The memory of a painful defeat at the Tokyo Olympics still lingers for some Socceroos players as they prepare to face Egypt in the World Cup last 32 in Dallas. Midfielder Connor Metcalfe, one of three current squad members who played in that 2-0 loss in 2021, described it as a dream-ending moment.
Olympic Heartbreak Fuels Motivation
“They ruined our dream,” Metcalfe said, recalling the match where a draw would have seen Australia progress from the group stage. The defeat ended Australia’s medal hopes at the Tokyo Games. Along with Metcalfe, defenders Harry Souttar and Cammy Devlin also featured that night.
At senior level, Australia and Egypt have rarely met, with Egypt winning 3-0 in Cairo in 2010. For Metcalfe, the Olympic experience adds extra motivation. “I guess you could say it’s a bit of revenge,” he said.
Salah Fitness Dominates Pre-Match Talk
Much of the speculation before the match has centered on Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, who came off against Iran with more than half an hour to play and was icing his left hamstring. However, the Socceroos have not yet focused their plans on Salah or any other Egypt player, including Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, who plays for Barcelona B.
“At the moment, we haven’t really discussed Egypt that much,” Metcalfe said. “We just try to refresh the body, refresh the mind, and then tomorrow onwards we’ll start to really get ready for it.”
Australia’s Knockout Stage Drought
The Socceroos have never won a World Cup knockout match. In 2006, Italy scored a late penalty to win 1-0, and in 2022, Argentina held on for a 2-1 victory. Defender Lucas Herrington said the team is ready for the challenge.
“[Salah and Marmoush] are the two names that most people remember, but I think we’ve just got to be ready for everyone,” Herrington said. “They’re a top team and we’re all looking forward to the occasion and it’s another chance to make history.”
Metcalfe’s Personal Revival
Metcalfe has been instrumental for Australia during this World Cup after a season where he struggled for minutes in the Bundesliga with St Pauli. He described the recent weeks as a “release” after a frustrating period.
“Just being able to let it out on the pitch and enjoy the moment and not really being nervous and just get on with it … I think it’s really helped me to be honest because there’s a lot of inner anger from the season,” Metcalfe said.
Preparations and Family Time
The seven-day break between the final group stage match and the last 32 fixture has allowed players more time with family in the San Francisco Bay Area before they ramp up preparations. The squad is due to fly to Dallas on Wednesday.
“It’s nice to know that we get to stay here longer,” Metcalfe said. “We also know that it could end very quickly, but we’re just trying to enjoy every day together.”
