Matildas must repeat

THE Matildas have a golden opportunity to reaffirm their World Cup credentials by putting in back-to-back high-octane performances against Brazil, according to coach Tony Gustavsson.

Playing their first match on home soil in over 18 months, the Matildas impressed with their physical brand of football in the 3-1 victory over Brazil, who are seventh in the FIFA women’s world rankings.

But Gustavsson is warning his side against complacency.

“I want to see a team now that steps on the park and shows that we can deliver a performance back-to-back and play with the same intensity, with the same energy, with the same commitment and mindset,” he said on Monday.

“This is an important game to keep rebuilding and I want to see that mindset tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Gustavsson said he noticed an improvement in the side’s attitude compared with the 3-2 loss to Ireland late last month.

“I’m glad the game was physical because I was a bit disappointed about our attitude and physical presence against Ireland. I felt they wanted it more than us,” he said. “In the Brazil game, we showed up and showed what we’re about.”

The 15,000-strong crowd at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium helped the Matildas to reach new levels of intensity in their game, Gustavsson said.

“Some of the girls said today that it felt like a tournament game,” Gustavsson said.

“That’s a teaser and a taste of what’s coming in the World Cup in 2023. Everyone in that stadium helped create that atmosphere of a real, proper amazing football game.

“I love that type of environment and I could see that the players did as well, that they thrived in that environment and played good football.”

Gustavsson said there was room for improvement, conceding that the Matildas could have executed better in attack.

“Were there some good things in our performance? Yes, but I also think there were areas when we were vulnerable. We got dispossessed in some bad areas and their transition game could really hurt us,” he said.

“The amount of times we took our attack into the final third, statistically was really, really, really good in this game.

“But then once we got into the final third, I do think that we rushed things at times.

“We do have a world-class forward in (Sam) Kerr … but there were moments when we needed to pick and choose when we’re going to play that final pass. That’s one of the things that I want to see improved in this game.”