Matildas coach fumes as Kerr’s magic milestone ends in disaster
COACH Tony Gustavsson has slammed the Matildas’ performance against Ireland that ruined Sam Kerr’s milestone as “a big disappointment”.
Playing for the first time since an epic run at the Tokyo Olympics, and in Kerr’s 100th international, the Matildas were on the wrong end of the result as Ireland put a horror streak of seven straight losses to bed in a 3-2 win in Dublin.
It was the seventh time in 12 matches the Matildas have conceded three goals or more since Tony Gustavsson took over from Ante Milicic as coach.
Gustavsson said he believed his team simply didn’t show up on Kerr’s special occasion.
“It felt that they wanted it more than us,” Gustavsson said. “That’s not OK.
“We’re the Matildas. It’s in our DNA to always give it 100 per cent, to play a physical game, to be aggressive, to wear the crest on the chest and always play our best. It felt like Ireland wanted it more.
“Yeah it’s a home ground and they have a home crowd and they’re a bit desperate to get a result because they’ve been struggling to get a result for a while and they’re closing in to World Cup qualifiers.
“That hurts, to be honest. I need to look myself in the mirror as well to ask if I could have done something different to prep the team.”
There were concerns over midfielder Chloe Logarzo, who had to be subbed off in the 53rd minute after she landed awkwardly on her knee. It was a cruel blow for Logarzo as she fights to nail down a spot in the startling line-up.
Gustavsson was unsure of the extent of her injury but was devastated for the 26-year-old.
“If she’s down like that, she’s hurt, because she’s a tough one,” Gustavsson said. “I really feel for her, because I think she was sparkling in that first half.”