Nanjing: Australia have entered something of a golden age in women’s football, with the outstanding on-field exploits of their senior national team (picture above) being matched by heightened fan and media interest.
But while the senior Matildas are one of the strongest teams in Asia, and the world, Australia have not reached the final four of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship since their first appearance over a decade ago.
Head coach Gary van Egmond believes that is about to change.
“We expect to qualify for the World Cup in France next year,” he said.
“We’ve prepared well and we know it’s difficult to qualify in Asia, but the players have worked extremely hard and we are very much looking forward to the competition.”
The 2008 A-League-winning coach is well-placed to judge, given his role as assistant coach of the senior national team, which a number of players – including Ellie Carpenter, Alex Chidiac and Princess Ibini – have already appeared for.
According to her coach, Carpenter, with 12 caps to her name despite being just 17, is set to be a key figure in Nanjing.
“We have a number of exciting players coming through, but one in particular is Ellie Carpenter who is now playing in the senior national team,” van Egmond said.
“What will be good for Ellie is she’s obviously a young player, but here she can show her leadership and use her experience (at senior level) for the other players to learn from.”
The first step on the road to France is bound to be a difficult one, with Australia to meet Korea Republic, who have qualified for the last four FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and have twice been crowned AFC U-19 Women’s champions, but van Egmond believes his team are ready.
“I think all games are very crucial, but particularly this first game – where we want to get off to a good start – will be very important for us,” he acknowledged.
“We know that the opponents are very strong, but we have prepared very well. We had numerous camps back in Australia as well as international competition, so we feel very prepared.”
Korea Republic coach Jong Song-chon is also firmly focused on securing U-20 Women’s World Cup qualification, for what would be a fifth consecutive appearance on the world stage.
"We have qualified for the U-20 Women’s World Cup since 2010 and our players are aware of this,” he explained.
“We are playing to get the ticket to the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup.”
The highly experienced Jong guided Korea Republic to the title in Nanjing four years ago, and he believes his current crop compares favourably will previous incarnations of the team.
“Compared to the teams of the past, this team is well developed technically, tactically and physical and we will do our best in this championship to qualify,” he said.
“Sim Seo-hui played in this championship in 2015 in China, and we also have Kim So-eun who played in 2015 and, of course, also played in the U-20 Women’s World Cup last year. They are the important players in our team.”
The Korea Republic squad at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
Jong said that – while his team would aim for the best possible results – it was his responsibility to develop quality players for the senior national team.
“Many of our players (from previous youth competitions) have gone on to play for the senior national team, so, like them, our players will do their best in the championships and hopefully go on to become national team players,” he said.
Despite both being regular qualifiers for the tournament, Australia and Korea Republic have only met twice in AFC U-19 Women’s Championship play, with the Koreans winning both encounters.
Photos: FIFA / Getty Images, AFC
Source: the-afc.com