It’s the Women’s World Cup recreation Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was yearning for, nevertheless it’s come someday early.
A proud Swede, Gustavsson is delighted his Australian workforce is enjoying Sweden this weekend. though his desire was for the assembly to happen in Sunday’s World Cup closing in Sydney, relatively than Saturday’s playoff for third in Brisbane.
“I was very that they ended up on the other side of the (tournament) bracket, so we couldn’t play Sweden until the final, I thought,” Gustavsson stated.
“It is special – it really is. I have a lot of very good friends in that team, both players and coaches … very good friends outside of football as well.
“When the game starts … everyone single one of us, whether it’s Sweden or us, is going to do everything we can to win the game.”
That consists of getting “physical” if that’s what’s have to safe third tempo on the World Cup.
“These (Australian) players don’t shy away from a tackle and neither do Sweden,” Gustavsson stated.
“It’s going to be a physical battle out there for sure.”
Gustavsson, 50, and Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson are good pals, and went to a Kings of Leon live performance collectively final 12 months in New Zealand, the place they had been for the World Cup draw.
“We were close to working together in 2008 when I was at (Swedish club) Helsingborg and he was with Hammarby,” 63-year-old Gerhardsson stated.
“I was close to becoming his assistant and we’ve kept in touch over the years.
“We’ve got a good relationship. He is a good lad, a good coach and he’s quite funny as well.”
Gerhardsson tipped his aspect to rise to the event of enjoying in entrance of virtually 50,000 followers, nearly all of who can be supporting Australia.
“We lie to play in front of big crowds. Sure they’re going to cheer for Australia but the whole set-up is absolutely wonderful,” he stated.
Originally printed as How ‘Swede’ it’s for Tony Gustavsson to be teaching in opposition to the nation of his berth on the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
