CommBank Matildas’ interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni has finalised a 23-player squad, including Canberra United’s Michelle Heyman for the two upcoming friendly matches against Switzerland and Germany in this month’s FIFA Women’s International Window.
A clash in Zurich against EURO 2025 hosts Switzerland on Friday, 25 October 2024 (8.00pm CET) will be followed by another meeting against current Olympic bronze medalists Germany in Duisburg on Monday, 28 October 2024 (6.10pm CET).
These fixtures will be Australia’s first matches of the new four-year women’s international cycle that will feature the home AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™, FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ and LA 2028™ Olympics.
October’s window presents the first opportunity for Sermanni to work with players as the road to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ commences.
With the European and United States leagues in full swing, the squad has a strong international flavour with 19 of the 23 members currently appearing in overseas leagues. Four squad members are in the middle of preparing to kick-off their 2024/25 respective Ninja A-League Women season in November.
A vastly experienced core of 18 players anchor the squad including captain Steph Catley and vice captains Ellie Carpenter and Emily van Egmond. Sharn Freier, Winonah Heatley, Kaitlyn Torpey and Jada Whyman head up the growing contingent of younger players gaining senior national team experience.
This camp they are joined by CommBank Young Matildas’ graduates Chloe Lincoln (goalkeeper) and Daniela Galic (midfielder), with the duo earning their first official senior national team call ups. Playing for Dutch side FC Twente, Galic is the reigning 2023/24 Ninja A-League Women Young Player of the Year while Western United FC’s Lincoln was crucial during the recent FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign.
Liverpool WFC goalkeeper Teagan Micah (ankle) and North Carolina Courage forward Cortnee Vine are both unavailable for selection.
CommBank Matildas’ interim Head Coach, Tom Sermanni, said that after weeks of virtual conversations, he was delighted to get to squad together for his first national team camp.
“The last couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of phone calls, text messages and virtual meetings but nothing beats the opportunity to come together face to face,” Sermanni said.
“As we begin the road to the home Asian Cup in 2026, our next two camps are a chance to set the foundations with this October squad featuring a core of experienced members currently playing and training consistently in their club environments.
“The young, uncapped players in Daniela and Chloe come high regarded thanks to their performances over the last twelve months, including helping the CommBank Young Matildas to their best Asian Cup performance in almost two decades. They also bring with them significant experience through the development pathway of the youth national teams, Future Matildas’ program and A-League Women.”
“We have six invaluable matches from October to December to cultivate opportunities for players whether they are Australian or overseas based, and I am looking forward to commencing the rewarding work,” Sermanni concluded.
October’s international window will also see two new technical staff joining the assembly to support Sermanni including CommBank Young Matildas’ Head Coach Leah Blayney and experienced A-Leagues’ coach Jean-Paul de Marigny as Assistant Coaches while Assistant Coach Melissa Andreatta undertakes maternity leave.
CommBank Matildas’ players and staff will assemble in Zurich from 21 October 2024.
Australian fans will be able to watch the CommBank Matildas take on Switzerland and Germany live and exclusive on Paramount+.
COMMBANK MATILDAS | OCTOBER 2024 INTERNATIONALS
Switzerland v CommBank Matildas
Date: Friday, 25 October 2024 (local) / Saturday, 26 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 8.00pm CET (local) / 5.00am (AEDT)
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Broadcast: Paramount+
Germany v CommBank Matildas
Date: Monday, 28 October 2024 (local) / Tuesday, 29 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 6.10pm CET (local) / 4.10am (AEDT)
Venue: Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg
Broadcast: Paramount+
