Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold says it’s a great honour to be on her way to her second FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Arnold was one of three goalkeepers named on Tuesday in the Westfield Matildas squad for next month’s showpiece event.
She’s one of four Roar Westfield W-League 2018/19 stars who are on their way to France – teammates Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry and Player of the Year Clare Polkinghorne were also named in Ante Milicic’s 23-player squad.
Arnold, who was just 21 years old at her maiden World Cup in 2011, is hoping to earn the opportunity to take the field during the tournament.
“I’m very honoured to be selected again. I didn’t get the chance to play at the last World Cup so hopefully this time around it’s a bit different,” Arnold said.
“I’m just excited to get over there with the team & start training again.”
The Matildas feature in Group C alongside Brazil, Italy & Jamaica. While the Matildas will have strong belief in their ability to go deep in the tournament, the Roar stopper says for her it’s about earning more minutes in the green & gold.
“As a team, we’re obviously wanting to win it & that’s the goal. Personally for me, it’s about getting on the field, giving my best and seeing what happens,” Arnold continued.
The 2017-18 Westfield W-League Goalkeeper of the Season once again staked her claim as one of the league’s finest shot stoppers during the 2018-19 campaign.
Attention has turned to the upcoming season in recent weeks for the Roar Women with the commencement of the side’s winter program – a chance for the squad to play regular football during the off-season & gather momentum ahead of the summer.
As one of the group’s more experienced players, Arnold says it’s great to see the Roar’s younger brigade developing & improving each day.
“It’s good to see the young girls getting a run and you can see that they’re improving every day in training which is great,” Arnold continued.
“It [the winter season] is really important. It’s quite physical so it’s important for them to get the minutes under their belt and prepare for the [Westfield] W-League season.”
