Latest news with #StephCatley
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Kerr's teaser sends fans wild despite sad omission as Matildas favourite returns
Sam Kerr appears to be nearing a return after sharing footage of her back in training despite being left out of Joe Montemurro's Matildas squad for his first-game in charge. There is plenty of excitement around the Matildas with new coach Montemurro naming a large 33-strong squad for games against Slovenia and Panama. Interestingly, 14 A-League Women players joined the squad but Women's Super League stars and current captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window having taken leave after a long season. However, Kerr was once again among the absentees having suffered setback during her ACL rehab the other week. Kerr has not played football in more than 16 months after tearing her ACL during training for her club side Chelsea. And earlier this month, it was revealed Kerr underwent surgery on a separate injury. Little is known about her recovery timeline, with Kerr and partner Kristie Mews recently taking a break and holidaying in the off-season. However, the Matildas superstar handed fans an update having posted a photo of her back training and running with Chelsea during training. Although she was once again excluded from the Matildas squad with fans increasingly interested over when she will make a comeback. The Matildas superstar has been undergoing her recovery and was a hope to line-up for Chelsea, before their record breaking Women's Super League season came to an end. Although this didn't come to fruition with the plan for Kerr to remain in England and continue her recovery with Chelsea. 🥹🥹 — jurídico sam kerr (@m4yaramonster) June 19, 2025 Light at the end of the tunnel for next season 😍😍😍 — ℜ u k ǝ K v ǝ l l 🇬🇧🇨🇦 (@Ruke_kvell) June 19, 2025 When is Sam Kerr going to return to playing football? — The Australian's pie chart creator (@Elfvandel20) June 20, 2025 While Kerr remains out, Mackenzie Arnold and Hayley Raso both return from injury. The Tottenham winger was missed by the Matildas in recent games with her creativity a major loss for the side. Montemurro is looking to improve the Matildas and find some results with Australia's national women's team dropping to their equal-worst position on the FIFA rankings. The World No.16 side has struggled in the last 12 months having been knocked out in a disastrous Olympics and SheBelieves Cup campaign. "When you have this amount of time, you can start to infiltrate some good ideas and make a statement in terms of the way we want to play," Montemurro said. "We still want to win football matches. We still want to show you who we are as a footballing nation. But more importantly, to really instil some identity, and really instil some belief in this team that you know going forward."
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Montemurro unveils new-look Matildas squad with big names to miss matches against Slovenia and Panama
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has given Australia's next generation of football talent the nod as he plots a path to the 2026 Asian Cup. Montemurro has cast a wide net for his first Matildas team and named 14 A-League Women players in a 33-strong squad for games against Slovenia and Panama. Matildas captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window, with the trio taking leave. Turning to the ALW is no surprise, given Montemurro's intimate knowledge of the domestic league. The former Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City coach says the four-game window in Western Australia will help the Matildas rediscover their identity. Australia's national women's team have slumped to their equal-worst position, down to No.16, after disastrous Olympics and SheBelieves Cup campaigns. 'When you have this amount of time, you can start to infiltrate some good ideas and make a statement in terms of the way we want to play,' Montemurro said. 'We still want to win football matches. We still want to show you who we are as a footballing nation. 'But more importantly, to really instil some identity, and really instil some belief in this team that you know going forward.' Reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Alex Chidiac and Victory striker Emily Gielnik return to the national team after being overlooked regularly by Tony Gustavsson and Tom Sermanni. Cortnee Vine remains on leave after Montemurro flagged reaching out to the North Carolina Courage winger. Vine, who shot to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic quarter-final penalty shootout at the Women's World Cup, hasn't played for the national team since the Paris Olympics. But Montemurro remains confident Vine will return to the Matildas at some point this year. 'She just feels that she needs a little bit more time to come back, and we respected that,' Montemurro said. 'From my perspective, she's definitely in sight after this camp and beyond.' Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Yallop remains sidelined with a leg injury, while recent debutant Kahli Johnson has been ruled out with a thigh injury. In their place, Montemurro has handed Roar forward Grace Kuilamu and Western United's Adriana Taranto their first call-up. They join five uncapped players who have been selected, while 16 players have fewer than 10 senior international appearances. Vice-captain Ellie Carpenter returns from personal leave, with Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and Sharn Freier returning from injury. Midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, yet to find a new home after her time at Portuguese club Sporting CP came to an end, also returns to the Matildas for the first time since June 2022. 'She's one of these talented players that, in one-on-one situations, is something a little bit special,' Montemurro said. 'It'd be great to just see where she's at.' The Matildas face Slovenia on June 26 and 29, then Panama on July 5 and 8, in Western Australia. AUSTRALIA'S 33-PLAYER SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold*, Chloe Lincoln**, Sally James**, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman* Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy*, Winonah Heatley*, Alexia Apostolakis*, Jessika Nash**, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross*, Alex Chidiac, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler*, Chloe Berryhill**, Amy Sayer, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi**, Alana Murphy, Adriana Taranto**
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Steph Catley and Sam Kerr among absentees from Joe Montemurro's first Matildas squad
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro's first squad is a 'balance of experience and potential' with a host of fresh faces and several notable absentees, including captain Steph Catley and ongoing injury casualty Sam Kerr. Montemurro has named a 33-player squad ahead of four matches – two against Slovenia and two against Panama – in Western Australia from June 26 to July 8. Catley, who has captained the national team since Kerr suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in January last year, has been granted personal leave, along with fellow star duo Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry. Apart from Kerr, others out through injury are Mary Fowler, Tameka Yallop and recent debutant Kahli Johnson, while Cortnee Vine remains on extended leave. Forward Grace Kuilamu and midfielder Adriana Taranto have both earnt their first senior call-ups and are among six uncapped players in the squad, the others being defender Alexia Apostolakis, midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, and goalkeepers Sally James and Jada Whyman. 'This group represents a balance of experience and potential, and we'll use this window to connect, experiment, and move forward with clear intent,' said Montemurro, who earlier this month was confirmed as Maildas coach after Tom Sermanni had been interim boss since September last year. 'We wanted to use this window not just to prepare for the matches but to really explore the talent that's coming through. 'It's a rare opportunity to work with a broadened squad, give players their first or renewed taste of the environment, and assess where we are as a group. 'This window is about setting the tone. We're laying the foundations for the next phase of our journey as we build relationships, create an understanding of our style of play, and enhance the high-performance environment that enables our players to thrive.' Goalkeepers Whyman and Mackenzie Arnold, defenders Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy and Winonah Heatley, midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Wheeler, and forwards Sharn Freier and Remy Siemsen will only take part in the matches against Slovenia on June 26 and June 29, both at HBF Park. Players only taking part in the games against Panama on July 5 (Bunbury) and July 8 (HBF Park) are Kuilamu, Taranto, Apostolakis, Galabadaarachchi, James, Chloe Berryhill, Bryleeh Henry, Chloe Lincoln and Jessika Nash. Matildas squad: Alexia Apostolakis (Melbourne City), Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns, USA), Chloe Berryhill (Western United), Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon, France), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal, England), Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory), Sharn Freier (Wolfsburg, Germany), Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (Unattached), Emily Gielnik (Melbourne Victory), Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur. England), Winonah Heatley (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Bryleeh Henry (Melbourne City) Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Clare Hunt (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Alanna Kennedy (Angel City, USA), Grace Kuilamu (Brisbane Roar), Chloe Lincoln (Brisbane Roar), Sally James (Canberra United), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Teagan Micah (Unattached), Alana Murphy (Melbourne Victory), Jessika Nash (Central Coast Mariners), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City, England), Natasha Prior (Newcastle Jets), Jamilla Rankin (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Hayley Raso (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Amy Sayer (Kristianstads DFF, Sweden), Remy Siemsen (Kristianstads DFF, Sweden), Adriana Taranto (Western United), Kaitlyn Torpey (Portland Thorns, USA), Emily van Egmond (Birmingham City, England), Clare Wheeler (Everton, England), Jada Whyman (AIK, Sweden).
