Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold says she has enough game time and form behind her to perform in Australia’s Asian Cup tilt.
Arnold was expected to be locked in a battle to start for the Matildas with Lyon goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who last week withdrew from the squad after another concussion.
Given the two other goalkeepers in the squad are the untested Jada Whyman and three-cap youngster Chloe Lincoln, Arnold is considered a certain starter for the whole tournament.
Arnold plays for NWSL club Portland Thorns in the United States.
The Thorns are currently in preseason mode, but Arnold played down her relative lack of competitive minutes ahead of Sunday evening’s Asian Cup opener against the Philippines in Perth.
“Obviously not ideal having the off-season over the Christmas break,” Arnold told reporters.
“But we’ve been fully in preseason now. We’ve had two preseason competitions as well, so plenty of game time in that.
“So it’s been good.”
Expectations for the Matildas under coach Joe Montemurro are high ahead of the tournament on home soil, but Arnold said the players were not feeling external pressure.
“There’s always going to be pressure surrounding a home tournament, but I think we try and keep that internal,” Arnold said.
“We know what we can do, we know what we expect of each other.
“I think after coming off the Olympics — it probably wasn’t our most successful campaign, and we know that.
“So I definitely think there’s expectations, but in terms of pressure we just block that out and just keep it internal for us.”
AAP
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