Australia have been handed a tough assignment in the Women’s World Cup after being drawn in the ‘group of death’ for the tournament starting next June.
The Matildas were drawn in Group D alongside Olympic champions and world No.1 USA, fifth-ranked Sweden and African champions Nigeria.
Matildas coach Alen Stajcic described the draw as “very tough”, saying he couldn’t wait to start preparing for the huge task ahead.
“Obviously a very tough draw. And we come up against the world number one team in the first game,” he said.
“It definitely gives us a sharp focus now heading into the World Cup and the players know now it’s no holds barred playing possibly the toughest teams in each pot.
“We’ve really got to prepare well and I can’t wait for January to get stuck into preparations and show the world what we can do.”
Stajcic said the opportunity to get out of the daunting group was real.
“All four teams are of a similar quality. It definitely gives us a sharp focus now heading into the World Cup and the players know now it’s no holds barred playing possibly the toughest teams in each pot,” he said.
“We think we’re an improving team and this is the chance to test ourselves.”
The Americans are also looking forward to opening their campaign against Australia on 8 June, if forward Sydney Leroux’s tweet is anything to go by.
“Bring it on,” Leroux tweeted.
American coach Jill Ellis agreed it was the toughest group of the six, but a path her side would embrace.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to play good teams to win it, and at some point you’re going to match up with quality opponents. We’ll be ready,” she said.
The Matildas’ first two matches will be played in Winnipeg, before playing the Swedes in Edmonton.
Group D will provide an intriguing fixture when the USA take on Sweden on 12 June in Winnipeg.
The Swedish team finished third in 2011 and are coached by Pia Sundhage, who oversaw a five-year period of American success that included two Olympic titles, though they were defeated in the final of the last World Cup by Japan.
The reigning champions were drawn in Group C with Cameroon, Ecuador and Switzerland. They will once again be among the favourites to reach the final, which will take place on 5 July in Vancouver.
The build-up to the draw had been marred by some controversy over the six venues for the finals, which are all equipped with artificial turf. It has led to a legal challenge from around 50 players. Fifa, however, has stood firm on the issue, with Valcke suggesting that artificial turf may be used in future men’s World Cup tournaments. On Friday, he described the furore as a “nonsense” but had agreed to discuss the issue with representatives of the nations who have raised concerns.
This is the first time the World Cup will contain 24 teams and two sides will qualify automatically from each group, with the four best third-placed finishers advancing to the last 16.
The hosts, Canada, will open the tournament at the Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium on 6 June against China.
The draw
Group A Canada, New Zealand, China, Netherlands
Group B Germany, Ivory Coast, Thailand, Norway
Group C Japan, Cameroon, Ecuador, Switzerland
Group D USA, Nigeria, Australia, Sweden
Group E Brazil, Costa Rica, Korea Republic, Spain
Group F France, Mexico, Colombia, England
