New Matildas coach Ante Milicic unveils Cup of Nations squad as World Cup comes into view
Three days after being announced as Alen Stajcic’s interim replacement, Ante Milicic named his 23-strong squad for the home Cup of Nations tournament and declared Australia can win the Women’s World Cup.
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Sydney FC captain Teresa Polias and Melbourne Victory defender Teigan Allen are surprise selections in Ante Milicic’s first Matildas squad.
Three days after being announced as Alen Stajcic’s interim replacement, Milicic named his 23-strong squad for the home Cup of Nations tournament starting next week and declared Australia can win the Women’s World Cup in France in June.
Polias, a midfield linchpin in the Sky Blues’ title-winning side, this season took the record for most all-time W-League appearances but hasn’t been involved in the national team since 2015.
Allen was last called up three years ago but is rewarded on the back of strong W-League form that helped Victory to the premiership.
Also in the squad is Brisbane Roar’s Hayley Raso, who returns following her remarkable comeback from a broken back sustained while playing in the United States for Portland Thorns last year.
Kyah Simon and Katrina Gorry are still injured and won’t turn out against New Zealand, Argentina and South Korea.
However Chloe Logarzo has been named, though will require further medical assessment by Matildas medical staff after sustaining soft tissue damage to her ankle during the W-League grand final.
“I am looking forward to all the players and staff arriving in camp and getting to work,” Milicic said.
“We will have four great days of training in Brisbane before traveling to Sydney to play New Zealand in the first match of the tournament.
“It is important that we make the most of the next two weeks that we have together both on and off the pitch.
“With matches and travel in quick succession throughout the Cup of Nations, this tournament will replicate some of the demands that we will experience at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, which will be a good test for everyone involved.”
The former Socceroos right-hand man of Ange Postecoglou, Milicic said he had Stajcic’s blessing to take the team to the 2019 global showpiece – the world No.6 Matildas’ best chance of lifting the trophy.
Milicic said they’d shared text messages and their relationship would be “very professional”.
“I think we both sit very comfortable with it,” he told Fox Sports News.
“(In) this industry as a coach these things happen and you’ve quickly got to move on.”
Unlike Stajcic, the 44-year-old comes to the task without experience in women’s football but he believes that will help give the team a fresh start and added “Of course we can win” the World Cup.
“It’s an advantage because I’m coming in with fresh eyes and no pre-conceived ideas,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with this group. They play good football. We’ve got good players. It’s a very talented squad.
“I’ll treat them with the respect that they’ve earned, that they deserve.”
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