Matildas star on verge of historic achievement

1 year ago 53

Clare Polkinghorne volition person the accidental to interruption the Australian grounds for astir planetary appearances aft being named successful the Matildas squad for the upcoming Cup of Nations tournament.

She's been chosen successful the 25-player squad for the six-match series, on with Wanderers defender Clare Hunt, who is successful enactment to marque her Australian debut.

Australia volition unfastened its run against Czechia successful Gosford connected February 16.

"The archetypal campy of the twelvemonth is ever an breathtaking imaginable pursuing a lengthy interruption from the squad environment, and successful a FIFA Women's World Cup year, it adds a small much anticipation," Matildas caput manager Tony Gustavsson said.

"Our Cup of Nations squad has been selected successful enactment with our principles built successful the backmost fractional of 2022 arsenic we proceed to make consistency and chemistry among the playing group.

"This is peculiarly important successful a tourney that mirrors the radical signifier play and presents an accidental to maximise our clip unneurotic with little than 200 days until the FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off."

The 34-year-old Polkinghorne has played 151 matches, a grounds she shares with Cheryl Salisbury.

The Matildas volition invited backmost Emily Gielnik, Tameka Yallop and Mackenzie Arnold from wounded for the tournament.

"We were pleased with the mode the squad progressed towards the extremity of 2022 and the matches provided galore learnings for america to physique connected during these games aboriginal this month," Gustavsson said.

"We cognize determination are immoderate areas we request to proceed evolving successful and that volition beryllium the absorption of our matches against 3 opponents that supply existent assortment of approach."

FULL SQUAD

Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Larissa Crummer, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Katrina Gorry, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Elise Kellond-Knight, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Aivi Luik, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Amy Sayer, Emily Van Egmond, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Lydia Williams, Tameka Yallop.

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