Women’s Asian Cup: Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold not on-field as Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler train more

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s availability for their Women’s Asian Cup opener could come under scrutiny after she spent time off-track on Thursday. Instead, it was WA-product and former Perth Glory goalkeeper Morgan Aquino who practised in Arnold’s place, having arrived in camp from the USA as a train-on player. However, there was a boost for the Matildas as Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler ramped up their Women’s Asian Cup preparations as the star duo increased their training involvement ahead of Sunday’s opening match at Optus Stadium. Any absence to Arnold could be critical, with teammate and rival for the No.1 jersey, Teagan Micah, having to withdraw from the tournament due to injury. Arnold did some work on-pitch on Wednesday before heading inside for a conditioning session at Sam Kerr Football Centre’s gym and spoke to the media upon the conclusion of training. She was not spotted in the opening 15 minutes of training open to the media on Thursday, with Football Australia saying Arnold was completing a gym session. Joining Matildas back-ups Jada Whyman and Chloe Lincoln was Aquino, who moved to USWL side DC Power off the back of a stellar 2023-24 campaign for Glory. Aquino was named A-League Goalkeeper of the Year that season and was voted Glory’s player’s player. In some welcome news for coach Joe Montemurro, Kerr and Fowler both took to the track after staying in the gym for most of Wednesday’s session. The pair warmed up with the rest of their teammates on Thursday and trained fully in the 15 minutes open to media. Kyra Cooney-Cross was the only outfield player not to appear on-field during that period. Matildas centre-back Winonah Heatley, who will likely vie for one of two centre-back spots along with Steph Catley and Clare Hunt, said the competition for spots with a full complement of options for Montemurro would bring the best out of the team. “There’s nothing better than being surrounded by quality players, and as players, we’re kind of leaving the choice up to the coaches, trying to just control the controllables and put 100 per cent in,” she said. The last time Australia met The Philippines, they put eight goals past them in a drubbing at the same venue (Optus Stadium) in an Olympic qualifier. But Heatley said no one in the Matildas’ squad was thinking too much about that game. “You can’t be complacent in tournament football; anything can happen. As far as I’m aware, some of the other teams have had the opportunity to be in camp for a long time together, and that’s a big advantage,” she said. “We’re certainly not underestimating any of the opponents.” Heatley said Montemurro’s confidence in her since he took over the job last year had a trickle-down effect on her. “The conversations I’ve had with him is just about continuing to improve every day, trust myself to make those decisions, and his trust certainly helps me to do that,” she said. “It’s just playing with confidence and trusting myself and trying to be the best player I can.”