Have your say: which team comes out on top?
Changes to Australia’s starting XI
Tom Sermanni has made several changes to the starting XI that let in Japan’s first three goals before substitutions were made on Friday. The interim coach hinted on Sunday that he would be making changes to get younger players some more game time. Let’s take a look at what he’s decided.
Liverpool goalkeeper Tegan Micah will replace Mackenzie Arnold, the 27-year-old has 18 national team caps compared to Arnold’s 57.
Catley, Kennedy and Carpenter are joined by Charlie Grant, who replaces Tottenham teammate Clare Hunt despite Hunt regularly starting over Grant at the club level. A few mistakes from Hunt in the game against Japan have likely led to this substitution but swapping the World Cup favourite for the less experienced Grant is risky.
Winonah Heatley adds a sixth cap to her name in joining Cooney-Cross and Fowler in midfield and Holly McNamara is added to the Matildas attack this morning. This is McNamara’s first start in 1122 days, her last was against Thailand in the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup.
Heatley and McNamra are more hopeful additions for the Matildas who will ideally increase the team’s shots on goal from just one in the game against Japan on Friday.
Have your say: which team comes out on top?
Hello and welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Australia’s second of three games in the invitational SheBelieves Cup. I’m Frances Howe and I’ll be holding your hand this morning as the Matildas have a fair challenge ahead of them against FIFA-ranked world no. 1 USA who won Olympic gold last year.
The Australians, making their second appearance in new jerseys designed by Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie, will try to make up for a humbling loss against Japan on Friday.
Speaking after the 4-0 loss, interim coach Tom Sermanni said the goals let in by the Matildas’ backline were “un-Australian”.
In the wake of that defeat, the Matildas travelled to Glendale, Arizona on Friday for this morning’s match hosted in the State Farm Stadium. It’s a far warmer 25 degrees and sunny in Glendale than it was for the Matildas in Houston last week.
Kick-off is at 9.05 am AEDT and (3.05 pm on Sunday in Arizona) and will be available to stream only on Paramount+.
Team news will be coming up soon.
