Katrina Gorry has been named by Tony Gustavsson as one of the 23-player squad for the side’s friendly matches against New Zealand in Townsville and Canberra next month.
The solitary change in the squad selected for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Gorry replaces Holly McNamara while the Melbourne City winger recovers from a knee ligament injury.
Having last appeared for the Matildas against Thailand in February 2020, Brisbane and Vittsjö midfielder Gorry returns to the just eight months after the birth of her daughter Harper, and is one of nine Queenslanders in the squad, while Arsenal goalkeeper Lydia Williams is the lone Canberra-raised player selected.
The match at North Queensland Stadium also marks the first time a senior national team – men’s or women’s – has played in Townsville, and is the side’s first match in the Sunshine State since a 4-1 win against Korea Republic at Lang Park in 2019.
Speaking to Football Australia, manager Gustavsson said that consistent selections were made to maximise the squad’s familiarity with each other just 15 months out from the next major tournament.
“We are all really excited to come back together as a team and return to the pitch again on home soil,” Gustavsson said. “It’s been a long two months since the group was in assembly, but we have used that time effectively to undertake an in-depth technical review similar to the one conducted following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.”
“With two major tournaments in the last 12 months, this April window gives us an opportunity to start the process of implementing the lessons learned over that timeframe. With only the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on the horizon, the New Zealand series will be the first step towards the tournament.”
“Over the past year we have had a close look at over 75 players in high performance environments but as we focus in on the FIFA Women’s World Cup preparation, it is essential for us to start zeroing in on our best combinations and providing them time together.”
Matildas vs New Zealand
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville
Friday 8 February – KO 7.45pm AEST
Matildas vs New Zealand
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Tuesday 12 February – KO 7.45pm AEST
Both matches to be broadcast on 10BOLD, 10PLAY & Paramount+
Tickets available via matildas.com.au/tickets
Matildas squad – April 2022 vs New Zealand
| Name | Position | Club | Caps (goals) | Junior Club / Member Fed |
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 28 (0) | Burleigh / Football QLD |
| Ellie CARPENTER | Defender | Olympique Lyonnais | 57 (3) | Cowra and District / Football NSW |
| Steph CATLEY | Defender | Arsenal | 100 (3) | East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory | 16 (0) | Ballarat City / Football Victoria |
| Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal | 99 (22) | Warilla Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Mary FOWLER | Forward | Montpellier | 24 (7) | Leichhardt / Football QLD |
| Emily GIELNIK | Forward | Aston Villa | 52 (11) | Redlands United / Football QLD |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar / Vittsjö GIK | 78 (15) | Mt Gravatt Hawks / Football QLD |
| Charlotte GRANT | Defender | Rosengård | 4 (0) | Cumberland United / Football SA |
| Alanna KENNEDY | Defender | Manchester City | 105 (8) | Campbelltown Cobras / Football NSW |
| Sam KERR | Forward | Chelsea | 108 (49) | Western Knights / Football West |
| Aivi LUIK | Defender | Pomigliano | 35 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | Rosengård | 9 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football QLD |
| Courtney NEVIN | Defender | Melbourne Victory | 10 (0) | Oakville Ravens / Football NSW |
| Clare POLKINGHORNE | Defender | Vittsjö GIK | 141 (12) | Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba / Football QLD |
| Hayley RASO | Forward | Manchester City | 60 (8) | Banora Point / Football QLD |
| Remy SIEMSEN | Forward | Sydney | 4 (0) | Manly United / Football NSW |
| Kyah SIMON | Forward | Tottenham Hotspur | 109 (28) | Quakers Hill, Hills Brumbies / Football NSW |
| Emily VAN EGMOND | Midfielder | San Diego Wave | 116 (28) | Dudley-Redhead / Northern NSW Football |
| Cortnee VINE | Forward | Sydney | 3 (0) | Peninsula Power FC / Football QLD |
| Clare WHEELER | Midfielder | Fortuna Hjørring | 8 (0) | Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football |
| Lydia WILLIAMS | Goalkeeper | Arsenal | 97 (0) | Tuggeranong, Woden Valley / Capital Football |
| Tameka YALLOP | Midfielder | West Ham United | 103 (12) | Mudgeeraba / Football QLD |
