Veteran goalkeeper Lydia Williams has missed out on a berth within the Matildas’ 18-player Olympic Video games squad however will journey to Paris as one in all 4 reserves with coach Tony Gustavsson taking a punt on injured star Katrina Gorry.
The squad options eight gamers – captained Steph Catley, vice-captains Emily van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop – who will change into the primary Australian footballers to change into three-time Olympians in Paris.
Injured West Ham midfielder Gorry, who didn’t participate in Australia’s two-game collection in opposition to China, has additionally been named within the 18, regardless of nonetheless recovering from ankle surgical procedure.
Williams, who just lately introduced she’s going to retire from worldwide soccer after the Olympics, did play in opposition to China in Australia’s 2-0 win on Monday evening and was given an emotional send-off by the house crowd.
Mackenzie Arnold and Teagan Micah acquired the nod as the 2 goalkeepers within the squad.
“This has been an extremely difficult squad to pick with so many high quality gamers competing fiercely for restricted spots,” Gustavsson stated.
“It has been a methodical course of over the previous couple of years to achieve thus far, and every of the gamers chosen carry distinctive and useful qualities to our workforce that can be important for our Paris 2024 marketing campaign.
“I wish to congratulate all of the gamers chosen and the teammates, coaches, household and buddies which have introduced them to this second. I do know that this workforce will give all the pieces for the coat of arms and can symbolize Australia to the very best of their capacity within the true Aussie manner.”
The three different travelling reserves are Charlotte Grant, essentially the most common member of the squad to overlook out, in addition to Courtney Nevin and Sharn Freier.
Gustavsson has primarily picked Polkinghorne over Grant, favouring the safety of a spare centre again behind Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy over a fullback in Grant.
Her Method wrote on X: “Just a little bit shocked and unhappy that Charli Grant isn’t within the Olympics squad. Participant of the match in opposition to the Lionesses 14 months in the past.”
The West Sport’s Ben Smith stated: “As anticipated. Really feel for Charli Grant although.”
One fan posted: “I’m sorry if that is an unpopular opinion however she has one unhealthy recreation and Tony places her within the reserves? Charli grant deserved the decision up.”
China’s coach Ante Milicic, a former Matildas supervisor, was adamant the Australians may go “all the way in which” and internet a primary Olympic medal in Paris having seen them in motion twice prior to now week.
“They’ve been very shut prior to now and it is going to be becoming for significantly this core group of gamers, this technology to get a medal as a reward for all the pieces they’ve accomplished for the code,” he stated
“The Olympics, it’s totally different with 18 gamers and never as many groups so the standard is powerful.
“However there’s positively a powerful core group of gamers there that now hopefully, could make Australia proud and find yourself with the medal.”
Matildas Olympic Video games squad: Steph Catley (c) Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Steph Catley, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily van Egmond, Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine, Michelle Heyman, Clare Polkinghorne, Kaitlyn Torpey, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop.
4 travelling reserves: Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin, Sharn Freier, Lydia Williams.
