The Matildas’ hopes of reaching the Paris Olympics have suffered a further blow with the withdrawal of Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine from this month’s qualifiers against Uzbekistan.
Already without star striker Sam Kerr (knee), the Matildas have now lost midfielder Vine for personal reasons for the two-legged, home and away battle with Uzbekistan.
Vine has been replaced in the squad by Western Sydney Wanderers forward Sophie Harding, who has scored nine goals in 15 A-League women’s appearances this season.
The Matildas meet Uzbekistan on Saturday week in Tashkent before returning home for the second leg at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on February 28.
Coach Tony Gustavsson had already turned to 35-year-old striker Michelle Heyman to help fill the void left by Kerr to try and get to Paris.
“Selecting this squad has been a challenge with a lot of moving parts, from injuries to some players and reduction of competitive match minutes for other players due to off-seasons,” Gustavsson said.
“There’s been a lot of players fighting for spots here and a lot of players performing, so we tried to look at a combination of continuity and connections, people that know the way we play, that know each other, that’s been with us for a while.
“We also look at form and playing time.”
The aggregate winner over the two legs will qualify for this year’s Olympics in Paris.
Harding said getting the call helped realise a dream.
“It’s something I’ve dreamt about for a really long time,” 24-year-old Harding said.
“Sometimes it didn’t really seem achievable, so this season’s been super important in playing a part in that.
“I’m really excited to take in as much knowledge as I can.”
Teenage Melbourne City midfielder Daniela Galic will also join the squad in camp next week in Dubai.