Football
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Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler headline Matildas' Tokyo Olympics squad

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has shown his faith in two of Australia's most exciting prospects, with teen sensations Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross selected in the 18-strong Olympics squad.

Fowler, the youngest member of the group at 18, and 19-year-old Cooney-Cross are two of the six Olympic debutants named along with goalkeeper Teagan Micah, veteran Aivi Luik and forwards Hayley Raso and Kyah Simon.

The other 12 players in the squad, captained by Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr, previously appeared at the 2016 Olympics.

"It's a team and a roster that is very attacking balanced, but also with a lot of versatility," Gustavsson said.

"There's a lot of players in this roster that can play multiple positions with which is exactly what you need in an Olympic tournament.

"On the pitch you are definitely going to see a brave team that's going to take a step forward. It's going to be an attacking mindset on the field."

Fowler scored her first goal for Australia earlier this month in a 3-2 loss to Denmark, while Cooney-Cross, who had a breakout W-League season with champions Melbourne Victory, debuted in that international game and then started against Sweden.

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Micah, 23, earned selection ahead of Mackenzie Arnold as one of the two goalkeepers, most likely as back-up for No. 1 custodian Lydia Williams.

Micah was the W-League goalkeeper of the year with Melbourne City and had a clean sheet on her international debut in the 0-0 draw with Sweden.

Gustavsson also backed veteran midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight to prove her fitness from the ruptured ACL she suffered in July last year.

Kellond-Knight is one of two players in the squad who haven't featured in a game under Gustavsson, along with hard-running midfielder Chloe Logarzo.

Matildas stalwart Logarzo, 26, missed the April window due to visa complications related to her club move from Bristol City to Kansas City, while a hip issue ruled her out in the June window.

The Matildas will play a final tune-up game against Japan on July 14 before their group G matches against New Zealand, Sweden and the United States.

They will be attempting to better their previous-best result, when they were knocked out on penalties in the quarterfinals in 2016.

FULL MATILDAS SQUAD FOR OLYMPICS

Goalkeepers: Teagan Micah, Lydia Williams
Defenders: Steph Catley, Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Aivi Luik
Midfielders: Elise Kellond-Knight, Chloe Logarzo, Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop, Kyra Cooney-Cross
Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Samantha Kerr (C), Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon

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