The Matildas have been given a reality check just over 12-months out from the Asian Cup on home soil with their defending in a 4-0 defeat to Japan at the SheBelieves Cup labelled “un-Australian” by interim coach Tom Sermanni.
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The gulf in class between the two sides in Houston could not have been more evident as Australia succumbed to its largest ever losing margin to its biggest regional rival.
If they’re to lift the Asian Cup next year then improvement in every facet of the game will be needed. This performance will either prove to be just a bad day at the office or an almighty warning sign.
The only positive from a dire outing is that the flaws have been ruthlessly exposed now when there’s still more than enough time to turn things around.
It was tough watching for interim coach Tom Sermanni.
This was the seventh match of his third stint in charge of the national side and it ended with the biggest defeat of that period.
The 70-year-old has a unique way of delivering bad news in a polite way, but even his assessment of the performance against Japan landed like a sledgehammer.
There are few things that hit home more than being labelled “un-Australian,” but there could be no other assessment of the Matildas effort without the ball in his 145th match at the helm of the Matildas.
“We want to be a team that is hard to beat and to be honest today, we really gave up some soft goals,” Sermanni said.
“I just felt some of the goals that we gave up were very poor, and that’s kind of un-Australian.”
The Matildas were dealt a reality check.Source: AFP
A CLASH OF STYLES
The opening five minutes of the match told the story of the entire game.
Japan retained possession with poise, patience and a huge dose of technical skill. The Matildas, in contrast, routinely turned the ball over on the back of a relentless and organised Japan press.
It was 2-0 at half-time but could’ve easily have been more and Japan’s third goal in the 52nd minute came off the back of a free-flowing 14-pass move that culminated with Maika Hamano being able to almost walk the ball into the back of the net.
“Sometimes you just have to sit back say ‘you know what, we were just played off the field today’ and that’s what we were,” Sermanni said.
“They were quicker to every ball, they kept possession fantastically; when we tried to press, they broke out of the press, when we sat back they managed to play through us so sometimes you have one of those games.
“I’d like to give you X, Y and Z as to why it happened, but in reality, they were just very, very good today and we were a bit off.”
Strangely, the Matildas were second best when it came to aerial challenges as well.
Japan’s fourth goal, which came via a Moeka Minami header, was one of many duels Australia lost in the air. It was uncharacteristic to say the least. They’re moments that even on a bad day the Matildas are usually in control of.
“I just felt some of the goals that we gave up were very poor,” was Sermanni’s assessment.
Physicality and intensity are the fallbacks when tactically things aren’t going to plan for Australia, but those attributes are only able to be applied when you can get near your opponent. That was something that proved out of reach.
The Matildas gameplan seemed to revolve around trying to win possession off long balls and playing off the back of that higher up the pitch and out of danger.
Japan produced a masterclass that was in complete contrast.
Their technical ability allowed them to keep the ball for long periods of time, shifting the Matildas defensive formation around until an opening appeared which they exposed with efficiency.
Sermanni, when asked where it all went wrong, didn’t try to deflect or make excuses.
“We were outplayed football wise, we were outplayed physically, we were outplayed, I think, mentally and outplayed in our decision making.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 20: Holly McNamara controls the ball against Yui Hasegawa.Source: AFP
ONE SHOT FOR THE MATCH
The statistical summation of the game doesn’t make for pretty reading for Australia.
The lone shot at goal came in the 87th minute and off the boot of left back Charli Grant, who was a second-half substitute for captain Steph Catley.
The attempt cannoned into the crossbar, but as spectacular as it would’ve been had it nestled into the back of the net, it still would’ve been little more than a consolation goal.
Grant’s effort came on the end of a nine pass move that followed a near miss-kick from Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold that offered Japan the chance to make it 5-0.
It was a rare moment of cohesion from a side that looked largely disjointed.
Japan finished with 18 shots and 8 on target.
MARY FOWLER
Fowler is one of the most technically gifted players in the Australian set-up but finding ways to get her into the game in green and gold has been problematic.
She came into this tournament with three goals and five assists from her last four games for club side Manchester City. It gave her the honour of being the first player in the history of the Women’s Super League to record at least two goal involvements in four straight matches.
This loss doesn’t fall on Fowler’s shoulders by any stretch, but the question of how to ensure she can have the most impact on matches remains unsolved.
The 22-year-old was able to get on the ball more in the second half, but a lack of possession from Australia more generally, hindered her ability to hurt Japan.
A fully firing Fowler isn’t the answer to all of Australia’s problems, but it certainly is part of the jigsaw.
THE SELECTION TABLE
Sermanni named a full-strength side to face Japan.
If this was the Asian Cup final then the team the Matildas would put out would be almost the same.
There’d be a lineball call on whether Sharn Freier, Kaitlyn Torpey or Tameka Yallop started on the left, but apart from that the starting eleven would be identical if everyone was fit and available for selection.
A performance that led to a defeat like this with an experimental side would be understandable.
This result against Australia’s best possible side is problematic.
“It was a pretty huge wake-up call I think,” Sermanni said.
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THE NEW KIT
On a day when Football Australia launched its new kit there was a frustrating sense of familiarity to the Matildas’ struggles in possession against a highly technical opponent.
