Matildas must aim higher, says van Egmond
SOCCER FRIENDLY
FRIENDLY wins are great, but Matildas star Emily van Egmond says the next big challenge for Australia’s women’s side is to win silverware.
It has been a watershed year for Alen Stajcic’s team, highlighted by its stunning Tournament of Nations success against world powers the USA, Japan and Brazil.
That forms part of a sixgame win streak for the Matildas, which includes Wednesday night’s 3-0 trouncing of China at AAMI Park.
The Asian Cup doubles as World Cup qualifiers, with the top five teams advancing to France, but van Egmond says the star-studded Matildas need to aim higher than simply booking a World Cup ticket.
“If you go and win a tournament like that against powerhouses like Japan, then it sets a mark,” van Egmond said.
“China, South Korea, they’re all coming up through the ranks. So if you can make a statement in that then I think it puts you in a good stead for the World Cup.”
While the recent run has been fulfilling, van Egmond says she and her teammates want more.
“The success we’ve had with the Matildas has been really good and it’s really good that we’re getting all of this attention,” she said.
“But at the same time we still haven’t done anything in a major tournament, it’s only really been friendlies.
“That’s OK, you want to win every game, but we want to win that silverware and I think that’s our next big challenge.”
The rise in prominence of the Matildas also comes at a time when Football Federation Australia is readying a bid to host the 2023 women’s World Cup. And if Australia is named as host, van Egmond said that would be huge for the game and her team.
“Australia loves a big sporting event,” van Egmond said.
“And, you look at the age bracket of our side, a lot of us can still aspire to be at that tournament.
“In the past I think girls were in their prime probably around 26 or 27, but with all the sports science resources coming on board and all the facilities we have access to, you see girls hitting their stride at 28, 29, 30.”