Matildas V Canada: Series exposes cracks that must be fixed before World Cup
A lack of will and a lack of fitness let the Matildas down in the series against Canada - but it was not all doom and gloom for the locals. Here are five things we learned
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The Matildas are once again nursing a hangover from a game they could have won but didn’t.
There were moments of brilliance in both of the friendlies against reigning Olympic champions Canada this past week but it was far from enough.
Coach Tony Gustavsson needs to demand more from his players and the players need to demand more from themselves – in a game like football so much of it comes from wanting to win more than your opponent and fans just didn’t get to see that from the Matildas.
Sure it was an improvement on the clash against Spain which Australia lost 7-0 but with the World Cup now less than a year away the focus should be more on fine tuning – not development and improving.
Here are five things we learned from the Matildas this week:
FITNESS AND FORM
Coach Tony Gustavsson admitted on the sideline after the game his team didn’t have the fitness or form to last a full 90 minutes against a top international team – a major concern considering the World Cup is now less than a year away.
With some of the players part way through their overseas competitions and others due to start this weekend they should all be match fit and have the ability to play high intensity games for a full 90 minutes.
It begs the question if the problems in the second half of Tuesday night’s clash with Canada arose more from lack of mental drive to succeed and fight for the win than fitness.
Or is it from a lack of confidence- having lost 13 of their 26 games under Gustavsson – with just one of their wins coming against a top 20 ranked side.
The Matildas’ heads dropped when Canada equalised and they didn’t seem able to pick themselves back up.
Their desire to do the green and gold jersey proud should give them the drive to push through the discomfort in the final minutes of a game.
To their credit the Matildas did show some spark in the final 15 minutes of the game, once they were down 2-1 – but it was too little too late.
THE LITTLE THINGS COUNT
The Matildas first half was promising – they played with a higher intensity than we have seen them play with for a long time.
There were moments of brilliance – but flashes of good football won’t win them a World Cup. It has to be consistent and they need to get the little things right – every time.
In a World Cup chances in attack will be hard to come by- they can’t afford to give them away with rogue passes, careless fouls or poor decision making.
Too many times against Canada the Matildas’ attempt to switch play ended up at the feet of a Canadian player.
Or they took too many touches with the ball, hesitated or failed to make the right decision – throwing away goal scoring opportunities they had worked so hard to create, especially in the second half.
These things are not like a set play that can be fine tuned mid-tournament, they need to be sorted well before the World Cup comes around and they are fast running out of time to do it.
WE HAVE FOUND A #10
Mary Fowler played the way we all knew she could in the second clash with Canada. She has been touted as one of the most promising Matildas’ stars.
Fowler, who signed a four-year deal with powerhouse English football club Manchester City this year, had full control of the midfield – especially in the first half.
She made the best of a gifted ball from the Canadian keeper early in the first half and followed up a brilliant pass from Sam Kerr to bury the ball into the net. The midfielder had the Midas touch when it came to creating chances, sending perfectly weighted passes through the Canadian backline to set up Kerr and Cortnee Vine for multiple chances.
Of her 22 passes in the first half 17 found their mark.
Matildas fans need to cross their fingers the young star gets plenty of game time in the Women’s Super League this season as it will only continue to make her a better player.
GOALS WIN GAMES
There are many elements that make up a football game but at the end of the day goals win games and it seems to be one of the Matildas’ biggest issues right now.
Across the two games against Canada the Matildas had 25 shots on goal – compared to Canada’s 18 – yet it was Canada who scored three goals to Australia’s one.
The Canadians’ had just five shots in Tuesday night’s game – all in the second half.
Matildas created plenty of chances but even experienced and world class shooter Kerr struggled to find the net.
It is hard to criticise Vine’s game – she had a huge impact in the first half, opening up space and creating opportunities but then often failed to make the right decision or execute the cross when it came to crunch time.
Like the first game Australia could have snagged the win with more composure and finishing power in front of goals.
MISSING STAR POWER
Both Canada and Matildas ran out onto the field for both games with heavily depleted sides – so much so it nullified it as a problem and talking point. But if the Aussies want to be a contender at the World Cup they need their stars back.
The absences of Ellie Carpenter, Kyah Simon and Steph Catley were obvious this week. The defensive trio just have that next level and ability to attack as well as defend. Asking those that stepped up to fill the roles to play the same way these three play just isn’t fair. They are irreplaceable players. If they can’t make a return Gustavsson needs to reassess they style of play he wants the Matilda to implement.
Chloe Logarzo, who watched from the sidelines, is on track to be match fit come the World Cup and Hayley Raso seems to have been rested as more of a precaution than necessity.
These players bring much more than skill and experience to the side – they bring a drive and urge to win – you could see it Logazro’s eyes as she sat on the sideline – almost screaming just let me out there.
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