W-League grand final a world-class occasion, says Matildas coach Alen Stajcic

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has hailed tomorrow’s W-League grand final as a world class and “genuine 50-50” match.

One of Sydney FC’s Matlidas, Chloe Logarzo, shoots against the Jets in last week’s semi-final. Picture: Getty Images

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has hailed tomorrow’s W-League grand final, chock-full of inter­national players, as a world class and “genuine 50-50” match.

Champions Melbourne City head north to play Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium in a test of pedigree against momentum.

The Sky Blues have the ­momentum, without a defeat since their opening three games of the season, but with the past two championship trophies in the cabinet, City boast the pedigree.

Between the two sides, nine Matildas will be in action.

With Stajcic’s squad heading to Portugal later this month for the Algarve Cup, and the Asian Cup, which doubles up as a World Cup less than two months away, the Matildas boss said tomorrow’s match would be a crucial test for his internationals.

“If you can produce in these circumstances, there’s no reason why you couldn’t reproduce it at international level. The match has a lot of meaning for us,” Stajcic said.

Five of his 25-woman squad — Steph Catley, Larissa Crummer, Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams — will be wearing City’s colours. Sydney have four Matildas in action; Caitlin Cooper, Lisa De Vanna, Chloe Logarzo and Georgia Yeoman-Dale and another in the stands.

Caitlin Foord will miss the match, and up to six months more, after a nasty foot injury suffered in Sydney FC’s semi-final.

Stajcic believes it’s a match-up worthy of the ­occasion.

“Their earlier round match was probably the best W-League match I’ve seen this year,” he said.

“Sydney won 3-2 after being down a goal twice. A great match, and it turned Sydney’s season around as they were 0-3.”

Stajcic says Sydney must ­contain City’s Jess Fishlock.

“Fishlock has probably had a quieter season than her last but she’s still produced the most key moments in the league,” he said.

“She’s won games in the last minute, scored last week to put the game to bed. But the issue with Melbourne City is they’ve got so many players that can win them a game. So if they’re playing well, they’ll probably win.”

Stajcic sees striker De Vanna as Sydney’s game-changer.

“She’s a key. But I thought Chloe Logarzo was excellent last week ... they’ve certainly got enough depth and talent across the field to make it a real game and I see it as a genuine 50-50.”

AAP