Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic says he is keen to play a part in the Matildas’ World Cup dream.
City had a number of key players unavailable in their 2-0 loss to Canberra United last week and Vidosic has resisted the temptation to rush them onto the pitch.
Matildas Steph Catley and Kyah Simon are still out injured, while Tameka Butt and Elise Kellond-Knight are returning from club football abroad.
Kellond-Knight had her first training session this morning after returning from Swedish outfit Hammarby Fotboll.
Many in Australian football have tipped the Matildas as a genuine chance of winning the The 2019 World Cup in France.
And Vidosic also believes the Matildas can do it – and wants to help Australia achieve it.
“We are not in control of who’ll make the World Cup, but we know it’s everyone’s dream,” Vidosic said.
“I’ve been saying for a long time that I think our Matildas will win the first World Cup for Australia. If we can help in any way, shape or form, we’re very keen to do that.
“The (ladder) points doesn’t matter, the most important thing is to look after these girls and if you look at how difficult their seasons are, they play here, go overseas and then come back.
“They have three to four years without any breaks and somewhere down the line, their bodies will need some breaks.
“If we’re the ones to give them breaks, the club is very clear, we’re going to try and do the best we can to give them the best opportunity to rest and challenge for the W-League title.”
Vidosic was assistant coach for Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC’s men’s sides in the past years, but has not coached a women’s squad yet.
He added he never thought he would be coaching a W-League side, but was loving the experience so far.
“I’m doing two jobs, I’m a technical director and coach so it’s full on, but I really enjoy both jobs,” he said.
“There’s been some positives and negatives. Negatives is I can’t get into the dressing room because it’s female only, but the positive is you get to work with players and some of these players are world class.
“They can play and do things that some young boys can’t do, they’re intelligent, smart and technically very sound. Maybe they’re missing more aggression, but they’re not playing against aggressive players, so I’m enjoying working with a W-League team.”
City meet Sydney tomorrow evening at AAMI Park.
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