Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni confirmed that Arsenal trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Kyra Cooney-Cross may be rested for Friday’s friendly against Argentina, following their recent Champions League final win against Barcelona.
Sermanni emphasized the importance of player welfare, stating the decision not to start them was to avoid unnecessary risks in a non-competitive match. He highlighted the benefit of having another fixture on Monday in Canberra.
The coach also provided a promising update on Sam Kerr’s recovery from an ACL injury. Kerr is progressing well under close collaboration between Chelsea’s medical staff and Australia’s full-time physio based in London.
Sermanni called for a major investment shift in the A-League Women, criticizing the lack of development despite the league’s 17-year history. He urged stakeholders to address underfunding and build on the momentum from Australia’s successful 2023 World Cup.
