Australian women’s football team aims to make Tokyo Olympics “a memorable tournament”

The team is determined to make Tokyo “a memorable tournament” after a quarterfinal defeat to the host in Rio 2016.. The Matildas, captained by Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, boasts 12 returning Rio Olympians for their second Games and six set to make their debut in Tokyo, according to Football Australia’s media release. The squad is also filled with players from some of…

CANBERRA, June 30 (Xinhua) — The Australian Olympic Committee on Wednesday announced the 18-strong women’s football squad.

The team is determined to make Tokyo “a memorable tournament” after a quarterfinal defeat to the host in Rio 2016.

The Matildas, captained by Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, boasts 12 returning Rio Olympians for their second Games and six set to make their debut in Tokyo, according to Football Australia’s media release.

The squad is also filled with players from some of the biggest clubs in women’s football including Lyon star defender Ellie Carpenter, and Arsenal trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams.

“The Matildas are a really, really exciting team. We’re fast, we’re strong, we’re fit, and I feel like the rest of the world knows that about us,” said Kerr, FA Women’s Super League title and Golden Boot winner.

“It’s really about using our strengths to the best of our abilities.”

At just 18, debutant Mary Fowler, a striker from French club Montpellier, is the youngest on the team.

“The moment I found out I was going to Tokyo; I was in a meeting with the coaches, and I don’t really expect myself to react overly…to be so emotional,” Fowler said.

“Then I just started tearing up. I was a bit taken aback because this doesn’t usually happen, but it was just a really good feeling.”

Head coach Tony Gustavsson, who officially started his role in January, said the strength of the squad made the selection very difficult.

“The players that have been selected, it’s a team with a lot of passion and pride to now represent the country. It’s a spirit within the team that I love,” said Gustavsson, who worked as an assistant coach in two World Cup-winning tenures with the American women’s national team in 2015 and 2019.

“It’s a team and a roster that is very attacking balanced, but also with a lot of versatility. There’s a lot of players in this roster that can play multiple positions, which is exactly what you need in an Olympic tournament.”

The Matildas, who qualified for Tokyo after securing a last-gasp 1-1 draw with China in Sydney and then winning a playoffs last year, are ranked ninth in the world and lead the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) teams in the rankings.

The 12 teams to compete in Olympics are placed into three groups, with the top two finishers in each group and the two best third-placed finishers moving into the knockout stages.

The Matildas start their campaign on July 21 against New Zealand before meeting world number five Sweden, and finishing the group stage against reigning world champions USA.

China is in Group F with Brazil, the Netherlands and Zambia. Enditem