Robbie Slater: Onus on Matildas must turn shambolic Paris Olympics around after ‘lucky’ escape

Staring down the barrel of elimination, the Aussies showed great courage to fight back but let’s not sugar-coat things too much. The Matildas had more than their share of luck and must cash in on it now, writes ROBBIE SLATER.

The Matildas are still alive in the Olympics despite conceding five goals to Zambia. Picture: Valery Hache/AFP

Teams often need some fortune to progress deep into a tournament, and the Matildas certainly had their fair share of luck in their crazy 6-5 win over Zambia.

Don’t get me wrong. Staring down the barrel of elimination when down 5-2, the Aussies showed great courage to fight back and claim three crucial points.

Coach Tony Gustavsson got his substitutions right, with Michelle Heyman’s injection into the contest proving vital.

However, let’s not sugarcoat things too much.

If it wasn’t for the poor Zambian goalkeeper, the Matildas would have lost.

Now it’s up to them to use that rub of the green to ensure this Olympics campaign doesn’t go down in history as shambolic.

Michelle Heyman came to the rescue for the Matildas. Picture: Valery Hache/AFP

They will need to improve defensively on Thursday morning (AEST) against a United States team that has scored seven goals in two games, including four against Germany.

However, regardless of the result against the Americans, the tournament’s format means only four of the 12 teams are going home after the group stage.

Therefore, three points and third place in their group could still be enough for the Matildas to reach the quarter-finals – particularly considering Canada was docked six points for the drone scandal.

The Australians can perhaps take heart from their performance at the previous Olympics in Tokyo, where third place was also enough for them to progress to the knockout stages.

The Matildas then managed to beat Great Britain in the quarter-finals, before being beaten 1-0 in a semi-final clash with Sweden.

However, such has been their displays in their past two games, the Australians must fix up a host of problems to emulate that feat.

The amount of space they gave not only Zambia, but Germany as well in their 3-0 loss last week, was alarming.

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It has contributed to the eight goals the Matildas have already conceded in two tournament games.

Defending starts from the forward line, and teams are getting through the Aussies far too easily, which is leaving the backline exposed.

The Matildas also continue to struggle to deal with set pieces and crosses. It’s a fundamental aspect of the game that needs to be rectified.

Gustavsson also needs to start Heyman, Australia’s only genuine centre-forward in the injury-enforced absence of superstar Sam Kerr.

Makeshift attacking options Cortnee Vine and Emily van Egmond haven’t been able to do the job.

Heyman’s impact was obvious against Zambia, and she must be elevated into Australia’s starting side to ensure the Matildas aren’t just making up the numbers at the Paris Games.

Originally published as Robbie Slater: Onus on Matildas must turn shambolic Paris Olympics around after ‘lucky’ escape