- The Matildas changed the face of Australian football at the World Cup
- He reached the semi-finals in his own country and conquered the hearts of the nation
- Kyra Cooney-Cross will look to avoid mistakes at the Paris Olympics
Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross has vowed to keep things simple at the Paris Olympics, unlike what happened on home soil during last year’s Women’s World Cup when the team indulged in a bad habit.
The midfielder, who is just 22, admitted Tony Gustavsson’s side were “very superstitious” about reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
“We all wore the same underwear and bra or we had to do our nails,” Cooney-Cross said. News Corporation.
‘If we were to change anything we would say that’s why we lost the game or that’s why we didn’t play as well.
“I didn’t get my nails done against Nigeria and we lost. That’s why I had to get my nails done for every game.”
But when the Games come to Paris, the young Arsenal player plans to have just one constant pre-match ritual: a shower before boarding the team bus.
Cooney-Cross firmly believes it leaves her “feeling fresh” before lacing up her boots.
She is also looking forward to playing in the middle of the park with Katrina Gorry, who missed the Tokyo Olympics because she was pregnant with her daughter Harper.
Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross has vowed not to be superstitious at the Paris Olympics, unlike on home soil during last year’s Women’s World Cup.
Mary Fowler will be a key figure at the Paris Games, especially with superstar forward Sam Kerr absent through injury.
If she can prove her fitness, Steph Catley will captain the Matildas in Kerr’s absence.
“Mini (Gorry) took me under her wing (when she returned to play) and she’s been really good,” Cooney-Cross said.
“She’s a mom now and she brings that to camp as well. She’s brought out the best in me and she does the same with Charli (Grant).
“I admire her a lot and I’m looking forward to playing with her again.”
After finishing fourth in Tokyo and then at the World Cup, the Matildas are desperate for a medal.
They face Germany in their opening Group B match on 26 July (AEST) in Marseille, before further matches against Zambia in Nice (29 July) and the United States in Marseille (1 August).
