Matildas’ Olympic squad confirmed: Tony Gustavsson announces squad

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has once again named an injured star in his squad - with the coach adamant midfield engine Katrina Gorry will be match fit in time for the Paris Olympics.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has once again named an injured star in his squad - with the coach adamant midfield engine Katrina Gorry will be match fit by the time the Paris Olympics start late July.

Gorry is one of 18 players named in the Olympic squad on Tuesday morning, just a day after the Matildas 2-0 against China at a sold out Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Gorry had surgery on her ankle in April after suffering an injury while playing for West Ham United in the WSL.

The 31-year-old, who played a key role at last year’s World Cup, hasn’t played since. Gorry has shared video on her social media pages recently of her back running short distances and kicking a ball.

Going into this camp Gustavsson said when he named his squad he had to consider any players that would be fit come July, not just those in the camp.

The Matildas' Olympic squad has been confirmed.

It isn’t the first time Gustavsson has backed an injured player in a team selection - naming Kyah Simon in last year’s World Cup team.

Simon suffered a setback in camp during the recovery from her ACL and didn’t play a single minute of the tournament.

But Gorry is a risk Gustavsson, who opted to name his team three weeks before the IOC deadline, had to take.

Her ability and experience make her a vital part of the Matildas plight to win an Olympic medal.

The head coach said he chose to name the team early so that family and friends who were in Sydney for the final friendly against China, played on Monday night, could be a part of the announcement - after missing out in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Matildas will face off against Germany, Zambia and the USA in the group stage at the Olympics.

Katrina Gorry has been named for the Paris Olympics. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

FOWLER HEADACHE

Mary Fowler is an exceptional footballer – she will be on the plane to Paris- but coach Tony Gustavsson is still unsure about how best to use the versatile attacker.

Fowler, 21, has played across multiple positions in the last few Matildas camps. This time she was used as a winger.

While she has the speed and technical ability to play on the wing it didn’t quite look like all the puzzle pieces fitted together in the Matilda’s 2-0 win over China.

The dynamic player who loves to run with the ball at her feet and has the ability to score is sure to be named in the Matildas’ 18-strong Olympic squad on Tuesday morning.

But the coach said he is yet to work out how exactly he plans to use Fowler at the Olympics.

■ Ultimate guide to the Matildas in Paris

Manager Tony Gustavsson is still working out how to get the most out of Mary Fowler. Picture: Tolib Kosimov/Getty Images

“How can we get more out of Mary, especially now with Sam Kerr out?,” Gustavsson said.

“You’ve seen her used in different ways by (Manchester) City that play a 4-3-3 in a passing orientated playing style. They’ve used her as a false nine… you’ve seen her play on both the right and left wing because she’s so good with both feet.

“With Caitlin (Foord) out we’ve always said that we like combination play to get the most out of Steph (Catley), so it’s almost like a combination side on the left and more of a running side on the right.

“We’ve had games before where Mary and Steph have played very, very good together in the combination play but I think China did a very, very good job in the first half to force everything to our right side and take our left side out.”

Gustavsson said Fowler had proven herself as a good linking 10 when she has a running nine.

“It’s up to us now to figure out with different oppositions and different players available where do we use Mary the best,” he said.

“I do credit Mary for being similar to (Tameka Yallop) meaning it doesn’t matter where she plays, she’s very comfortable.

“Mary is tactical, sophisticated which I think can give us some flexibility in the (Olympics).

“But it’s finding that sweet spot.

“I agree that I’d like to get more out of Mary but it’s not Mary’s fault, it’s my job to get more out of her and put the players around her so we can use her more.”

Mary Fowler was well marshalled by China. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Gustavsson is expected to name his 18-woman Olympic squad in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

And with Gustavsson’s contract due to expire at the end of the Olympics it could well be his last team announcement with the Australian women’s team.

“I’m going to be honest I’ve been a bit emotional this camp because according to the situation right now, everyone knows that my contract goes out post Olympics, so right now this might be my last camp and home soil.

“What I’ve said to myself is I’m going to embrace and enjoy every single second and every minute of this camp, which I have.

“And that means also it’s been a very emotional camp for me.

“When I walked around the pitch after that game tonight I thought about all the memories that we’ve created on this stadium and all other stadiums and to finish off this way was a very nice moment to share with me and the team and the fans.”

Originally published as Matildas’ Olympic squad confirmed: Tony Gustavsson announces squad