Tony Gustavsson’s phrases are coming again to hang-out him.
Days earlier than the Matildas’ shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria, the Swedish supervisor was requested if he regretted chosen the injured Kyah Simon in his 23-strong World Cup squad.
The Matildas coach stated his choice gamble on the 32-year-old striker, who was unlikely to ever be capable to be play till the knockout levels on account of an ACL damage, was largely on account of her worth off the sphere
“Definitely not (regretting it), Kyah was selected for a reason, the way she contributes to the team with her experience and her personality, off the field, in the locker room and the spirit she gives,” Gustavssson informed Optus Sport.
“Her being a gamechanger, we said that from the beginning, we selected her knowing she might not have many minutes but if she can be ready for the playoffs, to come off the bench for a couple of minutes.
“She’s experienced with taking PK’s (penalty kicks) as well which is a massive part of it as well.
“I understand and totally respect there will be speculation now because we have three-four attacking options not available, and then it becomes a bigger thing than it might have been in a normal circumstance, but definitely no regrets from my point (of view).”
The large drawback now for Gustavsson is that the Matildas could by no means even be capable to use Simon’s qualities within the knockout levels, with the Aussie facet now going through a do-or-die remaining group stage match towards Canada simply to make it into the Round of 16.
After a collection of unlucky occasions, the Matildas are going through a disaster as accidents and concussions have left them with a restricted squad, notably in assault, which is primarily in charge for Thursday evening’s World Cup loss to Nigeria.
And followers are fuming concerning the coach’s determination to hold Simon, as a substitute of a match striker who might have contributed within the early matches.
Gustavsson was defiant concerning the mounting damage woes main into Thursday’s match, stating, “Sometimes you’re unlucky, and you need to deal with the cards you’re handed, and we’re ready to play those cards.”
The Matildas’ preparations for the event have been marred by accidents, with star participant Sam Kerr nursing a calf damage that has dominated headlines.
However, hopes had been excessive as that they had a succesful alternative in Mary Fowler, who had been in nice type throughout coaching and began alongside Caitlin Foord of their earlier match towards Ireland.
But destiny had totally different plans for the Matildas, as Fowler suffered a concussion at coaching that left Gustavsson baffled.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he remarked earlier this week.
With Fowler dominated earlier than the Nigeria match, the crew was left in a precarious place up entrance.
Fans had been fast to name out the baffling Simon choice because the Matildas compelled to subject defender Alanna Kennedy as a striker within the late levels of Thursday evening’s loss to Nigeria.
“This game is an example of Tony G’s failure of imagination. Carrying Kyah Simon into this squad and not having a contingency plan is another mark against him,” one wrote.
“We need to know why an injured Kyah Simon is in this squad. We needed a fit striker to come on in the group for this scenario. Brings on a defender,” stated one other.
“Why has Kyah Simon been called up if she’s not fit enough to play? Anyways, this was not the only issue for Australia today,” one other added.
“No urgency. No intent. Kyah Simon decision looks even worse now,” one other fan tweeted.
Despite the mounting stress and hypothesis, Gustavsson remained tight-lipped concerning the circumstances surrounding Fowler’s damage and that of veteran defender Aivi Luik.
Both gamers had been topic to Football Australia’s concussion protocols, rendering them unavailable for the upcoming match.
“I totally understand that if you didn’t see the training, if I were you sitting out there, I would go, ‘What the heck is happening in trainings? Two concussions in one training and two players out of the game,’” Gustavsson commented, additional including to the charisma surrounding the incident.
The Matildas’ destiny within the World Cup now hinges on a must-win match towards Canada subsequent Monday evening in Melbourne.
Source: www.news.com.au
