CANBERRA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Ante Milicic plans to name the 23 players for the Women's World Cup in France next week and will remain as the head coach of the Australia's women's national team until the completion of 2020 Olympics campaign after a one-year contract extension was finalized on Friday.
According to a statement from Football Federation Australia (FFA), Milicic, who took charge of the women's national football team in February shortly before the inaugural Cup of Nations, will oversee Australia's bid to qualify for Tokyo 2020 early next year, and, if successful, will guide the nicknamed Matildas to the 12-team tournament in Japan.
One of Milicic's assistant coaches, Ivan Jolic, has also had his contract extended for the same period.
"There is no greater privilege than leading an Australian national team, so I am honored to serve the Matildas for a further 12 months," Milicic said to FFA website.
"The continuity this will foster can only benefit the belief and preparation leading into the women's world cup campaign in France, but more importantly I think it demonstrates the deep belief that I have in this special group of players," he said.
Under new head coach Milicic, who replaced Alen Stajcic after the latter was sacked in January over allegations of his creating a toxic environment with the team despite a sixth-place world ranking, the Matildas extended their good form and claimed the Cup of Nations in March by beating New Zealand 2-0, South Korea 4-1 and Argentina 3-0 (all teams bound for June's World Cup) in a row.
The first trophy under the new coach also boosted the Matildas' confidence to fight for the trophy of the world cup.
"Of course we can win it," Milicic told Fox Sports News in February. "Our best record so far has been the quarterfinals. There are quite a few countries that will feel they can go all the way to the final. We need to be as best prepared as possible, which I know we will be."
Milicic will next week name his 23-player squad for this June's FIFA Women's World Cup in France, and from May 19 will be in camp in Turkey with his selections as the Matildas prepare for their Group C opponents Italy, Brazil, and Jamaica.
Before the first match, Australia will play the Netherlands in a pre-cup friendly in Eindhoven on June 1.
The 2019 Women's World Cup France will take place from June 7-July 7, featuring 24 teams contesting 52 matches.
The Chinese women's national team are placed in Group B, along with South Africa, two-time world champions Germany, and Spain.
