Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson is unsure whether injured captain Steph Catley will be available for Australia’s opening match at Paris 2024.
On Wednesday, the team revealed that Catley, along with teammate Kaitlyn Torpey, would miss this Sunday’s international friendly against Canada in Marbella, Spain — the side’s final hit out ahead of the Olympic Games.
It is understood that Catley sustained a lower leg injury before returning to Australia for the team’s extended training camp last week.
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Steph Catley goes down injured during Australia’s pool match against Denmark at the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
First-year player Torpey has also suffered a lower leg injury which saw her sidelined for the San Diego Wave’s National Women’s Soccer League match on July 6.
Both players remained with the squad in camp while completing their rehabilitation.
Asked whether Catley and Torpey would be fit to take the field in the Matildas’ opening match in Paris on July 25, Gustavsson conceded that it is “too early to say”.
“They’re both on individual plans,” he told media during his pre-match press conference.
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“They both came in with issues into camp. I trust the medical team as always.
“I can say is that everyone is doing everything they can, including Steph and Torpey to get available.
Matildas players before the AFC Women’s Asian Olympic qualifier match between Australia and Chinese Taipei in 2023. Paul Kane via Getty Images
“[Catley’s concern] is a lower leg injury that [our medical team] need to make sure they treat right, and they don’t want to want to risk anything.
“Everything is about getting the players available for the [first match against Germany on the] 25th. Some players could come in and need to work on fitness, some players need to work on a niggle, some players have a minor injury — it’s all about making sure they’re ready on the 25th.”
This week, the International Olympic Committee announced an amendment to the rules for the women’s Olympic football tournament.
The Australian Olympic Committee previously announced an 18-player squad for Paris 2024 with Charlotte Grant, Sharn Freier, Courtney Nevin and Lydia Williams named as travelling reserves.
Under the previous rules, the alternate players would only take to the pitch if a player in the 18-strong squad was forced to withdraw from the tournament with injury or for personal reasons.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson. Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
Now, players initially selected as alternatives can be added to a team’s game-day squad for an individual match if an original squad member is ruled unavailable. But, if the original squad member becomes available again, the alternate can be subbed out of the squad.
Gustavsson said the rule change had not impacted the Matildas’ preparations with the team’s four alternates completing the same lead-in as the other squad members.
However, he did not devalue the depth the rule change could add to his side during the competition, especially with an injury cloud hovering above.
Gustavsson also stated that before the rule change was announced, the team agreed to back Catley for the duration of the competition even if she were to miss games with injury.
Steph Catley in action for the Matildas. James Worsfold/Getty Images
“Before we even knew the rule change, we had made a decision to say, ‘Steph is with us,'” he said.
“Let’s say in a few days from now that I get a decision that she won’t be available for the 25th, even if there wasn’t a rule change, I would’ve kept her. It’s Steph Catley. It’s our captain. If we have her available for the second game, or third game, I would have kept her. That’s how important she is to this team.”
Following the match against reigning Olympic champions Canada, the Matildas will relocate to Marseille, France ahead of their opening match against Germany.
Besides Germany, Australia drew Group B alongside the United States and Zambia — creating a tricky path to the medal matches.
The women’s and men’s Olympic football tournaments will take place between July 24 and August 10 with matches to be played at Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes.
MATILDAS SQUAD FOR PARIS 2024
Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley (c), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Teagan Micah, Clare Polklinghorne, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond (vc), Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop