Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: Coach Alen Stajcic is hoping a successful AFC Women’s Asian Cup defence can lay the foundations for Australia to build on their quarter-final finish at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next year.
After victory in the 2010 Asian Cup in Chengdu handed the Matildas a berth at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, Australia performed impressively and received much acclaim for their style of play and character before a 2-1 defeat to fifth-ranked side Sweden in the last eight.
And with the next edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup doubling as the qualifiers for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, Stajcic is looking for his young side to start their preparations in Ho Chi Minh City with Australia beginning their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign in a mouth-watering tie against 2011 World Cup winners Japan at Thong Nhat Stadium in Group A on Wednesday.
“Positive and proactive football is what you’ll see from us against Japan. We’ve got a good young team and we’ll be aiming to take them to the World Cup next year,” said coach Stajcic who replaced Hesterine de Reus in April.
“We also intend to hold on to this trophy. We’ve had it in Australia for the last four years and we’ll be seeking to hold onto it for another four.”
The 40-year-old’s first test of his side’s credentials comes in their opening fixture of the tournament with a veritable clash of the titans as they face Norio Sasaki’s World Cup winners.
“Japan are one of the best in the world, if not the best, so it’s an extremely big challenge so early in the tournament. It would be hard and, indeed, naieve to pick out one key player for them as they have world class players all over the field,” said Stajcic.
“I was pleased to see them win the World Cup in such positive style and I hope every team follows their example. I hope we can match their technical style tomorrow night.”
For his counterpart in the dugout, coach Sasaki, the tournament in Vietnam has, in its own way, proved even more challenging than the global title as Japan have yet to be crowned Asian champions despite coming close in numerous competitions.
The Nadeshiko have finished runner-up on four occasions, while they have also reached the semi-finals an additional eight times with five third place finishes to their names.
“The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is more even difficult than the World Cup because we’ve never won it. We’re here to win it and hopefully we can go back to Japan with the title,” said coach Sasaki.
“All the teams have developed in this tournament over the last four years but I believe my young players have a lot of potential and we can win this tournament.
“Speaking of tomorrow’s opponents, I feel Australian football is similar to Western sides we have played in the past. They are very physical and play at a very high level, so we really need to stay focused.”