Edwards looking for disciplined start

Alistair Edwards will again be looking for a disciplined start from his players, when the Qantas Young Matildas play Brazil in their second game of FIFA U/20 Women’s World Championships in Russia.

Alistair Edwards will again be looking for a disciplined start from his players, when the Qantas Young Matildas play Brazil in their second game of FIFA U/20 Women-s World Championships in Russia.

The former Socceroo striker was surprised by how Brazil played in its first game against Russia, which finished 0-0, but saw enough in the opening 20 minutes to know what they are capable of.

"We all know that Brazil know how to play football, but they played quite differently than what I had expected (against Russia),” Edwards said from their base in St. Petersburg.

“After an initial good spell of 20 minutes where they really went at Russia and should have scored a couple, they then struggled for fluency, became very physical and resorted to a more direct long ball approach to their two speedy strikers Fabiana (9) and Stephane (20).

“Whether they play the same tomorrow remains to be seen, but we are expecting a very tough physical game.”

Edwards believed his teams disciplined approach to the first 30 minutes against New Zealand was the key to their 3-0 victory in the opening game and will be looking for much the same against the highly fancied Brazilian team.

“It took a very disciplined 30 minute spell in the first half to disrupt their plan and from that point on we dominated proceedings. With a bit more care in our finishing we could have had a few more goals.”

“Games, particularly at this level, are often lost in the first 30 minutes by teams that are naïve. The patience shown by our midfield in the early part of the game was class, the quartet were far from nullified with Collette and Sally getting on the scoresheet, Leah having a hatful of good chances and Kylie dictating proceedings the entire second half.”

“The fact that we finished the game so strongly against a frustrated and demoralised New Zealand team was satisfying.”

The Young Matildas could wrap up a quarter final berth by defeating Brazil, but Edwards is under no illusions how tough the task ahead is for his players.

“To win our first World Championship game was great, but it was also expected,” Edwards said. “Against Brazil things are a little different, as no one really expects us to beat them.”

“No female Australian team has ever won two games at a World Championship and for us to qualify for the quarter finals we will have to do just that - beat either the South American Champions (Brazil) or the European Champions (Russia).

“There is no doubt we are in the toughest group but it is a challenge that we are all looking forward to”

Australia has no injury concerns going into the match, with Edwards likely to stick with the same line-up that beat New Zealand.