Another women’s international break is upon us. It is another opportunity to see our girls compete for their national teams. The Australian women’s national team, the Matildas, is one of the teams the Gooners cheer on.
Gunners Kyra Cooney-Cross, Steph Catley, and Caitlin Foord are key members of head coach Tony Gustavsson’s initiative with the Matildas (they are also included in his Olympics squad). During this international break, Australia will play a friendly against the Canadian women.
For Gooners, it’s a duel of the three Gunner Matildas against Cloe Lacasse and Sabrina D’Angelo (who departed the club this summer). As we eagerly anticipate the 13th showdown, we’ve learned that one Gunner might be unable to participate.
Steph Catley will not play in that match against Canada due to an injury she sustained ahead of Australia’s extended training camp, as revealed through an Instagram post from the Matildas’ official account.
“Steph Catley and Kaitlyn Torpey will be unavailable for this weekend’s upcoming match against Canada in Marbella, Spain,” wrote the Matildas Instagram admin.
“Catley will continue to rehabilitate following a lower leg injury sustained prior to arriving in Australia’s extended training camp last week.”
View this post on Instagram
That said, the hope is that Catley will be back to fitness soon, and she’ll be able to captain the Matildas to victory by the time the Paris Olympics 2024 begin. Australia has always given a strong account of themselves in the Olympics; but Canada are the reigning Olympics champions.
Let’s hope Steph Catley’s injury is not significant..
Michelle M
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So we already have 5 out injured before the wcl qualifications.
This is maddening.
I think women are having too many matches – not helped in the northern hemisphere by nations league. In the last 7 years women have gone from hardly playing, to 3 years with barely any time off
I agree. It is ridulous and likely one of the reasons overplayed players get ACL injuries regularly.
Agree about ACLs. I think all that the travel and lack of rest did it for my favourite player- Pelova.
Huge disappointment for Pelova and us, it looked like her continual inprovement was pointing to a great 24-25 season in the WSL
And now Catley is out. May be minor injury, but kerr was rushed back and used by australia and Chelsea, playing with injury (according to Emma hayes) and look how that ended.
I meant foord, not catley.