Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and defender Clare Hunt spoke to the media about the mood in camp as game one of Paris 2024™ fast approaches.
“Everyone’s buzzing – [the matchday minus one] session was short, sharp,” Arnold began. “Really excited.”
“We had all 22 players on the pitch today… We’ll start the tournament fresh, and we’ll have everyone available,” Hunt added.
The Matildas will face world number four Germany in a very tough opening match on Friday morning (AEST). Hunt spoke about the preparation that the team has undergone in order to face the four-time medallists.
“We just analysed the way that they play,” she explained. “Obviously, they’ve lost one of their key players in [Lena] Oberdorf. So we just need to look at their strengths.
“We have some world-class players to nullify a lot of their positive play. It will be a tough clash, but a good clash. We have ways to work around Germany. So we’re quite excited to get on the pitch tomorrow and show the world that.”
“We know what quality they have, and they’ve been performing at the highest level for years now. We’re well aware, we’re well informed. It’ll be a tough clash, but I think we’re well prepared as well.”
Arnold stressed the importance of taking the tournament one game at a time, starting with Germany in the first match.
“With the World Cup [2023], after the Ireland game, we were on such a high,” she recalled. “Then we went into Nigeria – I wouldn’t say we were complacent, but maybe hadn’t come down to earth.
“So I think [it’s important to] take it one game at a time. Just focusing on Germany, getting through that, getting the result that we need, and then focusing on Zambia. After that, just not looking too far ahead to a medal or anything like that just yet.”
“I try to just take each game that it comes. It’s worked for me for the last year. I try to take that mindset and not really focus on the event of it [the Olympics]. Maybe after the Olympics, I’ll reflect and look back at how far we’ve come, the team and myself as well. But as the game comes, I’ll focus on that one.”
Hunt plays her club football for Paris Saint-Germain. It means that she’s had a first-hand view of the country’s preparation for the Olympic Games.
“It’s been pretty cool to be here and see infrastructure go out,” the defender expressed.
“I feel a bit lucky to have familiarity around Paris and France in general. It’s been good, but I also feel like I’m keen to take the field in, with France and in Paris, with my Australian teammates.”
Arnold finished with a message for fans who want to support the Matildas at Paris 2024™.
“I think the first one is set your alarm!” she laughed.
“Set your alarm, get around us. Tag us on your stories, we love seeing everything, especially after the World Cup and seeing all the support. We see it every single time – it means a lot to us.”
AUSTRALIA | MATCH SCHEDULE | PARIS 2024™ OLYMPIC GAMES
Germany v Australia
Date: Thursday 25 July 2024 (local) / Friday 26 July 2024 (AEST)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France
Broadcast: Channel 9, 9Now & Stan Sport (Australia)
Australia v Zambia
Date: Sunday 28 July 2024 (local) / Monday 29 July 2024 (AEST)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Stade de Nice, Nice, France
Broadcast: Channel 9, 9Now & Stan Sport (Australia)
Australia v United States
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2024 (local) / Thursday 1 August 2024 (AEST)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France
Broadcast: Channel 9, 9Now & Stan Sport (Australia)