The Matildas will take on Germany, Zambia and the United States in Group B at the Paris 2024™ Women’s Football Tournament.
The matches will take place in Marseille and Nice as Australia hopes to build on their best-ever fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020™.
Background
No game is easy in the 12-team Olympic tournament, and Group B is no different. Featuring four-time Olympic Champions USA, one-time Olympic Champion and three-time Bronze Medallist Germany, and a Zambia side that includes one of the most exciting attacking talents on the planet, each match is crucial.
In the lead-up to the Olympic Games, the Matildas gathered for an intense training camp in Marbella, Spain. In this camp, the group focused on preparing to be in peak physical condition for a tournament where games come thick and fast.
That camp culminated in a ‘B’ International Match against Canada. It was a fixture that did not count towards player appearance or goalscoring records but allowed flexibility for both coaches to experiment with their lineups as required. Canada won 2-1, but Head Coach Tony Gustavsson stressed that the match was merely in service of a greater goal.
“We have planned for a very, very long time with what we want to do in this pre-camp to make sure that we peak mentally and physically on the 25th [of July], in the opening game against Germany,” he explained.
Australia are coming into Paris after reaching their first ever Olympic Games semi-final in 2021, and their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ semi-final in 2023. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for a squad that are determined to get their hands on a medal.
“There’s a vibe here, there’s a commitment, there’s a determination, there’s a belief,” Gustavsson outlined during the training camp.
“Maybe on paper, we are not the best team, but the one thing this team knows is that we can beat any team – and that’s what the Olympics are about.”
Squad
Australia’s squad consists of 18 players and four alternates. The alternates are able to step in for matches if any of the 18 players are unavailable, on a game-by-game basis.
Steph Catley has been named as captain for the tournament in the absence of the injured Sam Kerr. Emily van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter are joint vice-captains. Carpenter wore the armband for the first time in her career in the match against Canada in the lead-up.
Several players were unavailable against Canada, something that Gustavsson stressed was out of an abundance of caution. These players were Teagan Micah, who entered camp at the end of rehab for an ankle injury; Tameka Yallop, who suffered a minor contact injury at training; Caitlin Foord, who felt some minor quad awareness in the warm-up; and Steph Catley and Kaitlyn Torpey, who have lower leg injuries acquired before entering camp.
The status of these players is to be confirmed heading into game one, but Gustavsson used the example of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ as a reason to be optimistic.
“We had six players come in with niggles or injuries that couldn’t even train with us at the beginning of camp,” he recalled. “Then once the tournament started we got them up and running, fit and in form and they performed really well. So we’ve been there before.”
Four players named in the 18 – Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler – are set to make their Olympic debut if they feature during the tournament. If the alternate players are called upon, Lydia Williams would feature in her third Games, while Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant and Courtney Nevin could make their first Olympic Games appearances.
Opponents
Germany
FIFA World Ranking: 4
Head-to-head: P5-W1-D1-L3
Germany have made a name for themselves as contenders in every tournament they play. Rio 2016™ gold medallists and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champions, the team has the pedigree to suggest that they pose a serious threat of finishing on the podium once more.
The fact that they qualified for the tournament from Europe, where there were only two spots available in an incredibly strong field (France automatically qualified as hosts), marks them out as formidable opponents in and of itself.
Nonetheless, it has been far from smooth sailing for Germany in recent years. A surprise group stage exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ has led to questions about whether the team is making full use of the immense talent at its disposal. A relatively straightforward Euros qualifying campaign was complicated by a 3-0 loss to Iceland on Saturday, compounding concerns heading into Paris.
Making things worse is a serious injury to young star Lena Oberdorf in Germany's final game before travelling to France. Germany announced that the midfielder suffered a cruciate and medial ligament injury in their win over Austria, with the side yet to name a replacement for Oberdorf.
Interim head coach Horst Hrubesch is the person tasked with turning their form around. He has experience at the Olympics – he was the coach of Germany’s men’s team who won silver in 2016 – and will be hoping to help return his nation to their former glory.
The team is filled with world-class players. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger played alongside Sam Kerr at Chelsea for several seasons before moving to Gotham FC in the NWSL this year. Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg players dominate their ranks.
However, there is one player that can make all the difference in tournament football. Alexandra Popp played all six games when Germany won gold in 2016, and when fit, is an almost unstoppable force in the air. The experience of her 67 goals in 139 appearances for the national team will play a big role in their campaign.
Germany may not go into the tournament as favourites, but they will always be a team to follow at the 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)
Zambia
FIFA World Ranking: 64
Head-to-head: First match
Do not let their FIFA World Ranking fool you – Zambia are here to cause an upset or two at Paris 2024™.
The final stage of qualification for Paris 2024™ was a two-legged qualifier against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Round of 16 team Morocco. When they fell 2-1 in the first leg, it seemed like it would be another feather in the cap for Morocco, and a missed opportunity for Zambia.
