The Matildas defender Charli Grant spoke to the media ahead of Australia’s friendly with England tomorrow. Ben Gilby reports (10/4/23).
Above: Charli Grant sharing her thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s match with England. Image: Football Australia.
Charli Grant’s continual growth has seen the South Australian become an international regular and she is about to face, perhaps her toughest challenge yet against the European champions England on Tuesday.
Speaking from The Matildas’ Surrey training base, the Vittsjö defender affirmed how she thrives on the challenge that tomorrow night’s game will bring against a side who are unbeaten in 30 matches.
“England is a very exciting challenge for us to see where we are ahead of a World Cup. They definitely have one of the best forwards in the world at the moment. It’s a real challenge for our backline. Defensively they were (also) superb in the Euros and in recent friendly matches.
Above: Charli Grant strides forward for Australia against Scotland. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
“I love the challenge and coming up against different quality strikers and forwards. It makes my game get better.”
Grant will most likely start in the left-back role against the Lionesses. Whilst this is not a position that many Australian fans have seen her play in, it is the position she plays weekly for Vittsjö in the Damallsvenskan.
The former Adelaide United defender reviewed her performance in the role against Scotland on Good Friday saying: “I was really happy to get the opportunity to play left back, it’s big shoes to fill with Steph out. I was happy to provide some attacking options, I just need to be better with my final passes.”
Reflecting on the team’s back four formation for the game at Wimbledon, Grant said: “It was exciting to have Ellie (Carpenter) back in the team and play in the same side as her. Clare (Hunt) has come in and done exceptionally well. She looks like she has been in the team for years. Polks (Clare Polkinghorne) is always there with composure and leadership.”
Australia’s own unbeaten run came to an end against Scotland on Friday, and whilst there could be a sense of frustration in The Matildas’ challenges in converting the chances they made, Grant is focusing on the positives from that match.
“We had a lot of goalscoring opportunities. We did well with build-up play and there was also some good defensive efforts, and have to take that as a positive.”
Photos from Sunday Matildas Training in Surrey from Rachel Bach/Football Australia:
Ben Gilby provides a full report from the game of the weekplus all the details from the other matches in Western Australia’s NPL Women’s competition (10/4/23).
Above:Katie Ritchie fires in a shot for Perth RedStar despite the attentions of Perth SC’s Judy Connolly. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Perth RedStar.
Game of the week:
Perth SC 0-0 Perth RedStar
The battle of the two favourites for the NPLW this season ended goalless at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday night.
With Perth SC head coach Peter Rakic pointing out to Impetus on Wednesday that his side still have yet to beat RedStar in 90 minutes, it was an opportunity missed. Yet his team were without players such as Abbey Meakins, Jaymee Gibbons, and Poppie Hooks and had assistant coach Jess Byrne listed as a substitute.
Additionally, star attacker Gemma Craine came off with what the Azzurri will hope was just a minor knock. The shared spoils mean that Perth SC still have three points more than Carlos Vega Mena’s defending champions at this early stage of the season.
Perth RedStar employed an energetic press which reduced the amount of time that the home side’s ball players had in possession. This intelligent tactic also forced the home side into rushed passes with resulting turnovers of possession and make Perth SC look less than their usual composed selves at the back.
Whilst the opening half was largely devoid of clear-cut chances, when they did eventuate, they generally went the way of the visitors.
Quyen Doan supplied Jay Coleman with the first opportunity of the game with three minutes played, but Rebecca Bennett held on well in the Perth SC goal. Bronwyn Studman was working hard to deny Craine time on the ball as RedStar had the better of the opening half hour.
Above: Sarah Carroll lines up a second-half free-kick for Perth RedStar. Image: Streamer.
The visitors had another chance with 25 minutes played as a perfectly timed through ball from Reina Kagami fell into the path of Chiori Ikeda who was denied by a sensational tackle from the Azzurri‘s Liana Cook who blocked what looked to be a certain goal.
There were three further opportunities for RedStar with Leota hitting a floater just over the top before Jayna Ridley, on as a sub for Ikeda who took a knock, found Doan whose effort was held by Bennett. Then, Doan’s lofted ball in from the right to Leota saw the former Football Fern in space and, with hindsight, the time to take a touch and place a shot, but instead hit a first-time effort wide.
