Alen Stajcic says Matildas are ready for Asian Cup bid

The Matildas start their Asian Cup campaign tomorrow morning (AEST) against South Korea and the stakes are high.

Matildas striker Sam Kerr at training in Amman, Jordan. Picture: FFA

The Matildas start their Asian Cup campaign tomorrow morning (AEST) against South Korea and the stakes are high.

No matter how many records the national team has set under coach Alen Stajcic’s impressive tenure, it all comes down to this. “It’s a grand final for us,” Stajcic said.

The much-admired coach is making his second foray into the Asian Cup — it was his first tournament as Matildas boss back in 2014 — having transformed the Australian team’s fortunes and stature.

The Matildas aren’t ignored battlers any more, they are admired professionals.

They’ve arrived at the first of three tournaments earmarked by Stajcic as trophies the Matildas want to win — ahead of next year’s World Cup and the 2020 Olympics.

“This is what we’ve been building for. They’ve set the expectations for themselves. This is one of the tournaments that stuck out for all of us as one of them we want to do well at. And they know what’s coming and what to expect.”

Australia face South Korea, Vietnam and reigning champions Japan in the group stage in Jordan.

Progression as one of the top-two sides in the group would seal a place at next year’s World Cup in France. If not, a third-place finish would pit Stajcic’s side against another third-place finisher in a playoff for the final fifth Asian place.

“We need hit the ground running against South Korea,” he said.

“We haven’t even talked about game two or three. If we can get three points there it will serve us well for the group phase and tournament.”

AAP