Canberra: Australia women's national team head coach Alen Stajcic has today agreed to a new four-year contract as the preparations for the Rio Games step up with the announcement of a 20-player squad for the farewell series against New Zealand.
Stajcic was initially appointed to the job on an interim basis in April 2014 and the new agreement will see him in charge for the AFC Women’s Cup 2018, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 and the 2020 Games in Japan.
The squad announced today includes eight of the Matildas’ overseas-based stars who return for the upcoming internationals against New Zealand.
Steph Catley, Elise Kellond-Knight, Kyah Simon, Emily van Egmond and Lydia Williams are a just some of the big names that will fly back from their overseas clubs to be available for the Matildas’ official farewell matches in Ballarat (4 June) and Melbourne (7 June) ahead of the Rio Games.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO David Gallop said he was delighted to reward Stajcic with a long-term contract.
“Alen has done a remarkable job in achieving results with the Matildas, but his work on the team culture and player development has been equally significant,” said Gallop.
“My satisfaction comes from seeing a coach who honed his skills in Australia and shows a huge personal and professional commitment to the game leading our nation against the world’s best.
“He’s grown into a true leader who represents the ambition and dedication required to make Australia a top football nation.”
Speaking in Sydney today, Stajcic said it was a momentous week for him personally and the Matildas.
“I’m really honoured about the trust placed in me to continue with the Matildas,” said Stajcic. “We have come so far over the past two years, but there’s no limit to what this group of players can achieve.
"I’m very happy on a personal level, but I think it’s also important for the programme to have this certainty. The timing helps our focus on Rio.”
Teams competing in the Rio women’s football tournament can only name squads of 18 players (which includes two goalkeepers) giving Stajcic some tough selection decisions to make over the next month.
“This squad (for the matches against New Zealand) will obviously contain a lot of the players that will head to Rio but it’s certainly not 100 per cent finalised yet,” said Stajcic.
“There’s still a chance for players to put their hand up and again we’re trying to increase the depth of the team so we can be as competitive as we can internally and on the international stage as well.”
Sydney FC defender Teigen Allen is the only player named in the squad who was not part of the Matildas’ successful AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers in Japan back in March, the 22-year-old's last appearance for the Matildas coming back in 2014.
“Teigen has certainly improved over the last 12 months so she’s starting to get back to the standard she was at a few years ago which is pleasing, so this is a chance for her and now it’s up to her to take it with both hands,” said Stajcic.
One key player missing is Samantha Kerr, the dynamic forward still on the comeback from injury that kept her out of the qualifiers.
“Sam Kerr had a minor bit of surgery two weeks ago and hopefully she’ll be returning to playing in the next few weeks,” said Stajcic.
“Time is getting tight for her, but if everything goes well she’ll definitely be in contention for one of the spots.”
Stajcic knows the camp, which will be based in Ballarat from 30 May until 6 June and will include the two matches against the Football Ferns, will be invaluable to the team’s Rio preparations.
“This is actually the only time we’ll be together as a full squad prior to arriving in Brazil so I’m really happy to have the whole squad together and it makes this camp even more precious and the two matches against a quality opponent even more important,” said Stajcic.
“Being the only two matches we play before we head over to Brazil, these two hit outs against New Zealand are extremely important. We’re very fortunate that we’ve got a world class opponent on our door step and we’re thankful they are coming over for the two matches.”
The players will begin arriving in Ballarat on Monday 30 May ahead of the first match against New Zealand at Morshead Park Stadium on Saturday 4 June 2016 before heading to Melbourne on 5 June for the double header with the Socceroos at Etihad Stadium.
The Matildas are scheduled to depart for Brazil on 5 July ahead of their opening match of the Rio Games against Canada on 3 August 2016.
Photo: FIFA/Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com