Perth SC did fashion a handful of opportunities – Sophia Papalia had two bites at the cherry, with the second one going wide of the right-hand post. Craine also broke well along the right and found Monique Godding, but the former Balcatta Etna’s cross had too much pace on it for the onrushing Ellie La Monte.
The second half was more open and began with La Monte firing a shot in on goal that Maya Diederichsen gathered in the RedStar goal.
The visitors responded with Doan reaping rewards on the right, but her low ball in from the byline, which was begging to be turned into the net was cleared by Perth. Doan was involved again just two minutes later as her ball in from the same flank was met by the head of Leota, but the ball went narrowly wide of the post.
Back came the Azzurri and Cook headed wide. With just over 10 minutes remaining Craine departed, with Stella Zampogna replacing her.
Each side had one further chance to break the deadlock. First, for the visitors, Emily Dunn curled a ball in towards Coleman whose effort had Bennett scrambling across goal to save. Then, La Monte broke through for Perth, taking a touch and heading over the onrushing Diederichsen, but couldn’t find the net.
In this early stage of the season, it’s hard to know which of the two sides this result favours. For Perth SC, it keeps them unbeaten and three points ahead of their potential title rivals from the Northern suburbs. RedStar know they could and perhaps should have won based on the chances created.
Three goals in a nine-minute first-half spell ensured that Fremantle City recorded their first win of the season against struggling Curtin University at Hilton Park.
Goal!! for Fremantle City FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Hilton Reserve in the 12:22 mark of the First Half. Score Fremantle City 1:0 Curtin Uni FC
The home side went ahead with 13 minutes played after Laura Waltman showed great skill along the left to beat two Curtin tacklers before dispatching a low ball which was turned into her own goal by the visitors’ Selene Jimenez Lobato with Freo’s Janice Kiama threatening to pounce.
Just six minutes later, Fremantle doubled their lead with another own goal as an attempted low square ball for Kiama was inadvertently turned into her own net by Danielle Petch.
Shortly afterwards it was 3-0 as Curtin lost possession from their own free-kick, allowing Olivia Trueman to play a sumptuous pass between two visiting defenders into the path of Kiama to comfortably round the visiting keeper and slot home.
Fremantle added two further goals before the break. First, as the clock hit 45 minutes, Siobhan Longmore’s high cross in from the left was mishandled by the Curtin keeper, potentially not helped by the sun, and flew into the net. Then, just over a minute later, Kiama received a pass on the right and played in a low ball which the visiting custodian let slip through allowing Trueman to tap home.
The next goal arrived with 20 minutes to go as Kiama escaped along the right and delivered a low cross which was met by Mikayla Lyons’ effort which was repelled, with the rebound falling kindly for Trueman to grab her second as she tapped home at the back post. With nine minutes to go it was 7-0 as Lyons volleyed home a high cross from the left from close range.
The round’s remaining scheduled games, Balcatta Etna against Subiaco, and Hyundai NTC’s clash with Murdoch University Melville have been rescheduled for later in the season.
Hannah Parnell was pitchside at the Australia v Scotland match on Good Friday for Impetus. Here is her second galleryof superb photos from the match(9/4/23).
by Martin Townley at the Cardiff City Stadium for Impetus(8/4/23).
Above: Jess Fishlock, who scored Cymru’s opening goal, battles her way through Northern Ireland tackles. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
Cymru roared to a victory over Northern Ireland on their first game in Cardiff since their historic World Cup Play-off win.
Over 6,800 fans set a record attendance for a Cymru friendly as Gemma Grainger’s side outclassed Northern Ireland.
Cymru controlled the first half and created plenty of chances. Jess Fishlock, Angharad James, and Hannah Cain all scored. Cain getting her first senior international goal. Gemma Grainger’s side pressed high up the pitch and controlled the tempo of the game passing their way around the pitch. Northern Ireland struggled to play out form the back and rarely troubled the Welsh defence.
