After guiding Australia to the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, an emotional Tony Gustavsson broke away from his post-match on-field interview duties to soak in the cheers and applause from a fervent crowd.
This was an incredible feat, a moment in history achieved following the most incredible penalty shootout conclusion. And the crowd cheered and applauded for the man who has been given so much to deal with in such a short time at this record-breaking tournament.
Speaking in the post-match press-conference, where the journalists were just as stunned as himself, the Swede admitted to an unhealthy addiction to the pressure of managing the Matildas, and indeed was emotional as he mentioned all the people who would have been positively affected by this achievement.
Two key moments defined the game for him, where those behind the scenes, those ‘eyes in the sky’ as he called them, those technical gurus sitting high in the stands, helped shape the course of the game.
Firstly, there was the introduction of Sam Kerr; it was early in the second half. Australia had the momentum, they were creating chances and Kerr’s introduction was timed to take that momentum to a new level.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Whilst his captain’s energy and running was welcome, the goals didn’t arrive, and indeed France came back into the game strongly during the second half.
Was this a risk? Did she have enough minutes in her to complete the rest of the half, plus extra time, if required?
The second such decision was when to bring on Cortnee Vine. In the first period of extra time, the call was made to take off the dynamic Hayley Raso, herself a match-winner and capable of producing something out of nothing, and throw in Vine to try and win the game.
The decision was so close to being the masterstroke as Vine met a cross from the left from Caitlin Foord and poked a shot just wide.
With extra time almost over and France substituting their goalkeeper for the penalties à la Graham Arnold, Kyah Simon was stripped and had been warming up. Of course, her penalty heroics in the 2010 Asian Cup were on his mind, but in the end, Gustavsson decided to put his faith in the 11 who were on the field at the end.
Simon had been on an individual plan. This wasn’t her moment. Technically and tactically, from the huddle, where to stand, the order of penalty-takers, every minute detail was taken care of and he was sure that they were prepared as best they could for the impending penalty drama.
Was it goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold who would step up and complete the final chapter of this story? It wasn’t to be. Would it be defender Clare Hunt to write herself into the history books and score the winning penalty? Again, it wasn’t to be.
Would it be World Cup debutant Vine, written down as the 10th penalty-taker on the night, who would be the headline-maker? He had full faith in every one of his players, and in Macca, he was amazed that she kept her head in the game so well after missing her penalty.
The send-off that the team had received today on leaving the hotel, the welcome at the stadium, the energy from the crowd, this had contributed to this moment that had united a nation.
He was incredibly proud for all the other people in this incredible story, and reiterated what he has said all along: this team can create history, and this team can leave a legacy far beyond the World Cup.
(Photo by Chris Hyde – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The moment when the crowd roared as the Matildas coach walked around the field at the end of the game was a special one.
This astute and meticulously-prepared people manager, somewhat unfairly derided by certain members of the football community, had won over a lot of people and had guided Australia to their best-ever World Cup performance.
What was left to do this evening? It was time to embrace the moment and to enjoy this success.
This was part of the mental recovery that they needed to complement the physical recovery, and the players would see their families at the hotel before getting the required sleep and recovery to start the preparation for the week ahead.
All part of the plan. All part of the preparation.
This master tactician was already at work planning the next game.
Iron Fist
Roar Rookie
TG's big decision in the breakdown of the Lionesses, is whether to play Kerr, or keep the captain on the bench again. 10-20 mins v Denmark, 60-70 mins v France 5 days later. The natural progression is 90-100 mins you'd think, but the turnaround is 4 days. There was no doubt the chances flowed thick with Kerr on the field v France, but what if this match goes 130-140 mins again + pens? Can she play that out and possibly play a final 4 days later again. This is tournament football. Big loads, short turnarounds. Her position requires repeated explosiveness off the mark which will load the calf significantly. Of course, there's the argument that there is no Sunday unless they win Wednesday. So far, it largely been a game plan focusing on all eleven players that has got them to this stage, but there's no doubt Kerr can provide that moment of brilliance when required. How much changes if Kerr does indeed start the match?
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Great analysis, jupiter53, I think you have summed it up perfectly. 4-4-2 is the best system for this team to play. It's not my favourite, but it suits this squad the best.
Texi
Roar Rookie
Stepping into murky waters, BT. There are some uncomfortable truths out there, and I'm sure they will eventually be told.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'll call you shortly!
Texi
Roar Rookie
Yes it will. That start to the second half of extra time on Saturday, when the Matildas went straight at the French defence, was a statement of intent. I like that. Understand when you are on top, and take advantage.
