Driven by the heartbreak of missing Olympics selection and her most challenging year in football yet, Matildas defender Charli Grant is ready to make up for lost time.
The dashing fullback had been a mainstay of previous Matildas squads – but was left out of Australia’s 18-player squad for last year’s Paris Games.
Though she travelled as a reserve player, Grant did not take the field.
‘It was heartbreaking to not be put in that squad,’ the Tottenham star said.
‘But in saying that, I still feel very grateful to have been part of that whole squad together, to be travelling with the team and to be part of that experience.
‘But it was really hard to be so close but so far away from that team, especially after feeling like I had cemented a spot maybe the year prior.’
Driven by the heartbreak of missing Olympics selection and her most challenging year in football to date, Matildas defender Charli Grant is ready to make up for lost time
The fullback had been a mainstay of previous Matildas teams – but was left out of Australia’s 18-player squad for last year’s Paris Games
With Ellie Carpenter missing the two upcoming internationals against Argentina in Melbourne and Canberra for personal reasons, Grant (right) is eyeing off a starting spot
Grant, 23, is stuck behind two of Australia’s greatest fullbacks, Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter, but has consistently deputised with aplomb.
Carpenter is missing upcoming internationals against Argentina for personal reasons, while Catley — who is also spending more time at centre-back — is likely to have limited involvement in the clash at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on May 30.
A second match will be played at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on June 2.
Grant is ready to step up, especially with Joe Montemurro expected to be announced as Australia’s next coach after the international window.
‘It’s definitely a good opportunity for us to cement a spot in our position and show that we want to be part of that team with the new coach,’ she said.
And nine months out from the Asian Cup on home soil, Grant is not lacking motivation.
‘When you do miss out on things, it just gives you that fire and that drive to prove them wrong, and to show that you are capable, and that you do deserve that opportunity,’ she said.
‘In a way, you’ve just got to turn it into a positive and just use it as energy to make yourself better.
‘All the tournaments I’ve been a part of, I’ve fallen short in the goals I’ve set for myself in the game time that I wanted.
‘This Asian Cup I’ll definitely be working towards, trying to just be part of the squad.
‘But to break into that starting line-up, that is a goal of mine.’
