Australia v Brazil: Tony Gustavsson warns Matildas not to become complacent after opening win

With Asian and World Cups just around the corner, coach Tony Gustavsson wants the Matildas to be more clinical when they face Brazil for the second time in three days in Sydney tonight.

The Matildas’ return to Australia went perfectly to plan. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Matildas have a golden opportunity to reaffirm their World Cup credentials by putting in back-to-back high-octane performances against Brazil, according to coach Tony Gustavsson.

Playing their first match on home soil in over 18 months, the Matildas impressed pundits with their physical brand of football in the 3-1 victory over Brazil, who are seventh in the FIFA women’s world rankings.

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But Gustavsson is warning his side not to become complacent.

“I want to see a team now that steps on the park and shows that we can deliver a performance back-to-back and play with the same intensity, with the same energy, with the same commitment and mindset,” he told reporters on Monday.

“This is an important game to keep rebuilding and I want to see that mindset tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Gustavsson said he noticed an improvement in the side’s attitude compared with the 3-2 loss to Ireland late last month.

“I’m glad the game was physical because I was a bit disappointed about our attitude and physical presence against Ireland. I felt they wanted it more than us,” he said.

“In the Brazil game, we showed up and showed what we’re about.”

The 15,000-strong crowd at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium helped the Matildas to reach new levels of intensity in their game, Gustavsson said.

“Some of the girls said today that it felt like a tournament game,” Gustavsson said.

“That’s a teaser and a taste of what’s coming in the World Cup in 2023.

“Everyone in that stadium helped create that atmosphere of a real, proper amazing football game.

“I love that type of environment and I could see that the players did as well, that they thrived in that environment and played good football.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson thanks the crowd. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Gustavsson said there was still room for improvement, conceding that the Matildas could have executed better in attack.

“Were there some good things in our performance? Yes, but I also think there were some areas when we were vulnerable. We got dispossessed in some bad areas and their transition game could really hurt us,” he said.

“The amount of times we took our attack into the final third, statistically was really, really, really good in this game.

“But then once we got into the final third, I do think that we rushed things at times. Yes, we do have a world class forward in (Sam) Kerr … but there were moments when we needed to pick and choose when we’re going to play that final pass.

“That’s one of the things that I want to see improved in this game.”

Clare Polkinghorne opened the scoring late in the first half on Saturday night. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Gustavsson expects Brazilian veterans Marta and Debinha to play bigger parts in Tuesday night’s game.

Both started on the bench in the first game and were not injected into the action until midway through the second half.

“I think most likely that because there was a lot of travel and jet lag and such, they’ve probably eased both her (Marta) and Debinha into training to protect them a little bit,” he said.

“I know they’re in a phase where they’re experimenting a little bit and rebuilding with the young players.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Marta and Debinha both start in this next game and, honestly, I hope they do. In these games, you want to play the best teams possible and the best players possible.”

The Matildas meet Brazil at CommBank Stadium tonight from 8pm (AEST).