’Unbelievable’ star creates major Matildas dilemma; burning Kerr question answered: Talking Pts
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was given plenty of food for thought after his side’s 1-0 victory over France in Australia’s final tune-up clash ahead of the Women’s World Cup.
Mary Fowler’s second-half strike was all that separated the two sides in an end-to-end contest played in front of a record crowd of 50,629 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
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Crucially, Fowler’s goal came at a time when neither of the Matildas’ star strike duo of Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr was on the park.
A clean sheet from a defensive pairing playing alongside one another for the first time has also given Gustavsson a good problem to have, as he faces leaving a veteran out of the line-up.
Fans also got a glimpse as to how Gustavsson’s “in your face” brand of football will look throughout the World Cup and it certainly had its moments of success.
Foxsports.com.au analyses the key takeaways from the Matildas’ victory over France in Talking Points!
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WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PREVIEW PODCASTS - LISTEN NOW!
PART ONE: Preview of EVERY group and which players could catch your eye
PART TWO: Three burning Matildas questions and why their Group B rivals are a threat
HOW DEFENSIVE DUO HAVE GIVEN GUSTAVSSON MAJOR HEADACHE
Prior to the match, Clare Hunt had just five caps to her name and Alanna Kennedy was making her Matildas return after a 314-day absence due to injury.
But Gustavsson elected to name the two as his starting centre backs for the France clash, as record-cap holder Clare Polkinghorne was left on the
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