BOCHUM, Germany (AFP) - Australia coach Tom Sermanni admitted Saturday he was very wary of an "unpredictable" Equatorial Guinea side as the Matildas prepare for a must-win clash in the women's World Cup Group D.
Australia lost their first game 1-0 to Brazil, as debutantes Equatorial Guinea fought hard before falling to Norway by the same scoreline.
Both are three points behind the South Americans and Norway, who meet in Sunday's other Group D match.
"Like most people I haven't seen them play only what I saw against Norway," said Sermanni. "We're focusing our plan on that game.
"They were a degree unpredictable which you sometimes expect from African teams.
"They've got a basic structure, but it's pretty fluid at times and in that way they can cause you problems.
"The idea is to try and exploit the areas where there have no structures without revealing our tactics beforehand."
The Scottish coach admitted his young side were under a certain amount of pressure to match the historic quarter-final reached four years ago.
"I think there's pressure to get a result, but there's pressure in every game," he said. "When you're in a position of group games where you're not fortunate to win two games and qualify like Japan.
"It's critical for us to win this match so that during the Norway game (next Wednesday) we'll have control over our own destiny."
Sermanni's only injury worry is 16-year-old striker Caitlin Foord who is doubtful after a strong performance during a bruising Brazil game.
"She's a bit stiff after the Brazil game. It was just her second international and we probably won't risk her on Sunday.
"We err on the side of caution with the younger players, we don't want them breaking down," added Sermanni.
One of the more controversial teams, 61st-ranked Equatorial Guinea, 50 places below the Australians in the FIFA rankings, have been getting more attention for their off pitch activities.
Forward Jade Boho was suspended by FIFA before the competition began after it was discovered she had represented Spain within the last five years.
Controversy surrounded some of the players with captain Genoveva Anonma caught up in a gender row but remained in the squad but sisters Salimata and Bilguisa Simpore, accused of being men, were kept off the team.
Australia lost their first game 1-0 to Brazil, as debutantes Equatorial Guinea fought hard before falling to Norway by the same scoreline.
Both are three points behind the South Americans and Norway, who meet in Sunday's other Group D match.
"Like most people I haven't seen them play only what I saw against Norway," said Sermanni. "We're focusing our plan on that game.
"They were a degree unpredictable which you sometimes expect from African teams.
"They've got a basic structure, but it's pretty fluid at times and in that way they can cause you problems.
"The idea is to try and exploit the areas where there have no structures without revealing our tactics beforehand."
The Scottish coach admitted his young side were under a certain amount of pressure to match the historic quarter-final reached four years ago.
"I think there's pressure to get a result, but there's pressure in every game," he said. "When you're in a position of group games where you're not fortunate to win two games and qualify like Japan.
"It's critical for us to win this match so that during the Norway game (next Wednesday) we'll have control over our own destiny."
Sermanni's only injury worry is 16-year-old striker Caitlin Foord who is doubtful after a strong performance during a bruising Brazil game.
"She's a bit stiff after the Brazil game. It was just her second international and we probably won't risk her on Sunday.
"We err on the side of caution with the younger players, we don't want them breaking down," added Sermanni.
One of the more controversial teams, 61st-ranked Equatorial Guinea, 50 places below the Australians in the FIFA rankings, have been getting more attention for their off pitch activities.
Forward Jade Boho was suspended by FIFA before the competition began after it was discovered she had represented Spain within the last five years.
Controversy surrounded some of the players with captain Genoveva Anonma caught up in a gender row but remained in the squad but sisters Salimata and Bilguisa Simpore, accused of being men, were kept off the team.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire