Matildas The Matildas Thread

[LukeParkerno1]

Well to reply to both comments, I think Carpentar should 100% be played up as a RM, or even if we had 5 at the back, maybe even a RWB. Certainly not just a RB in a back 3 though.... Hell I even think she could play RW if we had to!

Reckon she can put the ball in where needed

Cheers. Honestly our crossing was pathetic all game except weirdly from Carpenter's one late in the game. If Kerr is you main scorer and focal point you need crossers, you don't need running playmakers. This coach is utterly woeful he's structuring the game around his philosophies rather than around the side available.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Actually, what we need is more than one avenue to goal.

The cross to a header is one of the easiest passes to defend and Kerr's not that tall. Look at the goals she gets with Chelsea, very few are long cross headers. They're mostly the result of her working well with Kirby and Harder. That's what the Matildas lack.

True but we at least need people that can cross the ball, ideally I'd agree but I'm not sure we have the talent like Chelsea do.

 

[corbies]

Well to reply to both comments, I think Carpentar should 100% be played up as a RM, or even if we had 5 at the back, maybe even a RWB. Certainly not just a RB in a back 3 though.... Hell I even think she could play RW if we had to!

Reckon she can put the ball in where needed

Being at the game I made sure to sit up high so I could watch the movement and structure of the team. One thing that stood out was how often Carpenter was caught out of position in defence with neither of the holding midfielders covering for her when she went forward. Both Cooney-Cross and Van Egmond looked out on their feet most of the game.

The other thing was holy **** Rose Lavelle is quality. Ridiculously good in tight spaces but also at creating space.

 

[swingdog]

The other thing was holy fu** Rose Lavelle is quality. Ridiculously good in tight spaces but also at creating space.

Yep, great foot skills and an attacking mindset.

Since you were there, was nobody picking up Horan because on TV she seemed to roam about at will constantly finding space. Not a great way to deal with one of the world's best midfielders.

 

[corbies]

Yep, great foot skills and an attacking mindset.

Since you were there, was nobody picking up Horan because on TV she seemed to roam about at will constantly finding space. Not a great way to deal with one of the world's best midfielders.

I don't think it was necessarily no one was picking her up rather that no one could go with her. It comes back to what I was saying about how tired Cooney-Cross and Van Egmond looked for most of the game. It was stark how quickly the US got back in to defensive shape compared to Australia but that could have been because they were ahead for most of the game so were happy to sit back.

 

[Pres]

Look at the goals she gets with Chelsea, very few are long cross headers. They're mostly the result of her working well with Kirby and Harder. That's what the Matildas lack.

Agree - she looked most dangerous working in 1-2's with the likes of Fowler and Raso last night

 

[jhong]

I'm sorry , Raso undoes most of her excellent work up and down the field with her final ball , which last night was not good enough . Fowler is young so i won't bag her at all , Carpenter goes marauding up the ground , but who covers for her , and last night apart from one cross her final pass wasn't great either.
Australian teams ATM as so easy to plan against , we seem to want to play out from the back all the time , giving the opposition enough time to settle their defence , and we do it really slow too . I got really frustrated with how easily we turn it over sometimes . I hope i am wrong , but i just don't see this coach leading us to a world cup final , let a lone winning it . I also don't understand sending players on 85 min into a game , well one maybe but not 2-3 players, but i guess that's a discussion for another day .

 

[stax on the mull]

We're not totally devoid of skill in passing the ball. Foord, Simon, Van Egmond they're all classy enough and then if you add Catley and Carpenter when they play as right and left backs, they also should provide some good quality balls.

Kerr for a bit of the 2nd half came up the middle to recieve a couple of times turned their defence around but had no one to give a through ball to.

Fowler put the best ball through to Kerr which was the one in the first half that the keeper had to parry wide from from one of the few shots that was on target. Most of Fowler's balls were creative - its just that she didn't get enough of it and after a fairly bright opening got disposed with close checking, and probably targeted after she showed in the first game that after Kerr she was the next biggest threat.

Their mids Lavelle and Horan were dominant players. Also thought Fox at left back beat her opponents and was a threat in their build ups. Their strikers muffed quite a few chances that Morgan would have probably made good on.

 

[stax on the mull]

Couple of cracking finishes by Sam Kerr in the English FA Cup Final Chelsea vs Arsenal. I recall if she's ever had a better big game performance in a final. I know she scored for Sydney FC in the W League when she was young.

 

[swingdog]

That second goal was all class.

The game showed the value of a reliable partner up front. Kirby was probably player of the match.

 

[nobbyiscool]

Those 2 goals are incredible. The 2nd one is almost cruel to the GK.

 

[jhong]

Kerr with a decent hip and shoulder . Hope they rescind the yellow .

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Initial 25 person squad announced for the Asian Cup. Twenty-one players are confirmed to be in the squad for the tournament, and four players will travel with the squad to the UAE, with two of those four players being added to the squad.

