Women’s World Cup 2019: Matildas tune up for Reggae Girlz clash

The Matildas are determined to refine their rough edges in time for their final World Cup group clash against Jamaica.

Matildas’ defender Clare Polkinghorne is battling a hamstring injury. Picture: AFP.

Triumphant at last, the Matildas will work on refining their rough edges in time for their final Women’s World Cup group clash against unpredictable minnows Jamaica.

For all the relief of pent-up tension, there are still areas requiring attention in Grenoble on Wednesday before tougher adversaries await in the knockout phase.

“Unfortunately, a couple of transition moments and defending in wide areas and crossing we let ourselves down a little,” coach Ante Milicic said.

“But we scored just before halftime and I could sense in the dressing room that the girls felt momentum was on our side.”

Jamaica are ranked 53rd in the world and have just qualified for their first World Cup courtesy of team-saving investment from Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella.

The “Reggae Girlz’’ lost 3-0 to Brazil in their opening match and were due to face Italy yesterday, a game the Australian camp were certain to watch intently.

“We watched them in the analysis when they played Brazil,” Milicic said.

“We know it’s going to be a different style and a lot will depend on the result they get with Italy.

“As always we will go through our analysis, work through opposition strengths and weakness, and come up with a game plan that suits out playing style.”

Whether that means changing a winning team will largely depend how the Brazil starting XI pulled up and whether he opts to rest tired legs for the latter stages.

Clare Polkinghorne was sidelined with hamstring tightness while Mary Fowler’s own hamstring issue kept her out for a second game running, while Elise Kellond-Knight will surely be sore after her first full game in months.

“With the injured players, we will assess it day to day as we always do — we have full confidence in the medical staff,” Milicic said.

“We will work together as the football department to make sure we really tick off the duty of care and put them in a position that they’re available at the right time.

“It’s still early to talk about changes in personnel, but we have a day up our sleeves so let’s see how that goes closer to the game.”