Matildas coach ready for Dutch challenge

Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus has spoken of the challenge in facing her homeland ahead of Australia’s international against the Netherlands.

Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus has spoken of the challenge in facing her homeland ahead of Australia-s international against the Netherlands.

The Dutch national and former coach of the Netherlands U-19 national team said it was fantastic to be back in Holland but that it was also a strange feeling to be touring there, as part of the Matildas 10-day European tour.

It will not only be a familiar environment for de Reus when the Matildas play the first match of their tour, as she use to coach many of the players her new side will be up against.

“They (Netherlands) are on top of their preparation and maybe the match will also be a bit special for them playing against their former coach,” she said.

Despite her insight into the style of play expected from the Netherlands, de Reus was adamant the Matildas would be concentrating on their own style and game plan. She expected her side-s positional play to be very important in dictating the outcome of the match.

This was identified as an area that was lacking in the performance against the Football Ferns last week. While the Matildas were ultimately triumphant in a penalty shoot-out, de Reus said improvement would be needed if they were to be successful against the fourteenth ranked nation in the world.

“We will need to show more control in midfield and the girls were not as confident playing out from the back,” she said when speaking about last week-s 1-all draw with New Zealand.

The Matildas coach identified this match as a good test in being able to adapt to a European style of football and an important step for the squad ahead of upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup campaigns.

The Matildas will also play France next week as part of their European tour.