Name	Position	Club	Caps (goals)
Mackenzie ARNOLD	Goalkeeper	West Ham United	27 (0)
Ellie CARPENTER	Defender	Lyon	54 (1)
Steph CATLEY (vc)	Defender	Arsenal WFC	96 (3)
Kyra COONEY-CROSS	Midfielder	Melbourne Victory	14 (0)
Caitlin FOORD	Forward	Arsenal WFC	95 (21)
Mary FOWLER	Forward	Montpellier	20 (5)
Emily GIELNIK	Forward	Aston Villa	50 (11)
Charlotte GRANT	Defender	FC Rosengard	3 (0)
Winonah HEATLEY*	Defender	Melbourne City	0 (0)
Sam KERR (c)	Forward	Chelsea	104 (49)
Aivi LUIK	Midfielder	Pomigliano	33 (0)
Holly MCNAMARA*	Forward	Melbourne City	0 (0)
Teagan MICAH	Goalkeeper	FC Rosengard	8 (0)
Courtney NEVIN	Defender	Melbourne Victory	7 (0)
Clare POLKINGHORNE	Defender	Vittsjo GIK	138 (12)
Hayley RASO	Forward	Manchester City	58 (6)
Karly ROESTBAKKEN*	Defender	Canberra United	7 (0)
Remy SIEMSEN	Forward	Sydney FC	2 (0)
Kyah SIMON	Forward	Tottenham Hotspur	105 (27)
Emily VAN EGMOND	Midfielder	Newcastle Jets	112 (23)
Cortnee VINE*	Forward	Sydney FC	0 (0)
Clare WHEELER	Midfielder	Fortuna Hjorring	5 (0)
Lydia WILLIAMS	Goalkeeper	Arsenal WFC	95 (0)
Tameka YALLOP	Midfielder	West Ham United	101 (11)

* Selected as part of the travelling squad for the pre-tournament camp in the UAE but not confirmed members of the final tournament squad

 

[stax on the mull]

Initial 25 person squad announced for the Asian Cup. Twenty-one players are confirmed to be in the squad for the tournament, and four players will travel with the squad to the UAE, with two of those four players being added to the squad.

Name	Position	Club	Caps (goals)
Mackenzie ARNOLD	Goalkeeper	West Ham United	27 (0)
Ellie CARPENTER	Defender	Lyon	54 (1)
Steph CATLEY (vc)	Defender	Arsenal WFC	96 (3)
Kyra COONEY-CROSS	Midfielder	Melbourne Victory	14 (0)
Caitlin FOORD	Forward	Arsenal WFC	95 (21)
Mary FOWLER	Forward	Montpellier	20 (5)
Emily GIELNIK	Forward	Aston Villa	50 (11)
Charlotte GRANT	Defender	FC Rosengard	3 (0)
Winonah HEATLEY*	Defender	Melbourne City	0 (0)
Sam KERR (c)	Forward	Chelsea	104 (49)
Aivi LUIK	Midfielder	Pomigliano	33 (0)
Holly MCNAMARA*	Forward	Melbourne City	0 (0)
Teagan MICAH	Goalkeeper	FC Rosengard	8 (0)
Courtney NEVIN	Defender	Melbourne Victory	7 (0)
Clare POLKINGHORNE	Defender	Vittsjo GIK	138 (12)
Hayley RASO	Forward	Manchester City	58 (6)
Karly ROESTBAKKEN*	Defender	Canberra United	7 (0)
Remy SIEMSEN	Forward	Sydney FC	2 (0)
Kyah SIMON	Forward	Tottenham Hotspur	105 (27)
Emily VAN EGMOND	Midfielder	Newcastle Jets	112 (23)
Cortnee VINE*	Forward	Sydney FC	0 (0)
Clare WHEELER	Midfielder	Fortuna Hjorring	5 (0)
Lydia WILLIAMS	Goalkeeper	Arsenal WFC	95 (0)
Tameka YALLOP	Midfielder	West Ham United	101 (11)

* Selected as part of the travelling squad for the pre-tournament camp in the UAE but not confirmed members of the final tournament squad

Aivi Luik had announced her retirement but gets recalled here at the age of 36yo (turns 37yo in March).

I thought one of the other defenders, Courtney Nevin copped a serious ankle injury near the end of the game against Brisbane Roar last Sunday. Maybe not as serious as it looked though her current team Melb Victory aren't playing this weekend to confirm if she would have been selected to play.

Youngster Holly McNamara had a very impressive game in the Melbourne Derby a couple of weeks ago.

 

[swingdog]

Still searching for a defense.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Still searching for a defense.

Emma Checker should count herself unlucky.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Asia Cup looks to be a pretty weak competition probably until the final, though. Australia should have no problems getting out of the group. Playing Thailand, The Philippines and Indonesia in the group stage. Should be a two horse race for the trophy between Australia and Japan.

 

[stax on the mull]

Initial 25 person squad announced for the Asian Cup. Twenty-one players are confirmed to be in the squad for the tournament, and four players will travel with the squad to the UAE, with two of those four players being added to the squad.

