Emily van Egmond: "It's nice to be back in camp"
CommBank Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond reflected on a positive session as the team arrived in Melbourne, Florida to commence the international window.
“It’s nice to be back in camp, first day today and I think everyone’s just looking forward to the game ahead," she began.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to spend as much time as we need on the training paddock… we’ll be able to get a couple more training sessions in which is valuable for us as we prepare for the Olympics.”
The 30-year-old’s club season with San Diego Wave in the NWSL is only just getting started – but raising the NWSL Challenge Cup and more recently scoring a winner deep in stoppage time will give her confidence as she heads into the international window.
"Vibes are high, we won the Challenge Cup so it was an awesome way to start the season and then to get the win against Seattle the other night was huge,” she recalled.
“On a personal note, I was pleased to get on the scoring board. Hopefully, I can continue to get a few more goals and help the team in any way that I can."
As Paris 2024 approaches, this camp is an opportunity to spend precious time together, and tweak the little things.
“[This camp is about] getting on the same page and utilising the time that we have, the window we have now plus the two games we have back home, we don’t have much time,” van Egmond explained.
“Every single minute counts. If we can nullify some things that we need to improve before this tournament, that’s the main objective, and to put on a good performance against Mexico – as every single game is going to count as well.”
“I love being in a competitive environment and just improving as a footballer.”
With both Katrina Gorry and Clare Hunt out with injury, Emily Gielnik, Sharn Freier and Winonah Heatley were brought into camp. Van Egmond was asked how the team adjusts to new and returning players.
"You never wish injuries upon anyone and we wish them [injured players] all the best and hope that they return as soon as they can, but one door opens and another one closes and it's a good opportunity for people to come in," she answered.
"There's an Olympic Games on the line and everyone wants to be a part of that so it's good competition for all of us."
She echoed the thoughts of her head coach Tony Gustavsson in that full focus is on preparing for the first match of the Olympic Tournament against Germany.
“It’s really important that we do just focus on that first game,” she said. “We treat it the same way we treated the [Republic of] Ireland game at the World Cup. If we can go into that game with great confidence and belief within the team, it can potentially set us up for having a successful group stage.”
MATCH DETAILS | APRIL 2024 FIFA WINDOW
Mexico v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 9 April 2024 (local) / Wed, 10 April 2024 (AUS)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 10.00am (AEST)
Venue: Toyota Field, San Antonio, TX
Broadcast: Paramount ANZ
Tickets: ticketmaster.com