New challenges await for Matildas
THE Matildas will take on the champions of Asia, South America and the world in July at a new four-nation invitational tournament in the US.
The Tournament of Nations, which was announced yesterday, will pit Australia against World Cup holders USA, Japan and Brazil.
“To be invited to play in this tournament is really exciting as we will face off against some of the world’s top teams,” coach Alen Stajcic said.
“The three teams we’ll play against all have good pedigree, experience, and importantly they’re all in good form at the moment so it will be a great hit out for us and an excellent test of where we’re at ahead of next year’s Women’s Asian Cup.”
All matches will be played in cities along the US west coast, with the Matildas facing a first-up blockbuster against the Americans at Century Link Field in Seattle on July 27.
Australia are yet to defeat the US in 26 attempts and lost 3-1 in their last meeting, their opening Women’s World Cup match in 2015.
Stajcic’s side will take on Japan three days later in San Diego, then Brazil in Los Angeles on August 3.
“We have a good rivalry with each of the other countries and they will be fantastic matches for us against highquality opposition,” Stajcic said. “There will be a similar approach as we had at the Algarve Cup earlier this year.
“We’re still in the rebuilding process of this team, it’s still the beginning of the cycle and Algarve was an excellent experience for our new players who came in.”