Emily van Egmond has identified the key areas Australia will need to be wary of in their Rio Games opener against Canada.
The countdown in on until Australia kick off their Games tilt, with the world’s 10th-ranked side Canada their first opponent in what they hope will be a successful tournament.
“Canada is a very good team,” said the midfield star.
“I think they are going to be quite physical, dangerous off set pieces and they have a couple of key players were going to have to look out for.
“It’s going to be a good game, it’s going to be a challenge but one that the girls are definitely going to be up for.”
After a pre-Games training camp in Fortaleza, Alen Stajcic’s side has arrived in Sao Paulo and will begin to ramp up preparations in coming days for their group opener.
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“We had three weeks in Fortaleza and we worked pretty hard,” 23-year-old van Egmond said.
“I actually think the time we had there went relatively quickly. The games we had up there against boy’s teams and Brazil made it possible to go quickly.
“Now we’re here we have to start knuckling down and focusing on the tournament that lies ahead.”
Asked how realistic it was for Australia to win gold in Rio, van Egmond said: “Every women’s football team has come with the same mindset and the same goal, and that’s to win the gold medal.
“We have the potential and the talent within this group to medal definitely, the most important thing for this group is to focus on the group games and Canada up first is a big task for us.”