Alana Murphy, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond.


The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
New coach to give lifeline to forgotten Matilda
Finally on the clock, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back Vine Time. Two years ago, winger Cortnee Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the Women's World Cup. Back then, Vine, 27, was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, she hasn't played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he told AAP. "And we'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Comeback kid Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace against Argentina and can play attacking midfield and both centrally and on the wing. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two games while ALW golden boot Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the ageing squad, but to me it doesn't look too bad with the four names you've just mentioned (Johnson, Sayer, McNamara and Vine)," he said. "It's exciting times and they're all playing at good levels and I still think the A-League has a really important place to play in the sustainability and development. "So for me, the timing's really, really good. "We just have to now solidify the individual development of players and to make sure that they're making right decisions, to make sure that we have enough players for the future." Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing more players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Players have long been encouraged to test themselves overseas. While the likes of Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have gone to new levels by playing in England, others have struggled. Vine has notched just 58 minutes across three appearances this NWSL season. "Playing is the baseline and obviously the more scenarios, the more situations you're exposed to at club football, the better you're going to be equipped for it," Montemurro said. "All players have to think about where they can find a good environment, whether it's a good training environment or a good environment that gives them the opportunity to be exposed to many football scenarios as possible." Finally on the clock, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back Vine Time. Two years ago, winger Cortnee Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the Women's World Cup. Back then, Vine, 27, was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, she hasn't played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he told AAP. "And we'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Comeback kid Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace against Argentina and can play attacking midfield and both centrally and on the wing. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two games while ALW golden boot Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the ageing squad, but to me it doesn't look too bad with the four names you've just mentioned (Johnson, Sayer, McNamara and Vine)," he said. "It's exciting times and they're all playing at good levels and I still think the A-League has a really important place to play in the sustainability and development. "So for me, the timing's really, really good. "We just have to now solidify the individual development of players and to make sure that they're making right decisions, to make sure that we have enough players for the future." Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing more players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Players have long been encouraged to test themselves overseas. While the likes of Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have gone to new levels by playing in England, others have struggled. Vine has notched just 58 minutes across three appearances this NWSL season. "Playing is the baseline and obviously the more scenarios, the more situations you're exposed to at club football, the better you're going to be equipped for it," Montemurro said. "All players have to think about where they can find a good environment, whether it's a good training environment or a good environment that gives them the opportunity to be exposed to many football scenarios as possible." Finally on the clock, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back Vine Time. Two years ago, winger Cortnee Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the Women's World Cup. Back then, Vine, 27, was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, she hasn't played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he told AAP. "And we'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Comeback kid Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace against Argentina and can play attacking midfield and both centrally and on the wing. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two games while ALW golden boot Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the ageing squad, but to me it doesn't look too bad with the four names you've just mentioned (Johnson, Sayer, McNamara and Vine)," he said. "It's exciting times and they're all playing at good levels and I still think the A-League has a really important place to play in the sustainability and development. "So for me, the timing's really, really good. "We just have to now solidify the individual development of players and to make sure that they're making right decisions, to make sure that we have enough players for the future." Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing more players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Players have long been encouraged to test themselves overseas. While the likes of Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have gone to new levels by playing in England, others have struggled. Vine has notched just 58 minutes across three appearances this NWSL season. "Playing is the baseline and obviously the more scenarios, the more situations you're exposed to at club football, the better you're going to be equipped for it," Montemurro said. "All players have to think about where they can find a good environment, whether it's a good training environment or a good environment that gives them the opportunity to be exposed to many football scenarios as possible."


