The Matildas went to Paris, ready to kick some goals at the Olympic Games. The team was hot off an incredible 2023 World Cup run and came just short of a medal in the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Naturally, they were hungry for the gold.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go their way this time.
At Paris 2024, the Matildas were up against fierce competition: Germany, Zambia and the USA.
The Matildas opened their Olympic campaign against Germany on July 25th at the Stade de Marseille, Marseille.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go well. The Matildas lost 3-0 against former gold-medallists Germany.
The team was back to full strength with captain Steph Catley and forward Caitlin Foord returning to the starting line-up after missing the recent warm-up game against Canada. However, their impact was limited against the relentless Germans.
MATILDAS BEAT ZAMBIA IN SECOND MATCH
Against Zambia on Monday morning AEST, it was a different story. The Matildas were getting thrashed by the African nation in the first half of the game.
Then, in a miraculous comeback, our green-and-gold girls pulled off a 6-5 victory, keeping their Olympic campaign alive.
MATILDAS HEARTBREAKING LOSS AGAINST TEAM USA
It was the heartbreak heard around the world when the Matildas were beaten 2-1 by the US Women’s National team in their final group match of the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Australian Women’s team needed one of two things to guarantee their place in the quarter finals after their loss to Germany and miracle win over Zambia: a win or a draw.
Sadly, they didn’t get either. But it wasn’t for a lack of effort. In the scorching heat of Marseille, the Matildas fought hard against the four-time Olympic champions to realise their dream of an Olympic medal. In the end, it just wasn’t meant to be.
The Matildas were knocked out, suffering their earliest exit since they made their Olympic debut in 2000.
“It’s a tough one to take for us. We left it all out there,” Hayley Raso said to Channel 9.
“You can tell we’re all devastated,” Clare Wheeler told Channel 9.
“It’s going to be one of those games we wish we could have again … we can only hope.”
“We’re sorry we couldn’t get the job done today,” she said in a message to fans.
Coach Tony said: “I said to the players in the circle that they should be extremely proud of the performance. They stuck to the game plan… We were playing one of the most in-form teams of the tournament.”
COACH TONY OUT
After an early Olympics exit, the Matildas haven’t only lost their dream of becoming medallists at Paris 2024, they’ve lost their head coach.
Football Australia and Tony Gustavsson have mutually agreed to part ways. This ends the coach’s four-year tenure with the women’s soccer team.
Tony, whose contract was due to expire in September, told the players and staff the news following Wednesday’s loss to the US. Football Australia announced the decision a few hours later.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to have been able to be the head coach of the Matildas over the past four years,” Tony said in a statement.
“This journey with the team has had many incredible moments and memories that I will forever treasure.
“Thank you to the incredible players for letting me play a small part in their stories, my staff for being beside me every step of the way, Football Australia for backing our vision for this team, the Australian football family for embracing me and the Australian public for the tremendous support.
“Australian football will be forever in my heart, and I will be watching on and cheering on your success in the future.”
Speculation over Tony’s departure began after the team’s Olympic campaign came to an end.
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson thanked Tony for his “strong contribution, passion and commitment”. He also confirmed that the Matildas were on the lookout for a new head coach.
“Tony has been an integral part of the Matildas’ journey over the past four years, with a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the FIFA World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023,” James said in a statement.
“While our Olympic Games campaign has ended, we are proud of the commitment of our players and staff. The Matildas have shown spirit and resilience throughout the qualification run and the tournament in France. This group of players have over the past four years made a significant impact on Australian football and we are looking forward to the next four-year cycle of the team.
“As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we will conduct a thorough review of the campaign as we do with all our national teams following the conclusion of tournaments and each cycle. This review will identify areas for improvement and ensure we are well-prepared for future challenges. The process for the recruitment of the Matildas head coach will also commence immediately.”
The Matildas’ next major tournament is the AFC Asian Cup in Australia in 2026.
WHO WAS ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM FOR THE MATILDAS?
