Aivi Luik is a shock call-up for the Matildas as coach Tony Gustavsson units his sights on Australia successful the Girls’s Asian Cup for a second time. The 36-year-old returns after retiring from worldwide soccer following the Tokyo Olympics, however continues to play for Pomigliano in Italy’s Serie A.
Gustavsson identified calling up skilled midfielder-defender Luik was about delivering success on the Asian Cup and didn't essentially imply she was within the body for the 2023 Girls’s World Cup.
“It’s about attempting to get outcomes on this match and successful the match,” Gustavsson stated. “We don’t need to do it on the expense of the event and match expertise for younger gamers, nevertheless it’s a really, very clear aim and usually a goal to attempt to get a end result as a result of we haven’t gained it since 2010.
“It’s a type of the place I additionally want to have a look at what's the finest staff to convey to Asian Cup short-term. Sure, we are going to all the time have a bit of little bit of an eye fixed on the World Cup cycle as nicely, as you'll be able to see that there’s some younger thrilling gamers right here as nicely. However at this level proper now, particularly about Aivi, it’s simply this match, nothing else.”
Sam Kerr as soon as once more headlines the 21 Matildas locked in for January’s match in India, whereas eight A-League Girls gamers have been included in a 25-player travelling squad for a coaching camp in Dubai. Melbourne Metropolis ahead Holly McNamara and defender Winonah Heatley, Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine and Canberra United defender Karly Roestbakken will compete for the ultimate two spots within the 23-player squad.
Gustavsson revealed Katrina Gorry, who lately returned to Brisbane Roar after giving beginning to her first youngster, had been chosen however turned down the call-up amid the problem of travelling to India with an toddler. Sydney FC midfielder Taylor Ray was additionally set for a call-up to the travelling occasion however was dominated out after she contracted Covid-19. Uncapped forwards Vine and McNamara have been two of the ALW’s type gamers, with Gustavsson eager to check out the pacy, daring duo.
“We want one-on-one consultants which are made to interrupt down a parked bus probably in a few of these video games,” Gustavsson stated. “[Vine] hasn’t been uncovered to worldwide degree but and he or she wants to return in our surroundings to see if she will be able to convey the identical sport as she’s achieved in membership land.”
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams is ready to characteristic at a document sixth Asian Cup. Australia play Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand within the group stage, which begins on January 21.
Australia squad
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah, Lydia Williams; Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley*, Alanna Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Karly Roestbakken*; Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop; Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Sam Kerr, Holly McNamara*, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kyah Simon, Cortnee Vine*
* Gamers competing for remaining two spots
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