Williams welcomes confident approach as Westfield Matildas make final preparations

Dominic Unwin 1554283115,1554283115

Westfield Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams says head coach Ante Milicic wants the team to play without inhibition as they prepare for Friday’s (AEDT) friendly with the United States.

Speaking to matildas.com.au from the team’s training camp in Colorado, Williams said Milicic had encouraged the players to take risks and be confident as they prepare for a big few months.

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“He’s just really confident in the way that we play and how we can play and he wants to build that,” Williams said.

“No matter what team we come up against he wants to always impart the style and belief that we have in each other...every time we come into camp we’re really positive, he wants us to take risks and be confident in how we can play so that’s always exciting.”

Williams, a veteran of three FIFA Women’s World Cups, said the side was well prepared for their match-up against the nation placed atop the FIFA World Rankings.

Lydia Williams was in fine form for Melbourne City this season.

“I think we’re pretty prepared,” she said.

“We’re just putting in the final groundwork of team meetings and tomorrow’s session is an important one but we’ve known each other for so long as a group and the work that Ante and the staff have put in is just fantastic every time we come into camp so we’re just building on that.

Lydia Williams
Lydia Williams is loving life under Ante Milicic.

“I think we’re building on our success at the Cup of Nations and how we really enjoyed playing there so this is definitely another good test for us.

“I think we performed really well, it’s just building on that momentum leading into our next phase as well."

Upcoming Match | Westfield Matildas

United States of America vs. Westfield Matildas (international friendly)
Date: Friday, 5 April 2019 (AEDT)
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Kick-off: 12.30pm Friday, 5 April 2019 (AEDT); 7.30pm Thursday, 4 April (local);Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS 503 and SBS Television