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The Matildas, under new boss Ante Milicic, made
short work of New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina to win the
inaugural Cup of Nations on home soil last month but will be
keen to see how they stack up against the top-ranked side in the
world.
"It’s a fairly daunting task to be involved in your first camp
and be playing the number one ranked team in the world but we’re
playing with a fabulous group of players," rookie defender Liz
Ralston said.
"There’s a really big emphasis on every drill, every session,
making sure you make the most of it."
Ranked sixth in the world and boasting one of the world's top
strikers in captain Sam Kerr, the Matildas have a much better
chance of winning the World Cup than Australian men's team, who
are ranked 42nd and were eliminated in the group phase at the
global showpiece in Russia last year.
The Matildas reached the quarter-finals at the 2015 tournament
in Canada, their best result, and have only grown in confidence
since.
However, their preparations for the June 7-July 7 World Cup in
France were thrown into chaos with the abrupt sacking of
long-serving coach Alen Stajcic in January.
Stajcic was dismissed for what the governing Football Federation
Australia said was a "poor culture" around the team, rather than
for failing to produce results.
Milicic, appointed as a caretaker to steer the team through the
World Cup, has proved a popular replacement and returned calm to
a squad that was distracted by reports of dressing room
disharmony.
Milicic is keen to give fringe players a chance to shine at
their camp in Colorado and has made five changes to his Cup of
Nations squad, including the uncapped duo of UCLA goalkeeper
Teagan Micah and Sydney FC defender Ralston.
Experienced midfielder Katrina Gorry and Washington Spirit
attacker Chloe Logarzo return after injuries, with 16-year-old
striker Mary Fowler lured back after snubbing an international
call-up by Stajcic last year.
While more than half the squad play for U.S. teams, a large
Australia-based contingent have had to get used to the freezing
cold in Colorado quickly after traveling from balmy conditions
back home.
"(It's) something we're not used to, we’re not used to the chill
and it’s a different climate and a different atmosphere here but
it’s been nice," said Melbourne-based forward Emily Gielnik.
Following the friendly against Jill Ellis-coached United States,
Australia switch to warmer climes in Turkey for a pre-World Cup
camp before heading to France where they meet Italy, Brazil and
Jamaica in Group C.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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