The Rio 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament kicks off August 3, two days before the opening ceremonies, with six group stage matches featured in three host cities.

Canada’s Women’s National Team, which features 11 players from Ontario, will face Australia on the tournament opening day (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT) at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil.

“We will have to be at our best in every match to progress through this Olympic tournament,” said Canada’s Head Coach John Herdman. “We’re coming into the Olympics as underdogs and we know we will have to deliver our best performances each day to earn results. Australia will be our first big test, but we are ready.”

Getting points in Canada’s first match against Australia, the reigning Asian champions, is important to ensure Canada is in a good position to earn a spot in the Quarterfinals. Canada will face first-time Olympic participants Zimbabwe on August 6 in São Paulo, before heading to Brasilia to face powerhouse, European Champions Germany August 9 in the final group stage match.

The top two teams in each of the three first-round groups plus the two best third-place finishers advance to the quarter-finals of the Olympic competition.

Canadian fans can expect a physical, close match when Canada faces Australia Wednesday. The two teams have not faced each other in an International A match since 2008, but there is familiarity for Herdman since he coached neighboring New Zealand before coming to Canada in 2011. The two sides also faced each other in a training scrimmage in Cyprus in advance of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.

“The Aussies are a solid team and their recent showing at the Asian Championships, winning the title for a second time, puts them in the running for a medal at this tournament,” said Herdman. “I always admire the Australian physicality and competitive spirit and we will have to be ready to match that when we meet. Honestly, I think it’s something our players are really looking forward to.”

Click here to read more as a preview of Canada's Olympic chances

Canada’s Olympic Women’s Football Tournament Roster

GK – Stephanie Labbé, October 10, 1986 (age 29). From: Edmonton, AB
GK – Sabrina D'Angelo, August 24, 1992 (age 23). From: Welland, ON
D – Kadeisha Buchanan, November 5, 1995 (age 20). From: Brampton, ON
D – Rebecca Quinn, August 11, 1995 (age 20). From: Toronto, ON
D – Shelina Zadorsky, October 24, 1992 (age 23). From: London, ON
D – Josée Bélanger, May 14, 1986 (age 30). From: Coaticook, QC
D – Allysha Chapman, January 25, 1989 (age 27). From: Courtice, ON
D – Rhian Wilkinson, May 12, 1982 (age 34). From: Baie-d'Urfé, QC
D – Ashley Lawrence, June 11, 1995 (age 21). From: Caledon, ON
M – Jessie Fleming, March 11, 1998 (age 18). From: London, ON
M – Diana Matheson, April 6, 1984 (age 32). From: Oakville, ON
M – Sophie Schmidt, June 28, 1988 (age 28). From: Abbotsford, BC
M – Desiree Scott, July 31, 1987 (age 29). From: Winnipeg, MB
F – Janine Beckie, August 20, 1994 (age 21). From: Highlands Ranch, CO
F – Nichelle Prince, February 19, 1995 (age 20). From: Ajax, ON
F – Christine Sinclair, June 12, 1983 (age 33). From: Burnaby, BC
F – Melissa Tancredi, December 27, 1981 (age 34). From: Ancaster, ON
F – Deanne Rose, March 3, 1999 (age 17). From Alliston, ON