Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson knows his Olympics squad announcement may be his last in the role as his contract expires at the end of the tournament.
Gustavsson must trim his 23-player squad for the farewell friendlies against China to just 18 for the Paris Olympics.
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It will be the Swede’s second Olympics in charge of the Matildas having taken over in September 2020 and guiding the team to a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Games.
Speaking after the Matildas’ 2-0 victory over China in Sydney on Monday, Gustavsson cut a sentimental figure.
“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,” Gustavsson said.
“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.”
Iconic moment in touching tribute as Matildas put on a show in final Olympics hit-out
Gustavsson has steered the Matildas to fourth-place finishes at both the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup, with both representing Australia’s best-ever results in the respective tournaments, male or female.
However, the Olympics could prove especially challenging due to the absence of Sam Kerr, who misses out due to an ACL injury.
Star forward Caitlin Foord also remains under a slight injury cloud when she exited the field with a hamstring injury just 15 minutes after being substituted on in the first friendly against China.
Although Foord was declared fit to continue by the medical team on the pitch, they opted not to take the risk given the Olympics is so close.
The Matildas were drawn into Group B at the Olympics alongside the United States, Germany and Zambia.
MATILDAS OLYMPIC SQUAD
Goalkeepers: To be confirmed
Defenders: To be confirmed
Midfielders: To be confirmed
Forwards: To be confirmed