Matildas Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold Trains Fully as Coach Joe Montemurro Holds Fire on Selection for Asian Cup Opener
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has declined to confirm whether goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold will start in Sunday's Women's Asian Cup opening match against the Philippines, leaving her participation in doubt as the team prepares in Perth. Arnold's health has been a concern throughout the week, but she took a positive step towards proving her fitness during a training session on Saturday.
Goalkeeping Situation Under Scrutiny Amid Injury Concerns
In the 15 minutes of training open to media at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, Arnold joined fellow goalkeepers Chloe Lincoln and Morgan Aquino on the track, participating fully in the short window. Aquino, a former Perth Glory star, is serving as a train-on player rather than a full squad member. The third goalkeeper in the squad, uncapped Jada Whyman, was not observed during this period.
With goalkeeper Teagan Micah already ruled out of the tournament due to concussion, any injury to Arnold could represent a significant setback for the Matildas. Montemurro emphasized that no final decisions have been made regarding the starting lineup, noting that all players have been placed on individual programs upon their arrival from overseas clubs.
Managing Player Load in a Demanding Tournament Schedule
If the Matildas advance to the final, they will face six games within 21 days, prompting Montemurro to adopt a cautious approach to avoid overexerting his squad. "We've had to manage a lot of the returns because of the nature of the tournament, and a lot of players playing on the weekend, or being involved on the weekend, so all of them are on individual scenarios to get right," he explained.
Montemurro added, "We're monitoring it and we've got it in control with our medical staff, who will make some decisions in the next 24 hours. There's no decisions made yet of anyone playing. I'm still deciding on what my starting line-up is going to be."
Midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross Also Under Careful Watch
Midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross has seen limited playing time, with just 17 minutes for Arsenal since the start of the year, after returning to Australia to support her mother, who is battling cancer. She has not trained fully with the squad since their arrival in Perth, but Montemurro indicated they are proceeding with caution due to the tight schedule.
"The lead-up has been very tight and a lot of players were playing on the weekend, so we've got them all on individual programs," he said. "We're thinking ahead too, we're going to take the opportunities to make sure that players are ready at the right time to be part of the group, but she's travelling well."
Excitement Builds for Montemurro's First Major Tournament as Coach
Montemurro, who conducted his first camp as Matildas coach in Perth last June, has had limited time to implement his tactical philosophies. However, he expressed enthusiasm ahead of the tournament opener. "I'm really looking forward to getting on the pitch, to be honest. It's been a journey, a different journey, to get here but these are special occasions," he shared.
He continued, "These are occasions that you treasure in our sport, as professionals, and there's a lot of pride from my personal perspective, to be able to be part of this special group. We're looking forward to an amazing tournament. There's going to be some special memories made."