The full 18-player squad has been announced by the Australian Olympic Committee at Sydney Olympic Park. Captained by Steph Catley, the Matildas team includes eight athletes who will become the first Australian footballers to compete at a trio of Olympic Games.
Steph, vice-captain Emily Van Egmond, Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop will all become three-time Olympians in Paris.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Teagan Micah and Hayley Raso all return for their second Games. And Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler have been selected to make their Olympic debut.
The full 18-player squad at Paris 2024
- Steph Catley, captain
- Emily Van Egmond, vice-captain
- Mackenzie Arnold
- Ellie Carpenter
- Caitlin Foord
- Alanna Kennedy
- Hayley Raso
- Clare Polkinghorne
- Tameka Yallop
- Clare Hunt
- Kaitlyn Torpey
- Cortnee Vine
- Clare Wheeler
- Kyra Cooney-Cross
- Mary Fowler
- Katrina Gorry
- Michelle Heyman
- Teagan Micah
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares said: “I am thrilled to announce the Matildas team for Paris 2024. This team is already full of trailblazers and record breakers, with eight players set to become the first three-time football Olympians for Australia.
“Thank you to the team at Football Australia, and everyone who has helped these 18 players grow from their first time having a go at football to becoming Paris Olympians.”
The Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson said, “This has been an incredibly challenging squad to select with so many quality players competing fiercely for limited spots.
“It has been a methodical process over the past couple of years to reach to this point, and each of the players selected bring unique and beneficial qualities to our team that will be vital for our Paris 2024 campaign.”
“I would like to congratulate all the players selected and the teammates, coaches, family and friends that have brought them to this moment. I know that this team will give everything for the coat of arms and will represent Australia to the best of their ability in the true Aussie way.”
Before the official squad was released, Coach Tony warned that “some very good players” won’t make the cut for the Olympic team.
WHO ARE THE MATILDAS TRAVELLING RESERVES?
Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin and Lydia Williams have been named as the travelling reserves. This is also known as Ap athletes under Games accreditation. The travelling reserves can be selected as a replacement athlete onto the Australian Olympic Team in case of injury or other withdrawal of one of the selected 18 athletes.
DID SAM KERR PLAY IN THE Olympic Games?
No, Sam Kerr did not be competing in the 2024 Olympics. Unfortunately, Australia’s favourite women’s team captain is still recovering from a ruptured ACL, which she hurt at the start of the year.
Sam’s father, a former professional AFL player, was also adamant that she wouldn’t be competing in an interview earlier this year.
As for the star shooter herself, who’s revered for putting the team and their fans first, there’s no doubt that she’d love to represent the green and gold at the Olympics. However, she already had a feeling it wouldn’t be in the cards for her this year. She previously mentioned that the “Olympics probably isn’t there”, but she’s going to keep pushing every day to get back to playing her best football.
HAVE THE MATILDAS EVER WON THE OLYMPIC GAMES?
Not yet! The Aussie women’s team has represented Australia at the Olympic Games on four occasions and the FIFA Women’s World Cup on eight. However, the Matildas haven’t won either tournament.
WHERE TO WATCH THE MATILDAS COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS FROM AUSTRALIA
Fans can get their Matildas Olympics fix on Nine Network, which will be providing around-the-clock coverage of the Games on more than 40 free-to-air channels. That includes metropolitan and regional TV, streaming, audio, publishing and online.
- The Wide World of Sports team is set to run dedicated Olympics channels on Channel 9 and 9Gem, 24 hours a day.
- Stan will debut an all-Olympics channel.
- The Today Show will be broadcasting live from the French capital, bringing the Olympics – and therefore, the Matildas – straight into Australian homes.
WHICH MATILDAS TEAMMATE IS RETIRING AFTER THE PARIS OLYMPICS?
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who was quite vocal when the team went on strike over ‘disrespectful’ pay and conditions, announced that she will hang up her Matildas shirt after the 2024 Olympic Games. The Matildas icon’s impressive career has spanned five World Cups, six Asian Cups, 103 caps and just under two decades, playing for the Matildas. She’ll be 36 years old when the Olympic Games begin in late July.
