Australian women’s soccer to receive World Cup progress report after facing U.S.
The Australian female soccer team will get an early indication of their World Cup prospects after they fight against defending champions the United States in a friendly match in Denver on Thursday.
The Matildas,, under new manager Ante Milicic, defeated New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina to win the inaugural Cup of Nations on their homeland last month but will be eager to see how they compete the top-ranked side in the world.
Australian newbie defender Liz Ralston said that to be engaged in the first camp and kept the tournament of best team in the world is a rather difficult task but their group of players was amazing. She added that every sessions they played with their best efforts to make sure that they make the utmost efforts.
Ranked sixth in the world and having one of the world’s top strikers captain Sam Kerr, the Matildas have a much better opportunity of winning the World Cup than Australian male team, who are ranked forty-second and were eliminated in the group phase at the international showpiece in Russia last year.
The Matildas advanced to the quarter-finals at the 2015 tournament in Canada, marked their best result, and had only grown in confidence since.
However, their preparations for the World Cup from June 7 to July 7 in France were thrown into chaos with the hasty sacking of old-time coach Alen Stajcic in January.
Stajcic was discharged for being considered as a “poor culture” around the team by governing Football Federation Australia, rather than for failing to produce results.
Mr. Milicic, appointed as a caretaker to guide the team through the World Cup, has proved a great replacement and returned calm to a team that was distracted by reports of dressing room dissension.
He is keen to give fringe players such as UCLA goalkeeper Teagan Micah and Sydney FC defender Ralston an opportunity to shine at their camp in Colorado and has made significant changes to his Cup of Nations team.
Last year 16-year-old striker Mary Fowler come back after Stajcic’s international call-up by, while skilled midfielder Katrina Gorry and Washington Spirit attacker Chloe Logarzo returned after injuries.
With more than half the team play for U.S, a large Australia-based squad have had to get used to the chilly in Colorado quickly after travelling from cozy conditions back home.
Following the friendly match against Jill Ellis-coached United States, Australia move to warmer climes in Turkey for a pre-World Cup competition before heading to France where they face Italy, Brazil and Jamaica in Group C.