Grant excited to play in home city with the Matildas

The defender was named in Tony Gustavsson’s squad as they begin to step up preparations for this summer’s Olympic games in Paris next month, facing China in a double-header over the next two weeks.

The first game will take place on Friday 31 May (11.10am UK) at a sold-out Adelaide Oval, a stadium where ‘Charli’ attended when she was growing up and the defender could have the opportunity to step out on the pitch for the first time as a Matildas player.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of – to play for the Matildas, but to do this in my home city, at Adelaide Oval, one of the best stadiums in the country, is incredible,” she told Football Australia Media earlier this week.

“This is where it all began for me. This is where I fell in love with the game and this is where my parents worked so hard to get me to where I am today.  So, it will be a really special moment, not only for myself but also for my family and friends who have supported me all the way.”

The Matildas and China will face each just three days later (10.40am UK), with it being the former’s final game before the Olympic games, which begins on Wednesday 26 July.

Charli competed in her first Olympics in 2020, helping her country to the semi-finals of the competition, and the defender spoke about the importance of the upcoming two fixtures in preparation for the tournament.

“Those experiences at those major tournaments will be really important going into the Olympics,” she said. “I really want to be part of this squad and help the team going forward. Those preparations that I’ve had in those previous tournaments will really help me going forward.

“These are our final games to really get down everything we want to prepare ourselves for the Olympics.

“So, we’re really looking forward to coming together again, working on those finger details or what we want to do going into the Olympics, and we can’t wait to get started.”