Andy Waterworth’s Northern Ireland side started the second half well and had the better of the early exchanges. His team failed to capitalise on their start and Cymru got the next goal, Rachel Rowe striking in the 63rd minute. In the 73rd minute, the Irish had a goal back thanks to Lauren Wade. Northern Ireland were unable to build on the goal and Cymru again controlled most of the play.
Cymru were pressing the Irish defence very high up the pitch and Ceri Holland almost robbed the ball from Shannon Turner in the visitors’ goal. The keeper just evading Holland and getting the ball away.
Cymru got the opening goal in the 15th minute thanks to Jess Fishlock. Angharad James took a quick throw-in which allowed Rachel Rowe to get away on the right. Rowe made it to the by-line and whipped the ball across goal where Fishlock got in front of her marker to turn the ball in.
Cymru had Northern Ireland pinned back and were looking for a second. With the green shirts struggling to clear their lines, the ball fell to Fishlock. Going for her second, Fishlock struck a low shot that went just wide of the post.
Above: Rachel Rowe celebrates after scoring Cymru’s fourth goal. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
The pressure told and soon Cymru had the second goal. Captain Sophie Ingle with a perfect cross-field ball to find an unmarked Fishlock in the six-yard area. Fishlock cushioned the ball across goal for James’ top finish at the back post.
Rachel Rowe lined up a Welsh free kick after a foul on Ingle. Rowe hit it low underneath the wall, but it was wide of the target.
A third goal soon came and first Cymru goal for Hannah Cain. After good pressure from Cymru, the ball went out to the right where Roberts met it and sent it into the area. Cain came running in and swept the ball past Turner as Cymru led 3-0 at the break.
After a better start to the second half, it was Northern Ireland who had the first real chance of the half. Caragh Hamilton hitting a shot on the turn but putting it wide of Olivia Clark’s goal.
A poor goal kick from Clark saw the ball run to Chloe McCarron outside the box. McCarron went for goal from distance but her effort was well wide.
A good turn and cross from Rowe almost set up Cain for her second. Rebecca McKenna doing enough to stop Cian getting a good contact on the ball and her shot went wide.
Ceri Holland whipped a ball into the box and Shannon Turner couldn’t hold it the ball went through to Rowe who made no mistake firing in for Cymru’s fourth.
Lauren Wade made a breakthrough the Welsh defence but her effort on goal was wide. Soon after Wade had her goal taking the ball from Gemma Evans, Wade put the ball in from angle with Clark unable to stop it.
Report by Nathan Edwards at Plough Lane for Impetus.
EXCLUSIVE photography from Hannah Parnell (7/4/23)
Above: Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold punches clear during the Matildas clash with Scotland at Wimbledon today. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Nicola Docherty scored the only goal of the game to clinch the win for Scotland in today’s friendly at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane stadium.
After a succession of chances to close out the first half that weren’t taken, Docherty opened the second half by bending a strike past Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Australia mustered little in front of goal until the deficit and when they did, they struggled to turn their efforts on target.
Upon the defeat, Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson said, “We have now looked at the individuals of the roster of the 23 players and see where we have the depth.
Above: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson looks on at Plough Lane today. He is likely to change The Matildas attacking shape ahead of Tuesday’s game with England. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
“We had a great opportunity for some of the players to get an opportunity today, and we learned a lot about our individuals and as a team in terms of our play style and how we want to play.”
With Australia missing six key players and Sam Kerr remaining on the bench, the game took until the second half to really open up.
Scotland had three occasions where they could have taken the lead, with two chances falling to Martha Thomas in quick succession. Both her opportunities were in similar positions, with Thomas unable to direct her first shot either side of Arnold, and her second was sent wildly over the bar.
Ellie Carpenter, back after her ACL injury, was making her first appearance for the Matildas since April 2022, had to make a crucial block to deny Emma Watson’s goalward shot. The Scot had an impressive debut.
Talking about the 17-year-olds performance, Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa said, “I think the most important thing was about the team, and what players and characters will help the team in any circumstances.
Above: Scotland celebrate Nicola Docherty’s second half winner. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
“Emma was very impressive with her performance in the last week, so at some point you want to see and hear how she is responding during camp, and in the three sessions we have had we decided she should play.”
