Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has reflected on her 'crazy' rise through the ranks of the national side as preparation ramps up for the Matildas' Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan.
Having made her debut for Australia in 2012, Arnold struggled for a decade to nail down her starting spot.
In June 2022, she was given the chance to impress against Spain during preparation for the 2022 Women's European Championships, thrown in to start after injury to Teagan Micah.
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The Matildas were humiliated 7-0, in a match they were expected to win.
Before that, Arnold hadn't played since the year before in a 3-2 loss against the Republic of Ireland when she was substituted at half-time.
Despite two consecutive disappointments, the goalkeeper found her way back into the side in February for the 2023 Cup of Nations, where she was named player of the tournament.
She then became the toast of the nation during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, saving three efforts from France in the quarter-final to progress the Matildas towards the final four.
Reflecting on her phenomenal year, Arnold described it as unbelievable.
"I think it's so crazy to think that it was only 12 months ago I was playing in the Cup of Nations trying to take my chance and I didn't really know what was really going to follow from that," she said.
"To think this is where I am 12 months later and see where we are and what we've achieved as a team and to be apart of that is something I'm so grateful for and something I'll hold close to my heart.
"To think about the last 12 months is definitely a massive whirlwind but something I'm so grateful for."
Here is everything you need to know about the Matildas' upcoming Olympic qualifiers.
What does the Matildas' Olympic qualifiers match schedule look like?
Game one: Uzbekistan vs Australia, 8pm AEDT, Saturday 24 February at Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Game two: Australia vs Uzbekistan, 8pm AEDT, Wednesday 28 February at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
How to watch the Matildas' Olympic qualifiers?
Both matches will be broadcast on Channel 10 across the country and available to stream on 10 Play and Paramount+.
Who is in the Matildas' final squad?
Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United FC), Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal WFC), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal WFC), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal WFC), Mary Fowler (Manchester City WFC), Katrina Gorry (West Ham United FC), Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Sophie Harding (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United FC), Clare Hunt (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City WFC), Chloe Logarzo (Western United FC), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Teagan Micah (Liverpool WFC), Clare Polkinghorne (Kristianstads DFF), Hayley Raso (Real Madrid Femenino), Amy Sayer (Kristianstads DFF), Kaitlyn Torpey (San Diego Wave FC), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave FC), Clare Wheeler (Everton WFC), Jada Whyman (Sydney FC), Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar FC).
Sophie Harding, Michael Heyman, Jada Whyman, Chloe Logarzo and Kaitlyn Torpey join the squad with Sam Kerr, Lydia Williams and Charlize Rule were ruled out with injury.
Courtney Nevin and Alex Chidiac were omitted from the squad, and Cortnee withdrew for personal reasons.
Is Sam Kerr playing in the Matildas' Olympic qualifiers?
Superstar striker Sam Kerr is a noticeable absence from the Matildas' final squad after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in January during a mid-season camp in Morocco with her Women's Super League team Chelsea.
How do I purchase tickets for the Matildas' Olympic qualifiers?
Ticketmaster is the official ticket provider for the Matildas' home game in Melbourne.
However, all available tickets were snapped up within hours of going on sale last year — the team's 12th straight home sellout.
How did the Matildas and Uzbekistan get here?
Several months ago, the Matildas defeated Iran, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei in round two of qualifying to top group A and progress through.
While having finished second to Japan in Group C, Uzbekistan advanced as the best-ranked runner-up of the three total groups.
Uzbekistan knocked off Jordan, East Timor, Bhutan, India and Vietnam en route to the third round, but suffered a 2-0 loss to Japan in the second stage.
How do the Matildas qualify for the Olympic Games?
The Matildas take on world No.47 Uzbekistan in a two-legged tie as part of the third and final round of the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The team that wins the series will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics as one of two nations representing the Asian Football Confederation in the 12-team women's field.
What happened when the teams last met?
The first qualifying match in Tashkent will be the second meeting between the two teams, with their last encounter taking place in 2007 during qualification for Beijing 2008.
On that occasion, Australia ran out comfortable 10-0 winners after racing to a five-goal lead in just 25 minutes.
What is the Matildas' next match?
The Matildas have locked in an international friendly with Mexico on Wednesday, April 10 (AEDT).
The match will be played at Toyota Field in San Antonio, USA.
Ideally, the Matildas will have qualified for Paris 2024 and this match will prove an opportunity to test the squad and continue team progression.
What are the odds for Uzbekistan vs Australia?
Australia is the overwhelming favourite, paying $1.005 while Uzbekistan is rated as the clear $46 outsider, per SportsBet at the time of publishing.
The scoring market is paying $1.13 for the match to be decided by over 2.5 goals and $5.40 for under 2.5.
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