We are now over a month removed from the end to the Matildas 2023 Women’s world cup campaign. The Tillies took the nation on an emotional rollercoaster for the best part of a month before an eventual fourth place finish at the home world cup. Due to the entire nation being glued to their screens or seats when the matildas were playing, the names on the team sheet have become household for most of the Australian sports lovers. Cooney-Cross, Raso, Hunt, Carpenter, Fowler & the inspirational Sam Kerr led the way for Australia in the world cup and are all gearing up for their 2023-24 European campaigns. With the five previously mentioned names representing five of Europe’s most powerful football clubs.
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Cooney-Cross has been rewarded after her breakout 2023 Women’s World Cup performance with a transfer move to Arsenal. Cooney-Cross (21) started in all seven of the Matildas world cup matches and was one of the most notable and consistent performers throughout the tournament. Her calming nature in the midfield caught the eye of Arsenal who reportedly paid a transfer fee of $271,000 to earn Cooney-Cross’ signature in recent weeks. The 21-year-old played for Swedish club Hammarby in the 2022-23 season appearing in 30 games and winning the Swedish Cup during her only year at the club. Cooney-Cross will be looking forward to continuing on from the groundwork she laid at the world cup and use it as a platform to springboard into a huge debut season with Arsenal alongside Australian teammates, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord.
Hayley Raso
Raso was Australia’s top scorer at the World Cup netting 3 goals across the seven games including a double in the Matildas must win third group stage match against Canada. Raso also received a Ballon d’or nomination for her performances for both club and country across 2022-23. Raso has spent the past 3 seasons playing in the Women’s Super League in England but has recently inked a deal which sees her join footballing giant Real Madrid. Raso will be hoping that she can continue her goal scoring form at her new club as she looks to win both league silverware as well as the champions league title in season 2023-24. Raso’s season start could be on hold as there is a possibility for planned player strikes due to an ongoing pay dispute with the Liga F (Spanish League).
Clare Hunt
Hunt who only made her Matildas debut in February of this year was one of the most consistent performers for Australia during their World Cup campaign. Her performances at the world cup have seen her make the jump from the A-League to European football. Hunt signed a three-year contract with French giant Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in recent days. Hunt’s stout defence held Australia together during the World Cup and she will be looking to do the same for her new club in the upcoming season. PSG finished second in the 2022-23 season and would be hoping that a strong defensive signing in Hunt will assist them in their chase for silverware in the upcoming season.
Mary Fowler
Fowler still only 20 years old just completed her second world cup and was instrumental in attack for the Matildas whilst Sam Kerr was absent due to injury in the early stages of the tournament. Fowler scored her first World Cup goal in 2023, but her highlight came through her pin point pass to Caitlin Foord to set up Australia’s first goal of the round of 16 clash against Denmark. Fowler is now entering her second season in the Women’s Super League with Manchester City, after making 11 appearances in 2022, Fowler will be looking to take the next step and aim to help City claim the Super League crown and push for Champions League glory in the 2023-24 season.
Sam Kerr
Kerr entering the 2023 World Cup was poised to take her game to the world stage, however a calf injury in the week leading up to the tournament put a dampener on that. Kerr would eventually be fit enough to play and was pivotal in the Matildas knockout stage run. Kerr’s screamer of a goal to bring the semi final against England to 1-1 will live rent free in all Matilda’s fans forever. It was truly a pinch me moment and one we have come to expect from Kerr. Nominated for the Ballon d’or Kerr could be named the best player in the world in the coming months which is a title many expect her to gain either this year or next. Kerr will again suit up for Chelsea in the upcoming season as she looks to add to her already impressive resume with both league and European silverware.
European football is fast approaching and for the five players mentioned, all will be striving to achieve greatness in the upcoming season. For a country who’s main professional sport is not association football it is incredibly impressive to be as well represented in Europe as we are. Having names such as the above becoming household not only at home but abroad is truly something that will set up Australian Women’s football for many years to come and could inspire a new generation of Tillies.
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