FOOTBALL: The Matildas will be without forward Larissa Crummer for the upcoming 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament in Japan after the 20 year old Melbourne City FC striker sustained a knee injury during the squad’s training game in Wollongong.
Canberra United’s Ashleigh Sykes will take Crummer’s place in the Matildas squad which will depart for Japan on Monday morning for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 – Final Qualification Round.
Sykes, who has made 16 appearances for her country and was part of the Matildas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 squad, comes into the team off the back of an excellent W-League season.
“Larissa (Crummer) suffered a knock to her knee going for a header during the first half of our training game last night and after scans this morning and consultation with the medical staff, unfortunately she won’t be available for the qualifying tournament,” said Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic of the W-League’s leading scorer last season.
“It’s really disappointing news for Larissa because she had a great W-League season and has been looking really good at training leading up to this tournament.
“Ash Sykes will now come into the squad and with the great form she showed in the W-League, we’re confident she will add another dimension to our attack.”
The Olympic qualifying tournament will see the Matildas’ play five matches in 10 days, the first being a blockbuster against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Finalists and tournament hosts Japan on 29 February.
The Matildas Olympic Games Qualifiers will be showcased LIVE on 7mate starting on February 29.
The top two teams will qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament.
Matildas squad – Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 – Final Qualification Round
| Number | Name | Position | Club | A International Caps (Goals) |
| 1 | Lydia Williams (gk) | Goalkeeper | Canberra United | 49 (0) |
| 2 | Ashleigh Sykes | Attacking Midfielder | Canberra United | 16 (4) |
| 3 | Caitlin Cooper | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | 3 (1) |
| 4 | Clare Polkinghorne | Defender | Brisbane Roar | 80 (5) |
| 5 | Laura Alleway | Defender | Melbourne City FC | 39 (2) |
| 6 | Chloe Logarzo | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets | 3 (0) |
| 7 | Stephanie Catley | Defender | Melbourne City FC | 42 (2) |
| 8 | Elise Kellond-Knight | Midfielder | Potsdam FC, Germany | 64 (1) |
| 9 | Caitlin Foord | Forward | Perth Glory | 38 (5) |
| 10 | Emily van Egmond | Midfielder | FFC Frankfurt, Germany | 47 (11) |
| 11 | Lisa De Vanna | Forward | Melbourne City FC | 106 (37) |
| 12 | Casey Dumont (gk) | Goalkeeper | - | 1 (0) |
| 13 | Tameka Butt | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar | 52 (7) |
| 14 | Alanna Kennedy | Defender | Sydney FC | 37 (0) |
| 15 | Emily Gielnik | Forward | Brisbane Roar | 7 (0) |
| 16 | Michelle Heyman | Forward | Canberra United | 41 (15) |
| 17 | Kyah Simon | Forward | Sydney FC | 58 (15) |
| 18 | Mackenzie Arnold (gk) | Goalkeeper | Perth Glory | 7 (0) |
| 19 | Katrina Gorry | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar | 38 (11) |
| 20 | Aivi Luik | Midfielder | Melbourne City FC | 16 (0) |
Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 – Final Qualification Round
Matildas Schedule
Group A
Japan
DPR Korea
Westfield Matildas
China P.R.
Korea Republic
Vietnam
Matildas v Japan
Monday 29 February 2016
Kincho Stadium, Osaka
Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)
LIVE nationally 9:30pm AEDT on 7mate
Matildas v Vietnam
Wednesday 2 March 2016
Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka
Kick-Off: 4:35pm local time (6:35pm AEDT)
LIVE nationally 6:30pm AEDT on 7mate
Korea Republic v Matildas
Friday 4 March 2016
Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka
Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)
LIVE nationally 9:30pm AEDT on 7mate
DPR Korea v Matildas
Monday 7 March 2016
Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka
Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)
LIVE nationally 9:30pm AEDT on 7mate
Matildas v China P.R.
Wednesday 9 March 2016
Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka
Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)
LIVE nationally 9:30pm AEDT on 7mate
Football Federation Australia
