After last night’s World Cup semi-final, Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson along with players Mary Fowler and Clare Hunt spoke to the media. Ben Gilby reports (17/8/23).
Above: Tony Gustavsson speaking in last night’s post match media conference. Image: Football Australia.
Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson spoke of his immense pride of his team’s achievement this tournament and highlighted the fact that this can be the start of something if there can be increased investment in women’s football in the nation.
The Matildas boss also recognised the tactical plan put in place by England head coach Sarina Wiegman that prevented his team’s transitional game and pacy counter-attacking style from being able to consistently get a foothold in the match.
“It was a wonderful game of football,” he said. “We were up against a world-class team and a world-class coach in Sarina (Wiegman). Both teams nullified each other’s attack in the first half, but we didn’t get our transition game going, they did very well to take that away from us. I don’t think we were brave enough on the ball.
“We told them to release the handbrake at half-time, and it worked. We did a phenomenal second half. Then, in tournament football, it takes only one moment, and England were much more clinical than we were in the finishing tonight. We had three sitters, so to speak, but then, one ball behind, it was 3-1 and game over.”
Gustavsson highlighted the “brutal” nature of the midfield battle that was a key part in deciding the outcome of the semi-final.
“It was lucky we had a referee to protect the players on both teams. There was an interesting tactical battle in there as well – everything from them wanting to close down our left side. England played a lot more transitional than normal. They did so well in the transition and it created their last two goals, their 10 and nine in particular.”
“I am happy that people believed we could win this tournament, and we felt that belief. We’ve had it internally for a long time. Maybe we’re not the highest-ranked team or have the same number of players starting in big teams as England have, maybe we don’t have the same resources, but we have something else. We have what the players bring to this team, we have what it means to be an Aussie and what is in our players’ DNA. This is just the beginning of something.”
Tony Gustavsson, Australia head coach.
With Sam Kerr and her fitness a constant talking point throughout the tournament, the Matildas boss was delighted to be able to speak about another aspect of the star striker – her stunning goal that brought the game level at 1-1 midway through the second half and her ability to create golden opportunities.
“Knowing Sam, she probably thinks (right now) that that goal wasn’t worth nothing. She wants a win, she’s a winner. That goal is proof that she is Sam Kerr. She is upset at the chances she missed, but the fact she was able to play 90 minutes says a lot about her.”
Australia have to rapidly overcome this defeat and move on to Saturday’s third-place play-off against Sweden in Brisbane, revealing what he said to the players in their post match huddle after the match.
“We promised to leave everything out there, and every single player did. The fans see a team that leave everything out there. I told them that we have limited time now (before Saturday’s third-place play-off against Sweden in Brisbane), and if we get too emotionally dragged down, we have no chance in the bronze medal game, so we need to be strong now.”
There has always been a bigger picture for the Matildas under Gustavsson. It’s always been about the long-term, and the end of this World Cup journey is, for him, just the beginning. In order for his team and the country to reach it’s true potential on the football field, he highlighted the necessary further support that Australian football needs.
“They and the generation before worked hard to be in this moment. We are very disappointed that we lost, but there can be a bigger win. This cannot be the end of something, it needs to be the start, and with that comes money as well.”
Whilst there was deep disappointment etched into the Matildas after the match, striker Mary Fowler paid tribute to her team’s achievements and the incredible support they have received.
“It was unreal tonight, just like it’s been for all the games. It’s really nice that even when were down to hear the crowd behind us and really cheer us on. Not many people get the chance to experience that at a home World Cup.”
Reflecting on Sam Kerr’s wonder goal for the Matildas, the Manchester City attacker revealed that she knew that as soon as Kerr picked up the ball, something special was going to happen.
“Sometimes when someone gets the ball, you just know they are going to score and that was one of those moments.”
Fowler ended by emphasising that the team are determined to come back to end the tournament on a high by claiming third place: “We’ve got to get over tonight, as quick as we can. We have to focus on that now as we want to come away with something.”
Australia defender Clare Hunt was clear in her mind about where England won the match.
“They took their chances in the second half, and we got undone by their transition moments. England performed well and capitalised on their chances, so congratulations to them.”
She also spoke of the challenge facing the side now to get over such a defeat and return to action in just two days: “The mentality is to process this as soon as we can and shift to focus on how we can beat Sweden.”
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