The Matildas are underneath intense scrutiny after an obvious brazen act of gamesmanship throughout their conflict in opposition to Denmark.
The rumblings have performed nothing to take the shine off the Matildas’ historic 2-0 win over Denmark in entrance of a rocking home of 75,000 followers at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Monday.
The Matildas had been capable of compose themselves early within the match on the again of a controversial second involving Steph Catley after the Danes had dominated the early exchanges.
Catley took some contact throughout a problem and stayed down on the bottom to have her ankle assessed by medical workers.
The Matildas used the break in play to huddle round coach Tony Gustavsson.
Catley was taken from the sphere briefly however returned to the pitch simply moments after the re-start of play.
Catley was requested concerning the controversial second when talking with reporters after the sport
and rubbished ideas she had faked an harm.
“Nah, had a little roll, but yeah it’s okay,” Catley mentioned.
“Once I got up and got moving, it (was) fine. We’re definitely looking after the body tonight, making sure it’s all good and ready for the next game back.”
She additionally couldn’t assist however have amusing concerning the chatter that has surrounded her choice to not get again to her ft instantly.
“It’s a great coincidence,” Catley joked when requested about it being a lucky second for the crew to reset.
“Sometimes it’s a good reset when there’s a break in play, and the girls got over and talked to Tony. But I’m all good, healthy and ready for the next game.”
Many commentators had been extremely sceptical of Catley’s act.
Channel 7’s Grace Gill mentioned in commentary: “It’s a good question as to whether this moment was just a quick tactical discussion, because… there was a quick gathering of the players around Tony Gustavsson.
“Just to take, perhaps, a little bit of momentum out of Denmark, who have started this opening stanza really brightly.”
SEN producer Sam Watson posted on Twitter: “Imagine the outrage amongst footy fans if what Steph Catley just did happened in an AFL game.
“Talk about exploiting the rules to stem the opponent’s momentum.”
Sideline reporter Adam Peacock mentioned on Channel 7: “I’m not sure if she’s called this so the rest of the team can go over and talk to Tony Gustavsson.
“Hopefully it’s OK. As soon as Catley hit the deck, Gustavsson was waving to say, ‘Come over and have a chat’.”
Veteran soccer commentator David Basheer additionally thought it could have been a deliberate transfer.
“You just wonder whether that was a tactical ploy. Other nations do it,” he mentioned.
There was enormous controversy earlier within the event when the Netherlands produced the same brazen act to carry up play with the intention to give gamers time to talk with their coach throughout their match in opposition to Portugal.
The drama was shortly forgotten when Mary Fowler produced a second of magic to arrange Australia’s opening aim.
It solely received higher for Australia from there with Hayley Raso making it a 2-0 lead for the World Cup host nation within the seventieth minute.
It shortly was a dream evening on the workplace for the Matildas with Sam Kerr additionally getting on the pitch for the primary time this World Cup in a second that had the gang going berserk.
Source: www.news.com.au