The warning signs given to Australia were not dealt with, as early in the second half Docherty’s looping shot dipped just over Arnold’s glove to clip the post as it went in.
The Matildas fell behind without registering a shot on target, but after Docherty’s goal, Australia delivered their best spell of the game.
Cortnee Vine found space in Scotland’s backline to unleash a shot that came off the crossbar, and Lee Gibson would quickly be tested for the first time in the match.
Above: Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson makes a save today. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Carpenter played through Hayley Raso, who after a decent touch was quickly smothered by Gibson as she got her shot away.
Australia continued to push, with Clare Hunt arrowing a shot from distance off the crossbar but space opened up in the game for Claire Emslie to find Thomas who prodded wide.
Scotland continued to break when given the opportunity. Caroline Weir, who was managed well throughout the game, carved the opportunity for Kirsty Hanson, to be denied by Arnold’s strong hand.
Scotland managed to keep Australia at bay, but with the World Cup looming Gustavsson will be looking for a response after a first defeat in seven games. Their next opportunity comes on Tuesday night against European champions England.
by Nathan Edwards at Wembley Stadium for Impetus(7/4/23)
Above: England lift the Finalissima trophy after their penalty shoot-out win over Brazil at Wembley last night. Photo: Lionesses.
Chloe Kelly scored the crucial penalty to win the inaugural Women’s Finalissima after Andressa Alves punished Mary Earps’ mistake to cancel out Ella Toone’s first-half goal.
In the depths of added time, Mary Earps failed to deal with a bobbling cross spilling the ball into Andressa to prod Brazil level.
It set up the penalty shootout after Toone put England ahead, in what was a dominant opening 45 minutes. Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway carved open the Brazil defence and set up the Manchester United forward to sweep England ahead.
The England goal scorer would be the first to miss in the shootout, seeing her tame effort thwarted by Leticia.
Earps would replicate her counterpart’s feat by saving the next, and Arsenal defender Rafaelle cannoned her strike off the crossbar, allowing Kelly to secure victory for England.
Brazil offered little throughout the opening period, but with England only holding a slim advantage, the Selecao came out of the second half testing a Lionesses defence who were without Millie Bright.
On multiple occasions, Earps would be called into action, with a combination of herself and the crossbar denying Geyse, and Andressa missing an earlier opportunity to level by hitting her strike straight into Earps.
Above: Chloe Kelly celebrates after converting the winning penalty for England. Photo: Lionesses.
Kelly’s penalty ensured that England remained unbeaten under Sarina Wiegman, a spell that spans 30 games and includes three trophies, the Euros, Arnold Clarke Cup, and Finalissima.
With Australia the only remaining confirmed game for the Lionesses ahead of the World Cup, the Finalissima provided to be a great warmup for Wiegman and her squad, which has changed a lot since their Euros victory.
England’s coach said, “It was a very exciting night in the end, with of course an incredible crowd, and pitch – this environment we’ll never take for granted.
“I think the first half we played really well. We had a lot of possession, created lots of chances, scored an incredible goal, and we hoped to score a little more than one.
“The second half they went back to 4-4-2, put a very high press and then we were struggling, to get out of their press, to keep the ball in possession, so then they became dangerous, and at the end, we conceded a goal, which can happen.
“I think the team did really well by just showing resilience – so that was done, we were moving forward, we had to do a job and take the penalties as good as possible, or stop it as good as possible, and that’s what we did.”
The 11 players named yesterday consisted of only six starters from their Euros victory. Toone arrived in that game as a substitute and went on to open England’s scoring. Eight months on Toone opened the scoring in the Finalissima this time after becoming a crucial player in Sarina Wiegman’s plans.
For Toone and co they were vital players off the bench for the Lionesses, with Wiegman refusing to budge from an 11 that took England to glory.
Above: Ella Toone shows her delight after putting England ahead last night. Photo: Lionesses.
But with injuries and players calling an end to their playing careers, such as Ellen White, it offered spaces for others to grab, which Alessia Russo has done.
A key part of the Lionesses’ success from the bench in last summer’s campaign, who has now stepped into a main role.
