Matildas The Matildas Thread

[The Fonz]

Matildas win opening match against Iran 2-0.
With the amount of possession they had, should have won 22-0.
Next up, Philippines on Sunday.

 

[Satan]

A very “blow the cobwebs out” performance tonite. Glad he decided to put an actual striker on eventually, and I don’t understand having Vine on if Carpenter takes up her space . I expect a better performance up next , because that was a very disjointed display .

Hard to get past a bus

 

[jhong]

Hard to get past a bus

Especially if you put out a team that has never played together. Anyway 3 pts in the bank , we move on .

 

[Satan]

Especially if you put out a team that has never played together. Anyway 3 pts in the bank , we move on .

A lot of the subs were jet lagged

 

[stax on the mull]

Lucky they sold out the games beforehand because you wouldn't want to go along to the other two matches based on that unless you have kids that want to meet their heroes. and not helped much by the Iran players spending so much time on the turf after any contests.

Only when Fowler came on did there look like there was someone who looked way too good for the opposition and she should have been part of 3 goals if Kerr didn't muff two relatively simple chances.

 

[stax on the mull]

A lot of the subs were jet lagged

Probably but the same for Iran I would think. I think most of our European based players played on the weekend though, some on Sunday (Monday am, Aust time) and I think in the recent week or so they've had Championship matches as well as cup matches for some of the teams.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Hard to get past a bus

Gustavsson makes it easy for an opponent to park the bus against Australia because he is obsessed with Australia crossing the ball. So Australia plays dozens of passes to each other hoping to get the ball wide for a cross which is invariably over or under hit. Gives the opponent plenty of time to organise their defence.

Australia rarely deviates from this strategy whereas the game called for quick passes through the heart of the defence looking for attackers running from deep.

Playing Amy Sayer as a false nine was puzzling. She is young but she is a midfielder. Not a forward even though she did the best she could. The strategy Australia adopted with her role in the team was not the best.

 

[swingdog]

Only watched the first half. Obs:

• thought Wheeler was good and grew into the role the more the game went on - can see her taking over from Gorrie.
• her link up play with Chidiac was slightly off
• most of the passing was a little short - very rusty and not a team that's played together much
• need to sort out the Carpenter and Vine overlap, constantly taking each other's space
• probably would have preferred Vine on the left instead of Yallop
• Grant pushed up well
• we really lack the sharp passing ability to break this sort of parked bus defence - you can see what Spain would have done by comparison

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Not ringing alarm bells just yet, but the format of qualifying for the Olympics means that Australia can't afford slip-ups, and we're currently second in the group on goal difference because the Philippines beat Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) by three goals in the opening game.

The format is that there are three groups (Groups A, B and C), with Australia hosting the Group A games in Perth, China hosting the Group B games in Xiamen, and Uzbekistan hosting the Group C games in Tashkent. The group winners advance to the third round of qualifying, plus the best runner-up. After the first round of games in the group, Australia would be through to the third round of qualifying because Uzbekistan and North Korea have an inferior goal difference (+1) to Australia's goal difference (+2).

Ordinarily, you would expect Australia to breeze by the Philippines and Chinese Taipei. The Philippines did look pretty sharp in their win over Chinese Taipei, so we can't underestimate them. I suspect that the result against the Philippines will determine the result of the group.

 

[swingdog]

Not ringing alarm bells just yet, but the format of qualifying for the Olympics means that Australia can't afford slip-ups, and we're currently second in the group on goal difference because the Philippines beat Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) by three goals in the opening game.

The format is that there are three groups (Groups A, B and C), with Australia hosting the Group A games in Perth, China hosting the Group B games in Xiamen, and Uzbekistan hosting the Group C games in Tashkent. The group winners advance to the third round of qualifying, plus the best runner-up. After the first round of games in the group, Australia would be through to the third round of qualifying because Uzbekistan and North Korea have an inferior goal difference (+1) to Australia's goal difference (+2).

Ordinarily, you would expect Australia to breeze by the Philippines and Chinese Taipei. The Philippines did look pretty sharp in their win over Chinese Taipei, so we can't underestimate them. I suspect that the result against the Philippines will determine the result of the group.

Would think we'll be starting the A team against Philippines.

I wasn't as bothered by last night's performance as some - it was a glimpse of the future and of course, it's going to be messy to start with. Whether Gustavsson is the right coach is another matter.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Looking at the results from the other groups, South Korea demolished Thailand 10-1. Two players scored hat-tricks (I guess they'll have to play rock-paper-scissors to see who claims the match ball) and another scored a brace. North Korea plays South Korea in the next group game on Sunday. Japan defeated India 7-0 before 100 people in Tashkent.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Rewatching the game tonight (oldest child had an exam yesterday so didn't watch the game live).

I don't know why referees from Asia have it in for Australia but the referee went out of her way to protect the poor little Iranian players from those big bad Australian bullies, especially at set pieces.

The number of times the referee told off Chidiac and Van Egmond for being too physical despite the fact it was their markers initiating and prolonging contact was ridiculous.

The referee gave carte blanche to the Iranians to engage in shithousery all game and really did nothing to help the spectacle. It needs to be cut out of the game and the referee flashing a yellow card or two would certainly help.

 

[CURVE]

Stunning team goal finished by Fowler

 

[The Fonz]

Now that Matildas have scored, that should be that
Philippines has to open up which makes them more vulnerable

 

[jhong]

It’s a smashing. 4-0 . Foord 2 goals , Fowler 1 , Kerr 1 .

 

[freo_leo29]

Domination and only 34 mins in

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Significantly improved performance. Attacking with purpose and not giving the Philippines time to get back to defend. We have reaped the rewards. Cannot complain about the scoreline.

 

[largebus]

A bit sad this given the Filipino players look all semi-professionals but they have no structure like Iran did.
Take Kerr off at half-time and give the yoof a run-out.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

That goal may well be Kerr's final contribution to the game. Chelsea will want her minutes managed.

 

[jhong]

Kerr adds her second goal , 5-0 at half time .

 

[Munga]

A bit sad this given the Filipino players look all semi-professionals but they have no structure like Iran did.
Take Kerr off at half-time and give the yoof a run-out.

Yeah you do feel sorry for them. But a sold out stadium demands full throttle.

 

[jhong]

That goal may well be Kerr's final contribution to the game. Chelsea will want her minutes managed.

Good luck getting Kerr off , back on to start the 2nd half

 

[jhong]

Kerr hatrick 6-0 , now take her off before she gets injured.

 

[Sydney Kicker]

What does it take to see a yellow card? Ref being somewhat lenient on the Phillipines players

 

[jhong]

7-0 Foord hatrick