Gustavsson and Polkinghorne speak to media after defeat against Scotland

It was a tough day in London for our CommBank Matildas who went down 1-0 to Scotland, ending their undefeated run. Post-match, head coach Tony Gustavsson and captain for the game, Clare Polkinghorne spoke to the media. 

Hear the talking points from the post-match press conference below. 

Clare Polkinghorne, stand-in skipper for the day in the absence of Sam Kerr from the starting line-up, expressed her frustration after Australia was unable to fashion an equaliser after Scotland took the lead early in the second half through Nicola Docherty.

"Obviously you want to win every game of football you play. But I think we got some important lessons today and, we'll look back at the video and take that forward into the next game," she explained. 

"The first half we sort of rushed a little bit in the final third and the second half was a lot better. We created a lot of a lot of good chances and it's just about being a bit more clinical in that," she continued when asked about lessons from the defeat. 

Polkinghorne, who played the whole game beside Clare Hunt, in just her fourth appearance for Australia after debuting for her country in February during the Cup of Nations was full of praise for her fellow namesake. 

"Hunt has come in and slotted right in and she's a very mature player. She's just taken everything in her stride and, it's really nice to see her doing well."

The game against Scotland saw the return of defender Ellie Carpenter to the starting line-up, making her return after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in May 2022. 

"Ellie brings a lot of energy and confidence to our team and to our backline. She's a very aggressive player, loves to get forward and she's really hard to handle. So it's really nice to see her back and to have her back in camp and our environment, it's a big boost for us." 

“We worked a lot on our pressing game because we know both Scotland and England are really good in the ball movement and moving the ball and really want to play,” he said.

“If you’re a little bit too stretched, a little bit off in your pressing game, they can play right through you and also with some world-class midfielders in there." Gustavsson continued. 

“I think the forwards did a tremendous job on the defensive side of the ball, worked really hard, and I think in the attacking side of the ball, we struggled to activate them good enough." 

“Scotland’s aggressive one-with-one duels made it difficult for us to break that press and activate them. 

MATCH REPORT: CommBank Matildas go down to Scotland 1-0 at Plough Lane

Gustavsson praised the side's efforts in the second half after falling behind, explaining how he saw glimpses of promise after Scotland's opener.

“The first 20 to 25 minutes in the second half, we showed how we want to play and who we are when we play the way we want to play and then both forwards were involved in as well. (Larissa) Crummer, unfortunately, the goalkeeper made a phenomenal save in that one v one.”

When asked if fans could be expecting to see Kerr in Australia's next game against England, Gustavsson kept his cards close to his chest on the striker's availability. 

"If I'm guessing today, I'm guessing she will be available, but that's just speculation, I need to talk to sports science and medicine staff and Sam herself, and see where she's at on Tuesday - but I know she would love to play."

When asked if he was tempted to bring on Australia's top goalscorer late in the game to try and spirit a late comeback, Gustavsson justified his reasoning for leaving Kerr on the bench after a busy schedule for club and country. 

"Of course, I have to admit it was a temptation to bring her on. It's itching in me, and itching in Sam, but we'd agreed on a long talk last night that the best thing for her was to rest this one against Scotland," said Gustavsson.

"She's coming off an extremely tough game environment at Chelsea with back-to-back games every week for almost two months" 

The side will face the reigning UEFA Women's Champions for the first time since 2018, with England coming into the fixture in scintillating form off the back of a 30-game undefeated streak and lifting the inaugural Women's Finalissima after defeating Brazil on penalties on Thursday night. 

NEXT MATCH

England v CommBank Matildas
Date: Tues, 11 April 2023 (local) / Wed, 12 April (AEST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium, London
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm (local) / 4:45 am (AEST)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+