Sydney: Emily van Egmond admits the Matildas are ‘on a roll’ and pointed to Australia’s Tournament of Nations win over USA as a catalyst for the side’s rich vein of form.
The Matildas cruised to a comprehensive 3-0 win over China PR on Wednesday at AAMI Park in the first match of a two-game friendly series.
Australia have now won six consecutive matches and will look to make that seven when they face the same opposition in Geelong on Sunday.
The Matildas have knocked off Brazil and Japan in that streak but the win over USA in July, Australia’s first ever against the World Champions, has clearly had the biggest impact.
“I think off the back of the Tournament of Nations, overcoming a powerhouse like America was a huge step in the right direction for us,” van Egmond (pictured below, right) said after the win over China..
“Ever since then that tournament, something’s clicked for us.
“But in saying that, tonight we showed a good performance but I think we can go up another gear.
“Obviously we’ll be looking to that in Geelong. China are obviously a very structured team and a team we’re going to have to get used to playing as we head to our World Cup Qualifiers in Jordan next year.”
The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018 Jordan in April will serve as the Qualifiers with the top five teams qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 France. The draw will be held on December 9.
Defender Steph Catley was forced off through injury at half time and was replaced by versatile midfielder Chloe Logarzo, with Caitlin Foord reverting to full-back.
Catley is likely to miss the second fixture in Geelong but van Egmond suggested the squad’s depth and versatility have played a huge role in the team's recent success.
“It was one thing that Staj (Head Coach Alen Stajcic) touched on when he first came in as a coach, he said he wanted to create more depth and he has," van Egmond said.
“It makes for a better training environment. So every single time you come into the national team set-up, no one’s safe and that’s what you want.
“At the end of the day you want a highly competitive environment and we have that.
“I think that’s also partly why we’re having success at the moment.”
Sources: Football Federation Australia, AFP
Source: the-afc.com