Superstar gets fairytale home FIFA World Cup after injury hell as Matildas finalise squad
Football Australia has announced the Matildas' final squad which will contest the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The squad features seven players in line to make their World Cup debut, while retaining 15 players from Australia's last World Cup campaign.
The 23-player squad will complete the Matildas' final preparations, including a warmup match against world No.5 France in Melbourne on July 14, before departing for their team base in Brisbane ahead of the tournament's kick-off on July 20.
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Caitlin Foord celebrates a goal with teammates during the Cup of Nations match between the Matildas and Jamaica. Getty
Six players were cut from the provisional squad including Chloe Logarzo, Larissa Crummer, Emily Gielnik, Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen and Jada Whyman.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams and defender Clare Polkinghorne have been named to take part in their fifth tournament, becoming the first Australian players - male or female - to achieve the feat.
Injury-plagued players Kyah Simon (knee), Tameka Yallop (ankle) and Alanna Kennedy (calf) have all proved their fitness to be rewarded with a spot.
Remarkably, Simon tore her ACL last October while playing for Tottenham Hotspur and looked unlikely to recover in time for football's pinnacle competition.
However, despite playing limited football since May last year, selectors have backed the veteran striker.
Matildas player Kyah Simon. Getty
The team will be led by star forward Sam Kerr in what will be her fourth campaign, while defender Steph Catley will serve as vice-captain in her third appearance at the tournament.
Matildas' head coach Tony Gustavsson said whittling down the squad was challenging.
"Today is the end of a two-and-a-half-year process and the wonderful start of a thrilling new journey for the team," he said in a statement on Monday.
"Selecting this World Cup squad has been the toughest challenge so far, but the whole coaching and support staff are all completely overjoyed for the 23 players who will represent the nation during this tournament.
"These 23 players not only exemplify what it means to be a part of the tradition of the Matildas but also what it means to represent the 25 million Australians we know are fully behind us. They have the heart, desire and passion for the crest, and I can't wait to see the next part of their story."
Gustavsson was also thrilled to showcase a mix of youth and experience in the squad.
Sam Kerr in action for the Matildas. Getty
"I am delighted to see the progression of the team as it is a result of their dedication to being prepared for this moment. To see so many debutants for the tournament speaks to the hard work of the players themselves, but also the coaching staff and support staff as we looked to build depth in the squad," he said.
"This is a special group of players who, when you see the anticipation around the tournament and level of interest for women's football, have already sparked a transformation.
"We can't wait to get the tournament underway in front of a record crowd of support."
Australia will open their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign against the Republic of Ireland on July 20 in Sydney, with group matches against Nigeria on July 27 and Canada on July 31 to follow.
MATILDAS WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FINAL SQUAD
Lydia Williams (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City on loan from Hammarby IF), Aivi Luik (BK Häcken), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjö GIK), Cortnee Vine (Sydney), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Emily Van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengård), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Hayley Raso (Unattached), Kyah Simon (Unattached), Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjö GIK), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjö GIK), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF).
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