Matildas excited to test themselves against world's best, says Williams

Matildas shot-stopper Lydia Williams says the upcoming games against Germany and the Netherlands are the perfect opportunity for Australia to gauge where they are at against two of the world’s best.

Lydia Williams

Matildas shot-stopper Lydia Williams Source: Football Australia

The Matildas have come together in the Netherlands under new coach Tony Gustavsson to prepare for their first matches in more than twelve months.

 Australia will go head to head with world number two side Germany in Wiesbaden this Sunday before taking on reigning European Champions and World Cup finalists The Netherlands three days later in Nijmegen.

The games are the Matildas first major steps in their preparation for the Tokyo Olympic’s after not being able to come together as a team since the Olympic qualifiers in March 2020.

However, veteran goalkeeper Williams, who is expected to collect her 89th and 90th Matildas caps in these upcoming matches, believes jumping in the deep end and taking on top teams is the best thing Australia can do after the enforced hiatus.
“Obviously, It’s going to be a really tough game; the European nations are some of the best nations in the world in women’s football, she said.

“That is where we are at; we want a test, we want to see where we are at compared to these sides.

“We haven’t had the benefits or luxury to get together for Euro qualifying or anything like that, so for us, it’s a good test to go out and have a good hit out.”

Sunday’s game will be the first time Australia and Germany have met since a 2-2 draw at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

It was a match which the Matildas controlled for most of the contest before conceding late.
Williams says the team is determined to collect a better result but are focused on delivering a complete performance.

“Obviously, last time we played them, we drew, so this time we’re going out there for a win,” she said.

“The most important thing for us is to play the style of football that we want to and be proud of our performance.”


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2 min read
Published 8 April 2021 12:28pm
By Nick Houghton


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