That had nothing to do with the strip of course.
The jersey has been met with mixed reviews online, but Australian football fans might just find it grows on them.
Some kits look better on the field with shorts and socks included than hanging on the rack at your local retail outlet.
This one has the feel of being a collector’s item in 20-years-time, similar to the jersey worn by the Socceroos between 1990 and 1993 which is sought after right now.
Give it time.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Matildas have just three days to learn and move on from this result before running into tournament hosts America in Glendale, Arizona on Monday morning (AEDT).
Sermanni, who is holding the fort while Football Australia continues its search for Tony Gustavsson’s full-time replacement, has his work cut out for him.
“As a professional you need to bounce back after bad results and this will be a good test and probably a benchmark for the team to see if we’re able to do that in the next two games,” he said.
As affable as the interim is, he has left his players in no doubt as to what is now required.
From the minutiae, to next-gen stars not pulling their weight, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic and his team of assistants are poring over every detail of his tenure so far.
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Whether they have held too many meetings, or too few, and the length of the meetings. The content of training sessions and how messages are delivered during those sessions … they all form part of the discussions at Football Australia’s new headquarters in Sydney.
Popovic, who took charge of the side for the first time during the October window last year, has six points from four games in charge; which sees the Socceroos sitting in second place in Group C during the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Everyone involved knows staying there for four more games will deliver automatic qualification for football’s showpiece event. Yet failure to do so will force the side into the fourth and possibly fifth rounds of qualifying, where the path to the first ever 48-team World Cup gets slimmer and slimmer.
In two months, the wild ride to the biggest-ever edition of the tournament resumes. Indonesia, with newly installed coach Patrick Kluivert (yes, the Dutch legend) at the helm, travel to Sydney; where anything less than three points for the hosts will set alarm bells ringing.
It’s no wonder Popovic is looking into every crevasse to ensure nothing gets missed.
While discussing intricate details this week, Popovic also chose to address something a little larger.
Asked about one-time wonderkid Daniel Arzani and where he was at in his journey, the Socceroos boss lined up the Melbourne Victory winger like he did to opponents during his glittering playing career.
“I know Daniel well and he’s got potential,” Popovic started, while shifting in his seat.
“We talk about him with potential and I think we’ve been talking about that since he was 18.”
Tony Popovic on the sideline for Australian in Bahrain.Source: Getty Images
Arzani has carried the tag of “the next big thing” in Australian football since bursting onto the scene in 2018 with a flurry of dribbles, assists, goals and awards for Melbourne City in the A-League.
His dazzling feet, smart decision-making and ability to glide past defenders earned him a shock spot in Bert van Marwijk’s Socceroos squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he came on as a second-half substitute in group stage games against France, Demark and Peru in a side that exited the tournament with two defeats and a draw.
A transfer from Melbourne City to Manchester City followed straight after the tournament and he was loaned to Scottish giants Celtic after barely having time to unpack his bags. After a few false dawns since the era of the golden generation, it appeared Australian football had finally (no, really) found its next big thing; only for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on his Celtic debut to send the trajectory of Arzani’s career on another path.
Loan spells in the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium followed, before he landed back in the A-League with Macarthur after a four-year spell that felt more like a cyclone than sport.
A move to Melbourne Victory a year later, with Popovic then at the helm, saw Arzani rediscover some of his best form.
Now 26, the winger might feel singled out by what his former club boss, now in charge of the national side, shared next; though it’s nothing Popovic hasn’t told Arzani to his face, and really about something bigger than one player.
It is about the clamour for a player with Arzani’s skillset – and there have been several over the years – to be given every opportunity to shine even if they might not be ready. It’s about the desperation from fans to see the national side play a brand of football that you might find on a street in any city in Brazil. Adjacent to that noise is a coach who sees every minute of every game, training session and moment in between, with and without the ball. Instead of flashy social media clips, they form a fuller picture. Perspective is everything.
Daniel Arzani (2nd L) isn’t at the top of Tony Popovic’s selection list currently.Source: Getty Images
Arzani has seven Socceroos appearances to his name. Six of those came prior to his ACL tear in 2018. If not for that misfortune, he’d probably have many more caps on his resume, but good form with Victory saw him picked for the final window of the second round of qualifying in June last year. He’d miss selection for the first window of the third round in September – which turned out to be Graham Arnold’s last in charge before stepping away – but Popovic re-ignited the relationship in October.
What he saw left him underwhelmed and Arzani didn’t get on the field.
“When he doesn’t play everyone questions why he doesn’t play, but he needs to raise his level,” Popovic said bluntly.
“Doing one good dribble or doing one good trick or setting up one goal should not be enough to play for the Socceroos.”
From the outside, and with goals hard to come by during a difficult qualifying campaign, a player like Arzani would appear to be the perfect answer with dribbles, tricks and assists.
But Popovic chose to lay bare the other side of what you could call the ‘next big thing’ conundrum.
“It wasn’t good enough in October,” Popovic said referring to Arzani’s efforts away from the spotlight.
“His level was really poor in training. Now maybe for him it’s OK, but it’s not enough, so every player needs to raise their level.”
