Matildas in revolt against coach

Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus high-fives her players before Australia's eventual 1-0 loss to Brazil. Source: Darren England / News Limited

EMBATTLED Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus is in no doubt she will still be in charge of the national women's team come next month's AFC Women's Asian Cup in Vietnam.

But the reality is that her position is all but untenable in the midst of a player and staff revolt against the Dutch disciplinarian, whose strict methods continue to cause angst in the squad.

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop admits he is "disturbed'' by the turmoil that is threatening to derail Australia's defence of their Asian Cup crown.

The Matildas yesterday continued their Cup preparations, losing 1-0 to powerhouse football nation Brazil in front of 2583 fans at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

But the real contest is being played off the park, with Professional Footballers Australia having asked FFA to take action against de Reus on behalf of the players.

And with 2015 World Cup qualification also on the line in Vietnam, Gallop promised a swift investigation and outcome.

Alanna Kennedy of Australia takes on Bruna Benites of Brazil in an aerial challenge. Source: News Limited

FFA technical director Han Berger, head of national performance Luke Casserly and Matildas' player mentor Sarah Walsh will contribute to a report about de Reus's methods.

"There are some disturbing reports circulating but we need to get on top of the facts around that,'' Gallop told the ABC during yesterday's half-time break.

"We expect them (Casserly, Berger and Walsh) to put a report together as quickly as possible.

"We need to gather the material and make sure that we do a thorough job in that first.''

When asked if she would still be Matildas coach at the Asian Cup, de Reus replied: "Yeah, absolutely''.

She claimed not to have read anything about the player discontent and that the atmosphere in the Matildas camp was good.

De Reus shakes hands with her players after the loss to Brazil. Source: News Limited

"Of course I brought some changes but the changes didn't come exactly from me. The players did their evaluation of their World Cup in 2011 ... where they want to make steps to be even better in the next World Cup and we took it up from there.

"They made their own rules and then it's my job to say 'this is what you wanted', so I control the rules a bit, but I think that's what they asked for.

"The program is much more stricter than they were used to but there are also much more holes in the program that I'm used to.''

De Reus admitted the investigation would be a distraction, but that the Matildas contingent was professional enough to deal with it.

"We want to defend our title, so I don't think it will follow us,'' she said. It was business as usual for de Reus yesterday at a wet and stormy QSAC, where the brave Matildas were eventually brought unstuck by the classy Brazilians.

Elise Kellond-Knight slides in for the ball for Australia against a Brazilian opponent. Source: News Limited

Attacking weapon Debinha scored the game's only goal in the 67th minute after great lead-up work from midfielder Formiga.

Matildas co-captain Clare Polkinghorne said the squad had not been affected by the distractions.

"She (de Reus) has been extremely professional about it all,'' Polkinghorne said.

"We know what we've got ahead of us ... and we've only got one focus, and that's to defend our (Asian Cup) title.

"We're doing our job and no doubt Hesterine's going to do her job.'' The gallant hosts had two late chances to equalise yesterday, but substitute Kate Gill and Michelle Heyman failed to capitalise. The two teams meet again at the same venue on Wednesday afternoon.

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