Questions over Kerr and Fowler remain for Matildas before Asian Cup opener

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For the second time in three years, Australia is hosting a major women’s football tournament. After finishing fourth at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, a home Asian Cup will see the Matildas battle for the trophy. But, heading into their first match against the Philippines on Sunday night, questions remain unanswered.

Who will start in goal?

It’s not looking like Mackenzie Arnold after what appeared to be limited training this week. That leaves either Jada Whyman or Chloe Lincoln, called up late as Teagan Micah’s injury replacement.

Whyman has the longevity in camp, but it feels unlikely coach Joe Montemurro would hand a player an international debut in the opening match of a major tournament.

Lincoln has the caps – all three of them – and seems the shoo-in. Montemurro gave nothing away about Arnold’s mystery injury (or illness), other than to say, “We’re monitoring it, and we’ve got it in control with our medical staff, and we’ll make some decisions in the next 24 hours. There’s no decisions made of anyone playing. I’m still deciding on what my starting XI is going to be.”

Kerr or Fowler ... or both?

Being in Perth, this feels like a moment for local favourite Sam Kerr to start. Kerr has been waiting for this moment since mid-2024, when her ACL tear left her doing monotonous rehab exercises instead of contesting the Paris 2024 Olympics with the rest of the team.

Mary Fowler meets fans in Perth ahead of the Asian Cup opener.

The 32-year-old now has some game time under her belt – and some confidence-building goals – which is two steps ahead of Mary Fowler’s comeback journey.

Fowler made big headway last weekend with her first start for Manchester City since her own ACL injury. But, after a long-haul flight straight into the Western Australian heat, the risk doesn’t feel worth it.

Will Montemurro start a full-strength squad?

Maybe. Some, such as the indefatigable Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord, feel like certainties. Same goes for Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry, and see above for Kerr and Fowler. But the make-up of the midfield and defence is harder to predict.

Katrina Gorry will once again play a big part in the Matildas midfield throughout this Asian Cup.

Does Kyra Cooney-Cross’s load management open the door for Clare Wheeler? And what about Amy Sayer? Will Steph Catley start, or will she take this opportunity to rest after a heavy club load with Arsenal? Does that make way for Jamilla Rankin or Kaitlyn Torpey at left-back, and who will partner Wini Heatley in central defence?

Can Matildas beat Philippines 8-0 again?

These teams last met at the same Perth venue in 2023. Kerr and Foord both scored hat-tricks, and Fowler and Wheeler topped off a joyful Olympic-qualifying romp in front of almost 60,000. Will we see a similar scoreline?

You wouldn’t put your money on the $26 underdogs, but Philippines coach, Australian Mark Torcaso, believes his world No.41 team has grown big time since that rout – his second match in charge. “We’re just going to be there and be annoying and constantly be pushing,” Torcaso said. “And I know that the girls will fight. That’s the one thing I’m proud of with our country.”

How does this compare to the other group games?

You should never speak too soon, but Australia’s opener feels like the most straightforward of the three Group A fixtures. Yes, the Philippines have improved since 2023, but their style is also cleaner than that of Iran, who, while ranked 68th, are known for their gamesmanship that breaks the momentum and could create a banana-skin moments for the Matildas. South Korea in game three shapes as the most difficult. While no longer the powerhouse they once were, Australia will remember well that 1-0 quarter-final loss that knocked them out of the 2022 Asian Cup.