With the CommBank Matildas set to take on Sweden at AAMI Park this weekend, midfielder Alex Chidiac talks about wanting to bring her own brand of football against the World No. 2 team.
"Sweden is a quality team, they're number in the world at the moment and a lot of the girls play in Sweden, so it's going to be a really exciting match," the South Australian said.
"We need to test ourselves against the best teams in the world leading into the FIFA Women's World Cup and whatever role I play in the game, I want to be able to bring that intensity and bring my attributes to the game in any way possible.
"Hopefully, we get the result as a team and we can build on that moving into World Cup because there aren't many camps left, so we really have to make sure we fine-tune everything leading into it."
After a three-year absence from Victoria, the newly re-signed Melbourne Victory player says she looks forward to playing in her second home.
"It has been a while actually, Melbourne is starting to feel like home and it's really good to be back here. I know a lot of my teammates will be coming out and we've got a really great fan base here, so it's going to be a good atmosphere at AAMI Park.
In terms of what she's most looking forward to from both meetings with Sweden on Saturday 12 November and Thailand on Tuesday 15 November, Chidiac says it's the variety of opponents.
"It's going to be two very different games, two very different oppositions and I think that's exactly what we need," she said.
"We need to keep challenging ourselves against, nations that play against a lot of different teams and different styles so I'm excited to see what kind of things we come up with on our end, to see if we can get those results.
"On a more personal level, I'm hoping to get more minutes to continue to prove myself within this team. I think for me, especially in this camp, I want to step up, get to that next level, have chats with the coach and see what I can improve.
These games are leading into a big A-League Women's season too, so I need to get on the front foot and hopefully from this, continue on with a good season."
SEVEN CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL SERIES
CommBank Matildas v Sweden
Date: Saturday, 12 November 2022
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 2:45 pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
CommBank Matildas v Thailand
Date: Tuesday, 15 November 2022
Location: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7.30 pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
