Meanwhile, the 3-4-1-2 allows a triangle in midfield (5) and two central strikers, opening the opportunity to support and combine through the middle of the field.

Notice also how the two City strikers are split into their respective halfspace - this allows them to attack the space between the opposition fullback and centreback, creating confusion as to who marks who, as well as creating the option for a 2v1 out wide.

However, there are downsides to the 3-4-1-2, as with any formation. The most obvious is if an opponent plays with a quick front three - the lack of a spare defender to provide cover means risky 1v1s at the back.

Further, the physical demands on the wingbacks are huge, with one player tasked with maintaining the team’s width for an entire wing.

Having only one player per wing risks the team being deprived of width in the attacking third if the opposition are successful in forcing the wingbacks to remain in defensive positions.

What could a Matildas 3-4-1-2 look like?

With all this in mind, let’s now consider what a Matildas side in a 3-4-1-2 might look like.

Key selections are the outside centrebacks, who need to be relatively quick and be comfortable defending in wide areas, and the #8, who should be athletic enough to provide midfield cover as well as break forward to support the attack.

In defence, Checker and Jenna McCormick’s athleticism makes them favourites for the outside centreback spots, although Alanna Kennedy’s passing ability off her weaker left foot gives her an advantage for the left-sided centreback position.

Clare Polkinghorne’s reading of the game makes her the ideal candidate for the middle centreback or sweeper role, in charge of organising the Checker and McCormick’s movements.

As for the midfield, Luik’s strength and positioning as the #6, Chloe Logarzo or Tameka Yallop’s energy in the #8 role, and van Egmond distribution in the #10 role results in a balanced midfield triangle, and is not too dissimilar from the current Matildas midfield setup.

Meanwhile, the wingbacks, goalkeeper, and strikers pick themselves, with Catley and Carpenter undisputed out wide, Williams the clear #1 under Milicic, and Caitlin Foord and Kerr having a good understanding.

In the current 4-3-3, we’ve seen Foord cutting inside from the left wing to combine with Kerr, and the 3-4-1-2 allows the two to operate more as a strike pairing where each can make complementary runs to confuse defences.

It’s also pertinent to note that with most teams now playing one striker up front, defences are generally not used to defending against two strikers, and against a back four, Foord and Kerr have a slight advantage if left 2v2 against the opposition centrebacks.

The 3-4-1-2 formation is an intriguing option for the Matildas. While use of the 3-4-1-2 may only be suitable against certain opponents, at the very least, this formation could work as a useful plan B to the default 4-3-3, and make it less predictable to defend against the Matildas.

The author is an experienced football coach, having coached over 200 games at development and senior level. He has completed the FFA/AFC B Licence and runs the Facebook page "Tacticology".