SYDNEY, Jun 4 (NNN-AAP) – The Australian Olympic Committee, today, unveiled the line-up of an 18-member women’s football team for the upcoming Paris Olympics, with 30-year-old defender, Steph Catley, named as the squad’s captain.
The team features eight athletes, who will become the first Australian footballers to compete at three Olympic Games, including Catley, vice-captains, Emily Van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter, as well as, star shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold.
The 21-year-old young gun, Mary Fowler, and veteran, Michelle Heyman, are set to return for their second Olympic Games, along with Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, and Teagan Micah.
Meanwhile, Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine, and Clare Wheeler are about to make their Olympic debuts.
Matildas’ longest-serving goalkeeper, Lydia Williams, has been named as one of the four travelling reserves. This means that she could step in as a replacement athlete, if any of the selected 18 athletes are unable to compete due to injury or other reasons.
After Australia’s best-ever finish in Olympic football with fourth in Tokyo, the current world No. 10 in women’s football is eyeing a medal at the Paris Olympics.
“This has been an incredibly challenging squad to select, with so many quality players competing fiercely for limited spots,” said Australia head coach, Tony Gustavsson.
He told reporters that, he wanted three centre backs, three outside backs, three centre midfielders, three wide players, three forwards, two goalkeepers, and one multi-functional player for the squad, while he also needed some of those players to be very versatile.
“Tameka Yallop played four different positions in the camp, Mary Fowler played three different positions, and Kaitlyn Torpey played three different positions. I need to add depth to the positions and also tactic flexibility,” Gustavsson added.
Australia have been drawn in Group B against the United States, Germany and Zambia. The Matildas will kick off their Olympic run with a physical match against Germany on July 25.– NNN-AAP
