Football Australia (FA) isn’t about to put the heat on Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson despite a disappointing year for the national women’s team.
Since Gustavsson took the reins, Australia has won only three of 16 starts. More concerning than the results is the leaky defence, which has conceded 37 goals in the 12 months he has been in charge.
Most recently the Matildas lost 3-0 and then drew 1-1 against football powerhouse the US, in a two-game friendly series in NSW.
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FA chief James Johnson certainly isn’t hitting the panic button.
“We are not trying to win friendly matches, we are trying to win major tournaments,” Johnson said on Thursday.
“I think the facts support our performance in the major tournaments to date but let’s see in the Asian Cup because we are going there to win it.
“I don’t have any concerns whatsoever. The reason we are playing those top-10 teams is not to get bums on seats, not only because of that, it’s because we are trying to test the team and expose a team against a top opposition and that’s something we don’t want to change.
“I think what we’ll see at the Asian Cup is we’ll be hardened by that match schedule.”
The Matildas will contest the Asian Cup in India early next year, and then preparations begin for the 2023 World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand.
The Matildas won big in the World Cup draw released today, with all their games being played on home soil on Australia’s east coast.
“It’s a great schedule for the Matildas that means the Matildas will not travel abroad in a co-hosted competition we are guaranteed,” Johnson said.
“It means that the Matildas will be playing every match they play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at home in front of home fans. I can’t think of a better outcome for the Matildas.”
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