The Matildas’ unexpected loss to Italy in the opening game of their World Cup campaign is history repeating itself.
In Canada 2015, they lost their opening match 3-1 to the USA but still proceeded to make the knockout phase, following a win against the Nigerians and a 1-1 draw against the more highly fancied Swedes.
The missed points in the opening game are unfortunately where the similarities will end.
The Aussies are a lame horse and won’t make it out of their group.
I do not take pleasure in saying this, but when all is said and done, my prophecy will be akin to saying the weather will be hot this summer.
Frankly, the Matildas and Ante Milicic have been on a hiding to nothing. The players themselves are immune to any liability. Following their coach being sacked coach five months before the tournament, the new boss has implemented a high defensive line and style of play, naively introduced with such a limited amount of time to adapt.
Mike Tuckerman’s excellent article delves into the dysfunctional decisions from the governing body and effects on the pitch, which sabotaged any aspirations for victory at an international tournament.
He is not wrong but doesn’t go so far as yours truly. Fixing the defensive issues within a relatively new structure in a tournament is unlikely.
Milicic should not be crucified for this, he is as much a victim of circumstance as the players. Milicic’s limited CV as a head coach means he should not have been put in this position.
Just as Graham Arnold learnt from his premature first tenure as Socceroos boss, Milicic will come out a better coach from this venture.
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
However, the fallout from France 2019 was already underway the day Alen Stajcic was sacked. I can only imagine what the playing group and Milicic are saying after what’s happened the last couple of weeks.
Firstly, the FFA issued a formal apology for the handling of the sacking, as did board member Heather Reid.
The apologies and Stajcic’s vindication came out on May 30, just days before Australia’s 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in a warm-up match.
Furthermore, news that Reid herself is in France, on a self-funded trip at the invitation of FIFA, must be a bitter pill to swallow for a camp who have done so much to leave recent history behind.
It’s pure speculation of what the mood is in the dressing room, but after a disheartening loss on the back of what has transpired, players would be forgiven for any acrimonious thoughts.
Milicic should also be forgiven for not having the capacity to handle such an unprecedented situation.
With the campaign in serious trouble, likely the result of historical off-field issues, it should come as no surprise the Matildas will bow out at the group stage.
A Ronaldo-esque performance from Sam Kerr, of which she is more than capable, is our only hope.
Nemesis
Guest
I'd forgotten all about this insightful discussion piece, written a week ago. Basically everything the writer forecast was wrong. Why do writers who clear know nothing about our Women's National Team feel inclined to share their thoughts? Bizarre.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
I fully endorse the comments by Sam Kerr, and I hope several people on this thread took notice "...suck on it"
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
Awesome win Matilda’s….so glad i was wrong. Group becomes really interesting now to.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
Sorry that i actually demand some level of knowledge, understanding and skill set from a writer. I know opinions are like a seholes, in that everyone has them but what sets those worth reading and interacting with are ones that are well thought out, offer a unique perspective or are thought provoking. The above is none of those. It is clearly written by someone who doesn't have a clue about the team, the coach or the situation. I would question if the writer actually has a clue about football at all. If the person wants to 'write' then they should at least have something to say that's worth the time for other people to read. Not really concerned if I hurt someone's feelings or not.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
When there is no argument worth dissecting, I think the only option is to call th person out for what they are. I think the above was a case in point
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
Surely dismissal. I am not sure what the constitution is of the ffa and the process around sacking board members, but in the case of Reid you would hope that she would fall on her sword and resign. But who in Fifa....oh oh i mean ffa resign willingly.
TheVolley
Guest
"Me Too" movement gone wrong in the FFA and it is turning out to be nothing more than a farce. And let's not beat around the bush - changing a coach 5 months out of a tournament is always to end up in tears (unless of course one managed to hire the best coaches in the world e.g. Hiddink in 2005. Even then Hiddink had 7 months). Milicic is no Hiddink - this is more on an indictment on FFA rather than Milicic himself. The question is what penalty should be handed to those in FFA who is responsible for this mess? And by the way FFA should stop criticising FIFA. FFA is just as non-transparent as FIFA.
northerner
Guest
You do know that "ad hominem" attacks, focusing on the individual and not on the argument he makes, are classic logical fallacies?
