Speaking alongside Ash Sykes and host David Weiner on the Optus Sport produced podcast, The Gegenpod, Garriock was backing Australia in what has been dubbed a 'must win' match.

It was an emotional Sunday night after Italy's upset win against the world number six Matildas with Garriock hitting out at the team tactics on the post-match review show. 

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Watch! Matildas great rips into Oz tactics

Matildas legend Heather Garriock unloaded on Matildas coach Ante Milicic after Australia lost 2-1 when Italy snatched a last gasp winner in their World Cup opener last night.

While the Matildas have drawn criticism across the board for the defeat, the team are looking to bounce back against Brazil on Friday morning (AEST) and Garriock has full belief that they can.

"I got full belief in the Matildas but my mind still hasn't changed about how talented they are," she said. 

"They've been together for such a long time, they are the Golden Generation."

"I've got full belief we can bounce back and really nail this Brazil team and pay them back for what happened to us in Rio.

"We really deserve to go on in this tournament and deserve to show what quality we have in Australia."

Skyes agreed with Garriock.

"The quality is there, the team has worked so hard to get to where they are, not just on the field but their profile," she said. 

However, the 2015 World Cup player said that the team needed to find themselves as a team again. 

"...they need to find that flow they had when they were playing really well," Sykes said. 

"The motivation to play well against Brazil can't get any higher, they want revenge and added investment in that they have to win the game."

While Matildas coach Ante Milicic was adamant to media after the match that the side will continue with the gameplan set in place, Garriock is hoping to Australia play with more freedom.

"What I would love to see is for Australia to play the Australian way, which is a free spirit and the shackles to come off," she said.

The Matildas take on rivals Brazil on Thursday evening (6pm) at Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier with an early kick-off for Australian viewers (2am).

Catch the game LIVE on SBS and Optus Sport.

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