Matildas to chase testing workouts
AFTER what turned into the best possible day at the office, Matildas boss Alen Stajcic wants to test his team against as many different styles of opponent in the next few months as the countdown to the World Cup intensifies.
Hours after putting five goals past Chile, the Matildas were further buoyed by the Netherlands’ draw with Switzerland overnight, which is likely to mean Australia will be in the top six seeds for the World Cup next June.
Seedings are likely to be based on the December FIFA rankings and Australia’s 5-0 friendly win – coupled with the Netherlands failing to win, though they still qualified for the World Cup – should mean the Matildas are in the top pool of nations and avoid their biggest rivals in the group stage.
Those group opponents will be known on December 8 when the draw takes place, while Football Federation Australia is looking at various options to give the Matildas a testing build-up to the tournament in France.
At times his side struggled against the technically adroit and well drilled Chilean side, and Stajcic believes it is essential to keep setting such challenges for his team in games being pencilled in for February, March and April.
“It's very important to keep developing,” Stajcic said.
“Playing against Chile, most Australian fans maybe didn't think they were a good opposition but I always thought they were – and a different type of opposition to what we're used to.
“Getting experience against different styles of playing is really important.
“We've hardly ever played against African teams, hardly ever played against South American teams except Brazil.
“Getting in tune with what those games look like and feel like is really important because that's what we'll face in our group.”
Many of the Matildas squad will complete the W-League season before heading overseas, most to America where the NWSL is still to clarify its calendar for next season.
Four years ago the US women’s league broke for the group stages of the World Cup but not the later rounds, and Stajcic continues to be wary of the risk of burn-out.
“We do manage the load, but it’s hard, it's ad hoc and not structured with the players at their clubs,” he said.
“We'll give players a rest everywhere we can.
“We have little windows pencilled in for each player but it doesn't always go according to plan.”
Star striker Sam Kerr opened the scoring against Chile, and said her focus is on avoiding mental fatigue.
"We have lots of professionals who take care of us,” she said.
“I know my body. I know what I need, it's more about staying relaxed and not stressing yourself out.”
GETTING EXPERIENCE AGAINST DIFFERENT STYLES OF PLAYING IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WE'VE HARDLY EVER PLAYED ... AGAINST SOUTH AMERICAN TEAMS EXCEPT BRAZIL.
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