Whether you think the glass is half-empty or overflowing with positive energy following the Matildas’ 1-0 loss to Canada probably depends on whether you are Tony Gustavsson or not.
Let’s be honest, there were some decent signs in Australia’s narrow defeat to reigning Olympic champions Canada in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.
Katrina Gorry impressed in the number six role, Lydia Williams stood tall when she needed to and Sam Kerr created enough chances to win the game on her own.
On any other day, the Matildas might have walked away from the 25,000-strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium with a comfortable victory in hand.
Yet the creeping sense of desperation many of us have felt watching recent Matildas performances was probably best summed up by Gustavsson’s reaction when substitute Cortnee Vine skipped inside the penalty area following a neat inside pass from Kerr.
The Sydney FC speedster still had plenty to do when she skipped past Sura Yekka and shaped up against Shelina Zadorsky in the Canadian defence, but having done well to burst into the box, Vine could only side-foot the resultant effort wide of Kailen Sheridan’s far post.
And didn’t Tony Gustavsson know it?
The Swede continues to be a font of weirdo management speak and borderline psycho babble, but the stress of watching his side spurn another gilt-edge opportunity was etched across his face as he careened down the touchline following Vine’s miscued effort.
So how much trouble is the former long-time assistant coach of women’s powerhouse the United States seriously in?
Based on Saturday’s performance, you’d have to believe Football Australia will be content to wait and see what happens in Tuesday night’s follow-up fixture at the new Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Yet for a nation that qualified for three World Cup quarter-finals in a row before exiting in the Round of 16 on penalties at the most recent edition in France, it’s increasingly hard to imagine a similar scenario happening on home soil in less than a year.
Maybe playing in front of huge attendances will help? The new Allianz Stadium has already hosted a couple of sell-out crowds over the weekend, and while it’s unlikely to be full for a midweek encounter on Tuesday night, it undoubtedly will be for the World Cup.
Or maybe Gustavsson’s motivational mantras will finally start to click? You can’t spend more than 20 years coaching at the top level without knowing a thing or two.
And we shouldn’t discount how much playing a World Cup on home soil will mean to the players themselves.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
France won all three of their group games in 2019, downed Brazil after extra-time in the Round of 16 and only went out following a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions the USA in the quarter-finals.
With the Matildas’ group stage games taking place in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, we shouldn’t discount how much of a home-field advantage the Aussies will enjoy at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Which is slightly alarming, if we’re being honest, because right now that feels like pretty much all that we’ve got.
Since a shock Asian Cup quarter-final exit to underdogs South Korea, Gustavsson has overseen a couple of narrow wins over New Zealand, a 7-0 defeat to Spain, an unconvincing 1-1 draw with Portugal and Saturday’s latest loss to Canada.
And he’s essentially made it impossible for any scribe to ignore Australia’s performances – no matter how casual their acquaintance with the team.
Better judges than me will no doubt point out there are now just 320 days until the World Cup kicks off on July 20 next year.
And even if Football Australia decided to punt Gustavsson, who would they replace him with?
The Swede will want to be in the dugout when the Matildas take on his native Sweden in an AAMI Park blockbuster in September anyway.
But on the back of their latest defeat, it seems pertinent to ask: how on earth are the Matildas going to win next year’s World Cup?
Garry
Roar Rookie
PS the difference in the teams was the passing ..in the second half Canada made most of theirs Australia missed most of theirs
Garry
Roar Rookie
Luik had a pretty good game but both cb's slow to react for second goal.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I thought Fowler would grow into game but basically disappeared..she still seems a little lackadaisical
Garry
Roar Rookie
Great first half collapsed second half. Grant outstanding with Gorry and Foord in first half then Gorry a little off first half of second half. Forward line with vine looked good despite a few errors..gielnik brought nothing better.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Canada have made a huge start to 2nd half, scoring two ripper goals in first 15 min or so, they lead 2-1.
Grem
Roar Rookie
If they keep up this aggression and strong defence then Gustavson can keep his job. They look good so far. How good is it to see all this football of late.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Matildas lead 1-nil at HT, and deservedly so, they have completely dominated Canada so far.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Matildas putting plenty of pressure on the Canadian goal, playing with a lot of energy and attacking intent
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Matildas up 1-nil after 3 min Kerr plays Mary Fowler in, and she took her chance very well
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Don't forget that the 2nd game against Canada is on tonight.
At work
Roar Rookie
With a better coach maybe I'd have us an outside chance to win it, but with a target of reaching the semi final. Under Tony G we'll be lucky to make the quarters, the bloke is useless and the team are useless on the field ever since he took over. And nobody should bring up the Olympics as an achievement because they fluked their way through , definitely didn't deserve to get that far the way they played.
At work
Roar Rookie
It's simple, there's zero chance of us winning the WWC
Kewell
Guest
Youth development again as at fault, a lot of these players have been there to long and now look slow.
Kewell
Guest
I've watched all their games and in two crucial games Carpender passed the ball to the opposition (Sweden in the Olympics and South Korea) resulting in goals. You cannot be this sloppy when your playing the likes of Germany, France and others.
Kewell
Guest
The short answer is No. The longer answer we is since they beat England in the Olympics they have been on a downward spiral. Loosing clutch games, continually passing to the opposition under any pressure , poor conversion rate in front of goal and average skill level apart from Kerr and Fowler. It's not all down to the coach.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Stajic
Grem
Roar Rookie
I got some too, but all the good spots were taken. I’m guessing a 30000 plus crowd.
Garry
Roar Rookie
The issue there is particularly in defence CB's.. Kennedy & Polkinghorne seem to have no real replacements [and personally I feel Polkinghorne's main asset - . her solidity - is too much compromised by her lack of pace] Ally Green mightve been an option but the Kiwis now have her.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I dont remember Fowler being that involved the first half, As her involvement increased so did The Matildas play. I believe she was played out of position and over time will become our best player - she actually has a bigger all round game than Sam - I know I know thats heretical! :silly: Cooney-Cross also showed she has possibilities with Vine. Depsite the sports reporting whilst I like Gorry's play style she was the one making the the most bad pasess. Howver one that got tthrough cemented her reputation.
Harry Hibbs
Guest
What about pinning the blame on the poor state of development in this country? Nine of the players who got on the field against Canada played for the Matildas ten years ago. Add to that the likes of Foord, Simon, Arnold, Raso and Catley who were in the national squad ten years ago as well. Canada fielded three players who were in their 2012 squad. In the recent Euro final England and Germany included two players each who played for their national squads in 2012. It's not just that we have an aging squad, the stream of quality coming through from junior ranks is in dribs and drabs rather than a steady flow. The current system is failing talented young players in this country. The system (or lack of a system and less reliance on coaches who went through the system) before the introduction of the national curriculum provided a greater pool of talent. The problem for Australia is that they are in the later stages of their careers.