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Matildas supporter slams fan for hitting star Kyra Cooney-Cross with 'entitled' act in front of her kids
A passionate Matildas supporter has been left fuming after the 'entitled' behaviour of another fan following the national team's 4-1 victory over Argentina in Canberra on Monday night. Amadee Smith, who is a diehard Tillies fan, recorded a mother complaining because midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross was talking on the phone instead of interacting with her children as she got on the team bus. 'Worse than that, I heard a lady next to me saying how "we pay their wage the least they can do is sign their jerseys",' said Smith in a post to social media. 'The entitlement is crazy, they don't owe us anything - it is amazing they stay 20-30 minutes post match to show us how much they care!' Smith went on to say in a TikTok video that it sets a bad example for children. 'This is why kids think it's OK to beg for their jerseys, beg for their boots, beg for their gloves, beg for everything - because their parents are teaching them that this behaviour is OK,' she said. @amadeesmith This is not ok!!! The Matilda's deserve better. We are not ENTITLED to their time, they give it to us because they value us. Getting cranky at a player/s because they didn't sign something or take a photo with you is not cool. Do better. Thanks for listening to my Ted talk. #matildas #tillies #tilitsdone #woso #canberra #kyracooneycross #stephcatley #entilted ♬ original sound - Am 'It is not. They are humans. This is their job... 'We are not entitled to their attention 24/7.' Meanwhile, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back winger Cortnee Vine. Two years ago, 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.'
The Star
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Arsenal success can spur Australia to continental title, says Catley
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Champions League - Final - Arsenal v FC Barcelona - Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal - May 24, 2025 FC Barcelona's Ewa Pajor in action with Arsenal's Steph Catley REUTERS/Pedro Nunes/File Photo (Reuters) -Defender Steph Catley says her UEFA Women's Champions League title win with Arsenal last week will act as motivation to secure continental glory with Australia when the country hosts the Women's Asian Cup next year. Catley and compatriots Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross were part of the Arsenal squad that defeated Barcelona in Lisbon last Sunday, before flying to Melbourne to feature in the Matildas' 2-0 win over Argentina on Friday. The game was the first in a two-match series against the South Americans as the Australians continue preparations for the continent championship in March 2026, when they will attempt to win the Asian title for the first time in 16 years. "I think it just gives you a little taste of what's possible," Catley said of the Champions League success. "But to actually do it, it makes me think about my career and the things I really want to achieve, and winning silverware with the Matildas has always been top of my list. "So, definitely, it makes me hungry. I've got a taste of trophies and (winning the Asian Cup) would mean a lot to me if we were able to do that. "It's coming up now, it's very close so it's good for the three of us to have the taste of that and be able to lead that hunt for success for our team." The Australians last won the Women's Asian Cup in 2010 with a victory over North Korea and have since finished as runners-up in 2014 and 2018 before exiting the 2022 edition in the quarter-finals. And while the Matildas reached the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup on home soil in 2023, they were eliminated in the group phase of the Olympic Games last year, prompting coach Tony Gustavsson's departure. The Swede has not been replaced on a permanent basis, with Tom Sermanni filling the role in an interim capacity, but Catley is confident the team is moving in the right direction as the Australians continue to unearth new playing talent. "Maybe it hasn't been the most successful few years but we still believe we can achieve something special," said Catley. "You see a player like Charli (Grant) come in tonight and she looks like she's been in the team for a few years, and we're still finding gems like that. "I think coming into a major tournament, that's the most important thing that you can try to do, is have a bit of depth there and some competition." (Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by Tom Hogue)
