Narrow focus for Matildas

Coach fixed on Germany

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson says the opening Olympic game against Germany is the most important match of the tournament and all he is focused on right now.

The Australian women’s football team will also have to face four-time Olympic champion the USA and either Zambia or Morocco in the group stage at the Paris Games but Gustavsson said the Germany game was critical.

“We can talk about three games but right now we need to narrow down to the opening game on the 25th (July) against Germany – same as we did in the World Cup,” he said.

“It was all about winning that opening game against Ireland. We’re narrowing the focus now and it’s all about the opening game.”

Even before the draw, Gustavsson knew the Matildas’ path to an Olympic medal of any colour was going to be tough because just 12 teams get the chance to fight for them.

“One thing that says how quality the teams are joining this tournament are the ones that are not in,” he said.

“Sweden missed out, England missed out and Holland missed out. This is going to be a massive opportunity for women’s football.”

Before he gets to Paris, Gustavsson has to chop his 23woman squad down to just 18 players. His first chance to start making those decisions will be in the friendly against Mexico next month, followed by a twomatch series against China in late May/early June.

“Selection said.

“It’s always tough as a head coach, especially when you work with the players for such a long time and you know there are more players who qualify for selection. I need to leave players out who deserve to be there. We are going to base selection more on who we are and what tools we need, more so than the opposition.

“We’re not getting caught up in just what will suit Germany or the USA or one of those African teams. This is about us.”

Matildas attacker Emily van Egmond said every group was tough at an Olympics but the US would be particularly so with new coach Emma Hayes.

“It will be a new challenge for us,” van Egmond said.

“Germany, to not have been in Tokyo, have a real point to prove and given how hard it was for people to qualify within Europe, I’m expecting a pretty tough opponent in Germany.”

If selected, the Games will be van Egmond’s third.

“For me, it’s about going out and doing the best we possibly can,” she said.

“We’ve been in good stead for a little bit now so hopefully we can carry that momentum into a tournament such as the Olympics.”

Being in Group B means the Matildas won’t face host nation France and world champion Spain in the opening stages of the Olympics.

Australia has been drawn in Pool B alongside the USA, Germany and either Zambia or Morocco.

The USA has won four of the seven Olympic gold medals. is tough,” Gustavsson