Matildas gamble on two big names in Olympics squad – with eight of the team set to break a record as one fan favourite misses out
- Stars like Sam Kerr have been ruled out due to injury
- Coach Tony Gustavsson is confident of a medal
- First match against Germany on July 25
Coach Tony Gustavsson has gambled on the fitness of Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry and named the injured duo in his squad for the Matildas Olympic Games.
Midfielder Gorry (ankle) and striker Foord (hamstring) both missed Australia’s final pre-Paris match against China in Sydney on Monday evening.
Foord’s injury is less of a concern, but comes as Matildas are already missing captain and main scorer Sam Kerr.
Arguably Australia’s most influential player, Gorry has not played a competitive match since injuring herself playing for West Ham.
Katrina Gorry’s serious ankle injury has not stopped her from playing in Paris
Selectors also gave Caitlin Foord time to prove her fitness after she was held out of Monday night’s win over China after injuring her hamstring (pictured)
Foord is one of eight Matildas who will appear at the Olympic Games for the third time
“I know this team will give everything for the gun and represent Australia to the best of their ability in the true Australian way,” Gustavsson said.
The coach announced his eighteen-man squad on Tuesday in Sydney, with four players selected on an ‘alternative’ list.
Courtney Nevin, retiring goalkeeper Lydia Williams, Sharn Freier and full-back Charlotte Grant make up the quartet on standby.
They joined Jada Whyman and Winonah Heatley in being removed from the squad of 23 named for the friendlies against China.
Grant is the unluckiest casualty as he has done an excellent job replacing first-choice right-back Ellie Carpenter, who missed 12 months in the run-up to last year’s World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Eight of the squad will become the first Australian footballers to compete in three Olympic Games: new skipper Steph Catley, vice-captain Emily Van Egmond, Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop.
Fan favorite Charlotte Grant was unlucky to miss the match but is on standby in case one of her teammates cannot play
Australia kicks off the group stage against Germany in Marseille on July 25 before facing Zambia and the US.
MATILDAS OLYMPIC TEAM
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley (captain), Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Kaitlyn Torpey
Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop
Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman, Hayley Raso, Cortnee Vine
Alternates: Lydia Williams, Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin.
