Impetus hears from Australia‘s Emily Van Egmond from the Matildas’ Melbourne training camp as the build-up starts to the game against Sweden on Saturday, whilst Kieran Chea‘s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery captures the best action from Monday’s training (7/11/22).
Above: Emily van Egmond speaks to the media earlier today. Image: Football Australia.
Emily van Egmond joined teammates Alex Chidiac, Chloe Logarzo, Larissa Crummer, Cortnee Vine, and Jada Whyman in the first batch of arrivals to the Matildas camp in Melbourne.
As the group began small-scale training ahead of the arrival of the overseas-based squad members later this week, van Egmond spoke to the media about her return to the national squad after injury.
“It’s great to be back in Australia. I’ve recovered from the quad injury and played in some of the playoffs for San Diego (in the NWSL). We’ve had a long season, a tough one. I’ve felt it a bit, but I’m happy to be back with the Matildas and can’t wait to see the rest of the girls when they come in.”
With Van Egmond battling to claim a spot in a fourth Australian World Cup squad, the former West Ham United star reflected on the draw by saying: “We’ve got Ireland, Canada, and Nigeria, so we’ve played them before. They all pose different challenges for us, but we’ll take it one game in a row and focus on ourselves to get out of the group.
Looking ahead to the challenge posed by Sweden, regular opponents over the past three years, van Egmond observed: “They are a physical team and have some of the world’s best players. It will be a challenge. It’s the first time they’ve travelled here (for a while). To get as many home games as possible, and get the Australian public behind us is so important.”
Australia’s midfield is strong with both Katrina Gorry and Alex Chidiac putting together a persuasive argument to be part of the World Cup squad in the last international window. Van Egmond sees the large potential cohort of players in this position as a motivating factor for herself: “Every team you are a part of you want healthy competition. It drives you to be the best you can be. Consistency is what I’m looking for.”
KIERAN CHEA’S EXCLUSIVE PHOTO GALLERY FROM MELBOURNE FOR IMPETUS:
impetusfootball.org 