Big win to seal it for Matildas

THE Matildas can’t get sucked into chasing goals in their Tournament of Nations finale against Japan, goalkeeper Lydia Williams says.

The Australians were set to meet Japan in Chicago this morning (from 7.45am AEST) knowing a victory could deliver them consecutive titles in the four-nation tournament.

Goal difference could prove decisive — the Matildas are equal with the United States, who play Brazil today, with all three nations a chance of claiming the trophy.

Australia and the US both have four points and a plustwo goal differential, with Brazil on three points and a minus-one goal difference.

Japan (zero points, minusthree goal difference) is out of the running to win the tournament.

But keeper Williams said the Matildas would be focused purely on a win, not a winning margin, against the Japanese.

“It will be maintaining our performance and getting a good result, maybe not necessarily the scoreline,” Williams said.

“The better we do play, we can build on scoring goals. But I think it’s about being focused.”

The Matildas could also exact some revenge for their 1-0 loss to Japan in the Asian Cup final last April, a result Williams said was in the back of the minds of the Australians.

“It still burns a little bit that we didn’t get the Asian Cup,” she said.

“This is a chance to get that revenge a little bit.”

The Australians downed Brazil 3-1 in their tournament opener before conceding a last-minute goal in a 1-1 draw with the US.