Kellond-Knight: 'We 100% believe in what we're trying to achieve'

Experienced midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight says the Matildas have "100% belief" in their World Cup mission as the team prepare to take on Brazil in Montpellier on Friday morning (AEST).

The 28-year-old, who earned selection into the FIFA World Cup all star team at the 2011 and 2015 tournaments, featured off the bench for Australia in their last-gasp Group C opening match defeat against Italy on Sunday.

And like the rest of the team, she has vowed that the result will not define the Matildas' France 2019 experience. 

MATCH PREVIEW: Matildas v Brazil 
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“The immediate reaction [to the Italy loss] was obviously a little bit frustrated, a little bit disappointed,” she said.

“In saying that, it was a pretty quick turnaround. We dealt with that emotionally and then we banded together as a group.

We 100% believe in what we’re trying to achieve.

"It’s really important we focus on what we’re doing here as a team and listen to what our coaching staff want from us.”

Having suffered hamstring and calf problems in recent weeks, Kellond-Knight says she is raring to go as the Brazil match looms into focus.

“I feel great. It’s been a long road to recovery. Two back-to-back injuries, but now the body feels great. I trust the medical staff, the way they’ve progressed me back into team training and held me back in the last match. I’m putting my hand up for selection [against Brazil].”

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“The first game does not dictate where the tournament is going to go. You look at Spain [at the 2010 men’s FIFA World Cup] – how they lost their first game and came through to win the whole World Cup.

“So, for me, nothing has changed. It’s business as usual and we’re ready for Thursday [kick-off 2.00am, Friday 14 June, AEST].”

World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Australia v Brazil
Date: Friday, 14 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 2.00am AEST (6.00pm local time, Thursday 13 June)

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

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