CommBank Matilda Clare Wheeler reflected on the team’s preparations for Paris 2024™ after their ‘B’ International Match against Canada.
The match ended in a 2-1 defeat but gave plenty of lessons for Wheeler and the team.
“It was definitely a challenging game playing against Canada, who are the reigning champions of the Olympics,” Wheeler began.
“There. were a lot of positives to take away today. They pressed very aggressively and sometimes they stepped back and it’s just how we adjust our style of play, and look to take away what we can from this game and build towards the games coming up.”
In touching on the way that the team changed their style to combat Canada’s strengths, she echoed the thoughts of Head Coach Tony Gustavsson in the post-match press conference, who emphasised the use of the game as preparation for the Olympic Games.
The game served as a way to tinker with both tactics and personnel in order to provide maximum flexibility come July 25.
“Across the park it’s really good to see everyone click so well together with the amount of changes we had,” the 26-year-old said.
“We came away from that game wanting more and it’s really good that everyone gets that exposure going into the Olympics.”
Wheeler is listed as a midfielder, but began the game at left-back in the absence of Steph Catley and Kaitlyn Torpey. It is a position she is broadly familiar with – she has played right wing-back for Everton this season – but her ability to play there adds another string to the bow of the team.
“For me personally [it’s about] building different relationships and different partnerships in the midfield and out wide,” she explained.
“Playing two different positions [left back and centre midfield] it’s all a part of seeing how we may change things in games to come, rotate players and try different things.
“That’s what this is – it’s a test before we hit the Olympics. For me, it’s all about growth and learning and I really enjoyed the challenge today.”
AUSTRALIA | MATCH SCHEDULE | PARIS 2024™ OLYMPIC GAMES
Germany v Australia
Date: 25 July 2024 (local) / 26 July 2024 (AEST)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France
Australia v Zambia
Date: 28 July 2024 (local) / 29 July 2024 (AEST)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Stade de Nice, Nice, France
Australia v United States
Date: 31 July 2024 (local) / 1 August 2024 (AEST)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France