Tara Murray
Western United star Chloe Logarzo’s Women’s World Cup dream remains alive after being named in Australia’s provisional squad for the cup.
Football Australia on Monday announced a 29 player squad which will participate in the final preparations for the cup which is being held in Australia and New Zealand.
Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson said the provisional squad reflects a significant commitment and hard work from players and staff over the past two and half years.
“From the first day of our first training session in 2021, we said it would take 23 in 23 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and everyone would have a role to play in that journey,” he said.
“What we have seen is that it has actually taken more than 23 players to bring us to this moment and for that reason I am thrilled to work with the players named in this provisional squad during the final phase of our preparation.
“I have been impressed by their full commitment at every step, and now we have the chance to fine-tune and solidify our game plan ahead of a phenomenally exciting couple of weeks.”
For Logarzo, the selection comes after a tough couple of years.
After an ACL injury, Logarzo joined Western United on a loan deal for the start of the season, coming off the bench as she regained her fitness.
She then returned to America, but was let go and she returned to United signing a deal until the end of the 2023-24 season.
A foot injury meant she didn’t get to play in the back part of the A-League Women’s season which included a grand final appearance for United in its first season.
Logarzo has played 49 games for Australia netting eight goals.
Members of the provisional squad and staff will assemble on the Gold Coast, Queensland, to complete the final preparations for the tournament in a closed high-performance environment.
Australia will then move to Melbourne where they will host world number five France in its final pre-World Cup tune-up at Marvel Stadium on July 14.
Six players will be cut following the camp in Queensland.
Australia will commence its campaign against the Republic of Ireland on July 20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney before meeting Nigeria on July 27 at Brisbane Stadium, and completing their group play against Canada on July 31 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
