Polias excited for big day

Not only will Westfield Matildas midfielder Teresa Polias make her first appearance in a major tournament when she runs out against Jordan, but it also happens to coincide with her 24th birthday.

Not only will Westfield Matildas midfielder Teresa Polias make her first appearance in a major tournament when she runs out against Jordan, but it also happens to coincide with her 24th birthday.

The pint sized midfielder affectionately known as ‘T- will form part of the Matildas- midfield brigade for their second game of the AFC Women-s Asian Cup against Jordan tonight in Ho Chi Minh.

One of the many changes set to be injected into the starting line up by Interim Head Coach Alen Stajcic, Polias will be hoping her birthday is a double celebration by helping Australia to three points and a subsequent step closer to World Cup qualification.

“It should be exciting and hopefully I can top my birthday off with a win,” Polias told Fox Sports commentator Brenton Speed, who is in Ho Chi Minh calling of the action of the Matildas- progress throughout the tournament for Fox Sports.

Polias has had to bide her time to feature in a big international tournament. Her Matildas debut came in August 2007 in an 8-1 victory over Hong Kong together with a host of other current Matildas. Since then, her only other appearance came in an Olympic qualifier against New Zealand, that encounter seen as an opportunity to develop some of the young up and coming talent.

But after continuing to feature prominently for Sydney FC in the Westfield W-League, which yielded two Sydney FC Player of the Year Awards and a W-League championships, plus having proved her worth in the two pre tournament Matildas camps, her chance has finally arrived.

Heading into a crucial clash with Jordan, the Sydney born primary school teacher could be excused for having a touch of nerves, however something that is sure to ease any butterflies is that she will have two of her Sydney FC team mates, Leena Khamis and Nicola Bolger, alongside her in midfield.

“It-s nice to hit off my first game in a major tournament with a few familiar faces around me,” Polias said.

As a vastly different Westfield Matildas squad personnel wise takes the field against Jordan, Polias is hopeful they can take on where the team left off in an encouraging first up display against World Champions Japan.

“It was a positive start to our tournament so hopefully we can come out and produce a performance much the same.”

You can bet there will be a number of excited Year 3-4 school kids back in Sydney watching tonight.

To hear what else Polias had to say, click on the video link above. The Matildas- match against Jordan will be LIVE & exclusive on Fox Sports 1.