- Stars like Sam Kerr, ruled out due to injury
- Coach Tony Gustavsson confident in the medal
- First match against Germany on July 25
Coach Tony Gustavsson has banked on the fitness of Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry, naming the injured two in his squad for the Matildas’ Olympic campaign.
Midfielder Gorry (ankle) and forward Foord (hamstring) missed the final pre-Paris match against China in Sydney on Monday night.
Foord’s injury is less of a concern, but the Matildas are already missing captain and top scorer Sam Kerr.
Gorry, who is arguably Australia’s most influential player, has not played a competitive match since being injured playing for the West Ham club.
Katrina Gorry’s serious ankle injury has not prevented her from playing in Paris
Caitlin Foord was also given time by the selectors to demonstrate her fitness after she sat out Monday night’s win over China after injuring her hamstring (pictured).
Foord is one of eight Matildas who will make a record third appearance at the Olympic Games.
“I know this team will give their all for the coat of arms and represent Australia to the best of their ability in true Australian style,” Gustavsson said.
The coach named his 18-player squad in Sydney on Tuesday, with four players selected on a “substitute” list.
Courtney Nevin, retired goalkeeper Lydia Williams, Sharn Freier and defender Charlotte Grant are the quartet in waiting.
They joined Jada Whyman and Winonah Heatley in being dropped from the squad of 23 called up for the friendlies against China.
Grant is the most unfortunate casualty having done a solid job replacing starting right back Ellie Carpenter, who missed 12 months of action in the run-up to last year’s World Cup with an ACL injury.
Eight members of the team will become the first Australian footballers to compete in three Olympic Games: new captain 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 out, but is on standby in case one of her teammates can’t play.
Australia will begin their group matches against Germany in Marseille on July 25 before facing Zambia and the United States.
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
Substitutes: Lydia Williams, Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin.