The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Portrait of glory as Matildas relive shootout tension
The Matildas' 2023 World Cup quarter-final triumph against France, which ended with a history-making penalty shootout, will be commemorated with an artwork at the National Portrait Gallery. The Matildas' 7-6 triumph on penalties made them the first Australian football side to reach the final four of a World Cup, capturing the attention of a nation and changing the perceptions of women in sport. Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia has asked the World Cup squad of 23 Matildas to relive the tension of the 10-round shootout for the video artwork. Some of the players had never rewatched those nail-biting moments, Tiatia said. "It elicited such emotional reactions, including visible goosebumps from the players, cementing for me what a privilege and inspiration it is to create this portrait," she said. Players Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin and Teagan Micah were on hand following a friendly match against Argentina on Monday night as the project was announced at the gallery in Canberra on Tuesday. The Matildas are currently ranked at a 20-year low of 16th in the world and will be hoping they can return to the heights of 2023 with the appointment of coach Joe Montemurro. While Montemurro sets his sights on silverware at a home Asian Cup in 2026, the National Portrait Gallery has artistic aspirations instead. The video portrait is its most ambitious commission yet, according to director Bree Pickering. "Some subjects, like the Matildas, need to be depicted in sound and motion or both," she said. Due to broadcast rights restrictions, the artwork can't actually include footage of the shootout, so Tiatia has decided to take a more artistic approach and hopes the result will be like watching a moving painting. She filmed with 14 members of the 2023 squad at a training camp in Houston in February, and hopes to film with injured striker Sam Kerr in London in July. Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said watching the 2023 squad capture the hearts of Australians was one of the most powerful moments she has ever experienced. "This portrait is more than a tribute to feats on the pitch, it's a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls," Garriock said. The artwork will be finished later in 2025 and is slated to show at the gallery in Canberra over summer before embarking on a tour. The Matildas' 2023 World Cup quarter-final triumph against France, which ended with a history-making penalty shootout, will be commemorated with an artwork at the National Portrait Gallery. The Matildas' 7-6 triumph on penalties made them the first Australian football side to reach the final four of a World Cup, capturing the attention of a nation and changing the perceptions of women in sport. Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia has asked the World Cup squad of 23 Matildas to relive the tension of the 10-round shootout for the video artwork. Some of the players had never rewatched those nail-biting moments, Tiatia said. "It elicited such emotional reactions, including visible goosebumps from the players, cementing for me what a privilege and inspiration it is to create this portrait," she said. Players Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin and Teagan Micah were on hand following a friendly match against Argentina on Monday night as the project was announced at the gallery in Canberra on Tuesday. The Matildas are currently ranked at a 20-year low of 16th in the world and will be hoping they can return to the heights of 2023 with the appointment of coach Joe Montemurro. While Montemurro sets his sights on silverware at a home Asian Cup in 2026, the National Portrait Gallery has artistic aspirations instead. The video portrait is its most ambitious commission yet, according to director Bree Pickering. "Some subjects, like the Matildas, need to be depicted in sound and motion or both," she said. Due to broadcast rights restrictions, the artwork can't actually include footage of the shootout, so Tiatia has decided to take a more artistic approach and hopes the result will be like watching a moving painting. She filmed with 14 members of the 2023 squad at a training camp in Houston in February, and hopes to film with injured striker Sam Kerr in London in July. Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said watching the 2023 squad capture the hearts of Australians was one of the most powerful moments she has ever experienced. "This portrait is more than a tribute to feats on the pitch, it's a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls," Garriock said. The artwork will be finished later in 2025 and is slated to show at the gallery in Canberra over summer before embarking on a tour. The Matildas' 2023 World Cup quarter-final triumph against France, which ended with a history-making penalty shootout, will be commemorated with an artwork at the National Portrait Gallery. The Matildas' 7-6 triumph on penalties made them the first Australian football side to reach the final four of a World Cup, capturing the attention of a nation and changing the perceptions of women in sport. Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia has asked the World Cup squad of 23 Matildas to relive the tension of the 10-round shootout for the video artwork. Some of the players had never rewatched those nail-biting moments, Tiatia said. "It elicited such emotional reactions, including visible goosebumps from the players, cementing for me what a privilege and inspiration it is to create this portrait," she said. Players Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin and Teagan Micah were on hand following a friendly match against Argentina on Monday night as the project was announced at the gallery in Canberra on Tuesday. The Matildas are currently ranked at a 20-year low of 16th in the world and will be hoping they can return to the heights of 2023 with the appointment of coach Joe Montemurro. While Montemurro sets his sights on silverware at a home Asian Cup in 2026, the National Portrait Gallery has artistic aspirations instead. The video portrait is its most ambitious commission yet, according to director Bree Pickering. "Some subjects, like the Matildas, need to be depicted in sound and motion or both," she said. Due to broadcast rights restrictions, the artwork can't actually include footage of the shootout, so Tiatia has decided to take a more artistic approach and hopes the result will be like watching a moving painting. She filmed with 14 members of the 2023 squad at a training camp in Houston in February, and hopes to film with injured striker Sam Kerr in London in July. Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said watching the 2023 squad capture the hearts of Australians was one of the most powerful moments she has ever experienced. "This portrait is more than a tribute to feats on the pitch, it's a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls," Garriock said. The artwork will be finished later in 2025 and is slated to show at the gallery in Canberra over summer before embarking on a tour.


