Possibly rotation. The Philippines aren’t very good.
Mary Fowler on the bench for the Matildas but Kyra Cooney-Cross not in the matchday squad altogether for the Tillies on opening day so we should still see Fowler get some game time today.
Iran’s women’s football scene should get better if the IR is overthrown. Not to get too political but they banned women from stadiums until FIFA told them they couldn’t.
indeed, whether someone thinks the iranian revolution and western involvement is a good thing or bad thing, it is a big thing which will colour how we all feel about the game.
We'll definitely be going for a back four with Steph Catley at left back and Ellie Carpenter at right back as expected, but even if Emily van Egmond starts every group game she'll still be one short of equalling Clare Polkinghorne's record and two games away from breaking the record outright.
Matildas have played Iran before during Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying back in October 2023, coming away with a 2-0 win courtesy of goals to Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter at HBF Park.
Not sure the regime would take too much notice of FIFA but credit to the women there who support football despite everything.
We played them in Olympic qualifiers and they kept diving lol.
Western Sydney Wanderers women's player Janae DeFazio also named on the bench for the Philippines.
Fun fact about the Philippines is the majority of their players are American. Places like California have big Filipino communities. Angie Beard is the only Aussie, born in Brisbane.
