Matildas coach says teammates didn’t turn up for Sam Kerr’s magical milestone in loss to Ireland
Playing for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics, superstar captain Sam Kerr’s 100th game didn’t go to plan in Ireland.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson slammed his side’s performance against Ireland as “a big disappointment” as Sam Kerr’s magical milestone was ruined.
Playing for the first time since an epic run at the Tokyo Olympics, and in Kerr’s 100th international, the Matildas were the victims as the Irish put a horror streak of seven straight losses to bed in a 3-2 win at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
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It was the seventh time in 12 matches the Matildas conceded three goals or more since Tony Gustavsson took over from Ante Milicic as coach.
Gustavsson cut a frustrated figure after the game, and believed his team simply didn’t show up on Kerr’s special occasion.
“It felt that they wanted it more than us,” Gustavsson said. “That’s not ok.”
“We’re the Matildas. It’s in our DNA to always give it 100 per cent, to play a physical game, to be aggressive, to wear the crest on the chest and always play our best. It felt like Ireland wanted it more.
“Yeah it’s a home ground and they have a home crowd and they’re a bit desperate to get a result because they’ve been struggling to get a result for a while and they’re closing in to World Cup qualifiers.
“That hurts, to be honest. I need to look myself in the mirror as well to ask if I could have done something different to prep the team in terms of that.”
There were also serious concerns over midfielder Chloe Logarzo, who had to be subbed off in the 53rd minute after she landed awkwardly on her knee.
After a positive performance in the first half, it was a cruel blow for Logarzo as she fights to nail down a spot in the startling line-up.
Gustavsson was unsure of the full extent of her injury but was devastated for the 26-year-old.
“If she’s down like that, she’s hurt, because she’s a tough one,” Gustavsson said.
“That’s definitely not what she needs now, and not what we need as a team.
“I really feel for her, because I think she was sparkling in that first half.”
Despite the result and Logarzo’s injury, it wasn’t all doom and gloom in Dublin.
One major shining light for the Matildas came in the form of 18-year-old star Mary Fowler.
Fowler bagged a first-half double against her father’s birth nation, and was constantly threading the needle behind the Irish backline throughout the game.
The youngster’s guile on the ball had Gustavsson in awe.
“Mary Fowler’s first half is just world class, oh my,” Gustavsson said.
“She is so good out there, on and off the ball. The way she sets players up, her movement. She’s floating out there, she’s 1 v 3 out there at times, and just slides out in those pressure moments.
“Her finishing is both brilliant with both her right and left foot. Her first half was brilliant.”
The Matildas will now return to their club sides before assembling again in October.
Australia 2 defeated by Ireland 3 at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
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