Rio Olympics 2016: Matildas have ‘no fear’ of Games rivals on football pitch
AUSTRALIAN coach Alen Stajcic says any one of the top six football teams in the world can win a medal — and that includes the Matildas.
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AUSTRALIAN coach Alen Stajcic says any one of the top six football teams in the world can win a medal in Rio but he’s quietly confident his young charges can muscle out some favourites to make their way onto the Olympic podium.
Stajcic says his players have “no fear’’ of any team ahead of the Rio Games.
The Matildas coach and his recently named charges left Australia on Tuesday for Brazil to put the finishing touches on the teams preparations for their return to the Olympic arena first the first time since 2004.
“There is no doubt we can win a medal, but realistically so can the top six teams,’’ Stajcic said.
“The US, France and Germany are the big three and we are probably the next team off the rank.
“But on any given day this team believes they can beat anyone.
“They have no fear. They have got to the level now where they believe they can beat anyone on their best day.
“It’s a positive they can go onto the pitch and not be scared of anyone.’’
Stajcic said the next six weeks are the most crucial part of the Matildas preparation and could make the difference between winning a medal or finishing off the podium.
Stajcic said he, his 18 charges and 20 odd support staff will be working on every aspect of the game — from health, wellbeing and recovery off the pitch to tactics, rival team intelligence and fitness.
“This is where we pull it all together and it’s a very important time,’’ he said after naming his 18 players for Rio which included captain Lisa de Vanna and 16-year-old Ellie Carpenter.
De Vanna is the only member of the last Olympic team in the outfit heading to Rio with Carpenter currently the youngest member of an Australian Olympic team still to confirm around 200 athletes.
Australia has managed to avoid both the US and France with their group boasting Germany, 2012 bronze medallist Canada and Zimbabwe.
However, the Matildas could find themselves facing either the US or France in the quarter-finals.
The Matildas first outing of the Game is against Canada on August 3, two days before the Opening Ceremony in Rio.
In the women’s tournament the top two from each of the groups, plus the two best third-placed teams, will proceed to the quarter-finals.
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