Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Neve Brissenden

Matildas need taste of winning trophies: Gustavsson

Coach Tony Gustavsson wants the Matildas to get Australia in trophy-winning habit. (Darren Pateman/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

As a single game stands between the Matildas and Cup of Nations victory, coach Tony Gustavsson is determined to get his side into the habit of lifting trophies.

"We need to replicate the mindset we need to have going into the World Cup," he said on Tuesday.

"It's a very important opportunity to gather with the fans in the stadium ... and lift the trophy and feel what it feels like to win."

Australia's Cup of Nations opponents have been hand-picked to emulate the group stage of this year's Women's World Cup, in which the Matildas are set to take on Ireland, Nigeria, and Canada.

After defeating Czechia and Spain, the Australians are heading to Newcastle on Wednesday to take on Jamaica, who are yet to win a game in the friendly competition.

Spain and Czechia meet earlier on Wednesday, with Australia needing at least a draw with the Reggae Girlz to ensure they lift the trophy.

Captain Sam Kerr said her side wouldn't take "their foot of the gas" and Gustavsson wants his side to play with a World Cup mindset, where a third and final group stage win would ensure a less intimidating run in the knockout stages.

"It's definitely not assured, when you're in the last group stage game you need to know what circumstances you're going into," he said.

"This is about making sure we perform at the top level and don't start thinking ahead, (we're) training like in a World Cup."

Newcastle natives Clare Wheeler and Emily Van Egmond will be hoping for a chance to play on home turf but Gustavsson is not giving anything away he chases a seventh straight win.

"Both (Van Egmond) and Wheeler have been good in training," he said.

"But I can't make any promises to anyone who's going to play and I especially don't want to reveal anything to the opponent."

Gustavsson also wouldn't confirm if winger Hayley Raso, who picked up a wrist injury in the win over Spain and defender Alanna Kennedy, who hasn't featured at this tournament, would be fit to play Jamaica.

"I keep it close to my chest because this is the World Cup rehearsal," he said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.