Tony Gustavsson | Pre-Match Press Conference | AUS v THA

The CommBank Matildas will complete their 2022 international calendar in Gosford as they meet Thailand in the second match of the Seven Consulting International Series on 15 November at Central Coast Stadium.   

It is a welcome return to Gosford for the women’s national team with the last time being as part of a two-match FIFA Women’s World Cup™ farewell series against New Zealand in 2011.   

Head Coach Tony Gustavsson was available to the media during a Pre-Match Press Conference to preview the match against Thailand. 

Gustavsson admitted the side's biggest challenge against Thailand tomorrow night will be to avoid complacency after their 4-0 win over Sweden on Saturday. .

“It was a very good feeling after the game and we enjoyed it as well,” Gustavsson said.

“We need to show up (against Thailand) as well. The challenge that we’ve given ourselves is can we start off fast? Can we be on the front foot early on in the game?” Gustavsson said.

“I would love to see us flying from the beginning, with that mindset we had against Sweden, with our regains, our transition games (and) our runs because what can tend to happen when you play a well-organised team like Thailand and there’s less space is that you stop running."

“We are a running team, so we need to run.”

When asked about how the players might respond if they experience a defensive block from Thailand, Gustavsson explained that the team would have to patient and have the belief that the goals will come. 

“Not patient playing slow but patient to believe the goals are going to come and (with) breaking them down,” he said.

Injuries to Alanna Kennedy and Alex Chidiac saw them ommitted from the matchday squad that took on Sweden, with updates provided on both of their progress. 

“Alanna’s doing better. She’s progressing in training every day. She had her first training session (on Monday) as well which is fantastic,” Gustavsson said.

“It was a bonus to have her in this training environment. She’s not available for any game time but she looked really good, and we had the opportunity to do some extra individual work as well, position specific, so again I’m very grateful for Manchester City releasing her to us as well.”

“(Chidiac) She trained fully, I’m going to get updates to see if and how many minutes she could be available for.”