The countdown is on for next year’s Women’s World Cup,which Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson believes they can win - so long as everyone else,inside and outside the team,believes too.
A 2-0 loss to Japan at home has consigned the Socceroos to a third-placed finish in the group,putting them on a path to a play-off against South Americans.
Ange Postecoglou thought winning the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil would be a “seminal moment” for the game in Australia – but he was left with a sinking feeling when the code and the country failed to respond the way he imagined.
Under-pressure coach Tony Gustavsson may have the support of Football Australia for now but will have to front a review after the Matildas Asian Cup failure.
Australian Sam Kerr spurned a golden chance in the quarter-final before her Chelsea teammate Ji So-yun scored a screamer in the 87th minute to seal the win.
Sam Kerr and her goalscoring exploits have stolen most of the limelight at the Asian Cup but teenager Mary Fowler has quietly,impeccably been doing her thing in midfield.
A new-look team needed guidance from old hands Emily van Egmond and Sam Kerr to help notch a scrappy 2-1 victory over Thailand in Mumbai.
All other players and staff have returned negative tests,FA said,with no other details released regarding the midfielder or how she came to contract the coronavirus.
The Omicron outbreak has already claimed the participation of hosts India but the Matildas aren’t concerned of falling victim to the virus.
The Matildas are on the cusp of the second round of the Asian Cup after beating Alen Stajcic’s Philippines 4-0.
The DY Patil Stadium was empty on Sunday after India was unable to field a team against Taiwan,leading to the host nation’s expulsion from the tournament.