Tony Gustavsson admits he may have made a mistake by not resting Caitlin Foord on Friday night after the Matildas star lasted just 15 minutes before succumbing to a hamstring injury against China.
Her withdrawal was only precautionary, Gustavsson said, and had it been a competitive match at a World Cup or Olympics, she probably would have played on – but if she is even remotely at risk of further aggravating the injury, she will not take any part in Monday night’s rematch in China at Accor Stadium.“And I’m looking at myself a little bit here ... some of the players came in very tired, both mentally and physically, and had a couple of niggles.
Gustavsson said he was worried about the physical impact that game and the associated schedule would have on his players when it was announced.“But I also understand the ‘why’ behind it,” he said. With Australia’s first Olympic match against Germany not until July 25, there is ample time for Foord to make a full recovery even if her hamstring injury proves to be a low-grade strain, but it is a headache Gustavsson could do without as he prepares to unveil his 18-player squad for Paris next week.“One or two” fringe players, he said, had locked in their Olympic spots with their performances on Friday night, without revealing any names.
Milicic set up the Steel Roses in a low defensive block, limiting the Matildas’ ability to use their pace out wide, while Gustavsson instructed his players to try and provoke their press and entice the opposition to come out of their shells as they built up their play from the back.
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