Cooney-Cross picked in Matildas World Cup squad

FORMER Surf Coast Secondary College student Kyra Cooney-Cross will be part of Australia’s bid to win a home Women’s World Cup.

Coach Tony Gustavsson and captain Sam Kerr unveiled the Matildas’ 23-player squad in Melbourne today, which will challenge for women’s football’s most prestigious prize when the tournament kicks off in just over two weeks.

The Torquay product is set to play a key role in the tournament after becoming a mainstay in Australia’s midfield since her first cap in 2021.

In other selection news, veteran Kyah Simon completed an unlikely comeback nine months after an ACL tear to earn a spot in the squad.

Simon appeared almost certain to miss a second consecutive World Cup through injury after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament when playing for Tottenham in October and failing to play a competitive game since.

But the 32-year-old was included in Australia’s provisional squad and featured in a recent Gold Coast training camp, where those with little exposed form or injuries pressed their selection cases.

Injury-plagued Manchester City centre-back Alanna Kennedy hasn’t featured for the Matildas since September, but has also been named in the squad.

Tameka Yallop, Clare Polkinghorne and Mary Fowler have all got the nod despite being under injury clouds.

Simon was left out of the 2019 squad by then-coach Ante Milicic after injury ruined her lead-in to the tournament.

She attended the 2011 and 2015 tournaments, including scoring the winner against Brazil in the latter tournament to send Australia into the quarter-finals, their best finish yet at a World Cup.

Veterans Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams each earned selection for their fifth World Cup squads.

But there was no room for Chloe Logarzo, Larissa Crummer, Emily Gielnik, Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen or Jada Whyman.

Those players will continue to train with the squad.

Australia play Ireland on July 20, Nigeria on July 27 and Canada on July 31.

The Matildas’ final tune-up match is against France on July 14 at Marvel Stadium.

MATILDAS FINAL WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah, Lydia Williams

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne

Midfielders: Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop

Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Cortnee Vine.

with AAP