‘Don’t like the word experiments’: Mounting Tillies casualty ward forces Aussie boss to ‘try things’
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson didn’t want to say he’d be using Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico for some Olympic “experiments” but conceded trying new things was crucial preparation for the Paris Games where the Australians would be without superstar captain Sam Kerr.
Gustavsson held firm on the Football Australia line to shut down talk about the legal battle facing Kerr, who refused to tell the coach or the governing body about the late-night incident with a police officer in London that resulted in allegations of a racial slur.
Get on board Kayo and watch every game of every round of the NRL + AFL Seasons live and ad break free during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
He said he’d been ploughing on with Paris preparations amid a mini-injury crisis and the Mexico clash, the first of three final preparation games, where he’ll also be without key players including Katrina Gorry (ankle), Clare Hunt (foot), Courtney Nevin and Chloe Logarzo (both hip).
Emily Gielnik also suffered a calf injury in camp, while Aivi Luik, who the coach said was playing the best football of her career, suffered a hamstring strain.
While Gustavsson is confident they will be available for the Olympics, he knows he’ll need a few more tricks up his sleeve in the pursuit of a maiden medal and for games against first the Mexicans in San Antonio and then two home matches against China.
So he’s been using matches behind closed doors during the team training camp in Florida to find out what works best.
“It was a massive opportunity for us to try different ways, different players, different tactics, different game management stuff in a closed-door environment to not reveal too much,” Gustavsson said on match eve.
MORE COVERAGE
Read on foxsports.com.au
