Here’s a fun fact – while we have been officially counting down to the long-awaited Tokyo Olympic Games by counting the days to the Opening Ceremony (Friday 23), the Games will actually begin two days earlier — on Wednesday — in what might be a July 21 like no other.
Playing in front of 68,000 empty seats, the Matildas football team taking on trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at Tokyo Stadium, here’s everything you need to know.
How to watch
The Seven Network is the official broadcaster of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Australia. Women’s and Men’s football matches featuring Australia will be available via the Seven Network and the 7Plus app throughout July and August.
When is the game?
Wednesday, 21 July 2021. 9:30pm AEST.
What are the other matches?
Tokyo 2020 Women’s Football Tournament – Group G
Match 1: Australia v New Zealand
Date: Wednesday, 21 July 2021
Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
Kick-off: 8:30pm local; 9:30pm AEST
Broadcast: Seven Network
Match 2: Sweden v Australia
Date: Saturday, 24 July 2021
Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan
Kick-off: 5:30pm local; 6:30pm AEST
Broadcast: Seven Network
Match 3: USA v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Venue: Kashima Stadium, Kashima, Japan
Kick-off: 5pm local; 6pm AEST
Broadcast: Seven Network
How will the rest of the tournament work?
Australia will be one of 12 nations playing in Tokyo alongside Brazil, Canada, Chile, China PR, Great Britain, Japan (host country), Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United States and Zambia.
The Matildas will be hoping to advance through to the quarter-finals, finishing first or second in their group will ensure them a spot. However, a third-place finish could also see them move to the knockout stage.
The Matildas have their eye on the prize and look to go one better and take home Australia’s first-ever Olympic football medal.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQw2yekrS-6/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQw2yekrS-6/
How have they gone in the past?
Australia’s past two appearances at a Women’s Olympic Football Tournament saw them eliminated in the quarter-finals. Heartbreak in 2016 for the Matildas saw them beaten in penalty shootouts by host nation Brazil, while in Athens 2004 they were beaten by Sweden in the quarter-finals.
Key Dates
Group Stage: Wednesday 21st July, Saturday 24th July, Tuesday 27th July
Quarter Finals: Friday 30th July
Semi Finals: Monday 2nd August
Bronze Medal Match: Thursday 5th August
Gold Medal Match: Friday 6th August
How to follow
We will be providing daily updates at womenshealth.com.au/women-in-sport.
Tune in to our socials, as well as the Matildas social pages, for egular updates and in-camp content over the course of the Games.
You can show your support using the #GoAustralia, #WeAreMatildas or #TokyoTogether.
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