JPNvAUS: Gustavsson looks forward to tough and technical clash against Japan
The countdown is on as the Matildas complete their final pre-Olympic tune-up with Tony Gustavsson telling media he is excited for a tough and technical clash against Nadeshiko.
"I know it's going to be a tough game, a good game and an exciting game," Gustavsson told media at the JPNvAUS pre-match press conference.
"The fact that we can be in the host country, playing the host means a lot to us in preparing for the Olympics.
"We've been looking at how Japan play and even years back, when I was coaching with the USA, seeing that attacking technical football has always been a challenge to defend.
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"I am very impressed by their technical ability, how fast they move the ball and their combination play is actually one of the best in the world," he continued.
"I'm also impressed by how well organized the team is in defending and each player knows to roll in and out, they work very hard as a collective and it's going to be a tough game, for sure, but I'm really looking forward to it."
Gustavsson said the Matildas are heading into the friendly match buoyed by the positivity and confidence they have picked up during their recent preparations against different nations and their varying styles of football.
"In terms of that positivity and belief, we have had a fantastic transition camp in Sweden and also pre-camp here in Japan, it's about getting one day better, and we really feel that we are getting one day better," he said.
"What we have worked on when it comes to strengths and weaknesses, I was shown a report from the federation that showed we had not played enough games against top-quality opponents and high ranked teams and we'd had a lot of, not so successful results against those teams in the past, especially those European teams," Gustavsson explained.
"So we scheduled a really, really tough schedule to play as many tough and different teams as possible, meaning one camp was against Germany and Holland, they play a certain way, then against Sweden and Denmark, they play a certain way and now we play against Japan who also play a certain way.
"They have all been very different teams, but all very good teams, because if we want to take the Matildas to the next level, we need these tough games."
Gustavsson said that after spending more time with the team, he sees the Matildas 'Never Say Die' attitude in full force.
"I've always looked at the Matilda as a team with an X-Factor, something special, and I didn't really know what it was until I came on this side of the circle to get experience in what this group of people are all about.
"The 'Never Say Die' attitude they live and breathe, that people way before me have created, I'm really happy and proud to be a part of that chemistry and that feeling in this team."