Matildas gamble on two big names in Olympics squad – with eight of the team set to break a record as one fan favourite misses out

Coach Tony Gustavsson has gambled on the fitness of Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry, naming the injured duo in his squad for the Matildas’ Olympics campaign.

Midfielder Gorry (ankle) and striker Foord (hamstring) both missed Australia’s final pre-Paris hit-out against China in Sydney on Monday night.

Foord’s injury is of less concern but comes with the Matildas already missing captain and chief goalscorer Sam Kerr.

Gorry, who is arguably Australia’s most influential player, hasn’t played a competitive match since injuring herself playing for club side West Ham.

Selectors also gave Caitlin Foord time to prove her fitness after she was kept out of Monday night’s win over China after injuring her hamstring (pictured)

Foord is one of eight Matildas who will make a record third Olympics appearance 

‘I know that this team will give everything for the coat of arms and will represent Australia to the best of their ability in the true Aussie way,’ Gustavsson said.

The coach named his 18-strong squad in Sydney on Tuesday, with four players selected on an ‘alternate’ list.

Courtney Nevin, retiring goalkeeper Lydia Williams, Sharn Freier and fullback Charlotte Grant are the quartet on standby.

They joined Jada Whyman and Winonah Heatley in being cut from the squad of 23 who were named for the friendlies against China. 

Grant is the most unfortunate casualty having done a solid job standing in for first-choice right-back Ellie Carpenter, who missed 12 months of action in the build-up to last year’s World Cup with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Eight of the squad will become the first Aussie footballers to compete at three Olympics – new skipper Steph Catley, vice-captain Emily Van Egmond, Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop.  

Fan favourite Charlotte Grant was unlucky to miss out but is on standby in case one of her teammates can’t play

Australia kick off their group stage fixtures against Germany in Marseille on July 25 before facing Zambia and the USA.

MATILDAS OLYMPIC SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley (capt), Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Kaitlyn Torpey

Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop

Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman, Hayley Raso, Cortnee Vine

Alternates: Lydia Williams, Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin.