Steph Catley one of two Matildas ruled out of Olympic Games warm-up clash
The Matildas will take on Canada this weekend in an Olympic Games warm-up clash without one of their star defenders.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Matildas captain Steph Catley remains on track to lead her team at the Olympic Games despite battling a lower leg injury that has forced her out of Sunday morning’s warm-up clash against Canada.
The Arsenal left-back will watch from the sidelines alongside the versatile Kaitlyn Torpey (leg) when the Matildas have the final hitout at their Spain training camp before the start of their Paris Games campaign on July 26 (AEST) against Germany.
Catley suffered the injury before arriving in camp and is continuing her rehabilitation, while Torpey was injured playing for her American club San Diego Wave.
Neither Catley or Torpey are seemingly in danger of missing the Olympics as they undergo a rehabilitation plan to ensure they are fit for Australia’s clash with the Germans.
However, the Matildas have added Denmark-based defender Winonah Heatley to their training contingent.
Heatley led FC Nordsjaelland to the Danish women’s League and Cup double.
Following Sunday’s game, the Matildas will relocate will relocate to Marseille, France ahead of their Olympics campaign which has been filled with injury issues, including the loss of superstar Sam Kerr.
Star midfielder Katrina Gorry this week declared herself fully fit for Paris after overcoming an ankle injury that threatened her availability.
The Matildas finished fourth at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, missing a medal, which still stings the squad intent on finishing on the podium.
But amid the interrupted lead in, Ellie Carpenter, who was in Tokyo, tried to alleviate any potential pressure on the Australians to finish in the top three of a 12-strong tournament.
“We’re going into this tournament with no expectations,” the 24-year-old right-back said.
“If you look at the teams, were ranked 10th out of the 12.
“We love a little bit of that underdog mindset, but we’re putting no expectations on ourselves. We’re just going to each game wanting to win.
“Our focus is on that first Germany game (July 26 AEST) to hopefully start the tournament off very well and get the three points in the bank, but like the World Cup, we’re going to go out there, do our best and see what happens.”
Originally published as Steph Catley one of two Matildas ruled out of Olympic Games warm-up clash
Shocked Sky Blues to bolster squad
With Sydney FC’s Australia Cup defence already over, the Sky Blues have switched their focus to the start of their AFC Champions League Two campaign.
NPL NSW: 30 rising football talents of the men’s and women’s competitions
The NSW NPL has long been a breeding ground for the best Australian football talents. Check out 30 of the best young talents coming through the ranks of the men’s and women’s competitions.