Matildas' chance to avenge Spain thrashing

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson says his side won't be haunted by the memories of their 7-0 loss to Spain when the sides meet again next month.

TONY GUSTAVSSON.
TONY GUSTAVSSON. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Coach Tony Gustavsson insists the Matildas have moved on from their 7-0 loss to Spain heading into next month's rematch in the FFA Cup Of Nations, which he is tipping will be a very different encounter.

On Thursday, Football Australia confirmed the Matildas would meet Spain, Jamaica and the Czech Republic for the NSW-based round-robin tournament in February, giving them the chance to limber up ahead of the home World Cup that begins in July.

Ranked 12th in the world, Australia will be expected to beat the Czech Republic (28th) and Jamaica (44th), but world No.7 Spain pose a significant challenge, not least because of the way things finished last time around.

Gustavsson used the sides' last meeting in June as an opportunity to try new combinations and rested established players such as Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord and Alanna Kennedy.

Spain capitalised, running in six second-half goals at home to hand the Matildas their biggest defeat this century.

Defender Charlotte Grant, who played in the loss, said she was ready to help the Matildas exact revenge.

"No one wants to lose 7-0 and especially when I thought we did have some really good defensive moments, so it does hurt," she told AAP.

"But you always have to focus on the next game.

"Spain is the game I'm looking forward to most."

The Matildas have reason to believe things will be different this time around. They head into the Cup Of Nations on a four-game winning streak, the longest of Gustavsson's tenure, and will have both home-ground advantage and a full-strength side at their disposal, barring any last-minute injuries.

Gustavsson said the mental scars had also healed.

"I actually think the players have already parked that one. We're so much further ahead in our planning and our preparation," he said.

"It will be a very different game because when we played them last time, we had more than 10 players away.

"Now we're playing Spain on home soil with a full-strength team hopefully.

"What's interesting is we're one of the best pressing teams in the world, (and) they're one of the best passing teams in the world.

"Is pressing or passing going to win that game? That's going to be a really interesting challenge for us."

A FIFA window has been pencilled in for April, so more internationals are set to be announced between the Cup Of Nations and the World Cup.

"There's a lot of preparation going on behind the scenes," Gustavsson said.

"I've been pushing and very demanding towards the federation.

"I'm very happy with what we have scheduled."

FFA Cup Of Nations fixture -

February 16, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford: Spain vs Jamaica (4.10pm), Australia vs Czech Republic (7.10pm)

February 19, CommBank Stadium, Sydney: Jamaica vs Czech Republic (2.50pm), Australia vs Spain (6pm)

February 22, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle: Czech Republic vs Spain (3pm), Australia vs Jamaica (7.10pm)