SA playmaker Alex Chidiac reflects on surprise omission from Matildas Women’s World Cup squad
SA playmaker Alex Chidiac was a shock omission from the Matildas’ World Cup squad. But the young gun is looking forward as she watches her teammates’ bid for glory.
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ALEX Chidiac is looking forward without regret as she watches the World Cup she dreamt of making her mark at.
The SA playmaker was a shock omission from the tournament after featuring in every Matildas squad bar one in the 18 months leading up to the showpiece event.
But she was drawing inspiration from her national teammates’ displays, not dwelling on the past, ahead of Australia’s do-or-die meeting with Jamaica on Wednesday morning (SA time).
“Obviously missing out on a spot in the World Cup wasn’t great to hear,” Chidiac, 20, said.
“But everyone knew that competition was high this year as we had plenty of talent to pick from.
“Knowing that has made it easier to cope with being back home.
“Some of us had to be unlucky and I was one of those.
“There’s nothing else I can do but put my head down and use this as motivation to get better
“It was tough watching them lose against Italy (in the opening game).
“But I wouldn’t be surprised to see them rally and make it all the way to the final.”
Chidiac appeared destined for France, having collected the last of her 17 caps in the Matildas’ Cup of Nations win over Argentina in March under new coach Ante Milicic.
But she was overlooked for the friendly loss to the US a month later, despite being involved in each national team outing since November 2017.
A lack of game time with Spanish giant Atletico Madrid was the reason given for Chidiac’s World Cup exclusion.
She remained upbeat after playing 20 matches and scoring three goals on the way to claiming the Prmiera Division title in her debut European season.
“The feedback I’ve been given is that playing time was the biggest issue, which is definitely fair,” said Chidiac, who started just three games for Los Colchoneros.
“I’ll be working hard to earn a more prominent role for my club over the next few seasons.
“I’m already incredibly driven and obviously I want to be apart of all the World Cup squads over the course of my career.
“I feel as though as long as I take my development one step at a time, everything else … will fall into place.”
The former Adelaide United and Melbourne City talent ignored offers to remain in the W-League last season in favour of challenging herself overseas.
She battled for a place in the star-studded Atletico side, which edged out superpower Barcelona in the Spanish top flight and featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Chidiac’s progress was rewarded when she signed a new two-year contract last month.
“I went from a fully supported environment (at home) to one where I had to start from scratch,” the Football Federation SA National Training Centre product said.
“Thinking about it now, I honestly don’t know how I did it but I’ve come out of it a more confident person.
“Playing and training day-in-day-out with quality players and learning a style of play which I love was a great experience.
“I also enjoyed the Spanish culture and lifestyle. It took a little getting used to, but I love it.
“It’s a great feeling a club like Atletico want to invest in me for the next two seasons and I’m excited I’ll get to continue playing Spanish football and living in Madrid.
“We expect to compete for domestic and European glory and anything less than being right at the top end for both will be a failure.”
Chidiac, who had returned to Adelaide during the off-season, was already training four times weekly with her strength and conditioning coach as she targeted a starting berth at Atletico.
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