The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Opinion

Vidosic boosts Young Matildas after assistant joins Philippines

Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
Roar Guru
4th April, 2022
0

Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney has pulled off a major coup, recruiting Melbourne City championship-winning coach Rado Vidosic as her assistant in the lead-up to the upcoming friendlies against New Zealand in Canberra.

Vidosic replaces the highly regarded Stevan Antonic, who has accepted an offer to work with Alen Stajcic for the Philippines’ national women’s team as they prepare for the Women’s World Cup next year.

Antonic paid tribute to Blayney and the Young Matildas team, whom he also worked with in the Future Matildas program.

“I would like to wish all the staff and players I had the pleasure to work with in the Young Matildas andFuture Matildas all the best moving forward in what is shaping up to be a big year for both programs,” he said.

“I can now confirm that I have accepted the position of performance analyst for the Philippines’ women’s national team.

“[I am] blessed to be given the opportunity and look forward to working with the [Philippines’] staff and players on the road to the World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.”

The decision to bring in Vidosic has been lauded by those within the women’s football set-up.

The 61-year-old has an excellent reputation within the Australian footballing community and has had extensive experience in men’s and women’s football at Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix and of course City, where he has been a technical director and coach for four years.

Advertisement

Vidosic is much loved by the playing group at City, and with Blayney herself being a popular figure among the Young Matildas players, the mood in the camp is said to be buzzing as they prepare for their first game in over two and a half years.

In an example of the spirit that Blayney is building in the squad, Matildas legend Dianne Alagich was sighted on the second day of camp. Alagich, who was capped 86 times by Australia, is widely regarded as one of the best defenders this country has ever produced.

It is all part of the professional set-up that Blayney is trying to provide for a young team who have a crucial four months ahead of them leading into the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August.

The players and coaching staff are in no doubt about the challenges they will face in a tournament they haven’t qualified for since 2006. But with a positive vibe in the camp, things have started on the right foot.

A number of players will also be dreaming of a chance to represent the Matildas next year at a home World Cup. The likes of Bryleeh Henry and Jessika Nash already have senior caps while Charli Rule and Jamilla Rankin have been called into camps previously.

Meanwhile, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Cath Cannuli was pleased to see versatile utility Sheridan Gallagher back in national team colours.

Four years after first being picked for the Young Matildas by then-coach Gary Van Egmond, Gallagher’s return to the green and gold for the upcoming two-game series against NZ’s under-20s came as no surprise to her club coach.

Advertisement

“I’m really proud of her, making her A-League Women debut this year and now having the chance to represent Australia is amazing for her,” Cannuli said.

“She worked really hard in the off-season for her to get to where she has.”

Gallagher played in multiple positions in 2021-22: up forward, in the middle and down back. Her versatility is expected to be a trump card for the Young Matildas.

“When selecting players for teams, you always have the upper hand when you are a versatile player especially in tournaments,” Cannuli said. 

“She will be an important player for the team.”

The Young Matildas will kick off the road to Costa Rica against the Kiwis with games on 6 April and 10 April in Canberra.

close