The Matildas are looking to follow the Socceroos’ blueprint when they play in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, and two friendlies against Colombia will be a key stepping stone.
On Thursday the Matildas announced they will play the first of two games against the South American giants on November 28 at Canberra Stadium.
The date and venue of the second clash are yet to be determined.
The matches will be an invaluable warm-up ahead of next year’s World Cup, which kicks off in Brazil on June 24, with the final on July 25.
And the Matildas, who finished fourth at the 2023 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, are keen to set up the team for long-term success.
With current players including Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Emily van Egmond and Mackenzie Arnold entering the latter stages of their careers, there are concerns about the Matildas missing such a wealth of talent and experience once they retire.
Heather Garriock, Football Australia’s executive director of football, said the friendlies against Colombia would make sure younger players are prioritised.
“We sat down with (coach) Joe (Montemurro) some 12 months ago when he started in the Matildas position, and we asked him what his ideal preparation was in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup,” Garriock said on Thursday.
“It was very evident that different styles of play were important to him, but also trying to blood some of the next generation as well.
“We’ve seen that (younger players getting an opportunity) at the recent World Cup in the US with (Socceroos coach) Tony Popovic as well.
“Joe’s style is very creative, very structured and process-driven.”
The Socceroos’ next generation shone at this year’s World Cup in North America, with Nestory Irankunda, Alessandro Circati and Lucas Herrington subsequently earning contracts with major European teams.
The success of the Socceroos’ young squad members came after Popovic integrated rising talent into the side in the lead-up to the tournament.
The Matildas are hoping to follow that blueprint, and 21-year-old goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln says getting game time in friendlies against top nations will help her confidence heading into Brazil.
“Playing them (Colombia) at the She Believes Cup, we got a sense of their style, and it’s an amazing opportunity to (play) that opposition,” Lincoln said.
“Now that the A-League is kicking off again, there’s more opportunity for the local players and some of the younger girls playing in that competition to really put … their names forward.
“Especially in these friendly matches, every match really counts, building cohesiveness as a group and working on how we want to perform over in the World Cup.”
AAP
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