Gustavsson: "It makes you feel alive... This is what life is about"

Player of the Match Mackenzie Arnold, as well as Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson, were made available to the media after Australia’s stunning penalty shootout victory over France. The win means that the Matildas will play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ semi-final for the first time in their history.

The epicentre of the drama around the shootout, Arnold, was up first.

“I’m speechless, to be honest,” she smiled when asked how she was feeling.

Arnold made three saves in the shootout but missed the opportunity to win the game with her own spot kick, hitting the bar with her fifth penalty. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.

“Obviously, I was incredibly disappointed,” she explained. “But the way they rallied around me and just kept me in it… Honestly, we do it for each other out there, and they have my back.”

One of the highpoints of the drama was Kenza Dali’s penalty. Arnold saved it initially, but the penalty was retaken after the goalkeeper was adjudged to have stepped off her line before the ball was kicked. She proceeded to then save the follow-up but did so knowing that any further slip-up would result in a yellow card and suspension for the semi-final.

She insisted that the team weren’t dreaming big just yet – they were just taking it one game, or one half, at a time. However, they’d take time as a group to process the achievement of playing in a FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final for the first time, and in doing so, being a part of history.

Triumphant coach Tony Gustavsson appeared next. He spoke eloquently about the character of the team, who he had just witnessed need 10 penalties to overcome World No.5 France.

“I said to the team before the game that it’s not about the medal around your neck, it’s about the heart beating on the backside of it,” he said.

“The amount of heart and soul and passion that this team showed tonight… There’s different ways of defining success. But for me, success is when you leave it all out there, no matter the result. You play with your heart and you give it your best… That represents so much more than 90-minute football.”

Gustavsson was not immune to the emotions that the crowd, and indeed the nation, were feeling. His words to the players before the shootout were to be calm and remember their training.

“I said to the players, looked them in the eyes and said trust me when I say you’re prepared for this moment,” he recounted.

“You’re ready. Let’s show the world that we’re ready as well.”

It was a historic night for many reasons. Not only is it the first FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final victory in Australia’s history, it came as the result of the longest penalty shootout in World Cup history – men’s or women’s. Ten spot kicks in total were required to separate the teams.

There are now only four days to recover from the emotions before taking on England on Wednesday night.

“Let’s bring the fans in, let’s bring the nation in and actually embrace and enjoy this moment because that is part of a mental recovery,” he said. “Actually allow yourself to feel those celebration and also emotions tonight.”

“And sleep and recovery is key. There was a massive amount of physical output from the game today from a lot of the players, so recovery is key.

“These players are on a mission. I know that they’re going to celebrate this one but from tomorrow they’re going to be focused again. They’re extremely professional and they’re on a mission.”

Mary Fowler was involved in everything on the park. Not only did she come close to scoring several times, the 20-year-old buried her penalty with a minimum of fuss. Gustavsson was quick to praise her, claiming that she plays with a maturity beyond her years.

The Swedish coach was asked if he now believes the team can do anything.

“I’m going to be honest, my belief that this team can do anything has been there even before tonight,” he explained. “I genuinely believe that this team can create history in so many ways. Not just winning football games but the way they can inspire the next generation, how they can unite the nation, how they can leave a legacy that is much bigger than 90 minute football.

“I think that is also why I believe in them so much, because the why is so much bigger than just football. When that drives you… that is a powerful tool that is very difficult to stop.”

He praised the contribution of his players off the bench, particularly Sam Kerr and Cortnee Vine. His superstar striker was energetic but understandably tired as the game went on. Nonetheless, she made a significant difference when she first stepped foot in the park.

Vine, meanwhile, was the eventual winner. The 25-year-old stepped up in her first FIFA Women’s World Cup and slotted home the winning penalty. Gustavsson praised her mentality and her ability to make a difference off the bench.

He finished by talking about how he could possibly sum up what this moment means both for his team and for the Australian football public.

“I love it. We’ve shown we thrive under pressure over and over and over again in this tournament,” he said.

“It makes you feel alive… this is what life is about, creating memories with the ones with the ones you love the most. To be able to do that tonight with these team has been amazing and I can’t wait to get more moments like this with this group of people.

“I tear up because I know how much it means to so many.”