Matildas coach Tony Gustafsson has hinted that there could be some unexpected names in the starting line-up for the first leg against Uzbekistan in a bid to manage player fatigue.
Gustafsson described the first leg of the Olympic qualifiers as “very important” but said it was more about managing the players' welfare.
All 23 women in the camp came from a range of local competitions – some mid-season, some in the off-season and some in the pre-season.
Adding to the success are players like Alana Kennedy who recently returned from injury or Arsenal midfielder Keira Kroos who has played limited minutes in the Premier League.
Caitlin Ford has played more than 1,000 minutes of football for Arsenal this season, while Mary Fowler has played just one touch over 500 minutes.
World Cup star defender Claire Hunt could be one of the laden players, spending 1,200 minutes on the pitch for Paris Saint-Germain across their domestic competitions and the Champions League. While fellow defender Claire Polkinghorne has not played since the end of the Swedish League in November.
In his pre-match press conference, Gustafsson, who did not want to reveal his starting lineup, hinted that some decisions were beyond his control and were based on recommendations from medical staff.
“We came with a lot of challenges to this camp,” he said. “Some players were coming with a lot of playing time and they were tired and tired, and some players were coming with very little playing time and a little bit of a load.”
“So it was important for us to find the right sweet spot in terms of the training load and make sure that the guys who came in with some fatigue and discomfort would be fresh on Saturday.
“Without giving away the lineup, there are a number of players who have come in with an overload and we have to be mindful of how we use them now in this first game if we do that, how many minutes and how that could impact availability in the second game and so forth.
“So we are looking at the level and physical preparation for the match as well.
“We will do our best and maximize our performance in the first match.”
Gustafsson dropped another hint that the lineup could contain some surprises in order to make the experienced stars on the bench “game-changers.”
“When you plan, you plan a strong starting XI but maybe even a stronger final XI because game changers are key in games like this,” he said.
the match
Despite Uzbekistan being the clear underdogs, Gustafsson was not prepared to rule them out of the competition.
The 47th-ranked team in the world has never qualified for an Olympic Games before, or played in a FIFA Women's World Cup.
But Gustafsson is quick to point out that any team playing at home can be difficult to deal with.
“You can play against an opponent who does a certain thing, look at what they've done in the past, but this is an Olympic qualifier against us, at home,” he said.
Gustafsson said Uzbekistan could have a completely different approach to the match, playing one way for part of the match and then changing it.
“They showed that they are well organized and have a clear game plan. They have been in a very long pre-camp going into this game as well.
“We know that we will face a very well-prepared team. We need to understand that and also be prepared for different types of challenges.
One of those challenges that players will have little control or time to adapt to is the weather.
Temperatures are expected to reach only two degrees in Tashkent on Saturday.
While players based in Europe and England will be more accustomed to the breezy weather, it will be a shock to the system for A-League players.
“The sports science team is doing a tremendous job in terms of conditioning – whether that's nutrition, recovery, training load or preparing for the weather as well. I'm sure we'll be well prepared,” Gustafsson said.
“It doesn't matter what the conditions are around them when they step on the field, they always give it 100%, no matter the field, the wind, the rain or the weather.
“This is a game when we have a game plan and we want to try to execute it but we also need to be able to adapt to what is thrown at us whether that is tactics, weather or pitch conditions.”
Balance is key
While Gustafsson has kept the game plan under lock and key, he has revealed that the intention is to continue playing the attacking, high-pressing style of football that the Matildas were known for during the last World Cup.
“No matter who steps in there, we will be true to who we are,” he said.
“I'm not talking about formation when I talk about our identity, I'm talking about the principle of how we play. We will always be a pressing team.
“We're going to be a high-octane team that likes to attack in numbers. We've looked at different ways of how we can create those chances when there's less space than we think it will be in this game.
Defender Alana Kennedy, who is fit after suffering a calf injury recently in the WSL, said she was feeling good and the team “looked sharp”.
“Obviously, for Uzbekistan to reach this position means having a good quality team, and I think for us it requires patience,” Kennedy said.
“I'm sure we'll find them somewhere at different points in the game and be patient with our game plan and decisiveness in the moments when we come out on top, so it's definitely a challenge ahead of us but we're there.” Be well prepared for that.”
Tight rotation
While the focus is on the first leg of the two-match series, Gustafsson said the medical staff also had to come up with a plan to improve recovery ahead of the second match in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The players will have to endure a 20-hour flight from Tashkent to Melbourne, arriving on Monday – just two days before their second encounter.
Kennedy said it was far from ideal, but it was something players, especially from Australia, had to accept as part of being a professional footballer.
“I think if anyone was well prepared for this, it would be us,” Kennedy said.
“Of course there is the extra percentage that you have to be more careful about, like taking care of your body's recovery, what you eat, and obviously what we prioritize during those few days, like just getting your legs back after a long flight.
“As a player, I think it's more about mentality and what we can do mentally to prepare but also physically for the short shift.”
Gustafson said many strategies will be used to maximize recovery time.
“We need to be world class when we travel,” he said.
“Whether it's compression pants or getting used to jet lag, or sleep routines or nutrition or recovery strategies – the players are all great when it comes to that, and it's about mentality as well.
“I know once we get off the plane and come to Australia, the players will be as prepared as they can be.
“I also know that they will be fueled and energized by the fans and will be back playing at home. This will make up for a lot of the lack of energy from traveling.
