Kyra Cooney-Cross will miss more matches for Australia after coach Joe Montemurro said October was deemed “too early” for the Matildas star to return to the international scene after an extended break from soccer following her mother’s cancer battle.
Cooney-Cross was a notable absence from the 26-player squad named by Montemurro on Thursday for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti in Europe next month.
Cooney-Cross’ mother, Jess, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in January, prompting the midfielder to take leave from her club side, Arsenal. Cooney-Cross made her last appearance for the Matildas at the Asian Cup final in March, before taking a break from the game to spend time with her family.
Cooney-Cross announced her mother’s passing on Instagram in July and returned to pre-season training with the Gunners in August. On Thursday, Montemurro said a possible return to the Matildas in October had been discussed, but that the parties had ultimately decided against it.
“We had long chats with Kyra and been in contact and we’ve left it to her and how she feels,” Montemurro said. “We said from day one that we were going to make sure that she’s supported and given every opportunity to come back at her time and when she feels right, and the first step was with Arsenal.
“That was really, really important. We can see the growth there, and she’s really stabilised and happy and has had amazing support from Arsenal. We’ve just come underneath and supported whatever she’s needed.
“She was thinking about coming in October. We discussed it, and we just felt it was a little bit too early.”
Cooney-Cross scored in her second game back for Arsenal, a pre-season match against Charlton Athletic, earlier this month. This week, she was named player of the match in the Champions League opener against Danish club HB Koge.
“We’ve got opportunities now to just let her be herself and grow and go through this difficult period,” Montemurro said. “And the great thing about it is she’s doing it with her football, she’s doing it with her feet, which she knows best, and playing well. She’s in a really good space at the moment, and she’ll be back.”
Also absent from the October squad are Alanna Kennedy and Charlie Rule, both of whom are injured. Montemurro called up three uncapped players – Tori Tumeth, Courtney Newbon and Hana Lowry.
Tumeth and Lowry recently left the A-League Women to join clubs in Canada and Norway respectively, leaving Newbon as the only home-based player called up to this Matildas camp.
“They’ve done exactly what we require of all the players on our depth chart to do, and that’s performing week-to-week at a high level in good leagues,” Montemurro said of the recruits.
The Matildas will play Germany on October 9 before travelling to France to play Haiti on 13 October.
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