Having settled in nicely since arriving in Australia, Reggae Girlz Assistant Coach Xavier Gilbert says the team is now eager to wet their feet in the Cup of Nations tournament and, by extension, gauge where they stand in comparison to more quality opponents.

The 44th-ranked Girlz, who are using the tournament as part of preparation for a second-consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance, will kick things off down under against number seven-ranked Spain at the Industree Group Stadium, on Thursday.

Kick-off is 12:10 am Jamaica time.

For Gilbert, getting at least a point off host Australia, Spain or Czech Republic is their minimal target while they seek to strengthen their defensive and offensive thrust ahead of the July 20 to August 20 global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

“Not all the players are here as yet, but most of the European-based players are here so we are making the most of the time since we arrived as we prepare for the first game. Obviously, this forms part of our preparation for the World Cup so we just want to test ourselves against three quality opponents and see how we match up,” Gilbert told the Jamaica Observer.

“The main objective is to see where we are, as well as to look at different formations and tactics. It is going to be difficult, but we just have to do as much as we can in the technical and tactical elements of the game, so we will see how that goes,” he added, ahead of a training session on Tuesday.

Though without lead striker and captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who pulled out of the squad for personal reasons, Gilbert believes it is now left for other players to make the most of the opportunity to impress the Lorne Donaldson-led coaching staff.

“It does provide the opportunity for other players to show up, particularly in attack, but ultimately it’s just to go out there and do our best and we are eager to see how well we do defensively and what we do both in possession as well as our movements off the ball,” he said.

Gilbert is well aware of the quality of the Spanish team which is preparing for their third World Cup appearance. They are so far unbeaten in their last six games, including a 2-0 win over reigning world champions United States, and a 1-1 stalemate with number three-ranked Sweden.

“We expect them to possess the ball a lot, so again, it is going to be important for us how we move as a unit when we are out of possession, and then how we advance when in possession is also something we have to look at,” Gilbert said.

“But we are definitely looking forward to it; it is a quality Spain team that likes to possess the ball and they are getting better with each game. So it is really a quality opposition with a lot of depth. We looked at footage of their last game and they are very good on set pieces.

“So we are mindful and we are making sure we put in all the stops to curtail their strengths and exploit whatever weaknesses that is available,” he noted.

The Girlz will are also scheduled to face 28th-ranked Czech Republic on February 18, before closing off against 12th-ranked hosts Australia on February 22.

For the World Cup, the Girlz are drawn in Group F alongside Brazil and France with their third opponent to come from the intercontinental play-offs also scheduled for this month.

Squad — Chantelle Swaby, Victoria Williams, Vyan Sampson, Havana Solaun, Liya Brooks, Rachel Jones, Atlanta Primus, Khadija Shaw, Chenya Matthews, Rebecca Spencer, Deneisha Blackwood, Peyton McNamara, Allyson Swaby, Tierney Wiltshire, Drew Spence, Satara Murray, Tiffany Cameron, Trudi Carter, Solai Washington, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Jody Brown, Kameron Simmonds, Paige Bailey Gayle, Sydney Schneider, Kayla McKenna