The Matildas went into France match with a fitness problem not experienced by any other side in the World Cup – here’s why coach Tony Gustavsson wasn’t worried
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France have enjoyed the luxury of rotating their squad. The Matildas have barely changed their team at all.
But, Australia coach Tony Gustavsson insists when legs get heavy late in Saturday’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final at Suncorp Stadium, his charges have the fitness to prevail.
It could be the difference between a World Cup exit, or the chance to chase a greater glory and legacy on home soil.
Opta stats pointed out Gustavsson has given just 19 minutes per game to substitute players in the tournament to date, fewer than any other team, while no team has used fewer players in total than the Matildas’ 17.
Eight players – Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Steph Catley and Mackenzie Arnold – have played 300 or more minutes.
Clare Hunt (15), Katrina Gorry (19) and Ellie Carpenter (21) had each played a massive 300-plus minutes at the World Cup going into the match against France
Aussie coach Tony Gustavsson (pictured with Sam Kerr) has only sent 17 players out onto the paddock during the World Cup
The lack of substitutes, though Sam Kerr should ramp up her minutes on Saturday, is in stark contrast to Gustavsson’s well-worn rhetoric that to succeed in the World Cup would take ’23 in 23′.
But he’s adamant even if Saturday’s match goes to extra time, his players can deliver.
‘Obviously the total metres is one thing but what’s really interesting is the high speed metres and the sprints and they were off the charts compared to some other competitors,’ Gustavsson said.
‘We’re fit, we’re fast, we know that. If you look at the schedule that the players are playing now, it’s nothing different than what they do in club land in terms of the games and the amount of weeks, it’s very similar.
‘The funny thing with this team is every time we have shortened time between two games, they amp up the high speed game off there.
‘So the most intense game they have played so far in terms of sprints and high speed metres was the game where they had less recovery time. So they bounce back extremely well.
‘That’s also a mindset thing, but it’s also thanks to the fans. The way the fans support us during the games and how loud they are, they carry us.’
France counterpart Herve Renard has used 21 of 23 players, with only his two reserve goalkeepers not seeing a minute.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (pictured playing against Ireland in the World Cup group stage) has also been used extensively during the tournament, but Gustavsson says the workload for his stars is comparable to club football
France coach Herve Renard has adopted a completely different approach to his players’ fitness, having used 21 of his 23-woman squad thus far
Only Kadidiatou Diani and Grace Geyoro have played more than 300.
‘Yes, it can be the difference at the end of game for the last 20, 15 minutes, you never know. We see what’s happening tomorrow,’ Renard said.
‘But it was also our games – I was able to do this because against Panama we were almost qualified, because we did very well against Brazil.
‘And it was important for some ladies from the squad to participate because every day they are making a lot of effort to be in the first XI and it’s not easy to spend your time on the bench for so many games, even if all of them will be happy if the French national team’s going very far.
‘But in terms of team spirit, it’s very important.’