Paris Olympic Games Moreton Bay coverage - July 26
The Matildas, with three players from Moreton Bay, face an uphill battle to qualify for the later stages of the Olympics after losing 3-0 to Germany in their opening Pool B match this morning.
Germany, world ranked four, dominated and could have won by much more. They led 1-0 at half time and two second half goals in four minutes sealed the win with Australia, ranked 12, rarely threatening.
Coach Tony Gustavsson told his team, immediately after the final whistle, they need to be faster in all departments at this level.
Cortnee Vine, who played for Deception Bay, Redcliffe PCYC and Peninsula Power, was in the Matildas’ starting line-up.
Teagan Micah, who played for Power and went to Redcliffe State High School, was among the substitutes with Sharn Freier.
Redcliffe-born Freier, who started at Pine Rivers and Moreton Bay United (now Moreton City Excelsior), made her Olympic debut on the hour.
The 23-year-old was a travelling reserve, outside the official Olympic squad, but was drafted in as a late replacement for the injured Tamika Yallop.
Replacing Vine, Freier had one surging run into the German penalty area, but could not turn the tide in Marseille.
Australia now need a convincing victory over Zambia on Monday to set-up their final Pool B match against USA, world ranked 5, on Thursday (3am).
Indiah-Paige Riley was in the New Zealand White Ferns starting line-up for their opening Pool A clash against Canada this morning.
The White Ferns, ranked 28 in the world, took an early lead, but eighth-ranked Canada took control and equalised on the stroke of half-time before hitting a 79th-minute winner.
Riley, who started playing at The Lakes (now North Lakes United) and Moreton Bay United (now Moreton City Excelsior), played the full 90 minutes.
The White Ferns face Columbia on Monday at 1am and then France on Thursday at 5am.