By Kieran Yap 2/9/24
Above: The Young Matildas in training. Photo: Ann Odong. Football Australia.
Following the opening game against Colombia, the Young Matildas have focussed on recovery and quick improvement by the time they face Mexico. Avaani Prakash and Zara Kruger both made their FIFA tournament debut’s in the 2-0 loss and spoke to the media about the experience.
“It was amazing,” said Prakash of playing infront of the nearly 40,000 partisan crowd in Colombia.
“The experience, I can’t even put into words.
“When we were going for warmups it was so loud. I thought they were all cheering for us, but I didn’t realise the Colombians were right next to us walking out to warm up as well.”
Australia might consider themselves unlucky. Despite coming up against the tournament hosts, they mostly defended diligently and had an equaliser cancelled out controversially by VAR.
Prakash was brought on as a second half substitute and although awed by the crowd, she was able to focus on the task at hand.
“’Get on the ball, we need to win this game’” she said on her intent and thought process.
“That was all that I was thinking when I was going in, the moment I touched the ball I knew what to do.”
Although they were able to create some chances, Australia did not enjoy the usual amount of possession that they had during qualifying. It is something that they want to improve in the next match against Mexico.
“We just had to get on the ball. I don’t think we were good enough to break their defence down, but looking to next game that’s one thing we’re going to work on.
“We want the three points, we want to make it out of the group stage and we want to do well in this tournament.”
Brisbane Roar midfielder Zara Kruger echoed those sentiments, which points to a united team as they search for a vital win on Wednesday morning.
“We’ve moved on from that game and we’re into recobvery and working towards what we need to improve on,” said Kruger .
“I think we just need to work as a team and be clinical in the front third and we’ll be able to put goals away.”
Both players said that the pace was quicker than at other levels, particularly the ball speed, but it is something they can adjust to.
“It was tough at times,” said Kruger
“But I think going into the next game we need to work on a few things and being on the ball a lot more will help a lot.”
Like the 2022 Young Matildas, the current side had to face a loud home crowd in the opening game. Colombia were backed by a sold out stadium and to beging with it was an adjustment for the players more accustomed to a few thousand in the A-League Women.
“Going into warm up, my ears were ringing a little bit,” said Kruger.
“It was so amazing to hear the crowd so loud and I’ve never played in front of a crowd that loud so it was such an experience.
“Everyone had to use their voices s bit louder. Awareness was a big thing.”
For both players, their debut’s were the result of a whirlwind couple of years, Prakash burst onto the A-League scene with Western United and received a late call up after an injury to star forward Emilia Murray.
“It’s been a big 12 months,” recalled Prakash.
“Theres been ups and downs, but its been good.
“When I got to Western I think that was a great experience seeing what it was to be in a professional environment.
“I love western, the coaches, the staff, and most importantly my team. They really helped me grow as person on and off the pitch.”
For Kruger, the opening game was the result of a long and gruelling qualifying campaign. Although the result was not what they wanted, she was able to share the unique experience with some of her closest friends.
“We’ve been working towards this as a group for the past two years and to all go out there and play a part was a special experience.”
The Young Matildas will face a Mexico team that has recently drawn with the United States and beaten Japan. But Australia are confident they can get the job done.
“They’re a very good side and its going tro be a hard game,” said Prakash
“We just need to keep the ball a bit more and create more attacking opportunities going forward.”
Australia play Mexico at 8am AEST. Viewable on 10Play.
impetusfootball.org 