The magic began for the Matildas when they qualified for the Olympics and walked out onto the pitch for their first match against New Zealand. To be representing your country in the Games must have been surreal, both for those debuting and those who’ve walked this path before.
With two Indigenous players, the Aussies commenced the group stage with an act of respect, standing with arms linked in solidarity against racism at kick-off, and displaying the Aboriginal flag in the team photo. The team has recorded many memorable moments, and these are just some which deserve to be recognised and celebrated.
One: 48 goals
Sam Kerr scoring her 48th Matilda goal: Sam Kerr’s magic moment wasn’t just an amazing personal achievement, although a history-making one. The centre forward, scoring 48 goals, made history by ensuring her spot as our top international goal scorer, just exceeding Lisa De Vanna’s previous record of 47 goals.
Two: 100 caps
Kyah Simon’s 100 caps: Kyah Simon, a proud Anaiwan and Biripi woman, inspires young girls around the country, as she becomes the first indigenous woman to reach 100 caps for the Matildas.
Three: Big TV
Biggest TV audience ever: the number of viewers in Australia for the Matildas vs Sweden semi-final was the largest audience for women’s team sport in Australian TV history. Peak audience for the match was 2.32 million, with an average of 1,871,107.
Monday's #Tokyo2020 SF between @TheMatildas & Sweden is now the most watched women's team sport match in Australian TV history.
It smashed the record number of 1.46 million from our group stage match v Sweden.
Source: OzTam broadcast figures derived from Olympic programming pic.twitter.com/Yqk2fPejYk
— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) August 3, 2021
Four: Big Saves
Teagan Micah’s penalty clincher vs GB: Teagan Micah who hadn’t even made her Matildas debut until May this year at 23 years old, made her fifth appearance for the Matildas at senior level just after her debut at the Games. In the quarter-final against Great Britain, she made seven crucial saves including one from the penalty spot, in what could have been considered the game of her life.
Five: 50 caps
Carpenter and Logarzo’s 50 caps: The team had two players, Ellie Carpenter and Chloe Logarzo, who reached their 50 caps representing their country. Carpenter, at just 21 years old, has seen two Olympic Games, alongside Logarzo at 26 years old. Both proved to be vital for the Matildas throughout the tournament, especially with their hard work always fighting for the team till the very last whistle.
Six: Teenagers
Teenagers on fire: the Matildas recruited four teenagers for their Olympic squad, with Mary Fowler being their youngest player on the pitch at 18 years of age.
With a quarter-final looming vs Great Britain, coach Tony Gustavsson made a super-sub with Fowler, who repaid the coaches faith almost immediately as she superbly struck the ball into the back of the net to give the Matildas the hope they needed.
Midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross also stood out, achieving 100% passing completion when she came on during the semi-final against Sweden.
Seven: Olympic Debuts
The team recorded seven Olympic debuts varying in all ages, with Fowler at 18 years old, Micah, Cooney-Cross, Hayley Raso, Emily Gielnik, Courtney Nevin, and Aivi Luik at 36 years old. This really showed the nation that it doesn’t matter how old you are to achieve your dreams.
Eight: Left Foot
Steph Catley’s super left foot: in their first match against Sweden, Catley put 12 successful crosses in, recording the second-highest for any player in an individual match of the Olympic games, topping this with the record of 13 against New Zealand.
Nine: Super Cross
Kyah Simon’s superb cross to Kerr: in a heart skipping group match against Sweden, Simon reminds everyone why she is a world-class player. Simon just had to look up, cross the ball and put it on a platter for Kerr to head in. She made it look so easy!
Ten: Long Range
Gielnik’s long-range goal against the USA: despite the result of the match battling for bronze medal, it was in the 90th minute where Gielnik, who was running across the pitch, shoots from outside of the box and bags a late, world-class goal for the Aussiess into the left side of the net scoring what could be termed the goal of the tournament.
Not only did the Matildas reach the Semi-Finals for the first time, they also broke new ground with their best ever result finishing fourth place. This definitely proves that each team member upheld their belief in the team and themselves, fighting to make history.
Imagine the magic that will be happening on our very own shores in 2023, and with that I say, bring on the World Cup!
Missed the action at Tokyo 2020? Catchup on Beyond 90's coverage.
