They were once teammates at Sydney FC, and Illawarra duo Caitlin Cooper and Caitlin Foord are set to be reunited in a Matildas jersey.
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Cooper was called into the squad for their two upcoming friendlies in Europe, starting on Friday morning (AEDT) against Denmark. They will also face Sweden next week as coach Tony Gustavvson continues his preparations for the Tokyo Olympics.
Cooper will look to add to her 10 appearances for Australia. However, the Illawarra Stingrays star is just as excited about being reunited with Caitlin Foord.
"Our friendship goes back many years and she's a great girl. When I saw her for the first time again, it brought tears to my eyes because it had been over two years," Cooper told the Mercury.
"I think last time we caught up, we sat and chatted over coffee for five hours (at a cafe) and they kind of kicked us out, so it's great to catch up again. She's an amazing girl and an amazing talent. When I played for Sydney FC, I was Caitlin's teammate then and it was awesome. I loved every minute of it. She's a great girl who is definitely going places. Well, she already has really.
"She's done it for many years, but it's awesome to represent a small place like the Illawarra and hopefully we do everyone proud. Going into the Olympics, hopefully we can bring home gold."
After more than two years in international exile, Corrimal's Cooper received a call-up to a Matildas women's talent identification camp in Sydney last month.
The 33-year-old caught the eye of Gustavsson and his coaching staff following strong performances for the Stingrays in the NSW Women's NPL and W-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.
If selected, Cooper will add much-needed experience to a defensive structure which leaked 10 goals in two games against Germany and Denmark in April.
"Hopefully I get a chance and coming in at the back, obviously that's my position, I'll put my best foot forward and lead by example. But I don't know what's going to happen," Cooper said.
"But it's a huge honour. I did not have this on my mind at all and I was definitely at a different stage in my life (last time), so it's very unexpected. I'm so proud to be able to represent the Illawarra and it would be an amazing feeling to pull on the green and gold again, because it's been a long time coming. It puts a big smile on my face.
"After being in a different stage of my life, I'm now a firefighter and have got a full-time job. It's just weird how life pans out sometimes. But I'm taking it in my stride and hopefully I can pull on the green and gold again."
One person who has no doubts that Cooper will shine for the Matildas is Stingrays club president Kathy McDonough, who says "she deserves this opportunity".
"My opinion is the Matildas needed to invest in some more experienced heads in their defensive line up. And that's 100 per cent what Caitlin brings to the table. She knows what she's doing and she's calm on the ball," she said. "It's also nice to Caitlin join her old mate Caitlin Foord in the team, it's great to see them back together."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
