CommBank Matildas interim head coach Tom Sermanni says opportunities will continue to be provided to Ninja A-League players to break into the international team off the back of strong form in Australia’s top domestic league.
Sermanni has called six Ninja A-League players into his 23-player squad for this month’s SheBelieves Cup in the United States.
Melbourne City star Holly McNamara also received a long-awaited recall to the Matildas squad, having recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in November 2023.
The 22-year-old made her Ninja A-League comeback in December and has notched three goals and one assist in nine games (two starts) and just 348 minutes of game time to earn her way back into the international squad.
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Speaking after the confirmation of his 23-player squad selected for the SheBelieves Cup, Sermanni used McNamara’s form as an example he hopes other Ninja A-League players can follow, reinforcing the idea that players producing sparkling performances in the Australian top flight will be strongly considered for Matildas call-ups.
“I haven’t seen a lot of Holly because she’s had a horrific time with injuries,” Sermanni said.
“When you look at the qualities that Holly brings, and she’s brought by going straight into the (A-League), that’s the kind of qualities I want to see from players in the (A-League).
“Holly has just come straight back in and has already shown those kind of signs. She’s been dynamic, she’s been aggressive, she makes great forward runs – and she’s a winner. I want to see more of that from A-League Women players.”
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Canberra United legend Michelle Heyman, Newcastle Jets defender Natasha Prior, Western United goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln and Brisbane captain Tameka Yallop were selected alongside McNamara and Freier in Sermanni’s squad for the SheBelieves Cup.
Australia will play Japan, United States and Colombia in the 10th anniversary of the prestigious tournament which begins on February 19.
Freier, 23, is the only uncapped player in the 23-player squad. Her first senior international call-up has come less than two months after her professional debut with Brisbane Roar, proving just how quickly a player in the Ninja A-League can stake a claim for selection in the international team.
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With seven goals in 10 league games, Freier sits equal top on the Ninja A-League Golden Boot leaderboard.
“What made me pick her (Freier) for this squad was, again, she’s shown qualities in the A-league Women that excited me,” Sermanni said.
“She’s scored goals, she’s got involved in games, she’s created chances and she’s shown the kind of form that makes you say you think she can probably step up to international level.
“Although she hasn’t had a lot of experience at club level, it’s a great chance to see if somebody can go from that level and step straight into international football.”
The Matildas kick off their SheBelieves Cup campaign against Jaan in Texas on Friday, February 21 (kick-off 9.05am AEDT) before games against the US in Arizona on Monday, February 24 (kick-off 9.05am AEDT) and Colombia in California on Thursday, February 27 (kick-off 11.30am AEDT).
