Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says the FIFA Series has been a valuable part of Australia’s preparations for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil
Having beaten Malawi 5-0 on Saturday night in Nairobi, the Matildas were scheduled to complete their FIFA Series commitments on Thursday morning (AEST) against Kenya.
“We’re in a situation where we’re trying to stabilise the squad, get continuity and but having a look now at players that could possibly go forward in making the World Cup squad,” said Montemurro, whose team was beaten 1-0 in last month’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup final by Japan.
“For us, the FIFA Series has been really important because we get to play other nations, other styles, other ways of thinking that could help us get information going into a World Cup.
“We need to worry about ourselves. All these scenarios, all this knowledge that we gain in these games is going to be important for us because it’s simulating real situations.”
Melbourne City midfielder Leticia McKenna is among the players Montemurro has exposed to the international stage, scoring on debut in the win over Malawi.
“We have a lot of talent that is in the A-League, and in our stocks that we need to now start giving confidence to and start giving belief to,” he said.
McKenna said it was “incredibly special” to score in her maiden Matildas appearance.
“Everyone just got around me straight away and welcomed me into the Matildas family,” Perth product McKenna said.
