The CommBank Matildas have gathered in Dubai for a training camp in the lead-up to the 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying (Round Three) against Uzbekistan.
Alanna Kennedy spoke to the media as the team prepares to face the World No.47 side for a place in the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games.
“I think we’re all ready to be back in camp, and obviously it’s going to be an important camp for us,” she said. “Everyone’s hopefully coming in in good form and ready to do a job.”
Kennedy clarified that she had been battling a calf injury at the start of the year, but had recovered well and was fully fit to play against Uzbekistan.
“It’s been a straight and narrow road back to playing again – or at least being available to play – so I think that all went well for me,” she explained. “Just happy to be fit and healthy again.”
The defender was asked about the qualities that Uzbekistan presents and the challenges that the CommBank Matildas will have to overcome to qualify for Paris 2024™.
“I think we all know that for a team to have made it that far they’ve obviously got some quality behind them,” she said. “Any team that we come up against at this stage is obviously going to see us as I threat and want to play with, I assume, quite a compact structure.
“At some points, I think it will be about having patience and breaking down their structure. But I’m sure they’ve got a lot of motivation to create history for their country as well. It’ll definitely be a tough two games.”
Touched down in Dubai 🛬
🇺🇿 v 🇦🇺 24.02.24 - 8pm AEDT
🇦🇺 v 🇺🇿 28.02.24 - 8pm AEDT - @marvelstadiumau
📺💻📱: @10FootballAU#Matildas #TilitsDone #AllezAUS #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AN603JnLhF— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 19, 2024
For many in Australia, all eyes are on the Olympics – but Kennedy made it clear that the team was taking it one step at a time.
“We want to make sure that we get ourselves there first and then the mindset will shift to wanting to win something at the Olympics, if and when we qualify,” she emphasised.
“Solely focused on the next two games - or even the first game first, playing away from home – then hopefully a really important and successful game in front of a home crowd in Melbourne.”
Many of the talking points since the squad selection announcement have been around the inclusion of Michelle Heyman and Chloe Logarzo, both returning to the squad after periods away from the team. Kennedy said that she was glad to have their experience back in the CommBank Matildas.
“I think it will just be nice, first and foremost just to see the girls,” she expressed when asked about the sentiment in the group around their return. “They’ve obviously earned their spot in the team so I’m happy for them both.”
Finally, Kennedy was asked how the team was feeling entering their first camp without captain Sam Kerr after the striker suffered an ACL injury earlier this year.
“Firstly, we’re heartbroken for Sam and shocked and devastated when she did her ACL,” she answered. “But I guess we can take a little bit of confidence in the run that we had at the World Cup.”
“I’m sure her leadership will still be present throughout, and she’ll want to be a part of it in some capacity. For other players, it’s an opportunity to step up and show what they can do as well.
“I have confidence in the squad that we have, but of course, any squad is always going to be stronger with Sam Kerr at the front. It’s a blow for us, but we’ll take confidence in the World Cup that we have and hopefully, she gets back soon.”
Uzbekistan v Australia
Date: Saturday, 24 February 2024
Kick-off: 2.00pm (local) / 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Broadcast: Live from 7.00pm AEDT on 10, 10 Play and Paramount+.