Katrina Gorry makes her much-anticipated return
It’s been 778 days since Katrina Gorry last pulled on an Australian jersey, and the wait is finally over for Mini!
Tony Gustavsson has named a 23-player squad to take on our trans-Tasman rivals next month, and a familiar face made her return to the list.
New mum, Katrina Gorry, originally made up Gustavsson's travelling squad before the 2022 AFC Asian Cup and although she was unable to answer the call for family reasons, Gorry was still determined to return to the team ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ on home soil.
Gorry's wish came to fruition, making her long-awaited return to a national team camp after giving birth to her daughter Harper in August 2021.
The midfielder has had an almost two-year gap between call-ups, last appearing for the side in Australia's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, held in Australia.
Since then, Gorry has made her return to hometown club Brisbane Roar in the A-League Women's, capping off her return to professional football with an appearance on PFA's Team of the Season.
"I haven't been with the girls for probably close to two years now, so definitely been missing, being in that environment."
"A massive honour to be selected in the team, obviously. Pretty disappointed that I couldn't go over to India with the team, but obviously Harper's safety was a priority for me. I'm just so excited to be back in the team this camp and I can't wait to get back in there."
Gorry's return to the international fold could come in her home state of Queensland, with the Matildas playing their first-ever game in Townsville, a historic return to the veteran midfielder.
"Tony has been amazing. From my pregnancy to having Harper and my return as well. He's stayed in touch throughout it all, which I really respected and was grateful for" Gorry explained.
Katrina, since returning to Brisbane Roar, has also signed a professional contract in Sweden, joining fellow Aussie and Queenslander Clare Polkinghorne at Vittsjö GIK.
The midfielder explained her extended break away from football helped her fall back in love with the game, not sure if she wanted to return after giving birth, Gorry is not looking back.
"I think for me this is probably the healthiest, happiest best I've been playing in a very long time. I think you can see it in my face, you can see it in the way I'm playing and for a long time, I think I missed that. So I think it's a new Mini,"
Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand
Friday, 8 April 2022
Venue: QCB Stadium, Townsville
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm (AEST)
Gates Open: 6:15pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+. Check your local tv guides.
Ticketing Details: Buy now!
Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand
Tuesday, 12 April 2022
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live and free on 10 Bold and simulcast on 10 Play and Paramount+.
Ticketing Details: Buy now!
$1 (plus GST) from every ticket will be donated to the ParaMatildas, Australia’s first national team for women and girls with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from stroke.