Paris 2024: Gustavsson has plenty to ponder with room for just two more in the Matildas squad for the Olympic Games

Following a last-minute draw against China, in one of two friendlies this week ahead of Paris, Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson is fast approaching D-Day for the Olympic squad finalisation. ERIN SMITH details the decisions he faces.

Tony Gustavsson, head coach of the Matildas, looks on during the international friendly between the Matildas and China. Picture: Maya Thompson/Getty Images

The result is meaningless – there is no trophy to lift and no prize money to be won – but what is on the line is individual dreams and a chance to represent their country at the Olympics.

Coach Tony Gustavsson has room for just two more Matildas on the plane bound for Paris.

While naming the team is a big part of the job it isn’t one Gustavsson enjoys – particularly when it means you have to tell someone who has dedicated years of training to reach the pinnacle that they will have to wait another four years for their shot.

But that is the reality for Gustavsson following the second game against China at Accor Stadium on Monday night.

Tony Gustavsson during Friday’s draw against China at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

The Olympic farewell game in Sydney will be played before a sold out stadium as Matildas-mania continues to evoke strong emotive support in Australia.

But for the players there will be underlying anxiety, and for some devastation. about what is to happen less than 24 hours later.

The Olympic team is being announced on Tuesday morning.

Gustavsson plans to sit down with each of the 23-woman squad and tell them personally who has and hasn’t made his 18-woman Olympic team.

He already has a pretty good idea who he plans to take. And as he has made clear previously it isn’t just about skill or speed. In an 18-player team for a three-week tournament he needs utility players, game changers, some spark and the most important ingredient to his recipe – chemistry.

It isn’t what a lot of coaches of national teams opt to base their team selections on. But Gustavsson said it forms part of his coaching philosophy and credits it to their success so far.

There is plenty to ponder for Tony Gustavsson. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“In an actual team you have very little time to train chemistry,” Gustavsson said.

“You have two to three training sessions and if you rotate too much in trainings it will also influence the preparation. I’m happy to be criticised for that because I’m going to be honest that it is part of my coaching philosophy – right or wrong.”

Going into the first game, which Australia drew with China 1-1, Gustavsson had only locked in 14 places. After that match he had 16.

“I think there were one or two players that took spots (on Friday night),” Gustavsson said.

“I think they did it with their performance. But I also want to look at the game with less emotions because when you coach a game, I get emotional on the sideline at times.

“I want to look at the game with less emotions and the tech staff will have a long night tonight because we’re planning to have some individual meetings at the end of this camp where all the players will be told face-to-face whether they’re selected or not.

“We’re always keen on making sure those processes are as professional as possible and thinking about the person.

“There’ll be some tough decisions and tough conversations that’s going to hurt some feelings unfortunately, that’s the tough part of this job.”

While not willing to go as far to name which two players had moved up his list Gustavsson’s post match praise for midfielder Clare Wheeler makes her a likely candidate.

Wheeler, 26, has had limited chances to shine under Gustavsson.

Clare Wheeler could be one of the two. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

She has had 20 appearances since her debut in September, 2021.

The midfielder, who stepped in to replace the injured Gorry on Friday night, was given a tough task against China.

It was a mix-matched squad, with several players out of position or forced into new combinations.

Throw in the disciplined Chinese side who were near impossible to break through and the challenge became even harder.

But Gustavsson was left impressed by Wheeler’s 62 minutes on the park and her efforts in the camp so far.

“What I can say about Wheeler’s performance today is I think it matched her training,” Gustavsson said.

“She’s been very, very good at training.

“She started because she’s earned it and she’s been very good at the end of the season in Everton.

“I think she’s been one of the best players to be honest, so therefore I think she deserved to start as well.”

Wheeler said she was doing everything she could to forget about the looming selection and just focus on playing her best football.

Even her teammate Tameka Yallop was full of praise for Wheeler.

“I think Wheeler did excellent in midfield,” Yallop said. “They sat pretty well in the block and it’s always difficult to play through the middle but I think she did a great job offering options and also making tackles as well.”

Wheeler in action for Everton during May. Picture: Emma Simpson – Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images

Wheeler knows what is on the line.

“It means everything to be an Olympian,” Wheeler said,

“It’s not something everyone gets to do in their career and it is not lost on me to represent my country everytime I come into camp and represent my country.

“It would mean the world to me and my family and make every sacrifice worth it in the end.”

While she wants to be there in Paris it is the one thing she has been trying to desperately not think about this camp.

“I’m trying to put it in the back of my head a little bit because obviously we have these two games to go before selections even happen,” Wheeler said.

“So there’s no point trying to think about something when you’ve got different hurdles in front of you before then. I’m just trying to take each game at a time and every minute I get at a time and do the best with what I get.”

Wheeler took Friday night as a chance to build an on-field relationship with Fowler and Yallop.

“In training we get to build those but it’s different in games,” Wheeler said.

“Playing against different people and different styles of play and lust learning together.”

Wheeler wasn’t the only one fighting for a spot though.

With Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter all certainties for Paris – Gustavsson said there was really only room for one more wing back – and the race was down to Kaitlyn Torpey and Charli Grant.

Kaitlyn Torpey is in a battle to be that one more wing back. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Torpey was first given a taste of Matildas camp life this year – joining after blitzing the A-Leagues with Melbourne City and then signing a record transfer deal with San Diego Wave. She has played just four games in the green and gold.

Grant was at the last Olympics – she didn’t get any match minutes though. She was just 19.

Grant proved what she could do in the lead up to the World Cup stepping up to fill in for Carpenter when she was out with her ACL injury.

Her role has been diminished since the vice-captain’s return.

Both players started on Friday night. On the opposite sides to where they usually play.

Gustavsson said it was a deliberate move to try and help him make his final decision.

“Both of them can play on both sides, we swapped the two of them because we wanted to evaluate their performances on both sides,” he said.

“One of them will be part of the Olympic squad.

“We need to have a back up solution … it has to be someone who can play both sides and therefore we wanted to test them on both sides.”

Gustavsson’s last chance to decide will be when the Matildas take on China again, this time at Accor Stadium in Sydney, on Monday night.

The Matildas will face China again at Accor Stadium, in Sydney, on Monday night at 7.40pm.

Originally published as Paris 2024: Gustavsson has plenty to ponder with room for just two more in the Matildas squad for the Olympic Games