Sermanni: "Much more competition" within squad after international window
Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni said that he has achieved his goal of unearthing players during this window, and that there would be much more competition for the 23-player squad ahead of the SheBelieves Cup in February.
He was speaking to the media after the CommBank Matildas' 6-0 victory against Chinese Taipei.
“Having a window like this has been quite fortunate, in the sense that it’s allowed us to get some quality game time for players that haven’t had a lot of game time,” he said.
“If I’m sitting down and reassessing towards the end of the year, and if I’m looking towards the SheBelieves Cup, there’s much more competition for those 23 spots in the squad than I think there was a few months ago.”
He said that he had seen players who he believed may have had the ability to step into international football come out and prove it on the global stage.
“I’ve seen players that have stepped up into this international arena and looked comfortable,” he said.
“One of the key things as a coach is trying to identify players who you think can play at international level. I know there’s players that can play really, really well at club level and at different levels, but not quite good enough to step into the international arena.
“What I’ve seen in these last few games, and having the chance to work with some players, is that we’ve unearthed a few players that I think have that capability to step up and play at international level.”
One of those players may well have been Sharn Freier. While she debuted at the beginning of this year – and made her Olympic debut in Paris – she got significant game time in ‘A’ internationals for the first time in this window, scoring her first two goals.
“If you’re looking at one of those wildlife films, she looks like one of those lions that just sort of floats about, and then suddenly there’s a bit of prey, they go and get them,” he joked.
“You just never know what she’s going to do. She looks like she just lobs along, but then her pace is so deceptive, and her ability to go past players… she’s got real raw potential.”
Given the three months between now and the next international window, in which time a permanent Head Coach may well be appointed, this may have been Sermanni’s last match in charge.
He was asked to reflect on his tenure and what he has considered a success.
“What’s been a success for me is the response I’ve had from players and staff,” he said.
“When I went into the team in Switzerland, for the first couple of team meetings, I thought I was turning up at a funeral, to be honest.
“What I’ve seen now is, I think the team’s come back to life again. There’s a bit more noise, a bit more enthusiasm around the team.
“For me, that’s really important, and hopefully that will continue.”