Melbourne’s iconic live site Fed Square is introducing new safety measures to keep fans safe during the Olympics.
One year on from the Matildas’ incredible World Cup run, fans can return to Fed Square to watch Australia go for gold in Paris.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Fed Square to introduce safety measures for Olympics.
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Demand for the Matildas is expected to be so high that spectators will need to reserve a ticket just to see them on the big screen with a strict cap of 10,000 available for each match.
The Matildas’ three matches all begin at 3am local time, but that’s not expected to keep fans away.
Fed Square officials learned the hard way last year with dangerous and chaotic scenes unfolding during Matildas matches.
Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation director and chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said they are trying to avoid anti-social behaviour, including the lighting of flares and crowd crushes.
Fed Square will have secure fencing, one gate only and security will conduct bag searches.
“It will be a secure site and we’ll be working closely obviously our security teams and with Vic Police,” Sedgwick said.
Tickets will be free to book and come on a first in, first served basis.
The extra measures will only apply for Matildas games.
Other Olympic and Paralympic events will be turn up and watch.
Gold medallist Mack Horton, who intends to watch the swimming at Fed Square, said the Aussie athletes thrive on the support.
“I think you can feel the energy from back home. I think every little bit builds the energy within yourself but also right through the team and it sorta spreads like wildfire,” he said.
“I think (the swimming) it’s going to be about 4am … so it’d be rude not to.”
Matildas primed for a medal
Hardened by past Olympic experiences, the Matildas are more ready than ever to seize their chance at claiming an elusive medal in Paris, says defender Ellie Carpenter.
At just 24, vice-captain Carpenter is attending her third Games, with an eye on improving on the fourth-placed finish in Tokyo.
Australia play Germany on July 25, Zambia on July 28 then the USA on July 31 in a brutal group stage.
“For most (of us) it’s our third Olympics, second Olympics, so we know what it’s about,” Carpenter said.
“It’s a tough schedule. It’s every two days you’re backing up against top-10 teams in the world, quality. Every game is a final – we have to be ready for it.
“It’s so hard, the Olympic schedule. You know the best is going to win it, the fittest.
“But for me, we know how to enter the games. We know how to perform, how we need to perform to get that medal, and I’m really excited.”
Three years ago, Carpenter received a straight red card late in Australia’s 1-0 semi-final loss to Sweden in Tokyo.
She was suspended for the bronze medal match against the USA, which Australia lost 4-3.
Carpenter was also in the team that lost the Women’s World Cup third-place play-off to Sweden.
“The Olympics just stings that little bit more – I think coming fourth at the Olympics is honestly the worst place you could come,” she said.
“For myself, I hope not to repeat that (red card). I hope to play in a medal match. They’re the games you want to play in, the games you want to help your team win.
“The big matches, the pressure moments, we’ve experienced them now at the World Cup, the previous Olympics.
“We need to rise above it. We need to mentally come in strong and believe that we can win.
“I know this team has so much belief. Since I came into this team, since I was 15, that never-say-die attitude, that belief, it’s instilled in this team.
“Everyone is on the same page, and we need everyone to be on the same page to achieve our goal, to achieve our dream.
“Everyone knows what is at stake, and we don’t want to let this opportunity slip.”
Carpenter dismissed the suggestion a medal was the “pass mark” in Paris and said the Matildas, ranked 10th out of the 12 teams, had no expectations.
The squad is made up of 18 players, plus four “alternates”.
There have been reports the four alternate players could be swapped in for an injured player during the tournament, then out again when they recover.
Carpenter was yet to receive clarity on the situation, but backed alternate players Lydia Williams, Charli Grant, Courtney Nevin and Sharn Freier to be ready if needed.
Australia has a warm-up game against Canada in Marbella on Sunday.
– With AAP