‘We want to control games better’: van Egmond reveals Westfield Matildas focus for England game

Assistant coach Gary van Egmond says improving the way the Westfield Matildas use the ball has been the focus leading into Wednesday morning’s (AEDT) friendly against England in London.

Australia takes on the Lionesses at Craven Cottage looking to bounce back from the weekend’s loss to European heavyweights France.

PREVIEW: Westfield Matildas v England

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Phil Neville’s England is ranked third in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings and are sure to provide another stern test for the Westfield Matildas.

But van Egmond says that’s just how the squad likes it as they build towards next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the team’s ability to control the tempo of the game through possession one of the focuses in the last few days.

“The one thing we want to make sure is we’re well organised and we understand what England are doing and we’ve prepared well to analyse what England do,” van Egmond told https://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/.

“Then it’s about looking to see how we can implement that and how we can control the game with the ball.

“We really didn’t do that against France, they were better in that department.

“We like to see how we can control games better with the ball, so that’s a real task for us against England.”

Van Egmond said the players had recovered well from the game and travel from France to England and is confident the side’s performance will go up another level.

He also hinted coach Alen Stajcic will give some more game time to some of the exciting younger players in the squad.

Teenager goalkeeper Jada Mathyssen-Whyman could make her senior international debut against England, while Princess Ibini, Amy Sayer and Mary Fowler – who impressed off the bench against France – could all get significant game-time.

“For sure and that’s what it’s all about. We’re trying to keep on building our depth and everything we’re doing now is working towards the World Cup,” van Egmond said of the prospect of the youngsters playing against England.

“It’s important for us to keep giving some of these players that haven’t had as many minutes over the last couple of years some runs, and runs against really good teams and France and England are those.”

Kick-off against the Lionesses at Craven Cottage is 5am (AEDT), with the match shown LIVE on Fox Sports and SBS.