The essential takeaway from the 2 conferences between the Matildas and Brazil over the previous week is how bodily the rivalry between these two sides has grow to be. However there may be additionally a heightened sense of anticipation about what this Brazil crew can develop into by the point they host the Girls’s World Cup in 2027.
After a silver medal on the Paris Olympics, Brazil are unsurprisingly on the upswing below coach Arthur Elias. However in gamers similar to Amanda Gutierres, Aline Gomes, and Gio Queiroz – a cohort that wasn’t current for the medal-winning run in France – a depth of rising expertise was on present in Queensland.
Similar to Australia, Brazil are a crew in transition; long-time servants such because the incomparable Marta are starting to maneuver on as sights are set on constructing in direction of 2027. There stay stars like newly topped NWSL champion Adriana – who impressed in Sunday’s 2-1 win – however a basis of gamers hungry to cement their place forward of a house World Cup can be rising.
The Matildas know of the advantages that include internet hosting the World Cup, however not like the Seleção, Australia’s personal interval of rejuvenation comes after internet hosting the showpiece occasion. For the Matildas, the years forward are to be outlined by a balancing act struck between the pursuit of an Asian Cup on dwelling soil in 2026 and managing the transition away from a golden technology of gamers on the twilight of their careers. And with one eye on 2027, this week’s video games towards Taiwan are prone to see a number of debutants.
Each the Matildas and Soccer Australia can use this previous week as one thing of a marker for his or her long-term journey, along with fast on-field classes they discovered. Brazil, for probably the most half, are a 12 months forward with regards to reloading; a disappointing group stage exit on the World Cup in 2023 ushered Pia Sundhage out of the door and Elias instantly got here in. They’re consultant not simply of what’s potential but in addition of the extent the Matildas must match within the years forward.
Whereas it took lower than every week for Elias to be named as Sundhage’s substitute, having been recognized as the proper candidate and employed rapidly, it has been 4 months since Tony Gustavsson’s departure was confirmed. And there’s no actual readability on the state of affairs. References to the seek for a coach had been notably absent from FA chief govt James Johnson’s pre-match operate speech in Brisbane, together with his remarks as an alternative main on the business metrics surrounding the crew.
Having responded to the decision within the crew’s hour of want, interim boss Tom Sermanni is doing his greatest to construct for the long run throughout this stretch, and guarantee a basis is in place for his substitute. He’ll seemingly oversee two wins over Taiwan regardless of dropping a number of Europe-based gamers. But when the imaginative and prescient of FA’s full-time appointment bears little resemblance to the veteran’s philosophy, the utility of his efforts shall be lessened by way of no fault of his personal. Additional, as each worldwide window with out an appointment passes, the long run coach misses out on an increasing number of treasured contact hours with the crew and time to implement their concepts and philosophies. Inevitably, it additionally handicaps the long-term takeaways from these worldwide home windows.
Signal as much as Transferring the Goalposts
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Tegan Micah, as an illustration, put in a extremely spectacular efficiency on Sunday regardless of the defeat, however how can she compete with Mackenzie Arnold with out the coach, and goalkeeping coach, who shall be in place for 2026 and 2027? Sharn Freier, Daniela Galic, and Winonah Heatley all confirmed promise towards Brazil however is it the place of Sermanni to transition them into beginning roles over established starters, or simply get them prepared to do this? Conversely, is an interim boss inside his rights to start shifting stalwarts into diminished roles? And can the brand new coach’s formation and philosophy bear any resemblance to Sermanni’s?
Although he led Corinthians by way of the Copa Libertadores earlier than transitioning full-time into the Brazil gig, Elias’ speedy arrival after Sundhage’s exit ensured he rapidly started to work in direction of reinvigorating the aspect. Whether or not Australia even has the soccer tradition and depth of expertise to match his efforts is unknown – few in soccer do. But when international silverware and never simply dwelling sellouts continues to be FA’s aspiration, the Matildas’ future has a rising teaching elephant within the room needing to be addressed.
