Matildas predicted lineup for Olympics: Injury issues cloud starting 11 selection for Australia

Patrick Brischetto

Matildas predicted lineup for Olympics: Injury issues cloud starting 11 selection for Australia image

The Matildas will be at the Olympics for a third time in a row, and will be hoping to win a medal for the first time ever after going close at the Tokyo Games.

They come into the Olympics in good form on paper officially remaining undefeated in 2024 — their loss over Canada took place in 'B international rules', meaning it doesn't count as an official international match — though their performances at times have left a lot to be desired.

Much like their World Cup campaign, which was dominated by Sam Kerr's injury, there are a few injury concerns hanging around key players of the Matildas.

There are some big decisions facing Tony Gustavsson ahead of what could be his final tournament as coach, The Sporting News predicts what the Matildas team could look like at the first Olympics match against Germany.

MORE: Big questions facing the Matildas at the Olympics | 'Never say die' attitude of Matildas masking serious issues

Matildas predicted lineup, injury news at Paris Olympics

*Denotes reserve player who can only be introduced in case of injury

Goalkeeper

Goalkeepers in squad:

  • Mackenzie Arnold
  • Teagan Micah
  • Lydia Williams*

The one area of the squad where there is little debate on who will be selected, with Mackenzie Arnold set to be between the sticks for the Olympics barring any injury concerns.

It's a spot the 30-year-old has held for sometime since taking over from Lydia Williams, and she has done a sterling job as the last line of Australia's defence, no one can forget her heroics against France in the World Cup quarter-final!

Teagan Micah will join her as backup after a relatively successful first season at WSL side Liverpool, with Williams being the reserve goalkeeper to come in should injury or other issues strike down her two fellow goalkeepers.

The Sporting News' predicted starting goalkeeper: Mackenzie Arnold

Mackenzie Arnold Matildas
Getty Images

Defence

Defenders in squad:

  • Clare Hunt
  • Alanna Kenendy
  • Steph Catley
  • Ellie Carpenter
  • Clare Polkinghorne
  • Kaitlyn Torpey
  • Charli Grant*
  • Courtney Nevin*

This is where the injury problems begin to mount for Australia and Tony Gustavsson.

There are no major issues at centre-back, with Alanna Kennedy and Clare Hunt set to start together as they have since the World Cup, with Clare Polkinghorne being the veteran deputy.

There are bigger problems at fullback; whilst Ellie Carpenter is fit and ready to play at right back, both of the Matildas left-backs in the 18-player squad — captain Steph Catley and Kaitlyn Torpey — missed the warm up game against Canada due to 'lower leg injuries'.

The severity of the injuries are unclear as the pair were both pictured training with the side during the week, but Gustavsson was remaining tight lipped in a manner that reflected how he hid the severity of Sam Kerr's injury at last year's World Cup.

The good news is the Matildas have two capable replacements as reserves in Charli Grant and Courtney Nevin, and late changes to the squad selection rules at the Olympics means it is easier for reserve players to be drafted in and out of the side.

In the lead up to the opening game against Germany, both Catley and Gustavsson have insisted the stand-in captain will be fit and available to be selected, and we'll take their word for it.

The Sporting News predicted starting defenders: Catley, Kennedy, Hunt, Carpenter

Midfield

Midfielders in squad:

  • Katrina Gorry
  • Kyra Cooney-Cross
  • Emily van Egmond
  • Tameka Yallop
  • Clare Wheeler

The injury worries for the Matildas also extend to the middle of the park, where some of their key and experienced players are under injury clouds heading into the tournament.

The biggest of these is Katrina Gorry, with the 31-year-old missing the end of her club season with West Ham due to getting surgery on a foot injury, also ruling her out of the friendlies against China in May and June; in a big boost, she did return to the starting side against Canada where she played 45 minutes.

Clare Wheeler performed well in her place as an all-action midfielder, getting on the scoresheet in the second game against China and playing well alongside Kyra Cooney-Cross.

The versatile Tameka Yallop was not involved against Canada, with the official line being she sustained a "minor impact injury to her leg in training" in Marbella.

With Cooney-Cross being a nailed on starter and the fitness doubts of Yallop, it will be a toss up between Gorry and Wheeler for the other midfield spot; Gorry is still lacking match minutes but has the quality, experience and chemistry alongside Cooney-Cross, meaning Gustavsson could take a chance and throw her straight into the cauldron for the opening game.

The Sporting News predicted midfield: Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry

Kyra Cooney-Cross
Getty Images

Attackers

Attackers in squad:

  • Michelle Heyman
  • Cortnee Vine
  • Mary Fowler
  • Caitlin Foord
  • Hayley Raso
  • Sharn Freier* 

Australia's prospects in attack were looking rosy, but fresh doubts are creeping in after the game against Canada.

Caitlin Foord was supposed to start that match, but was a late withdrawal after she supposedly 'felt tightness' in her thigh; she was later pictured sitting in the stands with ice on the affected area.

With superstar Sam Kerr out of the Olympics due to her long-term knee injury, the potential loss of Foord would be a huge blow to the Matildas despite their relative depth in attack; however on the eve of the opening match against Germany, Foord insisted she would be fit for the game.

Mary Fowler is a guaranteed starter, with the 21-year-old capable of playing down the middle, on the wing, or further back in midfield, as is Hayley Raso who has enjoyed a fine run of form in the national side in recent times.

Cortnee Vine has been a common starter this year for the Matildas and played her way into a starting spot for the first game, but Michelle Heyman is waiting in the wings and could be a rare change for Gustavsson's squad as they look to recover from a horror first Olympic outing.

Sharn Freier is the reserve player should things go wrong, and her confidence will have been boosted by her goal against Canada.

The Sporting News predicted attack: Michelle Heyman, Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord

Matildas predicted starting 11 for Paris Olympics

  • (4-4-1-1 from right to left): Arnold (GK) — Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley — Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Heyman — Fowler — Foord

Despite Caitlin Foord's injury worries, the fact she was initially named to play against Canada and the 10 days between now and the opening game is enough evidence to include her in the starting side.

Gorry's progression back into the team also allows her to play a key role in the side, though Clare Wheeler has been very impressive when coming off the bench.

Much of the back five picks itself, though significant question marks remain over who will play at left back.

Can players be replaced at the Olympics?

The replacement rules have recently been changed to massively benefit the competing nations at the tournament.

Previously, reserve players could only be drafted into the side right up until the first game, and if they did come in, the player who came out would not be able to return to the side.

However, in response to criticism over the 18-player squad and concerns over player welfare, the rules have been adjusted so players can now be swapped in and out of the squad throughout the tournament as long as the player has been medically assessed by the IOC six hours before the game.

In addition, injured players can now return to the squad once they have recovered, essentially meaning the countries can properly pick from a squad of 22-players instead of the original 18 due to the ease of bringing in reserve players.

Patrick Brischetto

Patrick Brischetto Photo

Patrick is a journalist currently based in Sydney who covered the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Women's World Cup for The Sporting News. He also holds a position at the Western Sydney Wanderers FC, and is slowly attempting to convince the world that the A-League is the greatest sporting competition.