The Matildas Are Going For Gold At Rio 2016, Ending 12-Year Olympic Games Drought

What a way to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Australia’s Matildas have qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games following a 2-1 win over North Korea in Osaka, Japan.

Though the Matildas' Michelle Heyman scored the first goal in the 18th minute, the score was tied late in the second half by North Korea. A second and final goal by Katrina Gorry at minute 83 secured Australia's victory.

North Korea had ended the Matildas’ Olympic campaigns twice before. Having finally trumped their old rivals, the Matildas are now bound for their first Olympic Games in 12 years, ABC News reports.

The ‘tildas win marked their fourth consecutive victory in as many matches during their qualifying round. They will next travel to Rio with China, their fellow Asian qualifiers (but not before playing them on Wednesday).

Following the triumph over North Korea, the Matildas’ bullish coach Alen Stajcic doubled down on his team’s talents, announcing that they were heading to Rio with their eyes squarely on Gold. (I mean, which athlete headed to Rio wouldn’t?)

"I said before we left that whoever qualifies through Asia is a medal chance,” he said.

"This group is capable of doing anything."

In 2015, the Matildas reached the quarter finals of the Women’s World Cup for the third consecutive time, earning recognition as Australia’s best international soccer team.

In September of ’15, the team went on strike over low pay; the kind that required many players to take second jobs as a means of making ends meet.

Here’s hoping their campaign at the 2016 Olympic Games will garner them the recognition, respect and remuneration they deserve.

Photo: 7mate.