Mackenzie Arnold cops telling blow as Matildas teammates join Mary Fowler in leaving squad

A number of the Matildas' biggest stars have joined Mary Fowler in exiting the squad and heading back to their club teams in Europe, while there's a chain of thought that Teagan Micah might have overtaken Mackenzie Arnold as the country's No.1 keeper. Micah, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso and Steph Catley are among eight players on their way back to Europe and will miss the Matildas' games against Chinese Taipei in Melbourne on Wednesday and Geelong on Saturday.

With Fowler and Cortnee Vine already withdrawing from the squad to prioritise their physical and mental health, the Matildas will field a severely-weakened team against Chinese Taipei this week. Interim coach Tom Sermanni had planned for the absences and named a 36-player squad.

"We've had eight players leave so we have a limited squad," he said this week. "But I think it is an opportunity to look at players who have not been starters and not been in the national team to see how they play."

As well as getting a chance to blood some youngsters, the high-profile withdrawals will also mean Sermanni can hand Arnold another opportunity in goals. Many believe Micah is the premier shot-stopper in Australia, but is heading back to Liverpool where she plays her club football.

Micah conceded two goals in the second game against Brazil but pulled off a number of brilliant saves, while Arnold allowed three in the first game. Micah was Australia's first-choice keeper at the Tokyo Olympics in 2022, before a serious concussion put her career on hold and kept her out of the World Cup last year.

Teagan Micah putting pressure on Arnold for Matildas role

Arnold took her opportunity and shot to superstardom at the World Cup, famously helping the Matildas win a penalty shootout against France in the quarter-final. But Micah is getting her career back on track, and many believe she'll soon displace Arnold as Australia's No.1.

"One thing I have learned over the course of my years in the Matildas is that the No.1 is never really set. It is always about the most recent performances," Micah said. "I feel like I'm training really well and feeling good at my club in Liverpool so that helps as well."

Sermanni's future as Matildas coach is anything but certain, with Football Australia set to name a permanent manager in the coming weeks. That will give Micah another chance to impress with a clean slate ahead of the Asian Cup in Australia in 2026.

"I think it is a fresh leg (up)," Micah said. "A lot of people haven't played in our team for a long time so it is good to see a lot more rotation and players stepping up."

Sermanni said it was only a positive that Micah is back in form and in the frame to push Arnold. "They are two very good goalkeepers playing in the two top leagues in the world and at two very good clubs," he said. "There is obviously competition there and we have young Chloe (Lincoln) coming through as well. That's a positive thing for us."

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Matildas coach not sure how much longer he'll remain

After their games against Chinese Taipei this week, the Matildas will play in the SheBelieves Cup in the USA in February against Japan, USA and Colombia. Sermanni said he would prepare as though he'll be in charge, but was unsure whether the games against Chinese Taipei will be his last.

"I don't know at this stage. I am in the job and I am doing the job until such time as someone at the FA comes and says to me the time is up," he said. "I'm quite comfortable in the interim role. The federation are looking for someone who is a longer-term person. The important thing from my perspective from these (friendly) games is, looking ahead, what the team might look like come Asian Cup time."