Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was adamant he received it proper along with his “biggest decision” of Australia’s marathon FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final triumph – when to name on captain Sam Kerr.
The Matildas beat France 7-6 in an epic Suncorp Stadium showdown that went the two-hour taking part in distance – together with extra-time – on Saturday night time after neither facet may discover the again of the online.
Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold gained player-of-the match honours after saving three penalties and likewise shining throughout the recreation correct with a string of saves to disclaim France.
Arnold additionally missed a kick within the shootout, however Kerr, who got here on the fifty fifth minute, didn’t.
Gustavsson had toyed with the concept of beginning his star striker, however went with the medical recommendation, which urged she couldn’t final the gap due to a calf damage that restricted her event match-time to lower than 20 minutes earlier than the epic quarter-final battle.
“The biggest decision was when to bring Sam on,” Gustavsson stated.
“It was a massive decision even before the game to leave her on the bench.
“Then it’s the timing. You want the timing right. I was informed that she had limited minutes for today, and then we had to put extra-time into consideration … because maybe it was another 30 minutes, so what’s the risk that she pulls the calf and how many minutes does she have.
“That was a massive decision to get that right. I think we got it right.”
Kerr had a direct affect after changing Emily van Egmond 10 minutes into the second half, along with her affect serving to the Matildas create two probabilities in fast succession.
“We had them, and then when Sam came in we really had them on the hook. We really got the momentum and from the fans as well, and we were very close to scoring two goals in that period,” Gustavsson stated.
“You really want to go in and impact the game, which she did, but also you could see a little bit of fatigue throughout the game, which is natural.
“She hasn’t been able to train continually with intensity for a while, but just the fact that she could push through and then step up as a captain, especially after the vice-captain (Steph Catley) missed that (penalty) before as well, and bury it – It’s just a classic Sam Kerr moment, how she carries the team on her shoulders.”
As did Arnold, whose rollercoaster shootout included three saves, one other save that was worn out as a result of she moved too early, and the penalty she took – which might have ended the shootout sooner has she scored it – that hit the publish.
“From ‘Macca’ missing the (penalty) and being able to stay in the game to be that player that wins the game for us, it’s unheard of that mental strength of hers,” Gustavsson stated.
“I’m really happy about that.
“The amount of heart and soul and passion that this team showed … there are different ways of defining success but for me success is when you leave it all out there, no matter the result.
“I’m probably one of the proudest and happiest coaches every right now because I’m so happy for so many other people.”
France coach Herve Renard described Arnold as a “Goliath” and tipped the Matildas to go all the best way on residence soil.
“This evening it was 50-50 but destiny chose Australia … I think they can win the World Cup,” Renard stated. – MARCO MONTEVERDE
Originally printed as FIFA World Cup 2023: How Tony Gustavsson nailed Matildas’ Sam Kerr name to succeed in semi-finals
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
