Not long after fulltime on Wednesday night, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson declared he was feeling a little ‘stressed’ – despite his team outclassing Uzbekistan 10-0 to seal a spot at the Paris Olympics.
The Swede will need to trim his squad from 22 to 18 players ahead of the Games in July – and veteran striker Michelle Heyman will almost certainly be on the plane after scoring four goals in the first half at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Australia were rampant in the second qualifying leg on home soil, finding the back of the net with ease – including eight in the first 45 minutes – as the gulf in class between the two sides was apparent.
‘I don’t want to think about that [final squad], because I get so stressed about it,’ he said.
You’d think Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson would have no reason to feel a little ‘stressed’ after his team’s 10-0 win, but you’d be wrong
Striker Michelle Heyman will almost certainly be on the plane after scoring four goals in the first half at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne
Heyman, 35, was convinced to come out of international retirement after six years – and showcased her clinical nature in front of goal in front of more than 54,000 fans
‘I don’t want to cut any of these amazing players and human beings. I’ll pick it up later in April or May.’
Gustavsson also singled out the performance of Heyman, 35, who plays her club football for Canberra United in the A-League women’s competition.
‘I’m so happy for her, but also, she showed what a world class finisher she is,’ he said.
‘I love her mentality, no nerves, no nothing. She spreads a lot of energy in the group.’
Heyman – a straight swap for injured captain Sam Kerr – is also desperate to prove she can have an impact against world class opposition come July.
‘It’s been an emotional roller coaster. I’ve been pushing so hard to try and get back into this squad,’ she said.
‘A lot of people told me that I couldn’t do it and that I was too old.
‘So it’s really nice to be able to show people that it doesn’t matter how old you are.
‘You can just get out there if you love the game and you push yourself you can achieve anything.’
