Tony Gustavsson’s substitutions sparked headlines for Australia against Indonesia – despite the 18-0 scoreline and Sam Kerr’s record breaking efforts. Is it media hype, or will it really impact the players who did not get a look in? Ahead of their second game at the Asian Cup, Melbourne Victory’s injured captain Kayla Morrison explains how some of her peers, and opponents from the Liberty A-League, will be feeling, and the impact it could have on the campaign.
As I reflect on the history-making game between the Matildas and Indonesia, I can’t help but think it’s a night that many of those players won’t forget.
The Matildas made Asian Cup history with the biggest score line ever at 18-0, Holly McNamara made her debut, Aivi Luik scored her first international goal, and Sam Kerr became the country’s all-time leading goal-scorer.
I’m sure the team bus would’ve been an absolute vibe on the way back to the hotel after a game like that. However, I can’t help but think about those couple of girls who would be sitting on that same bus, singing whatever song is on the team speaker, laughing with their “bus buddy”, and putting a fake smile on to hide the frustration or sadness that they were actually feeling.
The Matildas are back in action on Network 10 on Monday night, 9pm AEDT, against Philippines. KEEPUP will also have all the key angles covered.
When the Matildas went in for halftime, I was excited to see what new, young girls were going to be subbed onto the field. I couldn’t help but think about the amazing opportunity the Matildas had to get great game time into their young, emerging players.
Were we going to see Courtnee Vine make her debut? Were Remy Siemsen and Kyra Cooney-Cross going to come on and put in a solid 45-minute shift? I think I speak for a lot of viewers when I say, we were excited to take a peek into the future and see what the next generation of Matildas could do.
Instead, we saw a majority of players come into the game who have already had a wealth of international experience. A missed opportunity in my opinion.
For those young players who were on the bench, staying warm just in-case they were called to step onto the field, I wonder if they felt like they missed an opportunity as well.
As a footballer, getting subbed on in a game like Indonesia, where the win feels almost 100 per cent secure, stepping onto that international stage might not feel like being thrown straight into the deep end.
It might give you the chance to have your debut and to make mistakes but not feel like America will shove it down your throat in the first 24 seconds of a game. It’s a chance to show your talent and prove to everyone, and most importantly yourself, that you should be here because you’ve earned this.
As a young player, in that moment, your sense of anticipation and nervous energy, thinking it is your moment, is incredible. But then to see the clock ticking, and substitutes used, that sense of motivation and energy can become quite deflating – even to the point of wondering: If I’m not used against Indonesia, when will I be used?
Does my performance in training actually matter now?
But the first opportunity for that has passed and considering how close we are to the 2023 World Cup, every moment counts.
I hope, and I can almost bet that those same girls are hoping, that the starting 11 for the next games against the Philippines and Thailand can produce similar results, giving them another great opportunity to be subbed on and prove themselves to the coach, team, and country.
So again, I can only imagine that the bus driving away from that monumental game and night for the Matildas would’ve been filled with footballers experiencing the highest highs and the lowest lows.
But that’s football, isn’t it? And the most successful footballers know and learn how to control those feelings so that they can adapt to the situation and improve.
Football isn’t just a physically demanding game; it requires a lot of mental strength too.