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
Hi Kanga, yeah agree the matildas are the flavour of the month at the moment. And thats why i referenced m tuckermans article. My 'fresh' perspective was more to do with though the girls and coaches have had 5 mths to get over things, the apologies, coaching inexperience and change in defensive structure will in hindsight be seen as elements in a futile attempt to lift the world cup. And i am yes a negative nellie just calling out that because of all that they wont make it out of the group. I really really hope i am wrong and will eat humble pie accordingly. I just feels alot like the socceroos where sometimes hope masks realism.
torchbearer
Guest
I didn't think they would make it out of the group before the start- they peaked 2 years ago and the world has caught up. That's OK, unfortunately the over the top hype before the tournament will cause a backlash and much bitterness. I say our bid for the next World Cup (against many other strong challengers) will be dead on arrival too.
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
No worries Jordan, Got to expect that when brave enough to put your name to an opinion. Anyway, i really do hope i am wrong and the aussies do get through. The best 3rd placed teams might be our saving grace. I hope the problems at the back are easy to fix...but i think our problem might be more to do with the mental side of things coming from both the off field issues and poor result in the warm up and our opening game. Slippery slope but again hope i am wrong.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Rubbish - it wasnt Stajcic that changed the system so dramatically at very short notice . Furthermore he would have done something about it following 2 sucsesive drubbings by France in the friendlies not more of the same going into the w c
Kangas
Guest
Jordan I think it’s people want a new opinion rather then a rehashing of facts we already know . Therefore we can debate this Looking at other articles it looks like the clickbaity stuff of Izzy Folau etc . The Matilda’s are the click bait of today . And there’s nothing wrong trying to get clicks with an article,, I applaud them for trying ,,, but some people are over it by now and will react . I think Australia will beat Brazil and Jamaica, but the run will stop at the quarters Cheers
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Firstly i'd like to apologise on behalf on The Roar's Football tab for the unwelcoming you got from Nemesis and Post Hoc. Its not the first time it has happened. But i do disagree. Milicic got his tactics wrong, we were way too exposed at the back and its not that hard to fix. So we will be better against Brazil. Always the chances we had were a good sign. People may have forgotten that the best 4 3rd place teams go through. So even if we lose to Brazil, a 3 goal win against Jamaica may do the trick.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
the issues that are affecting them now was evident under Stanjic. The 2-2 draw against Thailand where they had to win on penalties they were very lucky not to lose. Heather Reid doesn't coach the team. Stanjic did followed by Milicic. Everyone who became a Stanjic supporter did they watch Matildas before he got sacked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDqjr-29N9s This video doesn;t even show all the clear breaks on goal that Thailand had. Milicic is the problem because these things started appearing when he was with Stanjic.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
Why? Personally I would prefer the National Women's Football Team, but then Matildas are not a bad second
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
In that well worn chant, "Who are ya, who are ya" As Nemisis has said, I think I will promptly ignore any technical review you have given on the Matilda's, considering you have never written about football before. Question, why do you feel you have any insight into this team, this tournament or this sport?
Mark
Guest
The Matildas will make it out of their group - 16 of the 24 teams at the World Cup will progress to the knockout stage. Realistically, a draw against Brazil and a win against Jamaica will at get them through. They have beaten Brazil the last 4 times they played (3 times in 2017 and once last year) and they will beat Jamaica. I can't see them getting beyond the quarterfinals (which is as far as they have ever got at the World Cup or Olympics) and possibly they will be knocked out at the round of 16 stage, depending upon who they are drawn to play, but they should get out of their group.
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
I like the Irukandji's and taipans. Tactical change is absolutely needed to get past brazil.
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
Sackable offense surely?