“I brought the players together after the game and only had one thing to say – and that’s how impressed I am by the professionalism of the players. To stay focussed for every second of the game, from the first to the last. I think we set the standards going into this tournament, what we are about and what we want to do. It was a great opening game for us.”
When the scoreline reads ‘AUS 18-0 IDN’, those words by Head Coach Tony Gustavsson are put into perspective. Nine goals in the first half and an equal number in the second. Australia stepped on the field at Mumbai Football Arena with the intention to stamp their authority in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, and they did just that.
Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the 9th minute, then doubled the lead in the 11th. I expected the floodgates to open soon after but didn’t anticipate the fashion in which the goals would start flowing. Australia averaged one goal every five minutes in this game – quite bizarre.
The elephant on the pitch, prior to kick-off, was the all-time Australian goalscoring record that was hovering just above Sam Kerr’s head. She needed one to match Tim Cahill’s 50, so she scored five.
“Obviously, Timmy is a legend in Australia. So to be even in the same conversation as him is an amazing honour. I don’t take any goal for granted, and I said after the game that there is no other team I’d rather do it with. This is a record I will remember forever.”
Sam Kerr, who was named Player of the Match, shares her thoughts post-game.
“Yeah, I think we showed the ultimate respect to Indonesia by coming out with our best team.”
Tony Gustavsson, who is seated beside her, gives a nod in agreement.
“We scouted them before the game,” she continues, “and knew they had some tricky players. We weren’t going to take them lightly because this is the Asian Cup – we are here to get as far as we can.”
Indonesia is the lowest-ranked team in this edition of the tournament, so it is fair to ask why Australia went out all-guns-blazing. They could have rested some players? Or given minutes to some youngsters to gain more valuable experience? Gustavsson very calmly articulates his justification behind their starting XI and substitutions.
“The opening game of a tournament is very important to set the tone for a team, to get off to a good start. We need to treat the opponent with respect but also show respect to our values and our standards.
“The other thing to remember is that in a national team, we don’t get many minutes together. We worked very closely with our sports science team to see which players needed to progress minutes in a tournament and which players needed 90 minutes under their belt to get up and running.”
He made it very clear that Australia’s main goal was not only to win comfortably but to send a message to themselves and to everyone else on how they are going to treat this tournament.
First goal feelings! 😮
🎥: @10FootballAU
#WeAreMatildas pic.twitter.com/yXLVK2Kdp2— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) January 22, 2022
“There are a lot of girls in the changing room who want their hands on the trophy,” says Sam Kerr, referring to the trophy that has eluded them post 2010. Winning this tournament will provide Australia with just the boost they need as they head into a home World Cup next year.
As a freelance woso journalist, born and bred in India, I am thrilled to see my nation host a major international tournament like this. What I never would have predicted though, was the captain of Australia, a key striker for Chelsea FC and a brown-skinned football legend with Indian roots breaking a goal-scoring record on her ancestral turf.
If you told me Sam Kerr would score an international hattrick in Mumbai, India – I would’ve laughed in your face.
— Radha🧣 (@radhalathgupta) January 21, 2022
“It is special. I definitely thought about this before the game how special it would be for my family since I have roots here. I know there are a lot of Indian fans out there that follow me, so it is special to break that record on Indian soil and in a big tournament like this,” says Sam.
Gustavsson had words of praise for his entire team. When asked about Alanna and Emily Van Egmond, he resonated with those thoughts.
“As a CB, one may lose focus in a game like this, but Alanna led the line, had world-class long-range passing and a great aerial presence.” At 1.76m, height is going to be a big advantage for Australia in this tournament. “E-V-E is very impressive with her understanding of the game. She is the heartbeat and tempo-controller of the team.”
18 goals, nine goalscorers, one debut and a clean sheet. The tournament has only just begun but Australia has smashed all sorts of expectations for what this tournament can present to the world. Catch the Matildas play their second group game vs the Philippines, tonight at 9 pm AEDT. Madness in Mumbai the first time around, can we see a repeat?
