‘Negative’ tactic Matildas must scrap to win World Cup

If you had asked me before the game, I would’ve taken a 1-0 win against a tough Ireland outfit. I even predicted the scoreline. Ireland coach Vera Pauw made it vehemently clear that her team was going to be a tough team to break down, and that they were.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Matildas were resilient, strong in challenges and matched the physicality of the Irish. So the match was not pretty, but it showed character. Katrina Gorry doing the hard yards in midfield alongside Kyra Cooney-Cross meant that we had an extra wall in front of the backline. Gorry making some critical challenges in midfield meant forward forays by the Irish were thwarted before they gained meaningful opportunities.

Hayley Raso was ever present, keeping Irish captain Katie McCabe on her toes. McCabe is known for her challenges and banter with the ref, and she didn’t disappoint. Raso was instrumental in winning the penalty that the Matildas’ captain for the night, Steph Catley, slotted home.

In attack, Caitlin Foord was most dangerous when she could bounce off Mary Fowler or Raso, who were close and could get in behind the defence by using some combination play. Foord is most dangerous facing goal, supporting the central striker, not being the central striker. So we can forgive her for being a little rusty as the No.9.

WHAT WENT WRONG

After her standout performance as a substitute against France, Mary Fowler wasn’t as impressive against a team so physical. Denise O’Sullivan gave her no time on the ball whatsoever and at times she was marked out of the game. Her impact as a sub was sorely missed.

Pauw set her charges in a resolute back five, so to see Australia continuously try the long cross or lofted ball into the box was frustrating. The Irish had trained for months thinking they’d have Kerr to contend with… the ball into the mixer was not working. But that can be hard to see when you’re in the thick of it.

If we are to be expected to go deep in this tournament Australia need to see things in the moment rather than waiting for half-time. Closer teammates, movement and shifting opponents before moving into the box is critical for clinical execution.

Not one player had a bad game for Australia, let’s make that clear. Ireland were adamant they were going to spoil the party on opening night and they very nearly did it too. Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson, in trying to secure the win, went to a back five after we went 1-0 up.

This almost instantly put the attack minded Matildas into a negative mindset. Adding Clare Polkinghorne to the backline does shore it up considerably but it sends the message, ‘we are parking the bus now’. I would love it if we could move to being a team that rides out games, still pushing for more.

WHAT TWEAKS SHOULD BE MADE

We need another three points against Nigeria in Brisbane next Thursday. They play Canada on Friday, so we will have more information about both teams come 3pm.

My first thought for any changes for the Nigeria would be Mary Fowler at central striker, with Foord underneath. This way we can have Fowler’s deft touch up top and Foord facing forward running at players. That’s a win, win.

It is imperative that we recover though, as Nigeria will be another tough, physical opponent. They are perhaps not as disciplined or well prepared as Ireland but they’re athletic and strong in contests.

There will be a few sore bodies after the Ireland match, so fingers crossed they all pull up well.

Not having Sam won’t be a problem, but having several injuries impacting the three main attacking players in a group of 23 would be. So if we lose any more of our attacking players, it will be tough to go deep in the tournament.

For now three points in the bag and a win is exactly what was needed from the opening match.

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