Name	Position	Club	Caps (goals)
Mackenzie ARNOLD	Goalkeeper	West Ham United	27 (0)
Ellie CARPENTER	Defender	Lyon	54 (1)
Steph CATLEY (vc)	Defender	Arsenal WFC	96 (3)
Kyra COONEY-CROSS	Midfielder	Melbourne Victory	14 (0)
Caitlin FOORD	Forward	Arsenal WFC	95 (21)
Mary FOWLER	Forward	Montpellier	20 (5)
Emily GIELNIK	Forward	Aston Villa	50 (11)
Charlotte GRANT	Defender	FC Rosengard	3 (0)
Winonah HEATLEY*	Defender	Melbourne City	0 (0)
Sam KERR (c)	Forward	Chelsea	104 (49)
Aivi LUIK	Midfielder	Pomigliano	33 (0)
Holly MCNAMARA*	Forward	Melbourne City	0 (0)
Teagan MICAH	Goalkeeper	FC Rosengard	8 (0)
Courtney NEVIN	Defender	Melbourne Victory	7 (0)
Clare POLKINGHORNE	Defender	Vittsjo GIK	138 (12)
Hayley RASO	Forward	Manchester City	58 (6)
Karly ROESTBAKKEN*	Defender	Canberra United	7 (0)
Remy SIEMSEN	Forward	Sydney FC	2 (0)
Kyah SIMON	Forward	Tottenham Hotspur	105 (27)
Emily VAN EGMOND	Midfielder	Newcastle Jets	112 (23)
Cortnee VINE*	Forward	Sydney FC	0 (0)
Clare WHEELER	Midfielder	Fortuna Hjorring	5 (0)
Lydia WILLIAMS	Goalkeeper	Arsenal WFC	95 (0)
Tameka YALLOP	Midfielder	West Ham United	101 (11)

* Selected as part of the travelling squad for the pre-tournament camp in the UAE but not confirmed members of the final tournament squad

Final squad of 23 included Courtnee Vine and Holly McNamara, and the two from the 25 that missed out are Karly Roestbakken and Winonah Heatley. Two forwards kept, two defenders dropped.

Excited to see if either of these two get some game time - most likely off the bench and whether they can make the jump from domestic comp to Asian cup. At A-League level this season they've provided a lot of assists and we definitely need better balls into our strikers.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Final squad of 23 included Courtnee Vine and Holly McNamara, and the two from the 25 that missed out are Karly Roestbakken and Winonah Heatley. Two forwards kept, two defenders dropped.

Excited to see if either of these two get some game time - most likely off the bench and whether they can make the jump from domestic comp to Asian cup. At A-League level this season they've provided a lot of assists and we definitely need better balls into our strikers.

Seems like the squad has a lot of forwards and not so many defenders. I count nine forwards in the squad (Foord, Fowler, Gielnik, Kerr, McNamara, Raso, Siemsen, Simon and Vine) and six defenders (Carpenter, Catley, Grant, Kennedy, Nevin and Polkinghorne). Better hope the Matildas don't suffer an injury in defence because there aren't too many defenders in the squad.

I realised I omitted Kennedy from the table. She's in the squad.

 

[stax on the mull]

Seems like the squad has a lot of forwards and not so many defenders. I count nine forwards in the squad (Foord, Fowler, Gielnik, Kerr, McNamara, Raso, Siemsen, Simon and Vine) and six defenders (Carpenter, Catley, Grant, Kennedy, Nevin and Polkinghorne). Better hope the Matildas don't suffer an injury in defence because there aren't too many defenders in the squad.

I realised I omitted Kennedy from the table. She's in the squad.

Agreed, Luik probably slots in somewhere too as I think she's been playing as a back in her club football - but again, not a quick player and being exposed on the counter could happen. Carpenter and Catley tend to play through tournaments without needing a break but weather conditions in Mumbai will be tough. Might be the first time in a while Catley is near full fitness at the start of a tournament.

 

[giggler99]

Great news!

 

[Dixie Flatline]

New NSWL club for Emily van Egmond. She was transferred by Orlando Pride to San Diego Wave overnight (our time).



Van Egmond will be teammates again with Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan

Age

30

Ht

182cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.0

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

7.0

4star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.0

3star

MG

131.0

2star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

7.0

5star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.0

3star

MG

131.0

3star

(they played at Orlando together), as well as Swedish international Sofia Jakobssen and USWNT defender Abby Dahlkemper. Although the Wave are an expansion team, they're putting together a decent squad for their first season in the NWSL.

 

[stax on the mull]

Starting line up. Arnold as goal keeper. Really playing a minnow team here ranked 94th in Women's Football with a 0-10 record head to head vs Thailand and 0-9 record head to head vs Vietnam.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Kicking off in 10 minutes against Indonesia. Fairly predictable XI, albeit with Claire Wheeler in the holding midfield role.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Be interesting to see how Gustavsson manages the players. In India in the height of the heat during the afternoon. Going to take a bit out of the players coming from a European and US winter.