Matildas' Cup of Nations win over Czechia showed the virtue of patience as they learn to embrace the grind

After a frustrating first-half grind, the Matildas showed the patience that was absent from their game this time last year. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

"What if this was the opening game in the World Cup, with 80,000 people in the stands, being frustrated?"

It was the question Tony Gustavsson posed in the dressing-room in his half-time talk on Thursday night as the Matildas were locked 0-0 with Czechia after a rusty, sluggish opening 45 minutes.