Matildas’ Cup of Nations victories provided a revealing insight ahead of FIFA World Cup
The Cup of Nations was bigger than silverware. It was the Matildas’ major tune-up before a historic home World Cup and revealed plenty, writes ADAM PEACOCK.
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There are 147 days remaining until the Matildas open their historic home FIFA World Cup campaign against Ireland in Sydney.
With seven straight wins, including a clean sweep at the Cup of Nations, Australia is hitting form at precisely the right time after several years of searching under Tony Gustavsson.
Here’s what we’ve learned after wins against Czechia, Spain and Jamaica.
Winning form is good form
The peak? First half against Spain.
The trough? First half against Czechia.
The head scratcher? Both halves against Jamaica. Clunky play mixed with brilliant goals and well-crafted chances.
The common thread in all this: winning.
Three victories in a week doesn’t make the Matildas World Cup favourites, but it does provide a boost toward the top bracket.
Seven wins in a row is Australia’s best streak since the period from July 2017 to February 2018. To better that run, they will need to beat England in April and another top quality opponent in July’s final World Cup warm up game.
Should that eventuate, opponents won’t just respect them.
They will fear them.
Telepathic twins
Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord have known each other since MySpace was a thing and added to their highlight reel as a combination in the Spain and Jamaica games (Foord was rested against Czechia).
The interchange for Foord’s worldie against Jamaica and the telepathic understanding of each other’s movement against Spain were pivotal in danger posed by the Matildas.
Said Kerr after the Spain game: “We can change within the game, we can do what we feel to drive the team and I think in the first half we drove the team really well.”
Gustavsson added he doesn’t need to coach, nor tinker too much, when Foord and Kerr play close to each other in attack. That set-up looks like the default setting now.
Even if the Matildas run into a side at the World Cup that completely outplays them, with Foord and Kerr roaming together, they will never be out of a game.
Debutant’s ball
Clare Hunt’s introduction to international football at halftime in the opening Czechia game, after a 45 minutes where the Matildas underwhelmed, impressed everyone. She was physical, fast and not afraid to defend on the front foot.
If Hunt maintains form, she will be starting at the World Cup.
The question is: where? Currently with Western Sydney Wanderers, an overseas move after the A League Women’s season wraps up in April has to happen to keep Hunt ticking over in the intervening three months before the World Cup.
Keeper conundrum cleared
For the past two years, the Matildas have not settled on a first choice keeper with Lydia Williams, Teagan Micah and Mackenzie Arnold all given chances.
The confusion has cleared. Arnold starred for West Ham in a draw against Arsenal just before the Cup of Nations and carried that form, ending up player of the tournament. Arnold’s performance against Spain was perhaps her best ever for the Matildas.
Set piece wizards
Top teams win games by getting the controllables right. Poor teams lose them by getting them wrong.
There is no greater controllable than a set piece.
With Steph Catley’s delivery from corners and free kicks, the Matildas are a menace in this crucial facet, which takes on greater meaning at big tournaments with little between the top sides.
Go Gorry, be happy
Kerr is the chosen one in terms of stardom and that won’t change soon. But, as opposition coaches sit down to work out how to tip the Matildas off their axis, Katrina Gorry will form a sizeable part of the plan.
If Gorry is starved of possession, the Matildas wither. Jamaica and Czechia, in particular, made a concerted effort to stop Gorry getting on the ball, but at times overcompensated, allowing more room for others. That’s when Kyra Cooney-Cross looked dangerous.
When teams got lazy, Gorry ran amok. The Super Mum is in superb touch and it needs to stay that way.
Ellie 2.0
Six months ago, the right back position looked to be a huge problem. Ellie Carpenter was out with an ACL injury and unheralded youngster Charli Grant and veteran utility Tameka Yallop were the only other options.
Grant was given a go and solidified the faith with starts against Czechia and Spain and time off the bench against Jamaica (Gustavsson didn’t start her to protect from overload, given her club season is yet to start in Sweden).
Grant shone, her long stride bringing comparisons with Carpenter in style and substance, rocketing down the right to link up in attack. Carpenter has resumed club duties with Lyon and, all being well, will be ready for the April window, which includes a meeting with England.
With Grant, she now has a more than capable back up.
Speed thrills
Olympic-type sprinting speed is needed to exist as a winger in modern football. Cortnee Vine is the Matildas’ weapon in this regard.
With Foord and Kerr locked in at the top, Gustavsson decided to smash Spain in wide areas with Vine and Hayley Raso causing more havoc than an overtired toddler in a toy store. It’s full throttle, direct, and impossible to contain if not totally switched on.
Mary Fowler
Mary Fowler needs games. Currently at Manchester City, the gifted attacking midfielder has barely played, starting just two games since November.
Her influence was muted against Czechia, the usual silkiness on the ball a shade off. Alex Chidiac, who was preferred off the bench against Jamaica, received huge praise from Gustavsson at the end of the tournament. Chidiac heads to the US league, where she’ll get plenty of game time with Racing Louisville.
Fowler needs the same, wherever she can get it.
The Old Guard
For the best part of a decade, Tameka Yallop, Alanna Kennedy, Lydia Williams, Emily van Egmond and Elise Kellond-Knight have been mainstays in the Matildas starting line-up when fit.
For the Cup of Nations, the five combined for just 66 minutes of action, van Egmond with the bulk of them.
Of course, plenty can happen in the five months before the World Cup opener against Ireland on July 20, but there is no doubting they have dropped down the pecking order.
Are they taking it badly? Not judging by the pure joy on Williams’ face when fellow keeper Mackenzie Arnold was named player of the tournament.
Once the World Cup hits, 550 caps of experience will be more than handy in the most intense environment in football.
Originally published as Matildas’ Cup of Nations victories provided a revealing insight ahead of FIFA World Cup
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