Australian coach Tony Gustavsson says the Matildas are completely primed for the World Cup after burying any issues they don’t stack up in opposition to the world’s finest.
Gustavsson says his gamers have taken the “final step” of their improvement in the direction of changing into a facet worthy of contender standing, however has warned them going into “tournament mode” on Thursday will convey extra challenges.
The 1-0 win was the Matildas’ fifth in a row in opposition to European opposition, and the sixth time in eight video games they’ve saved a clear sheet.
Gustavsson stated the workforce’s chic current file in opposition to the top-ranked nations was trigger for celebration, referring again to the areas of enchancment recognized by the 2020 Women’s Performance Closing the Gap report which was launched three months into his tenure as supervisor.
“This was a night to celebrate … to celebrate what we’ve done over two years in terms of investment in the women’s game, investment in this team with resources,” Gustavsson stated.
“The stats showed we have had problems with top-ranked teams and especially European teams, and tonight I think represented the final step of that process and that journey in preparing for the World Cup.
“It was 0-0 when our captain Sam (Kerr) steps off, Caitlin (Foord) steps off, our vice-captain Steph Catley stepped off, and we can still compete with a top European opposition – it’s thanks to the patience and the belief in the process from everyone.”
Substitute Tameka Yallop solely lasted 20 minutes after hyper-extending her knee in an ungainly collision with an opponent, however Gustavsson stated she needed to remain on the pitch and was eliminated as a precaution, amid hopes she has not achieved any structural harm.
The coach performed down issues over Kerr’s health, after the star striker completed the match on the bench with ice on her left leg after she was subbed out on the one-hour mark.
She smiled and made a “relax” gesture together with her palms when caught by cameras on the bench late within the match.
Gustavsson stated the substitution was a pre-planned transfer, which the Matildas captain had truly pushed again to get the sport time she felt was obligatory.
Mary Fowler’s winner after Kerr and Foord had left the sport vindicated the workforce’s belief in its squad depth, he stated.
“We knew that was risky with tonight’s game to do that, but we trust the depth in the roster to do it,” he stated.
“Sam was a pre-planned sub, we talked to her at halftime if she was ready to pull out, but she said another 10 to 15 would be good for her physically for the Ireland game.”
Gustavsson praised Alanna Kennedy’s spectacular return after the veteran performed 78 minutes alongside Clare Hunt in central defence, with the pair’s efficiency inflicting him a “headache” as alternates Clare Polkinghorne and Aivi Luik got late minutes.
He stated Mackenzie Arnold “proved a lot of maturity” together with her composed effort within the win, within the strongest indication but the 29-year-old can be first selection goalkeeper for the match.
Source: www.news.com.au
