Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has urged his brigade of emerging stars to use the platform of the Women’s World Cup to become household names.
After landing in Winnipeg on Friday (AEST), the venue for Australia’s first two group games in the Canada-hosted tournament, Stajcic was in a bullish mood for both the prospects of his side and his young stars.
Stajcic echoed the thoughts of Matildas co-captain Lisa De Vanna in singling out young winger Caitlin Foord as a hot prospect.
The 20-year-old was named best young player at the 2011 Women’s World Cup while still at high school.
Stajcic added utility Steph Catley and forward Sam Kerr, both 21, to a list of young players that could take the competition by storm.
“I think if they have a good tournament, they’ll be some of the best players in the world,” he said.
“We have a tremendous amount of talent coming through, we’re still a young team but definitely more experienced than at the last World Cup.”
In Germany four years ago, the Matildas were knocked out in the round of 16 by Sweden, a group stage opponent this time around.
But Stajcic said an extra four years experience under the young squad’s belt – only goalkeeper Melissa Hudson (nee Barbieri) and De Vanna are in their 30s – combined with a rich sense of togetherness has them well-poised.
“All the players sacrificed playing overseas for the last four months just so we could prepare,” he said.
“It just shows what sort of effort and spirit they’ve got.”
They’ll need every ounce of that spirit if they are to get out of their group, which also features powerhouses United States and African champions Nigeria.
It’s a task Foord is solely focussed on rather than any individual acclaim.
“Obviously it’s going to be a tough group but we’re at the world stage so there’s not going to be any easy steps,” she said.
“Playing tough teams makes your team step up.
“We’re not here to compete, we’re here to win so we’ve got to beat these sides to win it.
The Matildas open their tournament against the USA on Tuesday morning (Australian time).
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