Matildas to again call on ‘never say die’ spirit after nightmare start to Olympic campaign

Australia will have to do it the hard way to progress from Group B at Paris 2024 but have shown that they are at their best with backs to the wall

Rarely do the Matildas do things the easy way. The team’s motto is not “never say die” for nothing. But a heavy defeat to Germany in Marseille was hardly the ideal start to an Olympic campaign, especially after stated pre-tournament aspirations of a podium position following consecutive fourth-place finishes at major tournaments. Losses like this do not inspire hope that the team can match or even surpass those recent results.

“I don’t think we were ready for it,” coach Tony Gustavsson said. “Germany were class today – they were much better.”