Captain's Blog | Clare Polkinghorne: We are ready

Since our quarterfinal exit from the World Cup in July 2015 our attention has been on this upcoming tournament, the Olympic qualifiers. It has been 12 years since the Matildas played a game at the Olympics and our goal as a squad is to break that drought.

The preparation for the qualifiers has been unique in that we have had the added challenge of preparing during a w-league season. However, since the completion of the w-league we have had 3-4 solid weeks training together every day.

"We have progressed well as a group in all facets of the game and we are physically, mentally and tactically in great shape."

With the exception of Larissa, who unfortunately picked up an injury in our final warm-up match, and Sam, who was unable to overcome an injury sustained in w-league, we are at full strength.

We have great depth within the squad with so much exciting young talent, who are growing in stature and experience. The depth within our squad will be important when we get deep into the tournament. Each and every player will have a role to play and we will need 100% from each player at any given moment.

It is a tough assignment for any team to play 5 games in 10 days at the highest level possible.

In saying that each team has to do it so it's a fair playing field. The two teams that qualify will be the teams that are able to back up game after game, being mentally and physically prepared for each game.

It will be important for us to not bring the emotion of previous games in to the next game. Win, lose or draw, we need to approach each game in the same way because each point and each goal could be crucial.

My hope as captain is that we are able to play each game to the level that we expect of ourselves and to play to our full potential. If we play to our absolute potential in each of the five games, the results will take care of themselves.

"We are playing for the past players, to make them proud to be a Matilda."

To qualify for the Olympics would be a dream come true for each of our players. However, we are not just playing for ourselves. We are playing for our family, our friends and our country.

We are playing for every Matilda who has worn the jersey before us. We are qualifying for all of those Matildas who dreamed of going to the Olympics but never got the opportunity.

It has been 12 very long years since a Matildas team competed at the Games and this is far too long. The Olympics is a prestigious sporting event that grabs the attention of the world and we want to be there.

Matildas at Athens 2004 Olympics (Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

During our preparation we have had the pleasure of meeting and listening to a number of Olympians – Natalie Cook, Brendan Joyce (Opals coach), Abby Bishop and Lydia Lassila.

We have heard their stories, their journeys and their experiences. We have heard what their Olympic experience has meant to them. Each of these people emphasised the importance of one thing throughout their journeys: belief.

The belief within our squad continues to grow. We are ready.