Mumbai, Jan 20 (UNI) Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson will take nothing for granted when his team begins its AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 campaign against Indonesia on January 21.
The Matildas are a powerhouse in this competition, reaching the final in four of the last five editions and are also the highest-ranked team in this year’s event, while Indonesia have qualified for the group stage for the first time since 1989.
In spite of being considered overwhelming favourites in the Group B match at Mumbai Football Arena, Australia head coach declared his side will not take the team nicknamed Garuda Pertiwi lightly.
"I am very impressed and happy about the development that Indonesia have shown and I congratulate them for a good qualifying round going into the tournament,” Gustavsson told reporters on Thursday.
"One of the things we really worked hard on going into this game is how we can stop their counterattack, because the one thing that can really hurt us is if we lose the ball in bad areas and they can attack with technique and pace. We need to play our 'A' game.
"The other thing we need to be mindful about is that we are going to play an Indonesian team which is extremely motivated, is going to represent their country with pride and is going to work extremely hard here, so we need to be humble and ready to really play our game."
Australia touched down in Mumbai as a quality and experienced side in Asia, if any, can match.
The headline-grabbing striker Sam Kerr leads the way. The Chelsea star is one of 17 players currently playing professionally in Europe, while six of the current squad players were present when the Matildas won the tournament back in 2010.
"What I can say right now is that, after training yesterday, I have all 23 players available for selection," he declared.
"That makes me really happy as a coach. We know from experience, both in the men’s and women’s game, that player availability is one of the number one success factors in a tournament, so having all 23 players available is huge."
The 2022 continental showpiece comes a year after Gustavsson’s appointment to the Matildas' top job, which will see him guide Australia at their home FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Gustavsson has ample experience in Europe, as well as in the United States, where he served as an assistant in Jill Ellis’ FIFA Women’s World Cup winning side, but Asian football is a new frontier.
The 48-year-old has never attended an AFC Women’s Asian Cup, but believes the knowledge imparted by his players and support staff means the team has everything they need to succeed in India.
"They’ve given me a lot of in-depth knowledge about the tournament and the teams and how they play," he said. "In terms of tournament experience, I have tons, but Asian Cup experience: I don't have any.
"I have players that have that experience and know what it takes. That’s a key as a coach, and I have complete faith in my players."
While Australia are focused on lifting the trophy come February 6, Indonesia face a monumental test of their credentials after returning to Asia’s top table after a three-decade absence.
The lowest-ranked team in the tournament, few expect Rudy Eka Priyambada’s side to challenge the world no.11 Matildas but the Indonesian boss is setting no limits on what his side can achieve in the weeks ahead.
"Impossible is nothing. We have to focus on the first game, and then we have the matches against Thailand and the Philippines,” he said. “I think nothing is impossible if we give our best.
"(Qualifying for the FIFA Women’s) World Cup is our dream. The coaches dream, and the players dream of playing in the World Cup. We have to prove it on the field."
“It’s a motivation for us. We have to prove that Indonesian women can play at the international level, the high level. I believe we can prove it to them. Don’t give us big expectations, just let the players play the game."
The two sides have never met at the full international level, although a senior Indonesian side crossed paths with the Australian U-20 national team during the 2015 AFF Championship, where the Young Matildas swept to a commanding 7-0 win.
UNI PN