by Ben Gilby (11/4/24)
Above: Clare Wheeler speaking earlier today. Image: Football Australia.
The Matildas trio of Clare Wheeler, Cortnee Vine, and Sharn Freier reflected earlier today about the development of the team’s playing style and the positives seen in the 2-0 victory over Mexico.
Everton midfielder Wheeler feels that the consequences of that new style and adaptable game plan were there for all to see yesterday.
“We knew the quality Mexico had off the back of beating the US…I think with our preparation and where we are as a team, our game plan is becoming clearer for everyone, we’re having to buy into it, we’re executing it, and I think the results are now showing this style of play and what we want to do heading into the Olympics.”
Reflecting on what the impact of the style of play that Tony Gustavsson and his coaching staff have introduced has been on her personally, Wheeler was full of smiles. “As a defensive midfielder, I love it.
“It’s all about passing the ball and breaking down lines with variety, and that’s something I love to do…it’s going to add styles of play for us and we’re going to have different variety to break down teams and that’s only a good thing going into the Olympics.
“Playing Mexico is good practice…against teams who will press aggressively, and I think it’s credit to the team how we adapted from the first half to the second half about how we beat that press…There definitely was a physicality to the game, the last couple of minutes was challenging with how direct they were going to get a goal.”
Wheeler’s additional minutes for the Matildas yesterday came after a season that has been so impressive on a personal level with Everton in the WSL. Whilst the Merseyside team have found it a challenge to put a consistent run of wins together, the 26-year-old has shone – something that she puts down to confidence.
“We’ve had an up-and-down year with injuries and transfers. But I think getting consistent minutes, and playing out of position as well – it’s all added to my confidence. I think you are just seeing a confident person out there who is enjoying her football.”
Wheeler is also well aware of how the WSL has made her a far better player – for a number of reasons.
“I think for me personally it’s the number of games we play – a full home and away season with cup games, but also playing against so many players from different national teams and so many different styles of play is something that’s really attractive about the league.”
Cortnee Vine is back. The smile, the runs – you name it. You can’t help but feel just how much she is loving the Matildas new style of play.
“We’ve started to play a new structure, so it was good to watch that football unfold against a team like Mexico who is a very good team, they have really good players and they are very technical and tactical. They figured out our system a little bit and adjusted well, so it was a really good competition for us.
“I’m loving this new structure. As a winger it’s going to be perfect for breaking the last line. The movement, the push-pulls we are doing…yeah, it’s my kind of game and I’m really happy with this change in structure,” she grinned.
Vine was back in the Matildas squad for this international window after taking some time away to get a bit of a break and remain with Sydney FC, and recognised that she needed to get back up to speed in camp.
“It felt to be good out there. Coming back in I had to really focus on the tactical side again, when you are away (from the national team) it kind of disappears a little bit as you focus on clubland…but with this new structure, it’s really fun to play as a striker.”
Vine is heading into form at the right time with the Olympics just a matter of months away. As someone who began doing athletics as a kid, the winger is doubly determined to make the squad.
“For me, the Olympics has been my dream ever since I was doing athletics at the age of nine…I think having this in our reach this year, you are going to do all you can. I’m going back to clubland to prove myself, if I have the opportunity to come into the next camp, trying to prove myself. There’s only 18 players picked for this squad – I really feel for Tony (Gustavsson) head coach.”
Vine is a person who thrives on positivity which strong sense of fun and humour. These are the things that bring out the best in her as a footballer. “I think it’s about being people who are my mates – it makes the football fun and makes me feel carefree…I think having that around, friends who support you and a coach that lets you thrive.”
With this international window now over, the attacker now jumps into the red heat of Finals football in the A-League Women with Sydney FC, and with the team finishing top two once more, Vine is delighted she doesn’t have to go straight from a long flight into a do or die game this weekend.
“It’s perfect for me, I get to come home and not go straight into a semi-final. It’s a different format this year…I think Ante (Juric, head coach) is running them a bit, they are not getting a break. It’s focus time.”
Dreams can come true – just ask Sharn Freier who made her international debut at the age of 22 yesterday.
“I still can’t really believe it. It was an amazing feeling last night…it’s been a surreal last 24 hours,” the Brisbane Roar player said.
“I was very, very nervous. I really didn’t know what to expect…when they came down and said ‘you’re up!’ I was excited, I was numb, I didn’t want to think too much. I was very very nervous, but I was stoked. I was also focusing on what I had to do, focusing on the job that had to be done.”
Asked to describe what her first experience of international football was like, Freier summed it up in one word – fast.
“It went pretty fast to be honest. Even the minutes I had was definitely fast and I was trying to work myself in. It’s a lot faster, and it’s just making sure you are in the right position to make it a bit easier for yourself – always being alert and making sure you are ready for the next action…the pace of the game and the physicalness as well. You definitely need to be ready for anything that happens…”
Making your first appearance in the national team shirt is big for any player, but for Freier it comes just two years after suffering an ACL injury. She freely admits that earning that Matildas cap is even sweeter after overcoming that debilitating set back.
“It was always the dream (to play for the Matildas), but I didn’t think I’d ever be here. Doing my ACL was so big that I didn’t know what to expect, how I would come back, how long it would take. It was definitely a goal, but something I was doing day by day and trying to come back to the level I was at. I was a bit more proud in that sense as well, to come back that bit more stronger. Especially at this level it’s quite rewarding for the time and effort that was put back into playing.”
Freier is not going to rest on her laurels. The A-League Women season may be over for her Brisbane Roar side, but she is determined to keep at it to retain her place in the Matildas squad.
“It gives you a taste of what it’s like – it’s unbelievable. It just pushes you every day just keep work hard, play your best, it’s a really competitive environment. Just because you step on for a couple of minutes doesn’t mean anything…it’s important to take it in and enjoy it, but keep working hard and do everything you need to do to keep it going.”
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