Matildas keeper Teagan Micah takes chance against South Korea with Mackenzie Arnold injured

With a new Matildas coach on the horizon and the 2026 Asian Cup less than a year away, Teagan Micah is determined to prove she should be Australia's first-choice goalkeeper.

International series Matildas vs South Korea April 4: Australia 1 South Korea 0 (Sydney Football Stadium)

April 7: Australia vs South Korea (Newcastle)

An arm injury to high-profile number one keeper Mackenzie Arnold opened the door for Micah to start between the sticks against South Korea, and the 27-year-old literally took the opportunity with both hands.

Micah helped the Matildas secure their first win and clean sheet of the year with crucial saves in their 1-0 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium.

She is again set to start against the world number 19-ranked side at Newcastle's International Sports Centre on Monday night, with youngsters Chloe Lincoln and Sally James her deputies.

Micah was first-choice goalkeeper at the Tokyo Olympics before a horror run with concussion left her on the sidelines.

Arnold seized her chance ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup, where she played a starring role in Australia's run to the semifinals.

Teagan Micah made a number of key saves against South Korea at the Sydney Football Stadium. (AP: Rick Rycroft)

Starting to establish herself at English club Liverpool, Micah is determined to prove she should be between the sticks for her country, too.

Asked if she felt she had stepped out of Arnold's shadow, Micah said: "It's a tough question, but yeah, for sure.

"It [selection for the Asian Cup] is still far away, but of course it's on the forefront of all our minds.

"For me, it's just one game at a time and that's how I'm taking it."

Interim boss Tom Sermanni, who does not know if he will still be at his post come the May international window, is welcoming the selection squeeze.

"Great opportunity. We've got two first-choice goalkeepers, and we're very confident with both of them," Sermanni said.

"You saw the way Teagan played the other night, considering she hasn't played a game for a couple of weeks.

"When she went back from the SheBelieves Cup, where she played very well, Liverpool decided to play the other goalkeeper.

"For her to come out and play like she did the other night was fantastic.

"And as I say, both of them are vying for the number one spot."

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Sermanni said Arnold's injury was not major, but it was not worth risking her.

"It's one of those injuries where if we had a cup final tomorrow, you'd probably take a risk," he said.

"If she goes out tomorrow and the first minute suddenly has to stretch awkwardly, and she tears something, she could be out for a considerable amount of time.

"It's very important, just with the injury that she's got, that we get her back to [her] club to make sure she keeps established in her club spot, which is really critical for her and for us."

Follow the action in the Matildas international against South Korea tonight on ABC, with a live blog starting at 6:30pm AEST.

AAP

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