“Am I looking at players playing minutes? Yes, I am. Obviously, that’s logical, because it’s the game rhythm and then they come in here already at a certain level.
“We have to be sensible with Mary – we have to see where she’s at. I hope she gets two or three 90 minutes before she comes into camp, but her quality is of a world-class level so we have to consider in the squad.”
Injured defender Charli Grant has missed out on another major international tournament.Credit: Getty Images
Fowler will join a host of other familiar faces in camp – including captain Sam Kerr and vice-captains Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter – in Perth ahead of Australia’s opener against the Philippines in Perth on March 1.
Kyra Cooney-Cross has also been named, the midfielder having played her first minutes off the bench for Arsenal last weekend after spending a period in Australia to be with her severely ill mother Jess.
Experience is rounded out with eight Asian Cup newcomers including Wini Heatley, Jamilla Rankin, Amy Sayer, Charlize Rule and Kahli Johnson.
Another, Jada Whyman, has beaten Chloe Lincoln to the third goalkeeper spot, named alongside first-choice competitors Mackenzie Arnold and Teagan Micah.
For Grant, however, this Asian Cup marks another missed opportunity at a major tournament.
The 24-year-old fullback had finally been set for her moment in the sun after a run of bad luck left her on the fringes for years, having played only two minutes at the 2023 World Cup and missing selection for the Paris Olympics altogether.
But Grant has still not played for Tottenham since injuring her knee last November and, despite Spurs coach Martin Ho saying she was “close” to a return, Montemurro was seemingly unwilling to roll the dice.
The other glaring omission is Cortnee Vine, the winger of winning penalty-kick fame who took more than a year away from the national team and recently opened up about the extent to which severe anxiety had affected her football and her life.
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Vine returned to the squad in October last year for the away friendlies against Wales and England, and Montemurro had indicated at the time she was in Asian Cup contention, but the coach appears content with his wide options, led by Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord.
“We have selected a strong mix of experienced leaders who understand what it means to wear the green
and gold, alongside younger players who have earned their opportunity and will play a vital role in our future,” Montemurro, who will address media on Thursday, said in a statement.
Matildas Asian Cup squad: Mackenzie Arnold (gk), Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Wini Heatley, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Kahli Johnson, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr (c), Holly McNamara, Tegan Micah (gk), Courtney Nevin, Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Charlize Rule, Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Jada Whyman (gk).
