Sermanni: We saw what the CommBank Matildas are all about

Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni expressed that he saw the true style of the CommBank Matildas on the pitch during their historic 2-1 victory over Germany on Tuesday morning (AEDT).

First international goals for Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Hunt was the difference as Australia defeated the European powerhouses for the first time in 19 years.

For Sermanni, the result was a consequence of finding what it is to be the Matildas again.

“The thing we saw tonight, and we talked about going into this game, is that we wanted to see the Matildas,” he said.

“We wanted to see a team that looked like what we want the Matildas to be, and what we feel the Matildas is about.

“When I looked at the first game against Switzerland, I thought we were a bit passive. But I looked at this game tonight and that started showing the foundation of what we want to build from.

“That’s the ability to compete for 90 minutes, mixed in with some real quality attacking football.”

It was a victory that he said would be a massive confidence booster after a down period at the Olympic Games.

“It restores confidence in individual players, it restores confidence in the team, and it brings that belief back,” he said.

“It wasn’t so much about the result of it, because Germany are a fantastic side – and we were under some considerable pressure.

“But I think the great thing tonight is that we showed that character and determination.

“We’ve got footballers who can play good football. Tonight, we didn’t get an opportunity to play an awful lot of good football, but we hung in and showed a great deal of determination and drive.”

The wonder strike from Kyra Cooney-Cross that equalised the match in the first half dominated discussion.

The lofted drive from near the halfway line goes into the books as one of the greatest goals Sermanni has seen in his many years coaching the CommBank Matildas.

“It’s a real class goal, because she got herself in a position where she could have taken it forward, but she spotted the goalkeeper off the line and finished perfectly,” he recalled.

“It was a very difficult finish. I just saw some of the class that Kyra has. Yeah – one of the great goals.”

He heaped praise on the 22-year-old, stating that there is still plenty to come from her in the national side.

“She will certainly be a very important player for us in midfield, because she’s got all the qualities of a midfield player that you want at this level,” he said.

“She’s comfortable in possession, she can dribble, she can pass with both feet, long passes, short passes.

“It’s just a question of her continuing to develop and continuing to mature, and she is on her way to being a world class player.”

He also took time to touch on the performance of Caitlin Foord, who began the game as the focal point of the attack before moving into a more defensive role.

“She’s just a complete player. She’s an absolute machine,” he said.

“Football-wise, she’s strong, tenacious and clever, and she can play anywhere. Tonight, she probably played in at least three different positions… Caitlin’s the kind of player that can play anywhere.”

Kaitlyn Torpey was forced off the field in the first half with a hamstring injury. Sermanni said that he hadn’t had a chance to speak to the medical staff just yet, and he wasn’t able to provide an update.

He summarised the camp by saying it has been an incredibly positive one.

“We’ve had a terrific camp,” he said.

“You can’t beat being away with a team, particularly when it’s an international team. You’re together 24/7, you’re travelling, you’re in the mix with staff and players all day.

“I’m really enjoying being in that environment again, and coming out with a draw and a win obviously makes life a lot better, and it makes the camp a lot more fun.”