Matildas to treasure chance to play at home but are wary of any complacency ahead of World Cup

BACK on Australian soil and buoyed by the prospect of playing in front of more big crowds, it’s no wonder the Matildas want to “treasure” a rare chance to play in front of their adoring fans.

BACK on Australian soil and buoyed by the prospect of playing in front of more big crowds, it’s no wonder the Matildas want to “treasure” a rare chance to play in front of home crowds.

But no one will get lulled into a false sense of security, individually or as a team, ahead of their clashes with Chile in Penrith on Saturday and Newcastle on Tuesday – not with the World Cup looming some eight months away.

With some 16,000 tickets sold for the game in Penrith – more than at this stage last year when Australia hosted Brazil – there is the prospect of another full house.

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Facing South American opposition will give Alen Stajcic’s side another marker for their World Cup preparations, as well as the chance to celebrate the achievement of stalwart Elise Kellond-Knight after she won her 100th cap last month against England.

But Kellond-Knight is wary of the Matildas being talked of as favourites in the World Cup, well aware of the strength of opposition they will face.

“Favourites is a very strong word,” she said. “For me the favourites are the top two in the world, the US and Germany.

Clare Polkinghorne tries to win the ball from Elise Kellond-Knight.

Elise Kellond-Knight shares a laugh with her teammates at Matildas training.

“I would consider them favourites, and after that it probably stretches out in to the top eight – all are reasonable contenders.

“At the end of the day it's a tournament, which is why it's so exciting - anything can happen.”

Kellond-Knight will savour the chance to play at home, after playing so much of her career overseas.

“I've played 100 games for my country, but I could count on my hand the number at home,” she said.

“It's a rare occasion, something you have to treasure.”

At the other end of the experience scale is Ellie Carpenter, at 18 young enough to have won the NAB Young Player of the Year Award last season. She is already aware of the pressures placed on the Australian players as many of them rotate around leagues across the globe – as well as play international football.

Emily van Egmond laughs as she watches Sam Kerr at Matildas training.

Lydia Williams shows off her reach at Matildas training.

“Now that half our team play in both the NWSL in America, and in the W-League, it's football for 12 months of the year,” she said.

“It's taxing on our bodies and we have to manage ourselves - that's the hard part.”

But the primary motivation remains the World Cup, and making sure – even for those regular fixtures in the squad – that their form and fitness demands selection for the tournament in France.

“Nothing is certain - we have a whole W-League to play that will prove if people are in form and can stay fit,” Kellond Knight said.

“Nothing is granted, you have to perform and Staj will take the best players to the tournament.”