Women’s Asian Cup: Matildas Steph Catley and Hayley Raso non-participants at training on eve of quarter-final

Matildas stars Steph Catley and Hayley Raso appear unlikely to play a part in Australia’s Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final against North Korea.

The pair are battling back from concussions sustained in the Matildas’ last two group stage games and always appeared in a race against time to clear protocols ahead of Friday night’s knock-out game at HBF Park.

In the 15 minutes open to media at Sam Kerr Football Centre on Thursday morning, 24 Matildas players took to the track for their final hit-out before their clash against North Korea.

Catley and Raso were the only two who did not join in the warm-up, but eventually emerged from the tunnel and arrived on the pitch.

During the open media window, the duo walked laps of the facility in their trainers and their absence from Australia’s final session before the quarter-final suggests the team are being cautious with the left-back and winger after their head knocks.

Raso copped two separate balls to the face from close range during Australia’s 4-0 win over Iran on the Gold Coast last Thursday and was removed from the game in the second half.

A few days later, early during Australia’s 3-3 draw with South Korea, Catley was on the receiving end of a high-veolicty strike to the side of her head.

After initially receiving treatment, she returned to play but not long after, she signalled for more attention and was substituted off.

In Catley’s stead, Courtney Nevin endured a tough time against South Korea, conceding a harsh but fair penalty and then watching as her direct opponent Kang Chae-Rim score the Koreans’ third goal.