The Olympics is a family favourite for many households around Australia but Rio 2016 will be extra special for Matildas’ and Brisbane Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne’s fmaily.

It was dream of Polkinghorne’s from a young age, to represent Australia at the Olympics. While she did not always see herself playing football, as she was a keen hurdler back in the day, she knew one day she would be at one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

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While her first chance at making the Olympics saw the Matildas narrowly missing out to North Korea and Japan for a spot at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and after waiting another fours years to end with heartache for London 2012, Polkinghorne was determined to qualify for the Olympics in Rio.

The Matildas went undefeated through the Asian qualifying tournament held in Japan earlier this year and they even overcoming qualifying favourites Japan. After 12 long years of waiting to see the Olympic arena, the Matildas will again get their chance.

[MORE: Rio 2016 Coverage | Full Olympic Squads]

Since qualifying, team members have each went on their own off-season pathway. While a number of players headed off to the United States for NWSL season, Polkinghorne decided to stay behind in Brisbane to focus on the Olympics. She wanted to ensure she was fit and available for the training camps held in Canberra.

“Obviously a lot has happened between now and then and we’ve grown as a group and we’ve got the opportunity now to build on what we’ve achieved in the last few months,” said Polkinghorne.

Despite only having three training camps with only some player available before travelling to Brazil, the Matildas have a high chance of finishing on the podium because of one key advantage. They have depth in the 18 to 20 squad members coach Alan Stajcic took over to Brazil.

Those training with the squad, “can step in at anytime and do the job,” said Polkinghorne.

“There is real competition for the starting spots.  I think that continues to help us push each other and reach higher levels of play.”

There was only one concern for the team, the heat of the Brazilian winter. It could reach a high of 27 degrees Celsius during the day and after training in the cold Canberra winter conditions. But it was key in the Matilda’s preparation to train over in Brazil before the Olympics to be able to acclimatise to the conditions.

Before they play in their first group stage match against Canada, they first have to face host and world number eight Brazil in a friendly on Sunday.

[MORE: Preview - Brazil v Australia]

“In any tournament they go into they are always up there among the favourites and they have got a couple of key players for them”.

In both men and women’s football, Brazil has been powerhouses in the world game. The country lives and breathes the game. It will be the first time the two sides have met since the 2015 World Cup quarter final.

“It’s really exciting we get to play them in their home country and it should be a good atmosphere.”

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The Matildas kick-off their Olympic campaign against Canada on Wednesday 3 August (4 August in Australia).