Matildas have ticket to the Olympics but big changes will follow as coach leaves and players plan futures
The Matildas are going to Tokyo 2020 but plenty of changes are expected as they prepare for the tournament.
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Their place at the Olympics is secure, but the Matildas face an unprecedented period of upheaval ahead of the Tokyo Games.
Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over Vietnam was underwhelming but completed a 7-1 aggregate total to confirm Australia’s passage to the Olympics.
With the coronavirus already threatening to derail plans for high-class preparation games against the US and Canada, Football Federation Australia officials also have to start the hunt for a successor to coach Ante Milicic, who leaves as soon as the Olympics are over.
Meanwhile some players predict there could be senior retirements among the squad at the same point as Milicic exits, partly dependent on the choice of who replaces him and how the team fares in Tokyo.
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In the short-term the friendlies against the US and Canada next month look in severe doubt as the US introduces widespread travel restrictions and sporting events around the world are suspended.
“There are genuine concerns and of course they're out of our hands, they're up to the professionals to guide us and they've done exceptionally well so far,” Milicic said.
“To be honest, we have started speaking about some other plans but there look to be roadblocks there as well, so we can only do what's possible.”
Milicic’s workload is about to intensify hugely, with more than half the squad still to be signed in his other role as inaugural coach of A-League debutants Macarthur FC.
FFA officials have to plan for life after Milicic, with the new coach needing to be in place ahead of more games against Canada later in the year, while the constrained 18-person limit on the squad for the Olympics may force some players to consider their futures.
“We know Ante's leaving, and what will happen post that is a really interesting question, there's a lot of unknowns,” said veteran midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight.
“When we think and plan things it's in four-year cycles, and this is the last year of the cycle. I anticipate a lot changes – playing personnel, coaching, staff.
“When you look at the numbers and stats, the ages, how long people have been in the programme, it does show the potential for change.
“That does mean we're always progressing, it goes in cycles. The next six-months will be very interesting – who the new coach is, how we perform.
“To do well at the Olympics would make it hard to walk away. It depends on your personal goals and interests, whether you can stay around for the next cycle.”
Milicic’s successor will be the Matildas’ fifth coach in eight years, and at least some of the incumbent’s coaching staff will leave with him after the Olympics.
“There’s a lot of change coming, though we kind of used to it, sad as it is,” said midfielder Chloe Logarzo. “In my time we’ve been through three or four coaches.
“Ante has been the best thing that could have happened to us in this current time and it’s unfortunate we can’t keep him forever.
“But we’re working on processes within our own team to deal with whatever comes our way, to have a set structure on who our team is and how we perform.”
Originally published as Matildas have ticket to the Olympics but big changes will follow as coach leaves and players plan futures