A similar weight of expectation fell on the young shoulders of striker Garang Kuol, now struggling to break through at Premier League side Newcastle United after transferring from the Central Coast Mariners, and another winger in Nestory Irankunda.
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Without the monumental injury setback, Irankunda’s footballing story and that of Arzani’s isn’t too different.
A kid who bursts onto the scene with breathtaking skill in the A-League, followed by a call-up to the national team while still a teenager and then a move to a mega-club that seemed before its time.
German giants Bayern Munich came calling for 18-year-old Irankunda. The former Adelaide United star has been on the right and wrong ends of selection calls when it comes to the Socceroos as well, with first Arnold and then Popovic having to defend themselves in the court of public opinion for not picking a player on the books of one of the biggest clubs in the world.
In search of senior minutes, after being part of the youth team set-up at Bayern, Irankunda recently secured a loan move to Swiss Super League club Grasshoppers — but Popovic insists that might not be enough to earn a recall in March.
“Just playing a game because someone has got some minutes at Grasshoppers, for example, that can’t be enough,” Popovic said.
“They need to be at elite level at Grasshoppers, then they are elite for the Socceroos and then they can help us get in the top two.
“In our last two World Cups we went through the play-off system, but we keep expecting to make top two.
“That’s good, but if we expect to come in the top two then we must raise the level, we must raise the bar.
“Your expectation and my expectation should be higher because history shows we don’t do that often. We don’t go automatically to World Cups, but that is something we should aspire to. We shouldn’t shy away from that.”
Nestory Irankunda needs to be playing at a high level with his new loan club, Tony Popovic says.Source: Getty Images
Not picking very good players is an odd way, on the surface, to solve that problem, but Popovic clearly thinks betting the farm on human highlight reels isn’t the answer. The “expectation,” in his words, needs to be higher and only “elite” commitment to everything the coach sees as sacred is likely to be rewarded with regular minutes.
Popovic has spoken multiple times about his admiration for Japanese football, but also his desire for Australia to match and then overtake their regional rivals.
The gap to Japan, who lead Group C, is nine points. The Samurai Blue have won five of their six games in this phase to be on 16 points, which is the joint-highest total across the three groups with Iran. One more win from four remaining fixtures will ensure they seal automatic qualification. That is certainly something to be envious of.
Japan, from Popovic’s perspective, are the current standard bearers and he believes its possible for Australia to “raise the bar.”
In the coach’s eyes, Australian football should hold every player, even the absurdly talented ones, to the highest standard. If Popovic can find a way to marry that talent to his standards, then something special is truly possible.
Dejan Kulusevski equaliser and a stunning stop from Fraser Forster saved Tottenham’s blushes as Ange Postecoglou’s side drew 1-1 with Rangers in their Europa League clash in Glasgow.
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The result takes Spurs to 11 points from six games, and they sit ninth, only on goal difference out of the top eight, who automatically progress to the knockout rounds, with two league phases matches to come in the new year.
A draw means Tottenham remain winless in their last three Europa League contests, and they have only won once in their last eight matches in all competitions, but for much of the night, things looked like they would play out much worse.
“It’s fair to say we’re in a bit of a struggle,” Postecoglou said post-match.
The Australian manager has been under intense scrutiny this week after back-to-back Premier League losses, and the former Celtic boss’ heart must have been in his mouth when Rangers were through on goal in the 86th minute.
Cyriel Dessers barged his way past several defenders to get a shot away, but Forster stayed big and pulled off a brilliant piece of goal keeping, not for the first time in the match, to tip the ball wide and deny the home side.
Only a minute later, the Ibrox descended into raptures as Dessers found the back of the net this time, but the celebrations were short-lived as the linesperson’s flag was up, and replays showed he was well offside.
Those chances for Rangers were brewing all night, whereas Kulusevski’s equaliser seemingly came from nowhere.
Spurs were patiently playing the ball around at the back for more than a minute before attacking down the right and Kulusevski took matters into his own hands to score in the 75th minute.
The Swede cut back, found fellow substitute Dominic Solanke in the box, continued his run, received the ball back from Solanke and slotted it home with a left foot, first-time shot from near the edge of the penalty area.
Things were looking dire for Tottenham before Kulusevski’s brilliant run as they went unpunished for their sloppiness in the first half, but it took less than two minutes after the break for Rangers to finally capitalise on yet another Spurs error.
They coughed up the ball in midfield, and right back James Tavernier broke down the right-hand side, whipped a beautiful, curling ball in the box to pick out front man Hamza Igamane in the box, and the Moroccan slammed the half-volley into the bottom corner.
The third-placed side in the Scottish Premiership looked more threatening for most of the evening, and the home supporters relished watching their team take it up to an English side.
It was the first time Spurs has travelled north to face Rangers in a competitive fixture since the 1960s, and the last time the blue half of Glasgow hosted a Premier League outfit, they were humiliated 7-1 by Liverpool.
That was in a Champions League contest in 2022 when Mohamed Salah came off the bench to score a stunning six minute hat trick, and it was arguably the most disastrous night of decades of heartbreak against English opposition in European competition, having not beaten a team from south of the border since getting the better of Leeds United in 1992.
For most of the freezing cold evening, it appeared as if that streak might be broken but Rangers ultimately did not make the most of the 15 shots they took, six of which were on target.
