Matildas begin Rio Olympic campaign as they aim to bring home a medal

THE opening ceremony is still two days away but the Matildas will begin their quest for a medal at the Rio Olympics tomorrow morning.

Former Mt Gravatt Hawk Katrina Gorry is a key player for the Matildas. Picture: QUINN ROONEY/GETTY IMAGES.

THE Matildas will begin their quest for a Rio Olympic medal tomorrow morning against Canada, two days prior to the official opening ceremony.

Buoyed by a breakthrough run at the Women’s FIFA World Cup last year in Canada, which included a stunning win over Brazil en route to the quarterfinals, the team will no doubt be aiming to bring home a medal.

Standing in their way will be London 2012 bronze medallist Canada, followed by Germany and Zimbabwe.

However, coach Alen Stajcic told AAP there was no fear from the 5th-ranked Matildas against Canada, ranked number 10 in the world.

“We’re not going to sit back and let anyone dictate the game to us,” Stajcic said.

“If anyone is going to beat us, they are going to have to beat us with their element of good play or whatever the case may be. We certainly don’t fear anyone.

“There is enough talent in this group that I know we can take the game to any team around the world.

“We have a good level of confidence and ability and, combined with that, a great attitude of being positive and backing ourselves. This team really believes in those sort of values.”

One of the key players for the Aussies will be 2014 AFC Player of the Year Katrina Gorry, who came through Brisbane club Mt Gravatt Hawks.

Hawks football manager Vince Sciacca, who coached Gorry in the under-13s, said he knew at the time that she was a special talent.

“I said to her back then that she was going to be a Matilda one day,” he said of Gorry, now 24. “That’s a big call to make, but she was so gifted technically.”

The game kicks off at 4am AEST.