The CommBank Matildas will kick off their Cup of Nations campaign against 28th-ranked Czechia at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford.
Head Coach Tony Gustavsson was available to the media during a Pre-Match Press Conference alongside Spain and Czechia's head coaches at Mrs Macquarie's Chair in Sydney.
The upcoming six-match tournament provides the perfect opportunity for the side to to fine-tune their preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup against three quality opponents, using this as a dress rehearsal.
"Everything we do now is like a World Cup rehearsal," Gustavsson said.
"It doesn't mean the focus is only on winning in that sense, but we need to train the tournament format.
"Every opening game in a tournament is important because it kind of sets the tone for the tournament."
Our opening match of the Cup of Nations will see us take on No. 28 Czechia, facing the side for the third time in an 'A' international. Gustavsson notes the opening game will be similar to Australia's first game at the FIFA Women's World Cup against the Republic of Ireland.
"We handle this game against Czechia in the same way as if it was (the Republic of) Ireland"
"This is a challenge and that means I need to plan a little bit differently than I normally do going into a tournament like this," he said.
"We want to perform as good as we can but we want to have continuity and a consistent line-up, but also we need to be mindful of the minutes for players."
Upon announcing the squad for the upcoming tournament in early February, Gustavsson stressed the importance of rotation across the three matches.
“But now a lot of players are coming with very limited minutes which is a challenge. I have about seven players in this roster with zero competition minutes in the three months since the last camp.
2023 CUP OF NATIONS – MATCH SCHEDULE
Match Day One
Date: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Match One: Spain v Jamaica – 4.10 pm kick-off AEDT. Broadcast on Paramount+
Match Two: CommBank Matildas v Czechia – 7.10 pm kick-off AEDT. Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy tickets!
Match Day Two
Date: Sunday, 19 February 2023
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Match One: Jamaica v Czechia – 2.50 pm AEDT. Broadcast on Paramount+
Match Two: CommBank Matildas v Spain – 6.00 pm AEDT. Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy tickets!
Match Day Three
Date: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSW
Match One: Czechia v Spain – 2.30 pm kick-off AEDT. Broadcast on Paramount+
Match Two: CommBank Matildas v Jamaica – 7.10 pm kick-off AEDT. Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy tickets!