Veteran Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams says a current lack of membership soccer can be no impediment to her performing if known as upon on the World Cup.
The longest-serving member of the Matildas is adamant she will ship her finest as soon as once more on the world stage however can have a battle on her fingers to pressure her method into the facet, as Mackenzie Arnold looms as coach Tony Gustavsson’s first selection on the event.
Playing at her fifth World Cup, Williams acknowledged she was within the twilight section of her profession, which made the house event “a little bit more special” than earlier editions.
She stated the three Matildas goalkeepers have been working properly collectively inside camp, however there was an underlying competitiveness to push forward within the pecking order earlier than the event opener towards Ireland on July 20.
Williams’ former Canberra United understudy Arnold has began within the 5 earlier matches for the Matildas, whereas Teagan Micah held the No.1 spot earlier within the cycle and has returned to the squad after lacking months with concussion signs.
“Women’s goalkeeping in Australia is strong, and they keep producing them,” Williams stated.
“We still push each other, we’re still really respectful and you clap for a really good save … but then you’re like, ‘I want to do something better’, so there’s always that competitiveness.”
The 35-year-old has been disadvantaged of alternatives at Arsenal after which PSG earlier than the pandemic, however a transfer again to the WSL with Brighton in January to get extra sport time yielded seven first-team appearances.
Williams stated the tough interval taught her the best way to keep able to play when caught on the bench and would maintain her in good stead if known as upon on the World Cup.
“One of the things I picked up over the last couple of years, especially the move to Arsenal where there wasn’t much game time either, is that you have to make every training session like it is a game,” she stated.
“You practise that mentality – I know what it is to play at a high level, I don’t necessarily get it all the time, but if I have the same mindset that a training session is a game, an international, it does give you that practice and the fuel to be ready to go when you’re needed.”
Williams stated the popularity her adorned profession was starting to wind up had led to a shift in motivation at this event.
“I’m very aware of twilight years and that kind of thing … I just want to leave the sport in the best shape possible, with players wanting to be goalkeepers and wanting to represent Australia and young Indigenous kids wanting to kick a round ball instead of a different ball,” she stated.
“I think it’s a little bit more special (than past World Cups) in that kind of sense to me.”
Originally revealed as Matildas keepers ‘push each other’ as massive name looms
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
