Australia names 29-strong preliminary squad to prepare for Women's World Cup
SYDNEY (AP) — Tottenham Hotspur striker Kyah Simon has overcome injury to win a place in Australia’s preliminary and extended squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 32-year-old appeared to have lost any chance of making the World Cup when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October. She hasn’t played since.
But she was named Monday in a 29-strong squad which also includes former Aston Villa forward Emily Gielnik, Manchester City defender Alanna Kennedy and Australia-based midfielder Chloe Logarzo who all have a chance to prove their fitness before the squad is trimmed to 23 for the World Cup.
The preliminary squad will go into a training camp on the Gold Cost before heading to Melbourne for the final squad announcement and a match against France on July 14. The World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins on July 20.
Kennedy has been dogged by injuries since joining Manchester City and has played only seven matches across all competitions since joining the club in 2021.
Logarzo hasn’t played a club game since January as she has recovered from a knee reconstruction. Gielnik’s season ended in March with an ankle injury.
“From the first day of our first training session in 2021, we said it would take 23 in (20)23 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and everyone would have a role to play in that journey,” coach Tony Gustavsson said in a statement.
“What we have seen is that it has actually taken more than 23 players to bring us to this moment and for that reason I am thrilled to work with the players named in this provisional squad during the final phase of our preparation.
“I have been impressed by their full commitment at every step and now we have the chance to fine tune and solidify our game plan ahead of a phenomenally exciting couple of weeks.”
The squad includes Europe-based stars Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord but rising star Holly McNamara has been omitted.
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