Both sides looked like they would be made to pay for their sloppiness with the ball throughout the first half as they each had threatening opportunities on the counter attack, but lacked the poise to finish.
It was a back-and-forth, end-to-end contest with Tottenham having more of the ball but their makeshift defence looked incredibly vulnerable at times.
Teenager Archie Gray, who typically plays right back, started alongside Ragu Dragusin as a central defender due to Spurs’ injury woes but it was goal keeper Forster who repelled Rangers’ attacks best with two excellent first half saves.
The former Celtic shot stopper was booed and jeered extensively by the home fans, but kept his cool to tip a bullet from Nedim Bajrami over the bar in the 10th minute before ensuring they headed to the sheds deadlocked with an excellent save with his feet from a Vaclav Cerny shot in the final minute of the half.
Rangers came out hard and finished the opening stanza the better of the two sides, while Tottenham controlled the middle period of the opening half.
The home side lost centre back John Souttar, who is the brother of Socceroo Harry, in the 34th minute to a groin injury and it appeared as if a change at the back might open things up for Spurs.
They had their chances but only one of their six first half shots was on target, and that was a tame shot from Son Heung-min, who started up front with Timo Werner, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson sitting behind him, in a change of formation from Postecoglou.
The much-maligned Werner was benched at half time for goal scorer Dejan Kulusevski, while Johnson last an hour before making for Dominic Solanke, and Postecoglou took the unusual step of publicly expressing his frustrations with Werner post-match.
“He wasn’t playing anywhere near the levels he can. It’s not acceptable to me. I told him that. He’s a senior international, a German international,” he said.
“In the moment we’re in now, I need everyone to be at least going out there and giving the best they can. What he produced wasn’t acceptable. I expect more from the senior players like him.”
Spurs seem to be in a funk in attack, and with a trip to Southampton, a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United and a visit from Premier League leaders Liverpool before Christmas, they will need to break it fast to get back to winning ways.
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SUPER SUBSTITUTE INSPIRES MAN UTD COMEBACK
Second-half substitute Rasmus Hojlund scored twice as Manchester United fought back to earn a 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.
The hosts took the lead shortly after half-time, but Hojlund levelled on 62 minutes, six minutes after replacing Marcus Rashford, when the Danish striker tapped in Amad Diallo’s deflected shot.
Two minutes from time, he beat Plzen goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka again with a clinical finish, turning around his marker after United captain Bruno Fernandes had found him inside the box with a clever free-kick.
Matej Vydra, a former Watford, West Brom, Reading, Derby and Burnley forward, opened the scoring for the hosts with a close-range finish three minutes after half-time.
Pavel Sulc found Vydra facing an empty net after he had intercepted United goalkeeper Andre Onana’s pass inside the box.
Hojlund double guides United to victory | 00:58
The goal was a wake-up call for United manager Ruben Amorim, who made three replacements in its wake, including Hojlund.
“It was not a great game,” said Amorim, before praising the substitutes. “They changed the game. They are there to do that so I’m pleased with that.”
He added he was happy with the outcome: “It was important not to give up so that is a great message.”
The former Sporting Lisbon boss replaced the sacked Eric ten Hag in November, but the chilly evening in Plzen showed United still have some way to go.
Both teams came into the match with nine points from five Europa League games, and they took time to find their pace.
Fernandes had the first shot on target half an hour into the game, but Jedlicka parried his low right-footed effort from the edge of the box.Onana watched Cheick Souare’s shot curl just past the top corner of his goal two minutes before the break.
United substitutes Mason Mount and Antony were denied by Jedlicka in the second half, with Mount failing to beat the ‘keeper twice from close range.
But Hojlund turned the match on its head to put United in a strong position for direct qualification to the last 16.
“We didn’t have so much time to work on this type of game. We were controlling the game but didn’t have the pace (in the first half),” said Amorim.
“We want to improve and we want to improve really fast,” he added. United next face Rangers at Old Trafford on January 23.
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham was a “mirror of their season” as they held off a late wobble to further dent Spurs’ hopes of a top-four Premier League finish.
The Reds had won just one of their previous five league games to realistically end their shot at the title but were back in the groove as they raced into a 4-0 lead.
Mohamed Salah was restored to the starting line-up after his public spat with Klopp last weekend and opened the floodgates before Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott were also on target.
Richarlison and Son Heung-min replied late on for Tottenham, but the damage to their chances of Champions League football next season was already done.
Klopp’s men are guaranteed to finish no lower than third and closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points with two games remaining.
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“It’s a little bit of a mirror of the season. Really, really, really good until we were really rubbish and then, we were okay again,” said Klopp, who was taking charge of his penultimate game at Anfield.
“The moment you let them play, immediately, you see what they can do. If you don’t let them play, then you can hurt them.”
Spurs have now lost four consecutive games to leave Ange Postecoglou’s men still seven points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa with just nine left to play for.
Tottenham realistically need to win all of their three remaining games, including at home to title-chasing Manchester City, to have any hope of reeling in Villa.
But on this form they may even struggle to see off Burnley and Sheffield United as Spurs have collapsed after a highly promising start to Postecoglou’s reign.
