Matildas are still building says Arsenal keeper Williams following draw with Brazil | OneFootball

Arsenal goalkeeper Lydia Williams says that Australia are still building under the guidance of head coach Tony Gustavsson.

The 33-year-old featured for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas as they drew 2-2 with Brazil in an international friendly at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta this morning.

Australia were two goals to the good but Brazil netted twice in the final half-hour to level matters and claim a positive result from their two-game tour.

When speaking to the media after the match, Williams highlighted the fact that Australia still have a lot of developing to do under new head coach Gustavsson but the fixtures against Brazil have been good learning experiences.

“I think we are still building,” Williams said. “We had a really long preparation for Tokyo and leading into January, we will have a bit of the same kind of prep going into the Asian Cup and then obviously 2023 (the World Cup).

“We are playing against quality opposition which is what we want, it is a good test for us and an indication to see where we are at and what we need to improve on.

“I think we are still on a journey, we have definitely not reached our potential but it is a good indication of what we can improve on.”

Australia defeated Brazil 3-1 in their first match on Saturday prior to today’s 2-2 draw. The two matches are the first to be played on home soil in almost 600 days. Williams went on to say that playing back in Australia has been a great experience for the team.

She said “We loved being home again and the Aussie supporters loved us being home as well. There’s more excitement now with us going to have a home World Cup.

“To end what has been a crazy year-and-a-half in regards to COVID by being able to come home and play in front of a home crowd trumped all of the future things that are going to be happening. That was the more exciting thing for us.”

Williams will now return to her club ahead of Sunday’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final tie against Brighton & Hove Albion at Meadow Park.