Gustavsson declares 14 Matildas locked in for Paris, with friendlies the last chance to impress

Matildas star Caitlin Foord says Friday night’s match up against China is ‘definitely not a friendly match’ as Tony Gustavsson prepares to cull five from wider squad.

It might be billed as a friendly but with coach Tony Gustavsson confirming there were just four spots left up for grabs in his Olympic squad - Caitlin Foord says there are a lot of nerves floating around camp in Adelaide.

Gustavsson has to cull his 23-woman squad to just 18 players for the Olympics by Tuesday.

He has made no secret that this two-match friendly series against China PR will be crucial in his final decision making.

Gustavsson said that he had locked in 14 players - with injured midfielder Katrina Gorry highly likely to make a return for the Games in Paris in July.

“We’ve had almost four years to prepare for this in terms of understanding the players you have, I’ve had this team for a long time now,’ Gustavasson said.

“The core group of players is locked in for us, I’d say roughly 14 or 15. There is a question mark over Katrina Gorry, when we are making a selection we have to make it based on where they will be on the 25th of July not where she is at now.

“But then the other spots up for grabs and there’s a lot of players competing for it.

“That’s the tough part.”

The race is on for Katrina Gorry to be ready to go in July. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Gustavsson will be able to name four alternate players who can be used during the Games in case of an injury or illness.

“When you look at the alternates you need to look at what players you need to have ready to step in when needed,” he said.

“Different positions but also players that can step in and change the mindset from being an alternate to actually being there in a matter of seconds.

“I wish we could use all those players because I think the more changes you have the more you can influence the game and I think considering it’s a very tight game schedule - for player wellbeing it would have been good if we could have every player available to the whole tournament considering the congested schedule that we have.”

Foord, who has been in Australia for almost a week after playing for Arsenal against the A-Leagues’ All -Stars Women’s team, said there was no such thing as a friendly international match.

“Every time we pull on the green and gold it’s definitely not a friendly match,” Foord said.

“It is a tough camp in the sense the team is going to be selected and there’s a few more nerves. It is the last opportunity to prove yourself and show that.

“I’d say a lot of the girls are nervous for the game (on Friday).

“It’s a last chance, last opportunity. But we go out there to win and these games are important for us to do that, especially on home soil.”

Caitlin Foord declares that there’s no such thing as a ‘friendly’ match when preparing for the Olympics. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

One player likely to get a final chance to impress is homegrown Adelaide hero Charli Grant.

The 22-year-old defender is the only Adelaide player in the side. She stepped up to fill the shoes of now vice-captain Ellie Carpenter when she ruptured her ACL - but has had limited minutes since her return.

Carpenter joined the camp late after her French side Lyon were unlucky against Barcelona in the Champions League final earlier this week.

Gustavsson said during Thursday’s press conference that Grant would get on the field in front of a sold out Adelaide crowd.

“I think Charli represents a lot of what this team represents,” Gustavsson said.

“She has gone through a lot of adversity and tough situations. She sat in the stands in the Swedish leagues after not getting selected in the game day roster at times. And then looking at where she is now - it is because of her mindset. I can’t put into words - her mindset is just unbelievable.

Charli Grant (R) will be granted game time at Friday night’s first friendly against China. Picture: RoyVPhotography

“I think that represents this team as well - she deserves playing time and I never want to reveal a line up before a game but I can say is that you will see Charli on the field (on Friday).”

The Matildas have been in Adelaide since Monday and will play in front of 53,000 people at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

While Gustavsson has to use the match to make his final decisions it also doubles as one of the last chances for the team to play together prior to the Olympics.

“The worst part about being a head coach is having to tell someone at the end of the week that you’re not going to be part of the Olympics,” Gustavsson said.

“It is a lot of evaluation of training and looking at players, meetings with staff.

“The game tomorrow is a massive step into preparation for the Olympics and not just from an individual selection standpoint but also for the team preparing.

“We don’t have that many games left to prepare for the Olympics, it’s a very important game.”

Matildas will play China at Adelaide Oval at 7.40pm (Adelaide time) on Friday.