In the lead-up to the final Cup of Nations fixture against Jamaica, Caitlin Foord spoke about the confidence of the CommBank Matildas and the positive vibe in camp after defeating Spain on Sunday evening.
“The vibe around the group is really good at the moment,” she said.
“We’ve started off 2023 really well, with two wins from two. It’s obviously going to be a big year for us, so we want to keep that momentum going and building on that confidence.”
The victory against Spain was crucial, not just because they are a top-ranked side but also because it provided a measure of revenge for the 7-0 defeat in June last year.
“Spain is a powerhouse at the moment, dominating in domestic leagues but also internationally as well. I think we were all up for the challenge and excited for a good game,” she explained.
“There was a bit of bitterness from the last game, getting pumped 7-0. We didn’t want that to happen again – not here on home soil.
“It was another point to prove for us to go up against them, and we got a good result.”
While the whole team emerged from the result with credit, Mackenzie Arnold put in a particularly eye-catching performance in goals. It was particularly impressive – and a sign of the team’s growth – that the same player that conceded six goals in one half last year kept the team in the game this time around.
Caitlin Foord couldn’t have been prouder of her close friend.
“I’m super proud of Macca,” she said.
“For her to come out there and have two incredible games – against Spain she kept us in it, and before that kept a clean sheet against Czechia. I think it’s awesome for her.
“I’ve seen her doing it at club week in week out and to carry it over into the national team - it’s important to build confidence and I think these games are going to help her do that. I’m just loving seeing her fit right in and be confident and calm, and put that feeling onto us on the pitch as well.”
It’s the kind of confidence that builds success throughout the team.
“The confidence feeds off each other, and that’s what we’re doing at the moment,” she said.
Sunday night’s game was significant for more reasons than the result. For the first time in history, an Australian national team wore rainbow numbers to celebrate pride and inclusivity in partnership with Sydney World Pride.
Foord emphasised the importance of that moment to the team.
“It hits different to wear the pride numbers here for the national team, and to wear that on our green and gold jerseys,” she said.
“It’s exciting, a proud moment for all of us. To top it off with a win against Spain – it was just an awesome game all round. Couldn’t really fault it in any way.”
The CommBank Matildas play the final match of the Cup of Nations against Jamaica tonight. Foord shared her thoughts on their opposition.
“It’s going to be a tough game. Jamaica are obviously very quick - we’ve seen they can punish us, they’ve scored against us [in their game at the 2019 World Cup] - so we definitely can’t take that game lightly,” she said.
“It’s going to be a good game.”
If the team can secure a result, it will mean lifting the Cup of Nations trophy. In a tournament mooted as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the World Cup, it is something that will fill the group with even more determination to repeat the feat in six months.
“That’s what we all play for, we want to win things,” she explained.
“To have something to play for is always exciting. We have a special group and a really talented group, and we deserve to win trophies.
“We’ll leave it out there tomorrow and hopefully enjoy that moment at the end.”
CommBank Matildas v Jamaica
Date: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSW
Kick-Off: 7.10 pm kick-off AEDT
Broadcast: 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy tickets!