A lot has changed for Caitlin Foord since she last pulled on the Matildas jersey almost 400 days ago. And the Shellharbour talent can't wait to wear the green and gold again this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Matildas last took to the field on March 11, 2020. Goals from Sam Kerr and Hayley Raso helped the Aussies claim a 2-1 win over Vietnam, a result that was good enough to book their ticket to the Tokyo Olympics - which were later postponed.
The international women's game has since been put on hold due to Covid. However, Foord has wasted no time becoming a dominant figure at her UK club, Arsenal, netting 10 goals in the Women's Super League.
Now, Foord is ready to represent her country again. The Matildas are in camp in Europe this week ahead of their two upcoming international friendly games, against Germany on Sunday morning (AEDT) and the Netherlands on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
On Friday, Foord said it was great to be finally back with her teammates.
"It feels really good, we never go this long without meeting up, playing games and being together. It's definitely been a long wait, but I think that's made it nicer to come in and see everyone, and get back on the pitch playing with these girls again," she said.
"It's always a special feeling to play for your country, it's something that you always dream of and it's something you don't want to take for granted. And I think this time that we haven't been together almost shows that more. I can already feel, and I'm sure everyone will feel the same way, that when we get to put the jersey on, it's been so long that it will bring back that feeling of the first time we put it on. It's such a special moment, and I'm sure we'll all get that feeling again which is nice."
Sunday will also mark Tony Gustavsson's first game at the helm. The experienced Swedish manager - who was an assistant coach of the US women's team in 2012 and from 2014 to 2019 - was unveiled as the Matildas' new coach last September.
Foord - who has represented Australia on 82 occasions, scoring 20 goals - will be one of the key members of Gustavsson's squad. The forward said it would take some time for the players to gel under their new coach, but the Matildas were keen to impress against the 2016 Olympic champions.
"We're trying to understand him and how he wants to play, and vice versa. It's about building that relationship, but from what we've seen so far, it's good and and super exciting," she said.
"Obviously it's going to be a really tough game, they're a world class team. For us, we haven't been together in a long time, so it's about getting back out on the pitch and doing what we do. But we never thought it would be an easy game, even if we had been together or not. It's just going to be nice to be back out on the pitch.
"But we don't go into any game not wanting to win or get a result out of it. So it's the same mentality going into the game. But we haven't been together a while, so it will be a big test for us to see where we are at."
Subscribe to our newsletters
Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
