‘Imagine the outrage’: Matildas use divisive tactic to thwart Denmark

The Matildas have swatted away intense scrutiny after an apparent brazen act of gamesmanship during their clash against Denmark.

Steph Catley needed a moment to recover. Photo: Optus Sport.

The Matildas are under intense scrutiny after an apparent brazen act of gamesmanship during their clash against Denmark.

The rumblings have done nothing to take the shine off the Matildas’ historic 2-0 win over Denmark in front of a rocking house of 75,000 fans at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Monday.

The Matildas were able to compose themselves early in the match on the back of a controversial moment involving Steph Catley after the Danes had dominated the early exchanges.

Catley took some contact during a challenge and stayed down on the ground to have her ankle assessed by medical staff.

The Matildas used the break in play to huddle around coach Tony Gustavsson.

Catley was taken from the field briefly but returned to the pitch just moments after the re-start of play.

Steph Catley needed a moment to recover. Photo: Optus Sport.

Catley was asked about the controversial moment when speaking with reporters after the game

and rubbished suggestions she had faked an injury.

“Nah, had a little roll, but yeah it’s okay,” Catley said.

“Once I got up and got moving, it (was) fine. We’re definitely looking after the body tonight, making sure it’s all good and ready for the next game back.”

She also couldn’t help but have a laugh about the chatter that has surrounded her decision not to get back to her feet immediately.

“It’s a great coincidence,” Catley joked when asked about it being a fortunate moment for the team to reset.

“Sometimes it’s a good reset when there’s a break in play, and the girls got over and talked to Tony. But I’m all good, healthy and ready for the next game.”

Many commentators were highly sceptical of Catley’s act.

Channel 7’s Grace Gill said in commentary: “It’s a good question as to whether this moment was just a quick tactical discussion, because... there was a quick gathering of the players around Tony Gustavsson.

“Just to take, perhaps, a little bit of momentum out of Denmark, who have started this opening stanza really brightly.”

SEN producer Sam Watson posted on Twitter: “Imagine the outrage amongst footy fans if what Steph Catley just did happened in an AFL game.

“Talk about exploiting the rules to stem the opponent’s momentum.”

Sideline reporter Adam Peacock said on Channel 7: “I’m not sure if she’s called this so the rest of the team can go over and talk to Tony Gustavsson.

Caitlin Foord puts Australia ahead. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP.

“Hopefully it’s OK. As soon as Catley hit the deck, Gustavsson was waving to say, ‘Come over and have a chat’.”

Veteran football commentator David Basheer also thought it may have been a deliberate move.

“You just wonder whether that was a tactical ploy. Other nations do it,” he said.

There was huge controversy earlier in the tournament when the Netherlands produced a similar brazen act to hold up play in order to give players time to speak with their coach during their match against Portugal.

The drama was quickly forgotten when Mary Fowler produced a moment of magic to set up Australia’s opening goal.

It only got better for Australia from there with Hayley Raso making it a 2-0 lead for the World Cup host nation in the 70th minute.

It quickly turned into a dream night at the office for the Matildas with Sam Kerr also getting on the pitch for the first time this World Cup in a moment that had the crowd going berserk.