Matildas set to face severely weakened Spain in Cup of Nation – with 15 players from the world no. 7 claiming officials had ‘significantly affected their emotional and health state’
- Matildas will face weakened Spain in Cup of Nations
- 15 players from La Roja at odds with coach Jorge Vilda
- Australia to also play the Czech Republic and Jamaica
- Women’s World Cup on local shores begins on July 20
Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas are likely to face a second-string Spain at the Cup of Nations this weekend, with 15 players seemingly at war with their coach.
A messy dispute has resulted in more than a dozen squad members from La Roja sending individual emails stating why they won’t travel to Australia.
The collective gripe is aimed at Spanish coach Jorge Vilda, with allegations of the emotional and health state of the players being affected by ‘recent events.’
Vilda’s selections, tactics, training sessions, management of injuries and a negative atmosphere were outlined in the emails received by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas are likely to face a second-string Spain the Cup of Nations this week with 15 players seemingly at war with their coach (pictured, Sam Kerr)
The RFEF has stood by Vilda, declaring the 15 players in question need to ‘accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness’ if they are to eventually return to the national set up.
Vilda is understood to be seething, labelling the festering situation a ‘mess and worldwide embarrassment.’
He also dismissed talk of a lack of dialogue.
Astonishingly, Spain – who Australia face on Sunday night at Commbank Stadium at Parramatta – have won their last four matches with a revamped squad, and have conceded just one goal.
The collective gripe is aimed at Spain’s coach Jorge Vilda, with allegations of emotional and health state of the players being affected by ‘recent events’
The impressive run of results will ensure Gustavsson’s squad – featuring the likes of Sam Kerr, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord – won’t be complacent.
They will also take on Czech Republic (February 16, 7.10pm) and Jamaica (February 22, 7.10pm).
‘You want to beat the best, right?’ the Matildas boss said. ‘I’ve always been wired that way. Even if we’re going to play them, we want to play the best.
‘What I really got surprised about is the quality they had in that first camp after those 15 players had gone. They played Sweden and the US, and it was even. The depth of quality in that country (Spain) is just unreal.
‘It’s not my job to comment because I don’t know the inside, but what I can comment in general is that I would love the best players, even the injured ones to be here.’
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