But Zambia weren’t done. Two goals to Barbra Banda away from home saw the Copper Queens qualify for the Olympic Games for the second time in their history, and ride a wave of momentum to try to get out of arguably the most difficult group in the tournament.
They will be a team that will challenge opponents with their pace in behind and ability to create chances. Led by Banda and Bay FC’s Rachael Kundananji, defences will have to be on high alert.
It is impossible to talk about Zambia without taking time to wax lyrical about the 24-year-old Banda. Currently equal top of the NWSL Golden Boot race with 12 goals from 12 games, and boasting 53 national team goals in 60 appearances, nullifying her threat will be the focus of opposition coaches.
Many of the players in the squad play for Green Buffaloes, who are one of the top clubs in Zambia. Other clubs represented include Madrid CFF, where midfielder Grace Chanda plays, as well as clubs in Israel, Mexico, and Turkey.
They drew 1-1 with New Zealand in the lead-up to the Games. Defender Rhoda Chileshe was the goalscorer as they forced the Kiwis to come from behind to get a result.
Zambia will be underdogs in Paris – that much is certain. However, they’ve shown over the past few years that they are underestimated at your peril. They’ll be preparing to leave their mark on the Games.
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)
United States
FIFA World Ranking: 5
Head-to-head: P33-W1-D5-L27
It seems almost incomprehensible to see the United States as low as fifth in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings after dominating women’s football for so long. However, following their worst-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ result in 2023, their rebuilding phase begins in Paris.
New Head Coach Emma Hayes has a difficult task on her hands. USA were unconvincing in Australia & New Zealand, not so much for their results – a loss to Sweden in a penalty shootout is far from a disgrace – but their performances in the group stage left a lot to be desired, and came within a whisker of being eliminated by Portugal before reaching the knockout stage.
All eyes will be on the legendary Hayes, who coached Chelsea to seven WSL titles since joining them in 2012. She is incredibly highly regarded thanks to her time at the Blues and fans will have their first real glimpse of how she can impact a team in Paris. Her first task is bringing through a new generation of players who will hope to leave a legacy like the players before them.
It’s important to keep sight of the fact that this is a nation that has won gold four out of the seven years that women’s football has featured at the Olympics. It would be foolhardy to suggest that even if they cannot hit the dizzying heights of earlier generations, they are not genuine gold medal contenders.
Recent results saw them lifting the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup trophy – prevailing 1-0 against Brazil in the final – and defeating Canada on penalties at the final of the SheBelieves Cup in April. Their most recent game in the lead-up to the Olympics was a scoreless draw with Costa Rica, unable to break through despite 80% possession and 26 shots.
There are a large number of Australian connections in USA’s Olympic squad. Lindsey Horan plays with Ellie Carpenter at Olympique Lyon, Korbin Albert with Clare Hunt at Paris-Saint Germain, while Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma line up alongside Kaitlyn Torpey and Emily van Egmond at the San Diego Wave.
Emily Sonnett featured in the A-League Women for Sydney FC in 2017/18, playing alongside Caitlin Foord. Alternate Lynn Williams has also spent time playing in Australia, first for the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019/20 and then for Melbourne Victory in 2021/22.
Young forward Sophia Smith will be a vital component of the American attack. Still only 23 years of age, she has scored 10 goals this NWSL season. She has been remarkably consistent since joining the league, netting 42 goals in 68 appearances and earning 50 national team caps in that time.
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)
The Tillies are not done, 'til it's done
The Women's Football Tournament at the Olympic Games is a tournament filled with strong teams, world-class players, and a packed schedule that is undeniably tough on the body.
Every nation will have to overcome tremendous challenges to leave Paris with a medal. Australia is no different. 12th on the FIFA World Rankings, the team goes into the tournament without the pedigree of previous championships or medals. They will also miss the goals and creativity of Sam Kerr, long regarded as one of the best players in the world.
However: it's not done 'til it's done. The Matildas are a team that can beat anybody, featuring some of the top players in women's football. Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord were both on the 16-player long list for The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2023. Mackenzie Arnold finished third in The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper.
Cortnee Vine lifted silverware with Sydney FC, as did Emily van Egmond and Kaitlyn Torpey with the San Diego Wave, Ellie Carpenter with Lyon, Clare Hunt with Paris Saint-Germain, and Foord, Steph Catley, and Kyra Cooney-Cross with Arsenal.
Many of the group have been together for nearly a decade. Eight of the 18 players are entering their third Olympic Games. This is a team that knows how to gel together to bring the best out of each other.
For many players, this could be their last Olympic Games. The likes of Clare Polkinghorne, Tameka Yallop, and alternate goalkeeper Lydia Williams - who announced that she would retire from international football post-Paris - will be desperate to leave with a medal.
“The last Olympics sticks pretty firmly in my head, being so close and falling short," Foord admitted after the squad announcement, reflecting on the team's fourth-place finish at Tokyo.
“It’s heartbreaking to be in those medal games twice, and come away with nothing,” Alanna Kennedy added.
The Matildas have come so close before. Paris 2024 could be the tournament that they finally walk away with a medal around their necks.