With a new Matildas coach on the horizon and the Asian Cup 2026 less than a year away, Teagan Micah is determined to show that it should be the first -option goalkeeper of Australia.
An arm injury to the goalkeeper number one high profile, Mackenzie Arnold, opened the door for Micah to start among the sticks against South Korea, and the 27 -year -old player literally took the opportunity with both hands.
Micah helped Matildas secure their first victory and a clean sheet of the year with crucial salvations in their 1-0 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Again he is ready to start against the world number 19 classification team at the Newcastle International Sports Center on Monday night, with young Chloe Lincoln and Sally James their deputies.
Micah was a first choice goalkeeper at Tokyo’s Olympic Games before a horror race with brain shock left her on the sidelines.
Arnold took his opportunity before the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where he played a leading role in Australia’s career to the semifinals.
Teagan Micah made a series of key salvages against South Korea at the Sydney Football Stadium. (AP: Rick Rycroft)
Starting to settle in the English Club Liverpool, Micah is determined to demonstrate that it should also be among the sticks for your country.
When asked if he felt he had left Arnold’s shadow, Micah said: “It is a difficult question, but surely.
“He [selection for the Asian Cup] It is still far, but of course it is at the forefront of all our minds.
“For me, it’s just one game at the same time and that’s how I’m taking it.”
The interim boss Tom Sermanni, who does not know if he will still be in his position in the May International Window, is welcoming selection compression.
“Great opportunity. We have two goalkeepers of first option, and we are very safe with the two,” said Sermanni.
“You saw the way Teagan played the other night, considering that he has not played a game for a couple of weeks.
“When he returned from the Shebelieves Cup, where he played very well, Liverpool decided to play the other goalkeeper.
“For her to come out and play as the other night was fantastic.
“And as I say, both compete for the number one place.”
Sermanni said that Arnold’s injury was not important, but it was not worth risking it.
“It is one of those injuries in which if we had a final of the tomorrow Cup, I would probably risk,” he said.
“If he leaves tomorrow and the first minute suddenly has to stretch awkwardly, and tear something, he could be out for a considerable amount of time.
“It is very important, only with the injury it has, that we recover it [her] Club to ensure that he stays established in his club, which is really critical for her and for us. “
Follow the action in the Matildas International against South Korea tonight at ABC, with a live blog from 6:30 pm aest.
AAP
