Matildas fire up, then pay tribute to Murray
MATILDAS veteran Lisa De Vanna has revealed how an emotional pre-game speech from coach Alen Stajcic drawing on the late Les Murray’s legacy to football was the inspiration behind their 6-1 demolition of Brazil.
The Australian women’s football team claimed its first trophy in seven years by winning the Tournament of Nations in Carson, California, with Stajcic heralding the team’s performance as the perfect start to their 2019 World Cup preparation.
The Matildas team wore black armbands during the game against Brazil in memory of the beloved broadcaster, who passed away on Monday after a long battle with illness.
De Vanna, who scored a brace against Brazil to become the Matildas’ all-time leading goal scorer, says Matildas coach Stajcic spoke about Murray before the game and the players took his words to heart.
“Staj usually puts different things in team meetings and today it was all about Les,” De Vanna said.
“For obviously Polks [Clare Polkinghorne] and Lydia [Williams] who are senior players, we obviously knew all about his legacy and what this man fought for. Just like we are fighting to be the best team, to be recognised and to lift the game and the women’s game in Australia.
“Les was a pioneer. Staj laid out how he was like us women, fighting to show what we can do. And for Australia.
“A lot of the girls took that advice onto the field and it showed. To go out and score six goals, it was a bit of a dedication to Les.”
After beating world champions the United States for the first time and registering a 4-2 win over Asian rival Japan, the Matildas needed just a draw against Brazil to claim the trophy.
Stajcic was delighted with how they dominated in the final game and believes it stands them in good stead for the 2019 World Cup.
While Stajcic didn’t want to single out any players, he did say that Sam Kerr was as influential in the dressing room as she was on the field.
Kerr scored four goals during the tournament and is now one of the world’s best players .