The Australian admitted after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea that his message was not getting through to his players and there was no reaction from the visitors until it was too late.
“Obviously a hugely disappointing outcome for us,” said Postecoglou.
“At 4-0 you’ve got a mountain to climb but when we play like ourselves we always finish strong because we put pressure on the opposition.”
Postecoglou also addressed a half-time row between Tottenham defenders Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal, which saw Guglielmo Vicario intervene before things got too heated.
“They care. They are not going to just be happy with the current situation,” Postecoglou said.
“Because they care, they want to improve. There is nothing wrong with that as long as it stays constructive. They want to change and the situation and not just accept it.”
Speaking of a war of words, Salah had one with Klopp on the touchline as he prepared to enter as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw at West Ham last weekend that sounded the death knell for Liverpool’s title ambitions.
The Egyptian’s drop-off in form since being injured at the Africa Cup of Nations has been a major factor.
But he scored his first goal from open play in nine games to inspire a Liverpool display far more in keeping with the quality showing that had got them into the title race in the first place.
Gakpo’s cross to the back post picked out Salah completely unmarked and Guglielmo Vicario’s weak hand failed to keep out his header on 16 minutes.
Robertson got the second goal Liverpool’s dominance deserved before the break when he tapped in the rebound after Salah’s initial effort was parried by Vicario.
Tottenham were just as poor at the start of the second period to take their tally of goals conceded in the last four games to 13.
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Gakpo’s precise header from Elliott’s cross found the bottom corner on 50 minutes.
Elliott then scored the goal of the game when he blasted into the top corner from outside the box.
Postecoglou introduced Richarlison and James Maddison as part of a triple change on the hour mark and the visitors were transformed in the final stages.
Richarlison swept home Brennan Johnson’s cross and then teed up Son to score for the fifth consecutive game against Liverpool.
Alisson Becker needed to produce a vital stop from Richarlison to prevent a grandstand finish in seven minutes of added time.
Liverpool’s defensive lapses showed why they still need a miracle collapse by Arsenal and Manchester City in the final fortnight of the season to have any chance of ending Klopp’s nine-year stay as Premier League champions.
But Tottenham’s response was too little, too late to help their ambitions of joining the Reds in the Champions League next season.
Tottenham has now lost each of its last four games in the Premier League, marking its longest losing run since November 2004.
A FIFA World Cup semi-final showdown with England puts the Australian side one step away from what has been a two-year end goal since coach Tony Gustavsson took the reins as coach.
All the training, the planning, the preparation has put captain Sam Kerr and the mighty Tillies on the verge of the final.
There have been challenges and obstacles, some heartache and some magic moments on the way.
The path to glory is never easy in a World Cup, but through five games so far, the Matildas have shown themselves to be made of the sternest stuff, especially in the heart-stopping penalty shootout that brought the nation to a standstill and put them on the precipice of greatness.
THE OPENER
Matildas def Republic of Ireland 1-0, Stadium Australia, Sydney
It was the calf injury that broke the internet and left 75,000 Matildas fans in stunned silence, yet Sam Kerr’s injury setback didn’t break the Aussie spirit as the tournament hosts kicked off their campaign with a scrappy 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Nothing came easy for Australia in front of a record crowd at the Olympic Stadium, yet they found a way to get the job done thanks to a moment that set the tone for the rest of their World Cup.
Steph Catley celebrates scoring her side’s first goal against Ireland. Picture: Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
With the midfield struggling to create chances up front, it felt like a set piece was the only way that they were going to break through for a goal. Then it was a foul in the box that paved the way for Steph Catley to smash home the opener from the penalty spot in a delicious dose of foreshadowing.
There were some nervy moments at the end but the final whistle eventually blew, sparking an avalanche of green and gold hysteria where people started to ask if something special was brewing.
After the euphoria of the opening victory, the Matildas‘ World Cup dream threatened to turn into a nightmare in front of almost 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
The Aussies were expected to seal a berth in the round of 16 with a second successive Group B win, but someone forgot to tell the Super Falcons, who had shown their character and determination in their first-up 0-0 draw with Canada.
Again without injured captain Kerr, the Matildas still weren’t totally on song in attack, with Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso both missing good chances to give Australia the lead.
It was a tough night for Caitlin Foord and the Matildas against Nigeria. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Emily van Egmond, who had been recalled to the starting side after Mary Fowler was ruled out following a concussion mishap at training, finally hit the target in first-half stoppage time to give the Matildas the lead. But it was a short-lived advantage, with Nigeria equalising before halftime through Uchenna Kanu.
With the game delicately poised, the Nigerians started the better in the second half, with further goals to Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala, who made the most of a lack of communication between Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold – leaving the crowd stunned.
Kennedy scored in stoppage-time but it was too little, too late as the Australians condemned themselves to a must-win affair against Canada to reach the knockout stages.
THE RESURRECTION
Matildas def Canada 4-0, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Under extreme pressure as the danger of a humiliating group stage exit loomed, the Matildas lifted to produce their most clinical performance at a World Cup as they thumped Canada 4-0. The reigning Olympic champions had no answers for the energised side, which lined up in a new formation after under-siege coach Tony Gustavsson made amends for the Nigeria loss with a tactical masterclass in Melbourne.
