CommBank Matildas Clare Hunt and goal scorer Clare Wheeler spoke to media on Monday night after the team defeated China PR 2-0 in the second and final match of the ‘Til It’s Done Farewell Series.
The two Clares would be among the 18-player Paris 2024™ squad that was announced on Tuesday morning.
Wheeler – the smallest player on the pitch – admitted that neither her goal from a set piece, nor the celebration, was planned.
“I was as shocked as anyone!” she smiled. “But yeah, really happy to get another goal, especially at home.”
She explained that the win helps the team build momentum towards Paris 2024™.
“We wanted to come back and make an impact from the last game we had in Adelaide, and I think we definitely did that,” she said.
“We have to build on our performance – a lot of positives, and a lot of key learnings to take away.”
Clare Hunt was asked about the change in style between the two games.
“We were more aggressive, more attacking,” the centre-back answered. “We changed our formation slightly to allow for that, and then also the personnel that we had on the park are very attacking players.
“I think we pressed higher as well and that was beneficial for us, particularly in the second half. We won a lot of balls and it led to the second goal. So that gave us a bit of momentum and opportunity to capitalise on errors from China, but also just kept them under pressure.”
The two goals that secured the win came in the second half, and they came after some small tactical tweaks by Gustavsson and his coaching staff. Hunt gave some insight about what was said in the half-time sheds, and how it helped their performance.
“He [Gustavsson] mentioned the quality in our first 15 to 18 minutes, that we had three or four opportunities to score and we just didn’t capitalise,” she said.
“So not too much change other than the personnel changes and a slightly different build-up, but in terms of attacking play, we kept the same, we were just more composed in front of goal, and finished two really good chances.”
Of course, the game meant more for the team than just the 90 minutes. It was legendary goalkeeper Lydia Williams’ home farewell. Hunt was asked about what it meant to share Williams’ final home minutes in a CommBank Matildas shirt on home soil.
“It’s always a privilege to share a field with Lyds, and to be in a training environment with her as well,” she expressed.
“She’s a very old head and very mature and very experienced, so it’s amazing to be able to be in an environment where you learn from her every single day. I feel very grateful to have shared the 40-something minutes with her today, and all the memories I have in camp with her as well.
“It’s amazing to have her still a part of the team, and I think today was just an awesome celebration of all that she’s achieved personally in her career, but also for Australian women’s football and women’s football across the world.”