Nightmare harm run leaves Matildas coach looking for ‘solutions’ forward of Olympics
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The Matildas have used closed-doors matches this week in america to super-charge Olympics preparations, making an attempt new formations and sport plans.
Coach Tony Gustavsson has loved the good thing about an extended lead-in to a pleasant match with Mexico on Wednesday (AEST), giving his squad new roles and directions.
It is secret squirrel stuff, and the primary glimpse will are available in San Antonio in opposition to the present world No.31.
“It was an enormous alternative for us to attempt alternative ways, completely different gamers, completely different techniques, completely different sport administration stuff in a closed-door setting to not reveal an excessive amount of,” Gustavsson stated of the seven-day camp.
“Attempting issues we really feel the necessity to enhance come Olympics.
“Tomorrow might be a time — I do not just like the phrase experiments — however it will likely be a day when we will attempt lots of issues.”
A part of Gustavsson’s experimentation comes as a consequence of participant unavailability.
Emily Gielnik suffered a calf harm in camp, whereas Aivi Luik (hamstring), Katrina Gorry (ankle), Clare Hunt (foot), Courtney Nevin and Chloe Logarzo (each hip) had been unable to journey as a consequence of current points.
Gustavsson stated he was hopeful key names like Hunt, Luik, “enjoying perhaps one of the best soccer of her profession”, and Gorry, “our engine”, can be out there for the Olympics, which start in July.
After which there’s Sam Kerr, lacking as much as a 12 months after the dreaded rupture of an anterior cruciate ligament, and beneath the cloud of a racially aggravated offence within the UK for allegedly calling a police officer one thing within the realms of “silly white copper”.
Kerr held the incident shut, not telling Soccer Australia or Gustavsson, who declined questions on the matter.
“Soccer Australia and myself are going to respect the truth that there’s an ongoing authorized course of,” he stated.
“Throughout that point, my focus goes to be 100 per cent on gamers which are out there for picks.”
The Olympic choice problem is heightened by the squad measurement of simply 18 gamers, together with two goalkeepers.
Simply 16 outfielders should play seven matches in 17 days, ought to the Matildas attain the final 4 as they did ultimately 12 months’s World Cup.
Unavailabilities on the again — together with PSG’s Hunt — have prompted Gustavsson right into a rethink, and on the desk is a shift to a three-woman defence, or making an attempt new faces.
Uncapped Sweden-based defender Winonah Heatley could possibly be a type of, whereas A-League pair Sharn Freier and Jada Whyman may additionally win their first senior caps.
“We’re making an attempt to play one of the best group out there to beat Mexico, it is also to get solutions and we’ve to be courageous sufficient to do this,” he stated.
Gustavsson hailed Mexico as an organised opponent “very aggressive in urgent” that will problem his aspect to search out solutions shortly.
On the Olympics, the Kerr-less Matildas might be as a substitute led by Steph Catley in a tricky group together with the US, Germany and an African nation.
Catley stated unavailabilities weren’t an excuse both in Paris or in opposition to Mexico.
“Most of our gamers are both enjoying abroad in large groups in huge competitions, or doing very well within the A-League … trying nice technically, understanding issues actually shortly tactically,” she stated.
“I’ve by no means seen this group look so snug and assured on the ball, enjoying by strains and determining completely different presses in several methods in addition to they’ve lately.
“That is what excites me probably the most, the best way we’re enjoying and the kind of soccer we’re enjoying so I am excited to maintain constructing that.”
Australia’s last Olympics opponent may even be confirmed on Wednesday when Zambia and Morocco full their two-legged qualifier, with North Africans taking 2-1 lead into their residence tie in Rabat.
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AAP
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