Foord was pushed out to the left to accommodate the returning Fowler, and the star forward combined beautifully with her Arsenal teammate Catley.
Catley skewered Canada’s defence with a brilliant low cross to find Raso on the other side of the box, and she finished calmly for Australia’s first in the ninth minute.
Hayley Raso celebrates after scoring against Canada. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
High VAR drama followed as Raso was ruled off-side by the assistant referee only to be ruled back in, while the system overruled a 34th minute goal to Fowler after Ellie Carpenter was caught off-side in a chaotic goal-line scramble.
The constant first half pressure on Canada’s backline wore them down, with Raso capitalising on shoddy defence at a corner to make it 2-0 just before halftime.
Any remaining nerves from the Matildas were swept aside after the break when Foord masterfully set up Fowler for her first World Cup goal, and Catley put an exclamation mark on proceedings when she hammered in an injury time penalty.
Arnold was rarely needed but stood tall when tested with two strong saves, while her booming pass down the field to Foord after she had mopped up a heavy, panicked back pass set up Australia’s opener.
Mary Fowler scored her first World Cup goal. Picture: Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
THE ROUND OF 16
Matildas def Denmark 2-0, Stadium Australia, Sydney
The knockout stage arrived and whispers grew louder that Kerr would finally make her return, but the superstar’s late cameo was somehow overshadowed by a Fowler masterclass in the 2-0 win over Denmark.
There were no signs of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, but a star was born that night as the young gun produced a pass for the ages to set up Foord’s opener after the hosts had survived a number of close calls at the other end.
Raso scores her team’s second goal against Denmark. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The 20-year-old played a key role in the sealer when Raso banged home a second, and while those cheers were loud, they were nothing compared to the roar once the crowd realised that Kerr was coming on. The superstar striker didn’t warm up, but she stalked the sidelines for most of the second half wanting to feast on the Danish defence, with Kerr eventually unleashed to get some match fitness under her belt. It was the shot in the arm the team needed, with one of the most talked about legs back on deck to strike fear into the rest of the competition.
Sam Kerr finally got on the pitch against Denmark. Picture: Matt King – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
THE HISTORY-MAKER
Matildas def France (7-6 on penalties), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
It took two hours of football and 20 subsequent penalties, but the Matildas finally sealed a FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final berth for the first time with a dramatic 7-6 shootout win over France at Suncorp Stadium.
In one of Australian football’s most memorable nights, Arnold was the hero for the Matildas, saving three spot kicks in a penalty shootout that was needed after neither side was able to find the back of the net in normal time and then extra time. Despite her heroics, Arnold had a rollercoaster of a shootout. She also missed a spot kick, hitting the post with a powerful strike that would have sealed Australia victory after 10 penalties had it gone in.
Mackenzie Arnold was momentous in the penalty shootout. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Arnold also had a penalty save denied for moving too early off her line, but she didn’t drop her head in a performance that was truly deserving of player-of-the match honours.
Substitute Cortnee Vine finally sent the Brisbane crowd of almost 50,000 into ecstasy when she calmly slotted home the 20th penalty of the shootout to seal the Matildas a spot in the final four.
Kerr, who made just her second appearance of the tournament after coming on as a second-half substitute, also scored in the shootout, as did Vine, Foord, Fowler, Carpenter, Tameka Yallop and Katrina Gorry on an unforgettable night in Australian sporting history.
Cortnee Vine put the Matildas into the World Cup semi-final. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Anticipation is already at fever pitch for the Matildas’ World Cup semi final against England on Wednesday night at Stadium Australia.
Tony Gustavsson’s side made the final four for the first time via a thrilling penalty shootout victory over France, while England beat Colombia 2-1 inside 90 minutes to progress.
Although there’s so much to be excited about, there are a number of big question marks surrounding this Matildas side going into Wednesday’s clash.
Foxsports.com.au breaks them all down in Matildas Burning Questions!
Every single Aussie match, the biggest question on everyone’s lips has been along the same lines. Is Sam Kerr fit? Will she play? How much will she play?
Against Denmark, the answer was about ten minutes, though she said afterwards she felt she was ready to go from the start.
Against France, she entered the fray ten minutes into the second half, meaning she played 40 minutes (including stoppage time), plus thirty minutes of extra time and another seven of stoppage time from that period.
77 minutes in total – with coach Tony Gustavsson revealing afterwards he was informed by the team’s medical unit “that she had limited minutes” she was able to play. “The biggest decision to be honest was when to bring Sam in. It was a massive decision even before the game to leave her on the bench,” he said.
“And then it was the timing. I was informed that she had limited minutes today.
“And then we needed to put extra time into consideration. That was a massive decision to get right.”
Kerr herself said she never expected to start against France, but hinted after the game she would be ready for a full game in the semi-finals.
“When I hurt my calf the plan was always to be ready for semi-final time so I could have (started) but who knows what would have happened,” she said.
“I played 65 minutes and feel better for it and I’ll have more training under my belt and feel ready to go now.”
Sam Kerr buries her spot kick during the FIFA Womens World Cup Quarter final match between against France at Brisbane Stadium. Picture Lachie MillardSource: News Corp Australia
But with just a three-day turnaround before the England match – much of that dedicated to recovery – Kerr might not be fit enough to play a full 120 minutes should the game go to extra time (more, if you include stoppage time).
