Tony Gustavsson: "We play the same way no matter who's on the park."

The Commonwealth Bank Matildas are through to the quarter-finals of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup, following a 2-1 win over Thailand. 

Journey to 2023 - Thin Banner


The team was able to notch up three wins from three games with 24 goals scored and only one conceded across the group stage matches. 

Despite these positive statistics, Commonwealth Bank Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson noted that the players were disappointed to not keep a clean sheet in their final group stage game. 

"I'm happy with how upset the team were after the game. Not that we won the game, but they were upset about the goal that we conceded in over time," he told media post-game. 


"We put in clean sheets in this group stage and we've done a phenomenal job defensively. When we'd lose the ball, we worked really, really hard. But the players were really upset we conceded and didn't keep that clean sheet.

"That says a lot about the mission these players are on now. Instead of celebrating the win and the group stage win, they're upset about that one goal and that says a lot about their mindset. So I'm actually happy about that mindset."

Despite that one goal, it was otherwise mission accomplished for this first stage of the tournament with the group having two clear goals in mind.

One was to win the group which Australia did, finishing ahead of the Philippines and Thailand who have both progressed through to the quarter-finals as well. 

WATCH: CommBank Matildas top Group B with three wins

MATCH REPORT: Commbank Matildas round off perfect group stage with victory over Thailand

READ: Game Changers Pt I - Presented by Commonwealth Bank

"The second was to get out of the group with as many players as possible available for playoffs but also fresh and peaking in form.

"The fact that we have had 23 players on the park in the group stage means that it's a clear signal to everyone that we need everyone in a tournament and I'm really happy that everyone has been on the clock," Gustavsson explained. 

Being able to use his full squad has been an incredibly pleasing aspect of the tournament so far.

Not only has it allowed every player to get acquainted with the tournament, but has been invaluable in helping the players get onto the same page irrespective of their lead in to the AFC Women's Asian Cup. 


"I'm extremely impressed and happy with how we've been able to manage players throughout the group stage from a physical perspective," he said. 

"I'm also happy from a football perspective because we've been true to who we are no matter who's on the park, we play the same way, everyone sees the same picture.

"We have the aggressive mindset, we attack with the ball, create a lot of chances. I think we had 24 shots today. Again, we could have scored a couple of more, but I'm also happy that we play the same way no matter who's on the park."

Match Details 

Commonwealth Bank Matildas v South Korea
Date: Sunday, 30 January 2022
Venue: Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune
Kick-off: 1.30pm (local), 7:00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on 10 Bold and 10 Play

Visit page
This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
Close