The England forward was starved of chances last night, but put in a selfless performance. From forcing Rafaelle to give away an early corner, to displaying strong holdup play to relieve England’s backline when Brazil built themselves back into the game, it was a performance that will please Wiegman.
Although, Russo faces a tough challenge from WSL’s second top goal scorer, Rachel Daly, who came on to produce another tireless performance.
One position that Wiegman refused to tinker with since the summer was her centre-back partnership of Millie Bright and Leah Williamson.
But with the injury to the commanding Bright, an opportunity rose for the multiple centre-backs in the squad. Alex Greenwood, who was another player to get promoted as a starter since the summer, moved centrally, with Jess Carter being handed the task of left back.
During the first half, the switch seemed seamless, with Brazil unable to threaten but as the second half got underway the Selecao were able to carve open chances, especially down their right-hand side.
Including Brazil’s equaliser, where a cross squirmed out of Earps’ hands to set up Andressa’s late equaliser, this was despite Wiegman opting for experience off the bench to try and manage the game.
Above: Sheer joy for England after the penalty shoot-out. Photo: Lionesses.
The experience they went for was, with Euro starter Daly, and Euro winner Kelly to replace Russo and Lauren James, but the squad is packed with young talent that will excite the during the World Cup.
With James being a key decision for Wiegman to make. The squad has three wingers that are all playing important roles at club level, and transferring that to the international stage.
James was a constant danger, dropping deep on occasions and also running in behind, with the offside flag the only reason she didn’t score today.
She swapped flanks with Lauren Hemp throughout the game and offered the same attacking output until her substitution.
As for Hemp, her goals in the WSL have dried up after an impressive season last year, but she has been relied on by her coach during the Euros and in this final, which the 22-year-old has repaid.
The final winger is the match winner, Kelly continues to deliver in the big moments, a crucial trait to have in a player when heading to a knockout tournament.
It might mean that Wiegman sees her as the perfect substitute to bring on and change the dynamic. The England coach said, “She (Kelly) captured that moment and she kept true in the penalty shootout.
“It was a nice moment for the team, but also a very nice moment for her.”
There is little time for England to experiment now, and with a blend of youthfulness and experience within the squad, England will hope to continue their unbeaten run throughout the World Cup.
Teams: ENGLAND (4-3-3): Earps, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter, Stanway, Walsh, Toone, James, Russo, Hemp. Substitutes used: Kelly (for James 74′), Daly (for Russo 74′), Robinson (for Hemp 88′).
Scorer: Toone 23′.
BRAZIL (5-3-2): Izidoro Lima da Silva, da Costa Silva, Leal Costa, Sousa Feitoza, Carvalho Souza, Dias de Britto, Alvas Borges, Bertolucci Paixão, Ferraz, Zaneratto João, da Silva Ferreira. Substitutes used: Alves da Silva (for Leal Costa 45′), Leal da Silva (for Zaneratto João 45′), Francelino da Silva (for Bertolucci Paixão 69′), Nunes da Silva (for da Costa Silva 87′), Palermo Licen (for Alves Borges 87′).
Perry Dobbins was at the Cardiff City Stadiumlast night to produce this superb collection of images(7/4/23)
Above: Rachel Rowe celebrates her goal that put Cymru 4-0 up last night. Photo: Perry Dobbins
Cymru 4-1 Northern Ireland
Three goals in a stunning 14-minute spell in the first half saw Cymru ease their way to victory over Northern Ireland in Cardiff last night.
Goals from Jess Fishlock, Angharad James, and Hannah Cain built the home side a big early advantage before Rachel Rowe extended the lead further just after the hour mark.
It was a tough baptism for Northern Ireland interim boss Andy Waterworth, in charge of the team for the first time after Kenny Shiels stepped down at the start of the year. Lauren Wade scored the nation’s consolation strike with just over 15 minutes remaining.
Full report to follow later from Martin Townley at the Cardiff City Stadiumfor Impetus.
Teams: CYMRU(4-3-3): Clark, Roberts, Ladd, Evans, E. Morgan, James, Ingle, Fishlock, Holland, Cain, Rowe. Substitutes used: Hughes (for Cain 68′), Green (for Ladd 68′), F. Morgan (for Rowe 68′). Powell (for Morgan 77′), Wynne (for Fishlock 87′).
