Earlier today, coach Tony Gustavsson released his 18-player squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with many showing their excitement and intrigue for what this side can produce in Japan.
With less than a month to go before the Olympic flame is lit in Japan's capital city of Tokyo, the Australian women's football team released their finalised 18-player squad (plus four travelling reserves) for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Managed by Swedish coach Tony Gustavsson, fans saw a mix of experience along with exciting new Olympic faces with almost a third of the squad making their Olympic debut.
MORE: Matildas team locked in for Tokyo with official Olympic selection
An injection of youth has been countered with debutants that have immense national team experience including Emily Gielnik and Aivi Luik. Gielnik and Luik's selection highlights that any player, regardless of age, will be given an opportunity within the national team set-up if they work hard enough and fight for their position.
For the players that appeared in the Rio games almost five years ago, there is immense excitement yet an expectation to right the wrongs of our heartbreaking quarter-final exit via a penalty shoot-out.
Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo Ian Chesterman reacted to the selection news and his excitement for what the Westfield Matildas will provide in Tokyo.
“This team has shown incredible resilience and a tight bond to make it through the trials of the pandemic and I know they’re up for the challenge in Tokyo."
"The Matildas have shown they are a world-class team and we will be thrilled to see them proudly wear the green and gold in Tokyo."
"They are out to make an impact in Tokyo and I know millions of Australian fans will be cheering them on from back home.”
Many familiar faces from the 2016 Rio campaign return more than five years on. However Gustavsson has elected to blood through a number of Olympic debutants.
Incredibly, the Tokyo squad features two members (18-year-old Mary Fowler and 19-year-old Kyra Conney-Cross), who were not yet born when Sydney hosted the 2000 games, almost 21 years ago.
Mary Fowler is one of six debutants named in the latest Olympic squad and spoke of the elation experienced, after finding out she was boarding the plane to Japan.
Fans and clubs joined together to congratulate the squad and wish them luck.
The Olympic Games has provided a multitude of opportunities for Australian female sporting athletes to write themselves into national folklore.
The chance has now been presented to the latest debutants, to create their own piece of Olympic history, along with the returning squad members that will have another attempt at becoming Olympic icons.