Just over a year after taking over as coach of Australia, Alen Stajcic has transformed them into world-beaters with high hopes at the Women’s World Cup.
The former Sydney FC W-League coach stepped in after his predecessor, Hesterine de Reus, was sacked in April 2014 following a player revolt.
Stajcic, 41, led Australia to the Asian Cup final just a month later, where they lost 1-0 to world champions Japan.
Now better-prepared, Stajcic’s young side face that same Japanese team in the last eight in Edmonton on Saturday looking to continue their journey.
They became the first Australian men’s or women’s team to win a knockout game at a World Cup by beating 2007 runners-up Brazil 1-0.
Their progress in Canada has been impressive after emerging from the difficult Group D, which included the United States, Sweden and Nigeria.
They have also had a hectic travel schedule — criss-crossing thousands of kilometres from Winnipeg to Edmonton to Moncton and back again to Edmonton.
“We believe we can go all the way and we have since the start of the tournament,” said forward Sam Kerr, who has started all four of their games.
“Obviously, beating Brazil, one of the best teams in the world, gives you massive self belief and brings us closer as a family.”
Midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight, the player of the match in their past two games, said they were stunned by the reaction after a victory which set social media alight.
“We’ve always slipped under the radar a bit with women’s football, but it’s great to have that feeling that the country’s really supporting us,” she said.
“To be on the front page of the newspapers, be on the newsreel highlights, it’s a real sense of accomplishment and I’m proud of the girls for putting football on the front page.”
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