The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Matildas relive shootout glory for national portrait
The Matildas' 2023 World Cup quarter-final triumph against France, which ended with a history-making penalty shootout, will be commemorated with an artwork at the National Portrait Gallery. The Matildas' 7-6 triumph on penalties made them the first Australian football side to reach the final four of a World Cup, capturing the attention of a nation and changing the perceptions of women in sport. Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia has asked the World Cup squad of 23 Matildas to re-live the tension of the 10-round shootout for the video artwork. Some of the players had never re-watched those nail-biting moments, said Tiatia. "It elicited such emotional reactions, including visible goosebumps from the players, cementing for me what a privilege and inspiration it is to create this portrait," she said. Players Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin and Teagan Micah were on hand following a friendly match against Argentina on Monday night as the project was announced at the gallery in Canberra on Tuesday. The Matildas are currently ranked at a 20-year low of 16th in the world and will be hoping they can return to the heights of 2023 with the appointment of coach Joe Montemurro. While Montemurro sets his sights on silverware at a home Asian Cup in 2026, the National Portrait Gallery has artistic aspirations instead. The video portrait is its most ambitious commission yet, according to director Bree Pickering. "Some subjects, like the Matildas, need to be depicted in sound and motion or both," she said. Due to broadcast rights restrictions, the artwork can't actually include footage of the shootout, so Tiatia has decided to take a more artistic approach and hopes the result will be like watching a moving painting. She filmed with 14 members of the 2023 squad at a training camp in Houston in February, and hopes to film with injured striker Sam Kerr in London come July. Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said watching the 2023 squad capture the hearts of Australians was one of the most powerful moments she has ever experienced. "This portrait is more than a tribute to feats on the pitch, it's a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls," Garriock said. The artwork will be finished later in 2025 and is slated to show at the gallery in Canberra over summer before embarking on a tour. The Matildas' 2023 World Cup quarter-final triumph against France, which ended with a history-making penalty shootout, will be commemorated with an artwork at the National Portrait Gallery. The Matildas' 7-6 triumph on penalties made them the first Australian football side to reach the final four of a World Cup, capturing the attention of a nation and changing the perceptions of women in sport. Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia has asked the World Cup squad of 23 Matildas to re-live the tension of the 10-round shootout for the video artwork. Some of the players had never re-watched those nail-biting moments, said Tiatia. "It elicited such emotional reactions, including visible goosebumps from the players, cementing for me what a privilege and inspiration it is to create this portrait," she said. Players Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin and Teagan Micah were on hand following a friendly match against Argentina on Monday night as the project was announced at the gallery in Canberra on Tuesday. The Matildas are currently ranked at a 20-year low of 16th in the world and will be hoping they can return to the heights of 2023 with the appointment of coach Joe Montemurro. While Montemurro sets his sights on silverware at a home Asian Cup in 2026, the National Portrait Gallery has artistic aspirations instead. The video portrait is its most ambitious commission yet, according to director Bree Pickering. "Some subjects, like the Matildas, need to be depicted in sound and motion or both," she said. Due to broadcast rights restrictions, the artwork can't actually include footage of the shootout, so Tiatia has decided to take a more artistic approach and hopes the result will be like watching a moving painting. She filmed with 14 members of the 2023 squad at a training camp in Houston in February, and hopes to film with injured striker Sam Kerr in London come July. Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said watching the 2023 squad capture the hearts of Australians was one of the most powerful moments she has ever experienced. "This portrait is more than a tribute to feats on the pitch, it's a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls," Garriock said. The artwork will be finished later in 2025 and is slated to show at the gallery in Canberra over summer before embarking on a tour. The Matildas' 2023 World Cup quarter-final triumph against France, which ended with a history-making penalty shootout, will be commemorated with an artwork at the National Portrait Gallery. The Matildas' 7-6 triumph on penalties made them the first Australian football side to reach the final four of a World Cup, capturing the attention of a nation and changing the perceptions of women in sport. Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia has asked the World Cup squad of 23 Matildas to re-live the tension of the 10-round shootout for the video artwork. Some of the players had never re-watched those nail-biting moments, said Tiatia. "It elicited such emotional reactions, including visible goosebumps from the players, cementing for me what a privilege and inspiration it is to create this portrait," she said. Players Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin and Teagan Micah were on hand following a friendly match against Argentina on Monday night as the project was announced at the gallery in Canberra on Tuesday. The Matildas are currently ranked at a 20-year low of 16th in the world and will be hoping they can return to the heights of 2023 with the appointment of coach Joe Montemurro. While Montemurro sets his sights on silverware at a home Asian Cup in 2026, the National Portrait Gallery has artistic aspirations instead. The video portrait is its most ambitious commission yet, according to director Bree Pickering. "Some subjects, like the Matildas, need to be depicted in sound and motion or both," she said. Due to broadcast rights restrictions, the artwork can't actually include footage of the shootout, so Tiatia has decided to take a more artistic approach and hopes the result will be like watching a moving painting. She filmed with 14 members of the 2023 squad at a training camp in Houston in February, and hopes to film with injured striker Sam Kerr in London come July. Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said watching the 2023 squad capture the hearts of Australians was one of the most powerful moments she has ever experienced. "This portrait is more than a tribute to feats on the pitch, it's a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls," Garriock said. The artwork will be finished later in 2025 and is slated to show at the gallery in Canberra over summer before embarking on a tour.