Confidence Restored Ahead of Qualifying ‘blockbuster’ - Stajcic

Sydney: Australia coach Alen Stajcic has said his side will continue their build up to the 2016 Olympic qualifiers with renewed confidence following their recent victory over fellow Rio hopefuls Korea Republic.

Kyah Simon’s 15th international goal secured the Matildas a 1-0 win in Incheon in a dominant display that saw Australia return to form after a disappointing showing at the three-team Dewellbon Cup invitational tournament in Chongqing, where Stajic’s side lost 1-0 to England and drew 1-1 with China, who are also taking part in the final round of the Olympic qualifiers next year.

“We played a lot better than we did against China and England in our last trip. This performance and the time we’ve had together over here certainly puts us back on track towards the qualifiers in February,” Stajcic said following the win in Incheon, which was the Matildas last international friendly before the qualifiers.

“There is confidence in the group again, there was a real improvement in the levels at training in what were cold and tough conditions, something we’ll have to deal with at the qualifiers, so it was a good experience for us all round.”

The Matildas will need to be fully motivated for their opening game of the qualifiers, which sees Australia renew acquaintances with familiar foes Japan, with Stajcic singling out the February 29 curtain-raiser in Osaka as his side’s ‘blockbuster’.

“I guess there is no better time to play Japan than first up when we’re fresh and they’re fresh,” said the 42-year-old, whose side drew 2-2 with the Nadeshiko in the group stage and lost 1-0 in the final of the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup before Stajcic again finished second best to Norio Sasaki’s side as Japan claimed a second strain single-goal victory to eliminate the Matildas from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

“We’ve played them three times in the last 18 months and those results were a draw and two narrow losses so we know we’re in the ball park to match them, we’ve just got to do it on the day,” Stajcic continued.

“It’s a bit like the World Cup. It’s almost like a Group of Death trying to qualify and we’ve got our blockbuster first up.”

Source: afc