The Matildas celebrate following a goal Source: The Matildas
After a year-long break, the Matildas make their return in a much-anticipated clash against Germany.
Due to COVID-19 a European based squad has been named for tonight and the second match against the Netherlands later in the week. Meanwhile some of the Australian based omissions will be playing in the W-League grand final tomorrow.
With less than 100 days until the Tokyo Olympics, the two friendlies are needed to shape the team and get them used to playing together once again and test new systems to the new head coach’s liking.
In the year off, the Matildas have appointed Tony Gustavsson as coach. The matches against Germany and the Netherlands will be a baptism of fire. Taking on the number two team and the reigning Olympic Gold Medalists inside of a week with a number of noticeable absences is less than ideal for anyone coming into the top job.
Captain Sam Kerr will be looking forward to this match, playing some of her best football for Chelsea in the WSL and Champions League in recent weeks, scoring 10 goals in the past six games including two goals in the two legs against German powerhouse Wolfsburg FC.
Gustavsson’s style of play seems to be exactly what the captain craves, with Kerr saying she’s excited with aggressive goal scoring mentality the team is going for.
“It’s all about goals, goals, goals. That’s music to my ears,” she said.
“It seems to me it’s going to be about how we get the ball in the back of the net. I think that’s really exciting and it’s going to take time to get used to as we’ve come from a really big football playing style.”
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Hayley Raso has had a good run of form in the WSL for Everton, scoring a hat trick two weeks ago and will be looking to put the ball in the back of the net.
Germany will be a tough opponent for the Australians, in the back end of 2020 they qualified for the 2022 European Championship, winning all four of their qualification matches and only conceding one goal.
In the friendlies earlier in the year, the Germans took down Belgium 2-0 before going down in a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands.
Squad
Mackenzie Arnold, Laura Brook, Emma Checker, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Beatrice Goad, Dylan Holmes, Alexandra Huynh, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Aivi Luik, Ella Mastrantonio, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Indiah-Paige Riley, Karly Roestbakken, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, Lydia Williams.
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