By Kieran Yap (13/7/23)
Above: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson and defender Ellie Carpenter were all smiles at today’s media conference. Image: Football Australia.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has encouraged Matildas fans to treat the friendly against France as a celebration of football.
Australia will play their final game before the World Cup against the fifth-ranked side, with over 50,000 fans expected to attend.
The occasion will be a grand one, setting a new record for a stand alone women’s football match, although one that will be broken just seven days later when The Matildas face The Republic of Ireland in the opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
It is that game that remains the focus of Gustavsson’s staff and players and the send-off match will be treated as a chance for the players to enjoy the support of a home crowd, for Gustavsson to tinker with tactics and for the team to get some valuable game time together.
“Obviously a game like this, a send-off game before a World Cup is different from any other game,” Gustavsson told the media. “This is about the opening game against Ireland.
“Tomorrow will be an amazing opportunity to celebrate women’s football, to celebrate football, and to celebrate what we have achieved already.
“What the federation has been able to do with the Matildas program, what the players have been able to do in terms of everything from creating depth that we have invested in for over two years, playing top European opposition.
“Tomorrow will be more than the 90 minutes of football. It doesn’t mean that we don’t want to perform well, but it’s a very different perspective going into the game tomorrow.”
Gustavsson was joined by Ellie Carpenter. Spirits seemed high and both shared a laugh about Carpenter’s goal and celebration during training.
“I’m really excited. Obviously, another game representing my country is always an honour. Like Tony said this is the last game, our send off game before the World Cup. What better way to do it than a sold-out stadium in Melbourne?
“It’s extra special for me, I get to play against some of my teammates who I know so well. I’m excited to see them and I can’t wait for the battle.”
Earlier in the day, Football Australia CEO James Johnson expressed his delight at the scale of the event.
“We are absolutely delighted but not surprised to see this Send-Off match sell out,” he said through Football Australia.
“The Matildas are a team that resonates with all Australians as one of the most popular national teams in the country, and we have witnessed the rapid growth in both general interest and attendances over the past four years. This is a testament to the hard work of so many both on and off the field.”
For the manager, this is a final chance to tinker. There will likely be a risk-free approach to the game with Gustavsson suggesting that his decisions about personnel would be different if it was a quarter-final in a tournament.
Kyah Simon is not expected to feature. The long-injured forward is on a separate training program with a view to being able to contribute in the later stages of the tournament should Australia make it that far.
“I wish we could play all the players tomorrow,” said Gustavsson. “That would be like a dream scenario to go first half-second half and make sure everyone gets some game time. But there’s limited amount of subs, it’s an official FIFA game. We want as many players as possible to get game minutes tomorrow.”
Gustavsson hinted at some tactical surprises, to keep the opposition guessing during the tournament and to explore new solutions for his own team.
“There’s going to be throwing some curve balls out there for the opposition to deal with come the World Cup. But then also have consistency in what we’ve done and believe in what we’ve done for years now.
“I also think it’s important to be able to deal with the mental part of the game tomorrow. To be able to connect with all the fans. It’s a little bit more of a celebration game in that sense. Not that we don’t care about performing well but it will be a different game.”
There are multiple reasons why this game has sold out. The Matildas are iconic and are role models on a range of issues, many separate from football. This World Cup is an opportunity for many of them to leave a legacy that is bigger than football should they so wish.
Gustavsson does not see any of this as a distraction from the task at hand. This is added motivation.
“These players are amazing in a sense that their ‘why’ is bigger than 90 minutes of football,” said the beaming coach.
“As long as they get to play for their ‘why’ it’s going to inspire them, it’s going to motivate them, it’s going to drive them and it’s going to help them perform. I’ve seen that over years now and I’m just extremely privileged to be just a small part of that.
“As a coach I see the inner drive and the passion in these amazing players, but moreso these amazing women. They use it as fuel to play football.”
Tiff Williams’ photo gallery of today’s Matildas training at Marvel Stadium via Football Australia:
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