Matildas prepared for Cup rivals
FOOTBALL: The mammoth challenge awaiting the Matildas as they gun for Australia’s first football World Cup win will become clearer tomorrow.
Australia will be plucked out of the hat in Paris tomorrow morning (AEDT), discovering their group stage opponents at the Women’s World Cup next year in France.
As a seed, the Matildas will avoid world champions United States, the hosts, as well as powerhouses Germany, England and Canada.
But there are plenty of other challengers like European champions Netherlands, Scandinavian giants Norway and Sweden, plus Brazil able to take it up to Alen Stajcic’s side.
“It’s exciting but I actually genuinely don’t care who we get in our group,” Stajcic said.
“I know all the teams there, we’ve played against virtually all of them.
“They are all at a high level now, so it’s more just anticipation of seeing who we have to prepare against.”
The top two sides in each of the six groups, as well as four third-placed finishers, make it through to the last 16 in France, replicating the complicated format used at the 2016 European Championship.
Australia will finalise a base camp, travel and their match schedule leading up to the tournament in the days after the draw.
Chief among Stajcic’s concerns will be ensuring his 23strong squad can enter June’s 24-nation tournament in cherry ripe condition.
The Matildas have already locked in one of several international friendly matches planned in the lead-up to France.
They will play the US on April 4 in Colorado.