Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond on their disastrous Paris Olympics campaign
Emily van Egmond breaks down the Matildas “disappointing” Olympics campaign and how interim coach Tom Sermanni has helped turn it around.
Three months after a failed Paris Olympic campaign that prompted harsh reviews into the Matildas culture, midfielder Emily van Egmond is still trying to process exactly what went wrong.
The Matildas were expected to medal, the hype was real, the belief was high yet when their feet hit the ground in France the dream quickly crumbled.
It was the 31-year-old’s third Olympics – but the team’s worst performance at a Games in more than 20 years.
“It was a disappointing campaign for us, we came fourth in the World Cup the year before and then the previous Olympics we came fourth so to bomb out in the group stage, I don’t think I’ve actually ever been part of a Matildas team in my tenure that we’ve done that,” van Egmond said, from her San Diego apartment.
“It was really disappointing, especially with the talent in the group that we have.”
The Matildas lost their opening group match to Germany 0-3, managed to stage a comeback against Zambia to win 6-5 and then fell to the USA 1-2.
Questions were raised about the side’s fitness – then coach Tony Gustavsson fronted the media and declared “we weren’t ready” – despite a month long pre-tournament camp.
Gustavsson’s tactics were questioned and sources close to the team called it a “sh*tshow”.
When pressed about the team culture and what the problem was in France van Egmond didn’t throw blame.
“I don’t think that’s got really anything to do with it,” van Egmond said.
“I think it just wasn’t our tournament. We definitely weren’t at our best, the results don’t lie.
“We came up against three very strong teams, you can’t underestimate anyone or take anyone lightly.
“The Zambia game proved that.
“You have to make sure that every single time you go into a tournament you’re at your best, you have to perform, otherwise you’ll end up getting hurt.”
In the hours after the final group stage game, their last in France, Gustavsson informed the team of what many had already guessed, he would not be continuing as coach.
The Swede had taken the team to its greatest ever Olympics, a bronze medal play off in Tokyo and the historic fourth placed finish at the World Cup.
Van Egmond said she couldn’t quite recall the words Gustavsson used when he informed the team of his decision.
“We weren’t in the dressing room, it was later after the game,” she said.
“It was an emotional time for him, he obviously really enjoyed his time with our team, coming off the not so good tournament that we had I think emotions were kind of all over the place.
“It wasn’t a nice time for the team and what have you but that’s football and that’s what happens.”
Football Australia haven’t managed to find a new manager for the Matildas yet – instead appointing former coach Tom Sermanni in an interim role.
Going into his first camp with the squad, which include van Egmond, Sermanni said the vibe among the squad was low. It was the first time they had been back together since the Games.
Van Egmond said part of being an elite athlete was learning to deal with losses and move on.
“You’ve got to pick yourself up quickly,” she said.
“We are in a situation now where we’re waiting for a full time manager to come in and I think all we can do as players is control what we can and that is go out and giving our best and performing to the ability we have, making sure that we stick together as a team and a group.”
Which is exactly what the Matildas did. They pulled off a 1-1 draw with Switzerland and defeated Olympic bronze medallists Germany 3-1.
“This camp we just had with Tommy was good and to finish on a high against one of the best teams in the world has brought back a lot of belief and positivity that we need.
“It’s just good for the overall culture of the team to get back to winning ways.”
With her NWSL season officially over, as Wave finished 10th and didn’t make the playoffs – van Egmond has had a couple of weeks to prepare for this upcoming Australian camp.
The Matildas will play four games in 10 days – taking on Brazil twice in Queensland than Chinese Taipei in Victoria twice.
There is a lot of outside noise about the team, the next coach, who the squad should be – but van Egmond is blocking it out – instead focusing on her own performance in the hopes it can deliver the one thing she is yet to achieve in her national team career.
A win at a major tournament.
If she plays during this window it will be her 150th match. Only three other Australian footballers have achieved that feat before.
She joined the squad just after the Matildas won the Asian Cup in 2010.
Van Egmond said she can still remember how excited everyone was when she joined the team as a 16-year-old.
“I remember Sammy (Kerr) telling me they all got televisions and I was so sad I didn’t get a TV,” van Egmond said.
With the next Asian Cup, in 2026, to be hosted in Australia, van Egmond is determined to replicate the feat – not for a TV.
“It would be really nice to share that moment with the girls and the team, we’ve all worked so hard,” van Egmond said.
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“People consider next year a down year but I don’t really think there is a down year anymore in football.
“We have to make sure we use every single window and every single camp to get better and put ourselves in the best place that we can come that Asia Cup.”
The Matildas will take on Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday at 7.35pm (AEDT).
Originally published as Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond on their disastrous Paris Olympics campaign
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