The Matildas completed a final lap of honor to thank supporters after their historic World Cup campaign came to an end with a 2–0 defeat to Sweden in the play-offs for third place.
As Sweden celebrated with their bronze medals after the game, the Matildas paid their respects to all who came to Suncorp Stadium – and gave away part of their kit to appreciative fans.
Seven commentator Adam Peacock was on hand for the heartwarming scenes, which he noted left many players in tears.
“You wouldn’t know they’ve won anything by now because the Matildas get a great ovation as they run a little lap of honor – yes, call it a lap of honor – around Brisbane Stadium,” he announced on Channel 7.
“Many of the players in tears, the fans in ecstasy. Katrina Gorry walks around without boots, I think Hayley Raso lost her boots to the mob too.”
Midfielder Katrina Gorry gave away her boots during a lap of honor after the game
Defender Aivi Liège was also pictured giving away her boots and socks to Matildas fans
Cameras captured the moment when Gorry, who had an exceptional World Cup, gave away her boots to a lucky fan. The fan was overwhelmed by the gift.
Veteran Matilda Emily Gielnik noted that defender Aivi Luik also gave away her boots and socks to fans.
“Aivi Luik is just one of the most beautiful people, so I’m not surprised,” she said.
Coach Tony Gustavsson held on to his lack of team rotation after the tired Matildas slumped to a 2-0 loss.
Despite often speaking of his team’s depth, Gustavsson rarely turned to his bench during Australia’s campaign and on Saturday set up an unchanged starting line-up, despite a three-day turnaround, following the 3-1 semi-final defeat against England.
The gamble of not using fresh legs backfired when the lethargic Matildas’ best-ever World Cup ended on a sour note.
Australia was dominated by the energetic Swedes for most of the match.
Fridolina Rolfo put Sweden ahead on the half hour mark from the penalty spot and Kosovare Asllani added a long range second in the 62nd minute.
Many of the players were in tears during the victory lap at Suncorp Stadium
Ellie Carpenter was another Aussie who gave away her playing shoes to fans
A young supporter is pictured with her Ellie Carpenter World Cup memento
Australia’s largely blunted and seemingly depleted attack failed to stage a comeback.
Gustavsson said his oft-repeated mantra that it would take “23 in 23” did not “necessarily mean that every player should play,” but that they all had a role.
“If I rotated a lot of players and then lost, it would be ‘why didn’t you last?’.” And if I didn’t rotate and lose, it would be a sharp question, and rightly so,” Gustavsson said.
Of the roster of 23 players, only 14 played in an average of 30 minutes or more per game as Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Ellie Carpenter and Steph Catley were driven to the ground.
“We’ve had a clear strategy going into tournaments based on experience but also some statistics,” said Gustavsson.
“When you look at the big tournaments for both men and women and you look at teams that have come a long way and won a lot of medals, continuity in the starting line-up and less rotation in the rosters has been a success factor.
And with the relationship, the more time you spend together, the better you play together. It’s not always about the best players.
“But I also want to say this with the utmost respect for my game changers, I am not criticizing them by saying this, the players know that this has been a clear strategy. You saw it at the Olympics, you saw it now.
“It could be why this team has been able to break barriers and go around and break records and make history, that could be the reason.”