Tokyo Olympics LIVE updates: Matildas take on USA for a bronze medal
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Catley’s creativity
Here’s a great statistic that shows the attacking value of fullback Steph Catley. She’s created the most chances of any player at the Olympics and all from her distribution, either from the flanks or from set pieces.
Big names lead USA attack
A strong USA team stands in the way of the Matildas and a medal in Tokyo. The frontline in particular looks dangerous with star striker Megan Rapinoe forming a front three with Christen Press and Carli Lloyd. There’s a big name on the bench as well with Alex Morgan listed among the substitutes. Expect her to get some game time when she could inflict damage against tired defenders.
Today marks a major milestone for Lloyd. She makes her 312th appearance for the USA to become the second-most-capped player for her country.
The teams are in
The teams are in and there’s just the one forced change for the Matildas. Defender Clare Polkinghorne replaces the suspended Ellie Carpenter in an otherwise unchanged team for Australia. Coach Tony Gustavsson has resisted rotating his squad throughout the knockout stage and, with a game every three days in hot and humid conditions, this could be somewhat of a gamble. The Matildas looked understandably sluggish in the second half against Sweden as they battled fatigue and they’ll face a greater physical test tonight. The USA is the fastest, most direct and physically dominant team in the tournament so this will be a big test for Australia’s fitness.
One last hurrah for Laura
One of the stalwarts of the Matildas’ defence over the last decade will make her last appearance in the green and gold tonight. Laura Brock, nee Alleway, is set to retire from internationals after the Tokyo Games and is itching to finish on a high. The defender was part of the 2011 and 2015 World Cup campaigns for the Matildas and was forced out of the 2019 World Cup due to an injury sustained on the eve of the tournament. She’s played 64 games for Australia, won two W-League titles and the 2017 Tournament of Nations. Tonight she can add one more medal to her collection.
Disappointment has become determination
In the aftermath of the defeat to Sweden in the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics, there was no hiding the disappointment among the Matildas. They felt aggrieved to have lost 1-0, especially given Sam Kerr had scored what appeared to have been a legitimate goal, which was ruled out controversially.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson on the sidelines.Credit:Getty Images
However painful that loss, it has now become a source of motivation for the players, who are determined to leave Japan with a medal. They face the champions of the past two World Cups, the USA, on Thursday night and are hell-bent on claiming one more scalp to clinch a first Games medal. Read more
Hello and welcome
Good evening and welcome to the live coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medal women’s football match between Australia and the USA. The Matildas came so close to claiming a medal and a shot at gold when they went down to Sweden 1-0 in the semi-final on Monday night with Sam Kerr scoring a goal that was disallowed somewhat controversially.
Nevertheless, they still have a shot at a medal but must overcome the 2015 and 2019 world champions, USA.
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