Socceroos great Robbie Slater blasts fans for ‘baffling’ way they treat the men’s team compared to the Matildas

Robbie Slater has taken issue with the difference in treatment of the men’s and women’s national football teams following the Socceroos‘ win at the Asia Cup.

Graham Arnold’s side advanced to the quarter finals of the continental tournament over the weekend following a 4-0 win over Indonesia, in what has been a mixed campaign for the men’s team.

The Socceroos – who reached the last-16 of the 2022 World Cup – have flattered to deceive and have not yet hit the level of performances expected of them.

But Slater believes criticism of the team is harsh and says the Matildas, Australia’s women’s team, would never cop the same scrutiny. 

‘The difference in the public’s attitude towards the Matildas and the Socceroos is baffling,’ he told the Herald Sun.

The Socceroos reached the Asia Cup quarter finals but their style of play has been criticised

‘It often seems like the Matildas can do no wrong, regardless of how they play, but when it comes to the Socceroos, first-class football is expected in every game.

‘What more do people want than a 4-0 win in a do-or-die affair at the Asian Cup?’ 

Slater admitted that the Socceroos will need to improve if they are to win the competition, but said that should not take away from the celebrations. 

‘Arnold knows this and so do his players, but for now, we should be celebrating a 4-0 win rather than trying to pick unnecessary holes in the display and the team’s tactics.’ 

The Aussies will face either Saudi Arabia or South Korea in the quarter finals, where their defensive skills will be put to the test. But they’re ready to embrace the challenge.

‘Every game this tournament so far has been a different test,’ defender Aziz Behich said.

‘We’ve seen the first three games they just sat back in the box and made it difficult for us to get opportunities and then today they did the complete opposite.

Yet Slater says the Matildas, the women’s football team, would not get the same treatment

‘But we knew, as soon as we get that first goal, they’re going to have to open up and that’s when we can play our football.

‘Sometimes in games, especially in tournaments, you’ve just got to adjust. You don’t know what the other team is going to come out with

‘Especially after the 20-minute mark, we put our foot on the ball and slowed it down and started getting rhythm again and that obviously set the platform for the second half.’