Scorers: Fishlock 16′, James 25′, Cain 30′, Rowe 64′.
Andy Wicks was at Australia’s training base in Surrey today to capture these images as The Matildas ramped up their preparations for tomorrow’s match against Scotland at AFC Wimbledon (6/4/23).
Above: Sam Kerr sees the funny side in training today. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Ben Gilby was in today’s Australia media conference with captain Sam Kerr and head coach Tony Gustavsson. The Matildas’all-time record scorer highlighted the fact that the best possible legacy from their home World Cup would be increased funding to match the sport’s status as the one with the biggest participation rate in the country (6/4/23).
Above: Sam Kerr speaking to the media today from Australia’s Surrey training base. Image: Football Australia.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr today outlined to the media what she wants to see as the legacies from the World Cup that Australia will co-host this year.
“The legacy we want to leave is that we inspired the nation. We moved the nation to believe in women’s football and The Matildas. It’s about getting the people higher up to believe in the sport.
“You see the funding that AFL and rugby get before women’s football. It’s about getting the money into football to allow girls to play and have the opportunity to get where they want to be. We have the participation, we have the love of the game, but we hope that the lasting legacy will be the funding.”
With record ticket sales and the Matildas’ opening game of the tournament against the Republic of Ireland moved to the Olympic Stadium due to demand, the Western Australian star highlighted the impact that the home support will have on the squad.
“Ireland are a bloody good team, they’ve conceded no goals in their last nine games so. If you look too far ahead – I think that was one of the biggest learning curves from the last World Cup, looking too far ahead. This time we focus on Ireland and making the crowd the twelfth man.
“Not many players get to play a home World Cup. We always talk about Cathy Freeman and the 2000 Olympics and we kinda hope that no matter what happens that this team is remembered forever and represents Australia, showing Australia can be a real footballing country, a real host of women’s football. I get goosebumps every time I think about that first game.
Above: Sam Kerr training today with The Matildas. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
“Historically the Matildas play much better at home and I think that’s down to our fans. We have an amazing support…we are a really well-supported team…there are so many girls in this team that are loved by the Aussies.”
Tony Gustavsson is the fifth head coach in Kerr’s time with the national side. She outlined the impact of having someone with the experience of World Cup success as part of the USWNT’s coaching squad at the helm.
“Tony came from a winning culture. The US is the best winning culture in the world for the last 12 years and seeing how Tony dealt with their team and individual players. I think Tony will admit himself that every camp is different, but when we get into tournament mode, it flips on its head.
“It’s been great for me to learn that there is a difference, there is a time to speed it up and slow it down, and I’ve always struggled with that in my career, I’ve always sped it up! I found that balance and learned pretty quickly with the Olympics that there is a difference between tournament mode and this sort of camp.
“You put pressure on yourself, but at the end of the day, it’s (this international window) a practice. We’re not going to be where we want to be in two months’ time right now…I don’t think since Tony’s been here we’ve ever had our full squad together, it’s just ebbed and flowed the whole time.”
This international window marks the end of a particularly hectic period in club football for Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer. A Conti Cup Final, FA Cup Quarter-Final, Champions League Quarter-Final as well as regular WSL matches. Asked how tough the last month has been, Kerr just smiled and said: “I’ve loved the last month. Anyone who knows me knows I prefer to play than train!
“It’s been enjoyable, it’s been really tough. I’ve learned a lot, but it was kind of like a World Cup setting – big game after big game, every game a Final or a knockout. We’ve played every big team under the sun. I love playing for the national team, so I’m excited for these two games.”
Gustavsson: As one door closes, another door opens
Above: Tony Gustavsson at today’s Matildas media conference today with captain Sam Kerr. Image: Football Australia.
Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson admits that his plans for this international window have had to be adjusted as his squad were hit by another batch of injuries.
Caitlin Foord and Alanna Kennedy withdrew from the squad on Monday adding to the likes of Emily Gielnik and Kyah Simon. Gustavsson outlined how it changed his thinking for the forthcoming games against Scotland and England.
