After suffering a gut-wrenching ACL injury on the eve of her potential Matildas debut, midfielder Hana Lowry has been handed a national team recall.
Coach Joe Montemurro has named three uncapped players for his 26-player squad, which will face world number three Germany and world number 47 Haiti in Europe in October.
One of them is Lowry, who was previously selected in 2024 but was ruled out with a knee injury, and has been building ever since.
The 23-year-old signed a deal to move from A-League Women’s club Sydney FC to Norway earlier this year and has impressed, scoring a goal and assisting another in her first seven games with the new club.
Former Sydney defender Tori Tumeth has also received a maiden call-up after shining for the Vancouver Rise in Canada’s Northern Super League. At the same time, Melbourne Victory’s Courtney Newbon is the third potential debutant.
But the Australians will be without stars Alanna Kennedy and Charlize Rule due to injury, while Arsenal midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross also won’t join the team as she continues her return to football.
Midfielder Isabel Gomez and goalkeeper Ilona Melegh have been dropped after they were part of the side for their two-game series against Mexico in June.
Superstar Sam Kerr has been named to feature in the friendlies. (Getty Images: Dustin Satloff)
Defenders Charli Grant and Alexia Apostolakis, along with midfielder Daniela Galic, will return to the national team set-up.
European stars Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter and Steph Catley have also been named, as well as Gotham City’s Sam Kerr.
The October international window marks a crucial stage in the Matildas’ preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which gets underway in Brazil next June.
There are only a handful of international breaks before the showpiece tournament, meaning every game is crucial for Australia as they look to build on their fourth-place finish in 2023.
“We have a good mix of experience, players returning to the squad and players earning their first senior call-ups, which is important as we build towards the Women’s World Cup,” Montemurro said.
“We want to use these games to strengthen our connections, build confidence and continue developing as a team.
“Germany will test us against one of Europe’s leading teams, while Haiti will provide a different style and perspective. Both will be valuable as we continue to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Matildas squad
Alexia Apostolakis, Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Daniela Galic, Charli Grant, Winonah Heatley, Sam Kerr, Chloe Lincoln (GK), Hana Lowry, Leticia McKenna, Holly McNamara, Alana Murphy, Courtney Nevin, Courtney Newbon (GK), Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Tori Tumeth, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler
AAP
