Wearied from a long English season and a trip home to Australia, Arsenal pair Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord will quickly turn their focus to Matildas duties.
Catley, Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross played for Arsenal in a 1-0 win over the A-League Women All Stars on Friday night in Melbourne, mere days after finishing their Women’s Super League season.
They next head into camp for games against China, coached by former Matildas coach Ante Milicic, in Adelaide on May 31 and Sydney on June 3.
“Now the focus will switch to Matildas and what we have ahead,” Foord said.
“These China games are kind of our last prep and our last games on home as well.
“So I guess we really want to make the most of that and just start to get into gear, heading into the Olympics.
“I’m excited to see Ante and [assistant] Ivan [Jolic] as well.”
Cooney-Cross came from the ground with a right calf cramp, which Catley joked was “dramatic” and Foord insisted wasn’t an issue.
Catley was withdrawn at half-time and later had strapping on her left leg.
“I’m fine. I just had a little bit of a tight groin towards the end of that first half so just keeping it good for the next stuff coming up,” she said.
Despite the arduous journey, Foord played most of the game and looked threatening.
“I’m glad I looked like that because I didn’t feel like that at all,” she said.
“It was tough to obviously come off the plane and play.
“I mean, we’re used to it more than the other girls but it doesn’t get any easier.
“But I guess the good thing is that we’ve adapted a lot quicker than normal to heading into camp with the time difference and stuff like that.
“So come the China games, we should be feeling good.”
All Stars and Sydney FC winger Cortnee Vine is attempting to cement her spot in the 18-player squad.
“It’s a big camp. It’s a camp before [Olympics] pre-camp, you just have to prove yourself, nothing’s guaranteed for me,” she said.
“So, a bit nervous to be honest, going into this camp, but I put my best foot forward.
“And to play on a stage like this, I think they get to view me again, keep getting to look at me, that’s what I want.
“I’m looking forward to getting in and showing what I can do and hopefully get to be part of that Olympic squad.
“The All Stars game was actually the perfect lead-in.”
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AAP