Matildas thrown to the wolves: why Gustavsson must come clean on his endgame

Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson must come clean on his endgame.

Tony Gustavsson, head coach of the Matildas Picture: Getty Images

The inexperienced Matildas were thrown to the wolves. Annihilated 5-0 by Olympic champion Canada they were, as former Socceroo turned pundit Andy Harper put it, treated like “cannon fodder”.

Tony Gustavsson’s latest failed coaching experiment of selecting a team of debutants and rookies has created more unease within and around the Australian team as it bids to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

As Harper noted, the Matildas coach chose to “hang girls out to dry in the driving rain” for the friendly in Canada.

It’s a decision that has only intensified speculation and concern about Gustavsson’s leadership of the team.

A few months ago, this was a side – without Sam Kerr – which beat Canada 4-0 in the World Cup group stage, but on Saturday it recorded its biggest defeat in 17 months.

With superstar Kerr and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold injured, Gustavsson benched a bevy of talent including Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Alanna Kennedy, Hayley Raso, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Emily van Egmond.

The Matildas are presently the most beloved of our national sides. They attract crowds the envy of other women’s sports and have just been handed the most prestigious gong in Australian sport, The Don Award.

Mary Fowler, right, and Alanna Kennedy watch from the sidelines against Canada Picture: Getty Images

There is momentum, interest and goodwill behind the team. That’s why it is important that the Matildas hierarchy brings the public with them. That requires clarity and transparency.

In the aftermath of the Canadian smash-up, some around the game are asking: why did the Matildas coach choose to do this now? What is Gustavsson’s endgame?

It’s not like the Matildas are lacking in talent and desperate for new blood heading into the final round of Olympic qualifiers.

The latest selection decision leaves open the question as to whether the senior playing group has faith in this man as it tries to qualify for the Paris Olympics?

And if the Matildas qualify, is this the style of coach who can lead them to Olympic gold? Probably not. Many key players already don’t have much faith in the Swede.

Gustavsson’s latest coaching brain snap has reinforced worries about his methods and long-term plans for the team.

It comes off the back of some puzzling selections during the Matildas’ historic World Cup run and, most recently, bizarrely starting super star Kerr on the bench in her home town of Perth for the Olympic qualifiers.

Many have privately questioned if Gustavsson’s heart was still in it before this game. Several weeks ago, The Weekend Australian reported the rumblings of discontent.

On Friday, on the eve of the two-game series against Canada, Gustavsson was questioned about his future after new reports linking him to the role of coach of the Swedish men’s team.

While he was quizzed several times on his coaching commitment to Australia, what Gustavsson would not do in that press conference was publicly commit to coaching the Matildas if they get to the Olympics. He said his only focus is on the Olympic playoff with Uzbekistan in February. Who knows where Gustavsson’s intent and heart truly lies.

The Matildas coach, who lives in Sweden, needs to be more transparent, not just for the team’s growing legion of fans, but because lingering uncertainty is a sure way to breed discontent in any squad.