The question then becomes whether to play the striker from the start and potentially have to take her off in the latter stages of the match (including possible penalties), or if you bring her on off the bench once more.
When she came on against France, Kerr’s introduction brought about an immediate momentum shift and inspired the Australians to push forward. She said afterwards: “I tried to bring energy when I came on, I tried to lift the girls and I kind of think the momentum swung a bit in our favour and that’s what you have to do as a sub, to come on and just settle in and do your job.”
Sisters Vienna 11, and Amalia Gergely-Hollai 8, were given boots by Sam Kerr as the Matildas left Brisbane on Sunday.Source: News Corp Australia
If the Matildas are struggling against England as the match wears on, that kind of game-changing impact could be invaluable.
But the last couple of games have exposed a major worry: Australia started very slowly against Denmark and also struggled in the opening exchanges against France, with only a horrible miss from close range saving the Aussies from conceding in the opening 15 minutes.
That first period could prove crucial – after all, fighting back from an early goal down is one hell of a mountain to climb against a world-class side like England.
If Kerr can help to settle the team and assert control from the start, that might be the crucial factor in starting her.
The plan is simple: Win inside 90 minutes – and cross your fingers Kerr’s calf can deal with extra time if it comes to that.
The Matildas have to juggle plenty of competing factors when it comes to Sam Kerr.Source: News Corp Australia
CAN THE TIRED MATILDAS BACK UP?
Every World Cup campaign is long, gruelling, and physically draining.
Games come thick and fast, with teams criss-crossing the country for their matches – the Matildas have played in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Brisbane so far, with just a three-day turnaround before their Sydney semi-final on Wednesday.
But there are a couple of reasons to be concerned about the Matildas’ fitness for the semi-final.
Firstly, Australia has used a conspicuously low number of substitutes this tournament, as well as very few rotations to the starting team in different matches.
Coming into the France game, Australia had used the fewest number of players out of any nation competing in the World Cup (17 of the 23 players), per Opta Stats. And the substitutes had been given an a combined average of 19 minutes per game – also the fewest of any nation.
“One thing this team have shown over the last half a year is that no matter what lineup we start with, or the lineup we finish with, they all know it takes 23 in 23,” coach Tony Gustavsson said before the World Cup.
“Meaning everyone is ready to step on and off if they need to. They have been amazing teammates supporting each other, there have been no complaints whatsoever in terms of who starts and comes off the bench. They know their role and they play their role.”
Hayley Raso has been brilliant this tournament, but looked tired before being substituted during the quarter-final.Source: AFP
But in contrast to that sentiment, the Swedish coach has shown a heavy reliance on his core group, who have performed at an incredibly high level as a group this tournament.
But the refusal to use the substitutions at his disposal has drawn criticism, especially against Nigeria when Gustavsson made no changes until the 82nd minute despite being down 3-1.
Australia made two substitutions against Ireland and Nigeria, three against Canada and France, and four against Denmark.
The limit is five per match, and when games go to extra time an additional substitute is made available. That means Australia has made just 14 of 26 available changes.
Combine that with limited changes to the starting line-up for each game, it means that the core group have played almost every minute of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Australia’s counterattacking style is based on intense pressing on defence before rapid transitions into attack – about as physically onerous as it gets, and the stats show the Matildas have covered more ground than just about any team this Cup.
As the match wore on against France, the Aussies began to look very tired – both towards the end of regular time as well as in the half-hour of extra time.
Will Kyah Simon be fit enough to make any appearances this World Cup … maybe just for a penalty shootout?Source: Getty Images
Two of the players who have been stuck on the bench – back-up keepers Teagan Micah and Lydia Williams – might not expect to get on the field at all, given the exceptional form of Mackenzie Arnold between the sticks.
But for the likes of Kyah Simon (still returning from injury), Clare Wheeler, Courtney Nevin, and Aivi Luik, they could easily be forced to come in cold in the biggest game in Australian history, having played no minutes before the semi-final.
Charlotte Grant and Alex Chidiac have played just once each so far, both off the bench for limited minutes.
Injuries could strike a starter at any moment and force a team reshuffle – like Sam Kerr’s on the eve of the opening game.
But it’s asking a lot of the seemingly fringe players to come in without any minutes before this tournament – just as it’s asking a huge amount of the core group to run their guts out for what could easily end up being another 120-minute effort in the semi-final.
Before the France match, Tony Gustavsson said he wasn’t concerned about the lack of rotation in his team or the metres they had racked up.
“Not at all,” he said. “Reason why is we’re extremely fit. We’ve shown that. There’s no coincidence that we have that running [ability]. Total metres is one thing, but what’s really interesting is the high-speed metres and the sprints – and they are off the charts compared to some other competitors.
Charlotte Grant has had just one appearance off the bench, but is the first fullback in line should Ellie Carpenter or Steph Catley go down.Source: Getty Images
“We’re fit, we’re fast. We know that. If you look at the schedule that the players are playing now, it’s nothing different than what they’re doing in club-land, in terms of the games, amount of weeks.
