MATILDAS READY TO TURN UP HEAT
Scorching synthetic pitch adds to challenge against Japan
MATILDAS coach Alen Stajcic has likened the expected 50C synthetic pitch temperature at the Commonwealth Stadium to a slow wicket on the fifth day of a Test cricket match at the SCG.
Although Stajcic is confident the burning feet dilemma to which striker Michelle Heyman was exposed won’t hamper Australia’s ability to beat Japan in the FIFA women’s World Cup quarter-final, he said the Adidas match ball would move a lot slower.
“Obviously the ground dries out pretty quickly after they water it,’’ he said.
“It (the ball) certainly grips a lot more.
“Probably like a fifth day Test match at the SCG.
“It has a bit of a spin on it, but you just get used to it, for us it’s not a factor.”
Heyman has said Canada’s synthetic pitches felt like walking on “hot coals” especially when artificial turf became overheated.
And players’ boots could be close to melting point given Edmonton’s forecast 30C air temperature at the 2pm kick-off is expected to scorch the synthetic pitch.
“We played on synthetic pitches back home where it’s 35C or 36C and your boots can peel off,’’ Stajcic said yesterday.
“You know your studs can fall off and we’ve all been through those kinds of things so our players have played in worse conditions than this.
“So mentally they’ll be able to cope with it all.”
But with Japan’s ageing side having more than two days less recovery time to prepare for the quarter-final after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in Vancouver, the Matildas, who have an average age of just over 24, should have the upper hand.
Japan’s average age is nearly 28 with the 23-person squad amassing 1838 caps.
Australia’s entire squad has been capped 908 times which is more than 50 per cent less experience in terms of internationals.
“It’s all in their (Japan’s) favour and you can’t buy that experience,’’ Stajcic said.
“They’re also starting to get a touch older. They’re going to have to regenerate at some point but at the moment they’re a very good team, a very good age to play football, and we’ll see how they back up.”
But despite having a battle with the pitch overheating and the ball potentially slowing down Stajcic said Australia would play their usual high-pressing game.
“We respect Japan – they are a great team – but we’re not going to over-respect them,” he said.
“Every team that has played them so far has dropped off and let them play and probably made them look even better than what they are.”