CANBERRA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Australian women's national team will wear brand new kit with the words "Never Say Die" printed on the inside neck at the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
With captain and star striker Sam Kerr and defender Ellie Carpenter in attendance, the new home and goalkeeper kits featuring a fresh design for the Matildas were launched in Paris on Monday, according to Football Federation Australia (FFA).
The all-new Australia home kit unveiled by Nike is part of a first-ever National Team collection designed exclusively for the Australian team.
"To have a kit designed just for the Matildas to play in, it's a dream come true, and we are honoured to be putting on the green and gold. The socks are pretty wild too," said Kerr, a key player with the team.
The words "Never Say Die," a reference to a common rallying cry among the players, are printed inside the kit. Melbourne's famous Hosier Lane, a popular street art hot spot, and the famed Golden Wattle are some other design elements included.
"We are delighted with the distinctive kit that the Matildas will wear during the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in France," FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop said.
According to the preparation plans, the Matildas, currently ranked number one in Asia, will debut the kit on April 4 in Colorado when they take on defending champions the United States for a warm-up match.
Under new head coach Ante 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 early this month 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 winner of the world cup.
"Of course we can win it," Milicic told Fox Sports News last month. "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."
The FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 will take place from June 7-July 7, featuring 24 teams contesting 52 matches in Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Reims, Rennes and Valenciennes.
