Australia will be out for redemption when it faces Germany in the second match day of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Australia was disappointing, falling to a 2-0 loss against Canada after playing over 70 minutes of the match with a numerical advantage. The Matildas failed to capitalise on their dominance in possession, a testament to the solidity of Canada’s defence, and will want to prove that they can be clinical in front of goal. Sunday morning’s match will be all about getting the Aussies’ hopes of progressing through to the quarter finals back on track.
Germany, on the other hand, defeated Zimbabwe in an emphatic 6-1 win. The match saw four Germans find the back of the net, including a Melanie Behringer double, and a Kudakwashe Basopo own goal. After failing to qualify for London 2012, this German side will be looking for a swift return to the podium having won bronze medals in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Key Battle – Emily van Egmond and Elise Kellond-Knight vs Germany
Australia’s midfield trio of Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond and Elise Kellond-Knight is simply world class and the latter two players have been plying their trade in Germany’s women’s league this season with FFC Frankfurt and Turbine Potsdam respectively.
This comes in handy considering only three members of Germany’s squad plays their football outside of the Frauen-Bundesliga. Van Egmond and Kellond-Knight will be very aware of the strengths and weaknesses of most of their opponents on a better level than other opposition they face,
However, the Germans will also be acutely aware of the threats posed by both these Matildas and, knowing what these two are capable of, could nullify their influence on the game, effectively robbing Australia of two-thirds of its engine room.
Team News
Chloe Logarzo limped off the pitch at the 60 minute mark and isn’t likely to retain her place in the starting XI. Either one of Kyah Simon or Lisa De Vanna should be in the starting line-up as should Steph Catley.
For Germany, there is an injury cloud over Simone Laudher who was taken off in the opening 25 minutes after appearing to roll an ankle.
Expected Matildas Starting XI: Williams; Polkinghorne, Alleway, Kennedy, Catley; Kellond-Knight, Gorry, van Egmond; Kerr, De Vanna, Foord
Head-to-head
These sides have met four times, with Germany coming out victorious on three occasions and Australia only winning once back in 2005. The two nations have met at an Olympics before. They were in the same group in Sydney 2000 with Germany earning a 3-0 win on the day.
Previous Meeting
Germany and Australia last met in 2010 in a friendly match in Germany. While the Matildas took the lead within the opening half an hour the Germans scored a goal either side of half time to secure the win. The Australian goal scorer on that day was Sam Kerr and it would be fitting if she were able to get on the score sheet.
Prediction
Ideally, Australia wins its next two matches to ensure it progresses as one of the top two sides of the group rather than as a best placed, third ranked team. Trying to beat the world number two in Germany is going to be a difficult task but the Matildas will be keen to not only improve upon their performance against Canada but remind everyone why they were so highly fancied before the Games began.
Some different faces in the starting XI will shake things up and with the right amount of solid defensive work, creativity in midfield and aggressiveness up forward, Australia can come away with a desirable result.
Germany 2 Australia 2
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