Australia coach Tony Gustavsson says momentum is the most important concept in sport, as he desperately seeks to find some and end the increasing scrutiny that has engulfed his Matildas tenure.
Nearly two years into his reign and less than 12 months out from a World Cup on home soil, Gustavsson is in need of an upturn in fortunes.
The Matildas' disastrous Asian Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of South Korea earlier in the year still looms large in the memory, and Australia's defensive woes have yet to be rectified.
Under the Swede, the Matildas have won just one of 17 games against sides currently ranked in FIFA's top 20, the latest Saturday's 1-0 loss to Olympic gold medallists Canada in Brisbane.
They face the Canadians again on Tuesday at Sydney's Allianz Stadium with Gustavsson adamant gaining momentum and meeting their "key performance indicators" were the most important aims.
"Everything is about momentum in sport and I've been around in this game long enough (to know)," he told reporters on Monday.
"These 22 years have taught me that sometimes you need a result, just for the momentum and the belief around you.
"So in that sense, it is important - and I know some of you might be sick and tired of me saying this - but internally, we know what we've done.
"We know where we are and there's a belief in the process and I don't think that belief is going to be lost, even if we lose the game."
Gustavsson says the search to add depth and play higher-ranked opponents over his tenure was cause for the side's faltering run of form.
"Maybe I can look in the mirror and say, 'Was I over ambitious, trying to build depth in the roster and at the same time play the toughest schedule in the history of this program?'" he said.
"Maybe that wasn't best for the belief and trust from the outside.
"I think internally, the patience, the trust and the belief is there."
The Matildas have failed to keep a clean sheet under the Swede at home, a task which will be harder on Tuesday given centre back Alanna Kennedy has a hamstring issue.
Despite the injury to the experienced Kennedy, Gustavsson has resisted the temptation to bring in reinforcements.
He said financial constraints had somewhat forced his hand and a belief in back-up options in the shape of Aivi Luik and Courtney Nevin.
"One (reason for not bringing in fresh bodies) is budget, I'm limited to the number of players I can bring into camp," he said.
"I felt confident in the options that we have here."
Kennedy has been sent for scans while Gustavsson said Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley were subject to late fitness tests after missing the game in Brisbane.
