'Can’t lose sight of the long game': Conflicting emotions as Matildas aim for bronze

The Matilda's have inspired, they held their ground and were unfortunate against a very strong Sweden and US this far, you could not have expected anything more. As Marissa states "we can’t lose sight of the long game." If they are psychologically and physically up for it, they should win the Bronze medal. The US team have their own problems, not playing that well and previously not standing for US anthem etc has put many of the US fans off. A Matilda's win would be an awesome (and deserved) result for the girls, and Australian football.

6pm kick off this Thursday for the Matildas playing for 3rd place.

Too many long balls into the box. We need players to understand they have to get to the bye-line before they release the cross. Kerr was isolated far too often. We need to close the gap between the front third and the back third and be more compact in the midfield. Gustavsson should go and invite Ante Milic back; to take charge of the team for the '23 World Cup.

The tactics were very similar in a knock out game situation.

Exactly right, The women take it very seriously. And to compare the way the women took it to probably the number one side in the world atm in Sweden, compared to the Olyroos v Egypt is laughable. The Matildas should be proud and things look very good for the future. Lots of good young players coming through mixed with experienced ones. And a good coach.

Conflicting emotions seems to sum it up well. They were a goalkeeping error and disallowed goal away from the Olympic final- clearly the Matildas can match it with the best. With a touch of luck they win that game, which is staggering given their form leading in. That said, it's a huge missed opportunity- with the US losing to Canada, they might have blown their best ever chance to win a major tournament. There remain a few areas for improvement. Defensively, there's work to do, considering Sweden smashed home four goals in the group game, and England three in the quarter final. In truth, they have too many lapses. It shouldn't be surprising- they played a very makeshift defence. I don't know why they didn't play Carpenter at right-wing back, with Polkinghorne and Kennedy both starting (instead of one or the other). This would allow them to play one of Raso and Simon in attack with the other coming off the bench, instead of using Raso slightly out of position. They also rely heavily on Kerr to score the goals- which was problematic last night when she was exhausted. Considering the makeshift defence, and Kerr reliance, it's incredible to think they could still win an Olympic medal. Imagine what they could do if they solve these problems!

I am pleased and surprised with the progress of the Matildas, and also quite frustrated with their shortcomings. The plusses: Getting out of the group, and through the quarter-final. Gallant losses are all very well, but successful teams get results. A sense of progress under Gustaffson; particularly in defensive organisation. Young players: Mary Fowler! Wow! By far the best touch and spatial awareness of any of the Matildas. Potentially the player around whom the creativity of the 2023 team will be built. Micah and Cooney-Cross also looking good for the future. The minuses: Frustrating failures in defensive organisation - the Swedish goal came from the midfield not switching on again after half time, and that sabotaged all the hard work that had been done to nullify their excellent attack up to that point. Long balls hit somewhere near Sam Kerr in the hope that she could perform some sort of miracle; not just one or two, but so many that my eyes bled. At other times the Matildas passed well through midfield, giving some chance of a controlled ball to the attackers - why not all the time? However, given that coaching attacking patterns takes longer than organising the defence, I am prepared to give Gustaffson the benefit of the doubt. The revelation of the limitations of some key players; in particular Foord [A for effort, C for linkup play and goal threat], Raso [A+ for effort, B for control and crossing], Kerr [A+ overall, but never to take a penalty again], and weirdly enough Carpenter [A for energy, but C for dribbling by hitting the ball in front of her and running after it - so many times she had to tackle her way through the defender]. Here's hoping for a good game against USA! USA! with Fowler on from the start. And overall I am excited about our 2023 team.

The relevant law states that you can only hold your ground if the ball is within playing distance. Basketball type screening is illegal.

Ive seen the replay so many times I almost know it off by heart. Not one player moves across any of the defenders. Do they move towards the ball? Of course they do! As they are entitled to do. It was soft soft soft. That would be given as a goal 10 out of 10 with an experienced ref. In mens football there is holding, obstruction on just about dead ball. It barely is an issue in the womens game and the useless ref was trying to be too clever by a half.

maybe it wasnt near where the kick was taken but the ball could have rebounded and some defenders denied an attempt at clearance due to the blocking - no goal and subsequent free kick to other team is the correct rule as i understand

They lack depth, that's hurting now when we rely on the same players every game in a tournament like this. We must place greater emphasis on the W League and develop our many youngsters coming through. Defence is still our major problem. Remember when Stacjic was coach and he got criticised, one of the reasons quoted for sacking him, for playing players out of position. The problem he was trying to solve was our lack of depth, particularly for central defenders. Look at what Gustavson has done - exactly what Staj started to do, play midfielders and outside backs in central defence. It worked alright last night, after those heavy defeats in the trials when you could see what he was trying to solve. But it's a very scrambling defence, not so well organised, almost defence of last resort, lots of scurrying and nine players all chipping in at the back. It costs us in attack, barely leaves a midfield and results in lots of long passes, many of which go astray. Ellie's one of our best attacking weapons with her speed and crosses but she's now a central defender. Raso is doing so much in defence her attacks are nearly non-existent. Kerr becomes impotent without them, pretty much as she was last night. We've got a lot of good young defenders in the W League, and other players. They've got to be given every opportunity. More games, make the W League a proper, full league. We've got a decent coach, decent players, we just need to grow more to make a decent team.

After the whistle? The whistle did not affect anyone. Ie no one stopped as it was a split second before Kerr hit it. We created more chances than they did and their keeper pulled off a good save off Catley for one. Neither side created a lot of chances and Swedens goal was flukey at best.

I think they all took it seriously. Different matter with the men, but the women, they's serious about it, doubt not.

So players should let players go past them? Its one thing to move across and obstruct (which has always been a foul) as opposed to what happened last night. Ie they stood their ground. And they were miles away from where Kerr cracked it from anyway.

Apparently it was for blocking

I'd certainly like to see more of Mary Fowler..she seems to have a very mature football head on her young shoulders. I can easily see her dropping back to midfield and being the teams creative fulcrum at the next Olympics.

The refs call was correct - we had two players standing in an offside position with the apparent intent of blocking - that is not permitted - it seems referees have been told to crack down on it but it hasnt filtered through to the coaches and players.

At least they did better Greame soon to be sacked Arnold Olyshoes garbage.

The swedes pressed from the first minute. Its the exact same narrative as the Egypt game with the olyroos. Yet Graham got rightly roasted.

You mean the shot after the whistle by Kerr? What other actual shots troubled the Swedish keeper? The majority of time Kerr was left up front with 4 defenders. Cant expect miracles from her with no support. And when 1 or 2 players supported Kerr the Swedes had 7 in their penalty box. Sweden got the game 100% perfect tactically. Matildas did not.