Matilda’s goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold dialled in from London for a live TV cross on Tuesday morning with a patched-up head.
But the World Cup hero is in no doubt for the Matildas’ next match en route to the Paris Olympicsin which they’ll meet Mexico in an away friendly on April 10 (AEST).
“Last week I got a knee to the head against Liverpool,” said Arnold, who plays for West Ham United in the Women’s Super League.
READ MORE: Gallen fumes as NRL admits error in explosive clash
READ MORE: Pressure on to fund $33m Leichhardt facelift
READ MORE: Swans embroiled in cocaine scandal over two AFLW players
“We glued it at half-time so it’s healing pretty well.”
The Matildas will face China in two friendlies on May 31 and June 3, at Adelaide Oval and Sydney Olympic Park respectively, following their clash with Mexico.
The Australians were last week drawn in group B for the Olympicspitting them against the football powerhouses of the United States and Germany.
Group B will be completed by either Zambia or Morocco through the final round of the African qualifiers, taking place in April.
A patched up Mackenzie Arnold. (Nine)
The US are ranked fourth in the women’s FIFA rankings and their tally of four Olympic gold medals is unmatched in women’s football, while Germany is ranked fifth in the world and won gold at Rio 2016.
The US have also won more World Cup titles than any other country in women’s football, having triumphed on four occasions, while Germany has won twice.
The Matildas are yet to win an Olympic medal.
“It’s always a good game against them [the US] and obviously Germany, as well,” Arnold said.
‘First time’ item unveiled in Aussie Olympic uniform
“I think in the Olympics every group is tough. I think Spain and Japan are in the other ones … It should be a good tournament.”
The US defeated Australia in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, winning 4-3.
“Them knocking us out of the bronze medal match at the last Olympics definitely still stings, so they would be one to beat, for sure,” Arnold said.
2024-03-25 23:45:08
#Matildas #goalkeeper #Mackenzie #Arnold #patchedup
