Foord is coming off her most demanding campaign to date with Arsenal, logging a career-high 1569 minutes in the FA Women's Super League, as well as several appearances in domestic cups and the UEFA Champions Leaguem, not to mention the fact that she and her teammates Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross flew to Australia for a post-season friendly against the A-League All Stars.
Gustavsson said he was concerned about the physical impact this game and the associated schedule would have on his players when it was announced.
Australia's Mary Fowler China's Li Mengwen competes for the ball.Credit: Getty Images
“But I also understand the 'why' behind it,” he said.
“And I think that's something we're going to see more of in the women's game. We've seen it in the men's game for years now, off-season travel…you can understand why clubs do it. I think it's up to us to learn how to manage it.
“We have always looked at the well-being of the players. Even looking back at that June window, the year before the World Cup, we gave away some players [time] off because they knew they wouldn't be out for 18 months after that. It was a huge criticism that we did that at the time, but we were one of the first national teams to see what was coming and we wanted to think a step ahead and really look at the welfare here.”
With Australia's first Olympic game against Germany not until July 25, Foord has plenty of time to make a full recovery, although his hamstring injury proves to be a low-grade strain, but it's a headache that Gustavsson could do without as he prepares to do so. will unveil their 18-man squad for Paris next week.
Goal by Michelle Heyman of Australia.Credit: Getty Images
“One or two” fringe players, he said, had locked themselves into their Olympic spots with their performances Friday night, without disclosing any names.
Gustavsson named an experimental line-up on Friday night, giving rare starts to Charlotte Grant and Clare Wheeler, and not fielding World Cup stars Foord, Catley, Cooney-Cross, Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter until they were all replaced at the same time. in the 62nd minute.
The lack of chemistry in their starting side was evident. Australia couldn't get a single shot on target in the first half, let alone on target; Gustavsson said they played “very slowly” and were easily controlled by China, who were well structured and disciplined in former Matildas coach Ante Milicic's first match.
Milicic set the Steel Roses in a low defensive lock, limiting the Matildas' ability to use their pace out wide, while Gustavsson instructed his players to try to provoke their pressure and draw the opposition out of their shells as they built their rhythm. play from behind
It was a tough watch for the sell-out crowd of 52,912, just 96 short of South Australia's all-time football record set in Liverpool's 2015 friendly against Adelaide United.
China took a deserved lead in the 30th minute when Central Coast Mariners star Wurigumula beat her marker Kaitlyn Torpey and crossed for Zhang Linyan, who produced a delicious finish to beat Mackenzie Arnold's outstretched glove , although the Australian players protested a foul on Torpey in the 30th minute. build.
But some tactical tweaks at half-time, following the injection of Australia's big-name stars from the bench, helped swing the momentum, and Heyman's goal from Mary Fowler's free-kick in stoppage time discount ensured that those in the stands got what they wanted.
“Although we did not have a great game, we received the support of the fans throughout the process, and that never says the attitude of the players, of never giving up and playing until the last second gave the its fruits once again. Gustavsson said.
“Maybe it's no coincidence that it's Michelle Heyman there, scoring that goal and being in the right place at the right time. I think that was important for her and the team.”
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