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The Matildas were knocked out of the Asian Cup they were favourites to win conceding a late wonder goal 12 minutes after a huge miss from star striker Sam Kerr.
Tony Gustavsson’s coaching was again under the spotlight after the 1-0 defeat to South Korea, secured when Kerr’s Chelsea teammate Ji So-yun thumped a stunner in the top corner past Lydia Williams with three minutes of normal time to play.
Australia had plenty of chances throughout the game and another after the South Koreans went ahead, but Kerr, who on 75 minutes missed an open goal when she failed to get her feet sorted out from close range, scuffed her attempt again.
South Korea squandered a first half penalty, and Williams made two strong saves to keep the clean sheet intact before the late winner.
Alanna Kennedy of Australia shows dejection after her side’s 0-1 defeat (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)
Australia was the top ranked team in Asia and the loss – which represents their worst Asian Cup finish in 15 years – was a bitter pill for many.
Andy Harper, watching the game for Australian broadcasters Network 10, was scathing.
“It’s a disaster and a failure,” said Harper.
He said Australia missed the opportunity to use the tournament as part of their buildup to next year’s World Cup, instead throwing all their chips in on winning this tournament.
“He backed into himself into a corner, going into this tournament with a full strength squad, the best in Asia,” said Harper. “He needed to win it. Anything less than a final is totally unacceptable with this squad.
“It’s the cost benefit analysis – it’s the players you haven’t given the experience to at international level to build the talent pool for the big prize which is the World Cup in 2023.
“Thee Asian cup needed to be part of that journey, not an end point. It’s come down in a smouldering heap and it’s an utter disaster.
“Three games in the group stage against no one really – 20 games now under Tony Gustavsson and I want someone to plot me the growth trajectory. I can’t see it but I’m oh so willing to be educated.”
Chloe Logarzo, a Matildas player left at home for the tournament, described the result as “absolutely devastating and shocking” and said she was stunned by the feeling of panic she saw on the field.
“If I’m going to speak from a player’s point of view, I’m going to say how easy it is to get in the mindset of panic and utter disarray.
“It’s so heartbreaking for me to watch that. I know the position the girls are in and how much we wanted it. We were inches away from getting a goal. It just wasn’t going our way.”
Logarzo defended Gustavsson’s coaching.
“We did have massive ambitions and goals to be in the final and winning silverware,” she said.
“Inside camp it feels completely different. Tony, the way he is and shaping us to get where we want to be, is unbelievable. There isn’t a lack of belief in the team.
“We’ve done some amazing things with him. We came fourth ant an Olympics which we’ve never done before.
“You talk about you talk about the Matildas who won in 2020 and they talk about the never say dioe of the Matildas and that’s a bit of what they’re lacking.”
Harper countered: “I don’t see a lack of fight. I don’t see a lack of quality. I just see a lack of progression.
“We’re talking about the same issues again. Where are the combinations? Where is the style of play?
“With an experienced squad like this why the panic? Isn’t it the coach’s job to make sure there’s no panic?
“What are the alternatives and what has he looked for. This has been brewing for 20 games.
“We have the second best player in the world in Sam Kerr, are we overly reliant on Sam? And if something happens … what if at the training camp she rolls her ankle, who do we put there.”
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