Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross has played her first match in more than five months after taking time away from football to spend time with her mother before her death.
Cooney-Cross was sent on in the 63rd minute as Arsenal recorded a 1-0 pre-season win over Paris FC in Borehamwood.
The 67-time international recorded her first minutes since the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup final in March, when she started in the Matildas’ 1-0 loss to Japan in Sydney.
Cooney-Cross announced on January 8 via Instagram that her mother Jessica Cooney was diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 bile duct cancer. She died on July 10.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers confirmed on March 28 Cooney-Cross was granted indefinite compassionate leave and would remain in Australia after the Asian Cup to be with her mother.
“You’re my biggest inspiration and the person I aspire to be,” Cooney-Cross wrote on social media after her mother’s death.
“Mum, my favourite part is knowing that I’m a little piece of you.”
The 24-year-old returned to Arsenal’s pre-season training on August 17, with the Gunners’ Women’s Super League campaign set to begin on Sunday evening against former Socceroo Dario Vidosic’s Brighton & Hove Albion.
Cooney-Cross received a rousing ovation at Meadow Park as she was substituted on alongside compatriot Steph Catley.
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The former A-League Women’s star with Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers was involved in the build up to Canadian attacker Olivia Smith’s 91st minute winner.
Arsenal’s final pre-season match is against Charlton Athletic on August 26.
The Addicks signed Australian trio Emily van Egmond, who marked a national record 170 international appearances during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, alongside fellow Matildas midfielder Leah Davidson and youth international Grace Johnston, following the club’s promotion from the Women’s Super League 2 in May.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jada Whyman is returning to A-League club Sydney FC after a stint in Sweden.
Whyman is yet to play for the Matildas but has been selected in multiple national squads.
AAP
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