‘Stop complaining’: Why the Matildas must be positive if they want to be on the podium in Paris
The pressure is on the Matildas and their coach with a lot riding on the Paris Games. So, for the best chance at winning an elusive medal the team must put their negative thoughts aside, writes ROBBIE SLATER.
Women's Football
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The Matildas will head to the Olympic Games with the odds stacked against them.
There was little surprise in the squad named by coach Tony Gustavsson.
It is pretty much what we have and I don’t think we have the depth of some other countries.
Our depth isn’t bad but every team relies on its good players and there are enough good players in this squad if they all stay fit to do what they did during the World Cup but go at least one better.
The World Cup reality is the Matildas only won three games outright and finished fourth.
We’re looking for a medal this time.
They missed out on the Olympic medals four years ago but you’re looking to go one better this time and do so without your best player, Sam Kerr.
As I said, things are stacked against them but if the coach gets his team selection right then they certainly have a chance.
The key is the way he lines up.
Coming up against Germany and the USA in the group stage is going to be tough.
The one thing that stood out for me against China was how much we miss Kerr.
Mind you, we miss Kerr a lot more because I just do not understand what he is doing with Mary Fowler.
She has so much to offer and he is playing her in a position where she looks like a fish up a tree.
She is a better player than that and I believe he should be playing her as a false nine – in behind the striker. That is where she is best.
She has so much more to offer as an attacking threat that we need to unlock if the Matildas are to achieve success in Paris.
NEGATIVE MENTALITY
The Olympics are like a World Cup, you have to win six games for glory.
You have to do all that in just two weeks, so if anything it is more intense.
Mentally you have to be on the whole time.
It’s not a criticism but we’ve heard a lot of complaints about fatigue from the players in the past week – that it’s a long season, this and that.
Well, it’s an Olympic Games and for some of you this will be a once-in-a-lifetime thing or the last Olympics you ever play.
You don’t want any negative thoughts whatsoever creeping into your mentality.
To be fair, the players are coming off a long season but, you know what, so is everyone else.
Stop complaining about fatigue. You want to play professional football, well, this is it.
It’s lots of games. Big games. Lots of commitments.
I don’t like hearing we’re tired, we’re this and we’re that. I get it.
You’ve played a lot of football but this is what it is all about at the pinnacle.
Most of the players get a couple of weeks’ break now but you can’t take too much time off at this point because kick-off is not far away.
The players are professionals, they will follow their individual programs until the team assembles again in Spain next month.
Being a professional athlete is a way of life.
For some, a few days off is all it takes to get back into the right frame of mind.
Gustavsson needs to freshen them up mentally and physically and then get them ready for an assault on Paris.
The pressure is on him to get everything right about their preparation.
He can’t afford any mistakes.
‘Sh*tshow’: Matildas in turmoil ahead of crunch match
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson’s reign as coach will end after this Olympics, but questions have been raised about his management of the team in France.
Mistake Matildas cannot repeat if they want to win a medal
Having survived by the skin of their teeth against Zambia, the Matildas take on women’s football giants the USA. ERIN SMITH breaks down the changes they must make to stand any chance.