Michelle Heyman, a veteran Australian striker, has offered her assessment of the opponents facing the Matildas in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Heyman, who stopped playing football five years ago, has joined the Olympic squad and is back on the national team.
The 36-year-old striker is expected to lead Australia’s offensive throughout the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
The Matildas, who finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games, are in Group B alongside the USA, Germany, and Zambia.
The Copper Queens, the lowest-ranked nation in the group, boost of Barbra Banda and the world’s most expensive female player, Racheal Kundananji.
Heyman believes the Aussies will be up to the task of stopping the threats from their three group opponents.
“They are great teams, but I think we’re up there with the best too,” Heyman told FIFA.com. “We have so much quality, and we all want to fight for each other”
The Matilda’s to face Copper Queens on July 28th.
Heyman has revealed that the team’s ultimate target is to win a medal at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
“Everyone wants to come home with a medal around their neck, and that’s what we’re going to be fighting for. We want to do it for our country,” she added.
She, however, adds that she is not under pressure to cover the void left by star striker Sam Kerr due to a long-term injury.
“I fit straight back into the mud of who I was as a player, and now it’s so much more enjoyable because I feel so much freedom and no pressure. I’m just doing this for myself and my family. It’s an amazing feeling to have that kind of power for yourself,” she stated.
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The Matildas’ campaign will begin on July 25 against Germany and continue on July 28 and July 31 against Zambia and the USA, respectively.
