‘Blended’ Matildas to face Brazil challenge

Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni is keeping plans for his biggest stars close to his chest as a mammoth 36-player squad was named for four upcoming friendlies at home.

All available first-choice players, including captain Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross, were named to feature during the November-December matches against Brazil and Chinese Taipei but appear destined to be used sporadically.

World Cup penalty shootout hero Cortnee Vine again asked not to be considered for the squad and Sam Kerr also remained sidelined as she gradually closes in on a return from her ACL injury.

Sermanni said Kerr was “coming on well” in rehab as he denied there had been any significant setbacks since her injury in January.

Maiden international call-ups were handed to six players: US-based goalkeeper Morgan Aquino and A-League Women quintet Leah Davidson, Isobel Gomez, Hana Lowry and Natasha Prior.

He also recalled trio Emily Gielnik, Chloe Logarzo and Alex Chidiac, who fell out of favour under predecessor Tony Gustavsson.

Sermanni hinted a range of players would only be available for the front or back half of the window but said he hoped to blend experience with inexperience across the four line-ups.

Gustavsson infamously fielded a second-string side in the corresponding window last year against Canada, who thrashed the Matildas 5-0.

“We won’t have 36 players with us for the whole camp. To be honest, that becomes too onerous, too unwieldy and impossible to work with – the numbers become too big,” Sermanni said on Friday.

“It’s preferable to have a blended team. The reality is whatever we play and whenever we play, we still want to put a team out that’s going to win games.

“It’s getting the balance right between winning games, putting strong teams out, and also giving players opportunity at the same time.”

Sermanni said he had spoken to Vine in the past week as the speedy winger remained unavailable for selection by her own choosing.

The 26-year-old left Sydney FC to join North Carolina Courage in June and returned to the pitch after a month-long absence as a substitute on Sunday.

“Cortnee has just chosen at this stage not be considered to be selected,” Sermanni said.

“We’ve had a chat before the last window and we’ve had a chat within the last week – she’s good, but she’s just not available for these upcoming games.”

The veteran coach repeated there was “no set time” on his interim tenure as he said his focus would remain on developing talent as if he was on a long-term deal.

“We’re at the beginning of the four-year cycle, and this is a critical time,” he said.

“You need to take every opportunity you can get to look at players and to see what players you think have got the ability to step up to international level, and you often can’t do that until you get them into camp.”

Defensive stalwart Clare Polkinghorne will make her 168th and final appearance for the Matildas in a hometown farewell against Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on November 28.

“We’ll have a sit down with Clare and work out what … most importantly, is the best thing is for her,” Sermanni said.

“She’s given almost 20 years of service to this national team, been a stalwart in the Matildas for all of this time, and whatever she needs on the night, is what we’ll do.”