Gustavsson Out as Matildas Coach After Australia Olympic Exit 

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson sits on the bench prior to a women's group B soccer match between Zambia and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nice, France. (AP)
Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson sits on the bench prior to a women's group B soccer match between Zambia and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nice, France. (AP)
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Gustavsson Out as Matildas Coach After Australia Olympic Exit 

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson sits on the bench prior to a women's group B soccer match between Zambia and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nice, France. (AP)
Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson sits on the bench prior to a women's group B soccer match between Zambia and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nice, France. (AP)

Football Australia on Thursday parted ways with Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson, following a disastrous Olympic campaign that saw them fail to reach the quarter-finals.

Gustavsson, 50, leaves after four years in charge.

"We thank him for his strong contribution, passion and commitment during that time and wish him every success for the future," Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said in a statement.

The process to find Gustavsson's replacement would "commence immediately", Johnson added.

A 2-1 Olympic defeat to the United States sealed the Matildas' earliest exit from an Olympic Games since their debut in 2000.

It is a sharp fall from grace for the Australian team which finished fourth in Tokyo three years ago.

Under Gustavsson's stewardship, Australia had also reached the semi-finals of last year's Women's World Cup, which they co-hosted with New Zealand.

Australia lost their opening game in Paris 3-0 to Germany and despite bouncing back with a 6-5 win over Zambia, defeat to the United States sealed their exit.

Their faint hopes of scraping into the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams ended when Canada beat Colombia 1-0.

Defending champions Canada went through instead despite being docked six points for a spying scandal.

Canadian head coach Bev Priestman was sent home and hit with a one-year ban from football after a member of her coaching staff used a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session before their opening match.

"It has been a great honor and privilege to have been able to be the head coach of the Matildas over the past four years," Gustavsson said in a statement.

"Australian football will be forever in my heart, and I will be watching on and cheering on your success in the future."



ROSHN Partners with Aramco to Build Stadium in Khobar with Capacity for 47,000 Spectators

ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)
ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)
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ROSHN Partners with Aramco to Build Stadium in Khobar with Capacity for 47,000 Spectators

ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)
ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)

ROSHN, Saudi Arabia’s leading national real estate developer and a Public Investment Fund company, announced a collaboration with Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, to build Aramco Stadium, a 47,000-seat stadium in Khobar, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region.

In a statement on Wednesday, ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026 and will host both national and international events, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in January of that year.

The facility’s design is influenced by the Arabian Gulf and the shape of the whirlpools, which regularly occur off the coast.

Aramco Stadium will be multifunctional, catering to both entertainment and sports activities. It will boast state-of-the-art amenities, conforming to the highest standards to ensure inclusiveness, safety, and sustainability. The venue itself is set to be a leading national sports and entertainment destination.

Promoting sports is central to the Quality-of-Life Program and Saudi Vision 2030, with initiatives such as the Aramco Stadium set to boost mass participation, improve the country’s performance in international competitions, and grow the sports economy.