Australia will head into the most important tournament in their history with a cloud hanging over their coach, and their aspirations as a whole.
Tony Gustavsson said he deserved criticism for yesterday’s shock 0-1 loss at the Asian Cup, which came via an incredible late goal from South Korea’s Ji So-yun.
“Criticise me for what I could’ve done better because that’s what the game is about,” he said afterwards.
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“I’ve been around the game long enough – for two decades – to know it’s going to be on me now and I take full ownership of that.”
As Australia stuttered through patchy friendlies form early in his reign, the coach insisted results were not the priority – and that judgement should come after watching his side in competitive environments.
Andy Harper said on the broadcast that the coach had “backed himself into a corner” by naming a full-strength team for the tournament.
“He needed to win it. Anything less than a final is totally unacceptable with this squad,” Harper said.
Last night’s loss was Australia’s big chance to get their confidence up in a huge tournament, ahead of hosting the World Cup next year – instead, experts and fans alike were left puzzled by an abrupt end to the campaign.
“Personally, I am very disappointed for the loss and so are the players,” Gustavsson said.
“Obviously there is some things we could have done better tonight, including myself. In terms of the effort, the players gave 100 per cent and I can’t complain.
“We were prepared for a very well organised and hardworking team. We had prepared that this would be a very, very tight game.
“I think the players stayed in the game and knew exactly what to do. We knew how difficult it was going to be to create clear chances against Korea and we had six chances that we would have scored on. Unfortunately, the conversion wasn’t there today.”
What makes it an extra bitter pill to swallow is that Alen Stajcic, the long-time Australia coach who was controversially dismissed in 2019, remains in the tournament with Philippines, who reached the semis overnight with a win over Chinese Taipei.
There is no indication that Gustavsson’s seat is getting hotter – but frustrations have now reached boiling point as a result of him gambling on himself and losing.
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