2023 WWC: I will not blame my team – Australia coach, Gustavsson on defeat by Super Falcons

Australia head coach, Tony Gustavsson has refused to blame his players following their disappointing loss to the Super Falcons.

The co-hosts went into the game as favourites but were, however, stunned by the Super Falcons winning the Group B encounter 3-2.

The Matildas edged ahead in the first minute of added time through Emily van Egmond.

Randy Waldrum’s side, however, fought a few minutes later with Uchenna Kanu making her first start in the competition sliding the ball home following a cross from Rasheedat Ajibade.

Osinachi Ohale gave the Super Falcons the lead for the first time in the game in the 65th minute.

Substitute Asisat Oshoala netted the third seven minutes later.

Alanna Kennedy reduced the deficit for Australia deep into stoppage time.

But in a reaction, Gustavsson said, “We said we’re always going to focus on the players we have available and a lot of people were worried about our attack tonight without them [Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler] on the park, but we scored two goals. We had some really, really brilliant attacking sequences,” Gustavsson said after the game.

” We moved the ball fast…we saw a more fluid attacking game and created more. We were really dangerous on set plays – I can’t believe we didn’t score on a set play earlier.”