“And the funny thing with this team is every time we have shortened time between two games, they amp up the high-speed meters the game after. The most intense game we have played so far in terms of sprint and high-speed metres was the game we had less recovery time. They bounced back extremely well.
“That’s also a mindset thing, but I also want to say one more thing: it’s also thanks to the fans. The way the fans support us during the games and how loud they are, it carries us.
“We always play a pressing game and a high-octane game with a lot of sprints, a lot of running. You need that encouragement when you start fatiguing a little bit. A player will always be tired at the end of the game, especially with extra time, no matter how fit you are. But to push through that when you feel tired, you need to fans as well, especially as much as we run.”
There’s no doubt the Matildas have enjoyed a big boost from their fans in every game. But will that be enough to make up for their tired legs and over-reliance on the core group?
Gustavsson might just have to change up his starting side against England – or else be a bit quicker on the draw when it comes to using his bench.
Will Tony Gustavsson turn to his bench against England more than he previously has this tournament? (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR KYAH SIMON
When the Matildas’ 23-player squad was announced, eyebrows were raised at Kyah Simon’s inclusion given how little football she had played since suffering an ACL injury last year.
Simon was named despite still not fully fit, although Gustavsson expressed his confidence in the veteran forward and revealed she’d have a part to play in the knockout stages.
The Swede did not have to call on Simon against Denmark in their Round of 16 clash as the Matildas got the job done in normal time.
As the game against France ticked down to penalties, many might have thought it would be an opportunity for Simon to make her first appearance of the tournament.
But Gustavsson opted not to bring on the 32-year-old, with Tameka Yallop the preferred option off the bench.
Yallop did her job in the resulting penalty shootout and slotted home at a time when a miss would have sent the Matildas packing from the World Cup.
The call to bring on Yallop instead of Simon might have left some puzzled, especially since it seemed an opportune time as ever for the latter to be brought on.
Gustavsson has since revealed Simon was “ready to come on” to take a penalty if need be, but simply didn’t get the break in play towards the end he needed to throw her into the fray.
Simon is yet to feature at this World Cup. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
“There’s a lot of players sitting on the bench that are ready to come on,” Gustavsson said.
“What do you plan for in a moment like this? And you saw how it went, like the last three or four minutes we weren’t certain about extra time until the very last minute … it was four additional minutes.
“We then wanted to make some key decisions, if they score, what do we do to score? If we score how can I close out the game? Because it can happen in a matter of seconds.
“And because it was so tight and Kyah has limited playing minutes. I wanted to wait for the very last second if I brought her on and I didn’t find that break to bring her on was the right one.”
The victory over France means the Matildas remain alive in the tournament and also gives Simon more time out on the training park with her teammates.
She hasn’t been able to train much with the rest of the team for most of the tournament but, like Kerr, every extra day is of great benefit.
Simon won’t be starting against England and at this stage, it seems unlikely she will come on as a second-half substitute.
Her role will almost certainly be limited to taking a penalty in the shootout should the game against England reach that stage, but could come on late in extra time to make an impact.
But if the game goes to penalties and Gustavsson opts to leave Simon on the sideline again, questions will be asked as to why she was included.
Simon could be called upon if the Matildas’ semi final against England goes to penalties. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
FRANCE COACH ADDS VOICE TO CHORUS OF MATILDAS BELIEVERS
The Matildas are a minimum of 90 minutes away from making the World Cup final.
It is a little crazy to think that the team has got to this stage largely without superstar striker Sam Kerr, who has been limited to just over 75 minutes of action due to a calf injury.
Instead, the supporting cast of the Matildas have stepped up to have the team just two wins away from winning it all.
But it might not be the fever dream some may think it is.
Canada coach Bev Priestman was effusive in her praise for the Matildas and Gustavsson in the wake of a 4-0 loss in their final Group B fixture.
“Australia is a top, top side and I’ve said that from the start,” Priestman said at the post-match press conference.
“There’s nothing stopping them from pushing through this because they should be probably in the top four of a World Cup.”
Priestman’s thoughts were echoed by Denmark boss Lars Sondergaard, who believed Australia could “go all the way” but would need a dash of “luck” along the way having been on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.
Canada coach Bev Priestman believes the Matildas can maintain their deep run at the World Cup. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)Source: AFP
“With the fantastic atmosphere that are at the games here, with the support that they have — you feel it all over — it’s a fantastic support for them, and it gives them extra power, so of course they could go all the way,” Sondergaard said in his post-match press conference.
“Of course, they also need the luck in some situations. I wish Australia all the best for the rest of the tournament.”
Now France’s Herve Renard has added his voice to the chorus of beaten coaches who believe the Matildas could be the last team standing.
“I’m wishing you all the best,” Renard said in the wake of his side’s heartbreaking loss on Saturday.
“I would like to repeat one more time: This competition was fantastic for us. Beautiful cities, beautiful stadiums, the atmosphere was fantastic.
“It’s a shame for us to go home. But, all the best to you now, I’m sure you can win this World Cup.”
That’s three coaches who have had success in their respective careers that believe the Matildas can go all the way.
So, if you still had any doubts as to the Aussies’ World Cup credentials, surely Priestman, Sondergaard and Renard’s comments have won you over.