“It was a challenge coming into this camp, we knew it was the last chance for the World Cup assembly to look at some consistency and cohesiveness, Ellie (Carpenter) coming into the back line, but unfortunately we have…six very experienced players out – over 500 caps are missing coming into the camp.
“So we had to change our approach from saying this is about consistency and cohesiveness to now changing that mindset to ‘what last answers can we get about World Cup selection?’ One door closes and another door opens.
“There’s been some load management this camp as well in terms of players that we need to handle with respect as it’s all about the bigger picture, which is the World Cup.”
This international window marks the second anniversary of the Matildas boss’ first camp with the squad. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, Australia’s squad availability was greatly reduced as the side suffered a 5-2 loss to Germany, and a 5-0 loss to the Netherlands.
Gustavsson reflected on what he has learned during the last 24 months. “It was a tough spot, in COVID, not having players available. One (thing I have learned) is trust the process – getting the team to believe. We’ve looked at 60 players and 20 debutants.
“I also learned I should have educated more people outside of the circle about the process to get the understanding of why we did what we did. The more you work with players the more you learn about them and how to make the best out of them as players, it’s building a playing style.”
Asked about how he has managed the Matildas’ stars such as Sam Kerr to ensure her load is manageable and she peaks at the best times, Gustavsson said: “If you look at backing up performance after performance in club land, it says a lot about her professionalism and character as a player.
“Sometimes I have to be the one that puts on the handbrake. Sometimes these winners want to win every game and play fully every game, but sometimes they need to listen to and manage load and game time. It’s about looking at the bigger picture.”
Ben Gilby was in The Matildas’ media conference with Hayley Raso today and heard the winger emphasise that whilst she isn’t getting the minutes she’d like at Manchester City, she is more than ready to perform for her country against Scotland and England (5/4/23).
Above: Hayley Raso in action for Australia against South Africa in October. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Australia winger Hayley Raso told the media today that she is ready to use her skill to “turn games” this international window as The Matildas prepare to face Scotland and England.
“I’m at one of the best squads in the world. The training and facilities I am involved in are top. I’m sharp and firing, and ready to go. I’m not getting as many minutes as I’d like at my club, but I’m here to represent my country, I’m in good form.
“I am a confidence player, I feel like I have been performing well in our recent games, so it’s nice to have that when I can come and turn a game, that’s just the way I play.”
Above: Hayley Raso in training with The Matildas yesterday. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Raso knows her team, on a run of five successive wins, face a stern test over the coming week. “Two really good games, two really tough opposition, it will prepare us for the World Cup,” she said.
First up for Australia is Good Friday’s clash with Scotland at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane stadium – a venue that Raso has fond memories of having been in the Manchester City team that won the Conti Cup there last season, defeating Matildas team-mate Sam Kerr’s Chelsea.
“It’s a really nice stadium, I’m really looking forward to play there with my national team, and it will be great to be back there,” Raso enthused.
Whilst Scotland have not qualified for the World Cup this time round, the Brisbane-born star knows that they have more than enough star quality in their side, notably Caroline Weir – a player that Raso admired greatly during their time together at Manchester City before Weir’s departure to Real Madrid.
“I was speaking about her with some of the (Matildas) girls earlier. I was saying that she is one of the best players that I have trained with. She is an amazing footballer, technically so good. She’s doing really well there. She seems to be loving her time there. I think she’s scored a number of goals already. Whatever team she plays for, you see how a big player she is.”
Above: Hayley Raso is confident of being a key member of another successful international window for Australia. Photo: Adelaide Advertiser.
With Friday’s match officially a home game for Australia, Raso is looking forward to having a large number of UK-based Australian fans clad in green and gold to cheer the Matildas on.
“We hope there will be a big contingent of Aussies coming out to support us. Being away from home, it will be great to have such a big support for us.”
With these two matches over the coming week forming one of the last chances for Australia to prepare for their home World Cup this July and August, the winger reflected on the journey that the Matildas have been on since Tony Gustavsson took over as head coach.
“We’ve made a lot of progress, we’ve been preparing for a long time now, through various ebbs and flows. We had a great tournament when he first came in during the Olympics. We’re coming into form now.”
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