Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: Continental glory may now be beyond them, but Australia remain just 90 minutes away from a return to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after over a decade in the wilderness.
Not since 2006 have the Young Matildas appeared on the world stage, but a win against host nation China PR in Saturday’s playoff for third will book their ticket to France 2018.
Both teams are recovering from heavy semi-final defeats, but Australian head coach Gary van Egmond believes the prize on offer will have the sides ready to fire.
“I think China are a very good team,” he said. “They’re well prepared, and a very dangerous team with some fast players.”
“I think it’ll be a close match. I don’t think it’ll be like the scores from the semi-finals. We’re pretty evenly matched in a lot of ways, so we’re really looking forward to the challenge and the contest.
“Both teams know what’s on the line – the possibility of a World Cup berth, and both teams won't leave anything in doubt.”
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