Texi
Roar Rookie
It will take more than a quarter-final success to convince many others. He certainly has his players peaking at just the right time. Time to believe again this Wednesday night.
Texi
Roar Rookie
Oh! Anything you'd like to share?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Gustavsson is a feel good non critical coach and well liked thats his main quality, notice the one old player he kept away from the team Lisa De Vanna. Lisa De Vanna is suspected as the one player that everyone was complaining about. De Vanna was known for being critical of other players , ironically that is considered bullying these days and was the complaint over Stajic as well.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Gustavsson is an outstanding coach. Gustavsson was previously assistant coach for the USA womans team, to me the best coached and attacking team I've seen; ahead of even Manchester City men. They went out to score goals from the kick off and scored early. By comparison previous Matildas coach, Stajic, had the players pass the ball back to the goalkeeper. That tells you everything about the mindset instilled. This team is on track and its a shame we aren't playing the silly poms in the World Cup final. I'de rather lose to anyone but them! It should be an epic contest.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Thank you for writing this article. For the past 2 years I have said that TG was doing a fantastic job. The journey has been hard and TG was made to realise that we didn't have the depth to really shake up a tournament. He did something about that. He took the hard road in introducing players and for him to work out who to keep and who to discard. And here we are, in a WC semi final. Win lose or draw TG has been a phenomenal success. I really hope he stays after the WC as I suspect he will be in even higher demand. So all the Stajcic apologists, who never once criticised him for the lack of depth as he stuck to his tried and tested 15 or so players, can now sing TG's praises.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
No. He is a very naughty boy!
Full Credit to the Boys
Roar Rookie
I dont know anything abut soccer, but i do know something about when an organisation is singing from the same song sheet. This group is in harmony.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Actually on reflection, I want to give him credit for a basic tactical decision that I have taken for granted. That is the decision to play 4-4-2. So many Australian teams play 4-3-3; it has often been the default at club and national level. But 4-4-2 is vital to making the most of this squad. It starts with 2 central midfielders, an area where our playing strength is arguably weakest. It makes the most of the great fitness of Raso and Foord, allows Catley and Carpenter to push forward. Of course, none of this is rigid - you could argue that we are actually playing 4-3-3 with 2 number 6s and Fowler as the number 10! However, whatever you call it, starting with 2 central midfielders is vital. The worry is who you replace Gorry or Cooney-Cross with if needed. Yallop is obviously possible although she does not have the passing range. Van Egmond, has been great up front, but not in that central midfield role, too slow. Logarzo is missed for her energy and combativeness. Wheeler is probably just lacking international experience at this stage. Chidiac I would have thought was more noted for attacking rather than defensive qualities, but that may be my ignorance. Fingers crossed that everybody recovers for what will be a very testing game on Wednesday.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
I share your fear about the legs left in the squad. I was desperately hoping for COL/ENG to also go to 120 minutes but no such luck. No I don’t think TG is a tactical genius, but he does seem to be a genius at emotional management. It is obvious that there is a tremendous sense of togetherness within the squad, and the team is channeling that into consistently playing above themselves. The Matildas have some world class players, but France has a squad of on average better players. Amazingly the Matildas were able to nullify them over 120 minutes, and then manage to overcome the handicap of going second in the shootout. On Wednesday the Matildas will again be playing against a squad of on average better players, particularly in midfield. We just have to hope that they can again play out of their skins.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Hopefully our team can recover for Wednesday. He has certainly worked the main players hard. Hopefully Sam is recovered and ready to start and Simon and Yallop are ready for more time. To reach the semi finals – he has done a great job. He is a good coach and obviously a good person/player manager. 2 to go Texi – we can do it, but to beat England and then Sweden or Spain we will need everything to fall our way. Let’s hope. I watched the Matildas last night outside Stadium Australia, so it wasn’t a great view. That’s why I’m watching the replay now. After watching England v Columbia at the stadium and getting home late I am running out of gas! Hopefully the Matildas don’t. Go the Matildas.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Thank you for the article Texi. "After making Matildas history, is Gustavsson really a master tactician?" My answer to that question is no. However, the Matildas and the nation have taken him to their hearts, so all bodes well and good, for now. Now we have created history making it to the semi We have to believe and I will continue to believe, until it's all over. But his inability to use the entire squad over the campaign continues to haunt me.
ScottD
Roar Guru
There was criticism of the coach by the commentary team for not bringing enough fresh legs on in the second half. He was vindicated by having fresh legs available for extra time. I have no idea whether he had that (extra time) in mind or if it was just happenstance but I’m giving it to him as a masterstroke .