“We still have unfinished business. For now, we’re just focusing on the bronze medal match.”

With a bronze medal match with the USA locked in, Matildas' goalkeeper Teagan Micah spoke to Tokyo 2020 media about the task ahead.

Micah was asked about the heartbreaking goal that sent Sweden into their second straight Olympic Games gold medal match.

“Honestly, I'm really disappointed because I feel like they’re saveable. Really disappointing – there’s no other way to put it. One moment in the game and it changed whether we play for gold or bronze,” she said

"For it to take the deflection on the initial shot, it’s disappointing but we’ll learn from it.”

Teagan Micah aginst Sweden in the Semi-Final


The Matildas had clear momentum before the half-time break, with a goal disallowed from Sam Kerr at the 43rd minute mark. Micah was asked about the half-time whistle disrupting the momentum the Matildas had. 

"Yeah, we got the moment finally and then half-time came, but we should be so proud of that performance anyway because the result doesn’t really reflect the game. We’ve got to keep our heads high and still go out there and beat the USA,”

The gruelling schedule for teams in the Olympic Games means teams fitness and ability to rotate squads is crucial, however Teagan believes each game they've demonstrated they're the fitter team.

She also said the loss to Sweden hasn't made the team lose sight of the fact there is still a medal to play for.

“We feel fit and ready. We just have to recover well and go again.”

The Maildas against Sweden in the Semi-Final


Micah noted that the team were able to keep to the game plan effectively, able to see Sweden were dangerous when they attacked down the right side and shutting them down.

 "We knew if we could deny that and deny any opportunities that Asllani could turn and face on us, we could pretty much minimise the chances and we did. I didn't make many saves,"

When asked about the long passes into the box trying to find Sam Kerr, she said that they played with the space Sweden provided them, having belief in captain Sam Kerr to find spaces in the box to create chances. 

"Honestly I’ll take Sam in one v one with any defender," Micah said.

The Maildas against Sweden in the Semi-Final


With just six caps for the senior national team, Micah shows experience beyond her years, able to put this unfortunate loss beyond her and turn her attention to our bronze medal showdown with the USA. 

Facing one another in the group stage fills the team with some confidence, with Teagan believing last game they demonstrated they were the better team. The last match between the Matildas and the USWNT finished at a 0-0 all drew, however Micah made plenty of saves to keep the scores even. 

"We just gotta go out there and do it again. We still have unfinished business. We can feel proud after. For now, we’re just focusing on the bronze medal match," 

Teagan Micah against Sweden in the Semi-Final


The Matildas will fight for the bronze medal against the USA on Thursday night at 6pm AEST.

Join the Matildas Bronze Medal Watch Party below:

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH DETAILS
Matildas v United States
6:00pm AEST kick-off
Watch it LIVE via the Seven Network and 7plus app (check your local listings)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ffaonline.zoom.us/j/82637374257 

Join our Watch Party: Matildas v USA for the Bronze Medal