Aussie boss Gustavsson targets specific Irish weaknesses

Australia manager Tony Gustavsson says he has identified critical weaknesses in the Republic of Ireland that his team plan to expose in their World Cup opener on Thursday night.

On the eve of a seismic clash, the Swede confidently declared he knows the XI he'll start with, what substitutions he'll make, and how to crack open Vera Pauw's disciplined unit.

"Not only do we know [our starting team] but we also know thoughts we have for game-changers and plan the 11 to finish the match," he said.

"We've had time to think what this game will look like. If you look at Ireland’s games lately against top teams, there’s no coincidence that have been really, really strong at the beginning of both the first and second halves. But also it's no coincide that they’ve conceded goals late in each half - especially when it comes to tactics and behaviours of one or two players that we’ve identified.

"We hope to strike against those tomorrow. I’m not going to say what but there’s a clear trend there we’ll target.

"Then, in terms of the roster, it’s all about the 90 minutes. I’ll say how important it is for this team to win games off the bench, like we did against France.

"It was scoreless and a player [Mary Fowler] came on to be the game-changer. The team that finishes is as important as the one that starts for us. In terms of fitness updates, I can’t reveal that at the moment. I know where we are but am keeping it close to my chest."

Gustavsson was joined by Matildas skipper Sam Kerr at the Accor Stadium, where the mouthwatering clash will take place [kick-off 11am irish time].

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