The Matildas gear up to face Uzbekistan on Wednesday, as the Australians prepare to host their opponents in the second leg of Olympic qualification at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

Following their 3-0 victory away from home on Saturday, the Australians will be hungry to dig their heels in even further to ensure they save a spot for themselves on the plane to Paris this year.

Current Matildas captain, Steph Catley, spoke to the media ahead of the fixture, digesting her excitement towards returning to home soil. The Matildas star is Melbourne born and bred, something that will make Wednesday’s clash at Marvel Stadium all the more special. 

“We absolutely love coming back to Australia. Every time we’re playing here at the moment, we’re getting massive crowds- that gives us a lot of energy.”

“The fact that we got a good result in Uzbekistan and can come here and just play some good football in front of a great crowd, we’re really looking forward to it.”

The football world was stood in devastation at learning that Sam Kerr had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in January during a club training camp.

Kerr’s upsetting absence means that Catley will wear the armband once again, much like the defender did throughout a majority of Australia’s campaign at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

Digesting the devastation, Catley spoke on how Kerr is still very much a part of the team’s integrity as they strive towards an Olympic dream.

“I think I’m still very much leaning on Sam.” Catley continued, “Sam’s very much involved in a lot of the decision-making, is an incredible leader and someone that’s very, very important to this team. 

“I did say to her right at the beginning (when Kerr injured her ACL) if she ever feels like it’s too much, having to focus so much on her injury and getting back, she’s more than welcome to step away.”

Despite being a home for future talent, the Matildas are anything but short of experienced leadership. Catley stressed the fact, expressing that Tony Gustavsson’s Australian squad has an abundance of leaders beyond the armband. 

“We’ve got many wonderful leaders in the team, this team is so experienced, so there are lots of different people stepping up in different areas.”

Injury setbacks have meant that the Matildas have faced inconsistency in their squad lists, something that Catley raised as a potential challenge. 

“It can be difficult. We have a great consistency in this team and lot of us have played together for a long, long time, so sometimes it can be challenging when a new player comes in.”

“You get so used to playing with someone else, used to their movements and the way that they play, but I think it’s a credit to the players that have come in, that straightaway at training they’ve been at an incredible level. Technically, tactically, they’ve taken in everything that we do as a team and put that into practice straightaway.” 

Despite having faced injury woes throughout their recent international campaign, the Matildas have welcomed a fresh batch of impressive talent to their ranks. Melbourne City’s Kaitlyn Torpey earned her first senior call up to the Australian side as this window kicked off, having then been awarded her inaugural   appearance in last Saturday’s away leg with Uzbekistan. 

Catley reflected on how well the side adjusts to rotation, packing on the praise for her Matildas teammates.

“I think if you look at Kaitlyn Torpey coming in for her first camp, she did great on the field and fitted in really well. And then Michelle [Heyman]coming off the bench after so many years and not being part of it. It’s an absolute credit to them and what they’re able to do on and off the field. 

“It can be a challenge. But I think it’s amazing what they can do as players to come into a setup and still make an impact and not disturb what’s already there.”

The Matildas will face Uzbekistan at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday, with proceedings set to head underway at 20:00 AEDT (9:00 GMT).