Brisbane, Australia, July twenty seventh 2023: Kyra Cooney-Cross (23 Australia) and Toni Payne (7 Nigeria) battles for possession in the course of the FIFA Womens World Cup 2023 Group B soccer match between Australia and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. (James Whitehead / SPP)
MELBOURNE, Australia – The Matildas are on the point of crashing out of a house World Cup in the event that they don’t provide you with a outcome towards Canada on Monday night time at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The Matildas have the load of a nation on their shoulders as they put together for a match that may probably outline the nationwide group and coach Tony Gustavsson’s legacy in Australia.
Gustavsson has stated that it’s a failure if Australia doesn’t make it out of the group stage.
Australia at present sits in third place in Group B with three factors. A 3-2 loss to Nigeria on Thursday has put the Matildas in a precarious scenario the place they are going to probably want three factors.
On the opposite aspect of the pitch, Canada can qualify for the spherical of 16 with a win or a draw towards Australia. The Canadians are coming off a 2-1 victory of the Republic of Eire.
The destiny of Sam Kerr’s calf continues to be the most important speaking level in Australia.
The 29-year-old Kerr has been splashed throughout Australian newspapers because the World Cup began. You may’t activate a tv information program with out seeing an replace on the state of Kerr’s calf.
Gustavsson has been relentlessly hounded by Australian media for around the clock updates. Has Kerr educated, how a lot has she educated, how a lot can she play, and can she begin? Not desirous to tip his hand, Gustavsson continues to duck and weave inquiries.
“We’re going to have a gathering tonight with the medical group and Sam to debate what the chances are for her to play tomorrow,” Gustavsson advised reporters at Australia’s press convention in Melbourne on Sunday. “Then we’re going to do some assessments tomorrow to see what it appears like. We have to steadiness what number of minutes is she obtainable, what are the dangers if we handle to go to the playoffs (knockout spherical). There’s rather a lot on the desk to debate. We gained’t know the way precisely we’re going to make use of her till we’re coming to the stadium tomorrow.”
Whereas Kerr is “believed” to be obtainable it stays to be seen if she is going to truly play or whether or not or not it’s all a ruse to ship some misdirection to Australia’s opponent.
Both approach, Canada isn’t getting wrapped up in Kerr watch.
Canada is aware of the kind of high quality Kerr brings, however on the finish of the day, Canada is taking part in Australia. The Aussies have multiple participant that may step up and create challenges.
“We’ve obtained to get us proper,” Bev Priestman advised reporters at Canada’s press convention in Melbourne on Sunday. “If I’m the Australian coach I’ll be doing the identical, specializing in getting the gamers in entrance of me prepared. In the end does it have an effect on me? No. How a lot have I spoke about if she (Kerr) is or if she isn’t? We haven’t. We spoke about what it’s going to take to beat Australia, as a result of Australia aren’t simply Sam Kerr. On the finish of the day we’ve obtained to play a gaggle of 11 gamers which might be going to do something to attempt to get a outcome.”
Canada is aware of what it’s wish to play at a house World Cup.
Canada made it out of the group stage once they hosted the 2015 World Cup. Australia is seeking to keep away from becoming a member of co-hosts New Zealand on the sidelines after they had been eradicated on Sunday night time and have become the primary Ladies’s World Cup hosts to overlook the knock-out stage.
How is Australia coping with the strain?
“It’s a part of being in skilled sports activities,” Australia’s Emily van Edmond stated. “I feel strain’s a privilege. It’s a house World Cup for us. We all know precisely what’s at stake. We undoubtedly don’t shrink back from these moments. I feel again to 2019 in France in Montpellier we performed towards Brazil, we had been type of in an analogous scenario and we got here out on prime. I’ve obtained full perception of not solely the 23 gamers that now we have right here.”
AAMI Park will likely be bought out as Matildas supporters will likely be out in full drive to cheer on Australia. Having the gang cheering towards Canada isn’t essentially an obstacle for a Canadian group that has grown accustomed to taking part in away from dwelling.
Canada confirmed {that a} stadium stuffed with Irish followers wasn’t an impediment once they got here again to beat Eire.
In two street matches towards Australia final September, Canada earned a pair of victories over the Matildas with Adriana Leon scoring all three objectives for Canada. A crowd cheering towards Canada is simply one other day on the workplace and it’s one thing that Canada has steadily confronted.
“That’s noise,” Shelina Zadorsky stated. “You’ve got to have the ability to shut that out and are available again to centering your self to carry out. I’ve performed in loads of video games the place the gang hasn’t been on the aspect (Canada) that I’d like them to be on. That’s simply a part of the sport.”
Tactically it is a match that may favour how Canada needs to play.
Priestman’s squad prefers to have the opposition come at them and can look to counter when Australia commits a turnover. Canada needs to get out in transition and assault Australia.
Canada will look to have Australia dictate play after which search for alternatives to interrupt out on the wings and counter with lengthy balls over prime and crosses into the Matildas field.
“The Canadians like to win the ball and go straight in behind the positions,” Gustavsson stated. “It’s one thing that we want to concentrate on. If that’s the sport plan Canada comes out with, we have to deal with it in several methods. We should be adequate on the ball to not get disposed in areas the place they need to win it. It may be two groups that wish to press and win the ball. They’ll be some moments in the course of the park.”
The Group of Demise has definitely lived as much as its moniker and Monday ought to convey extra pleasure for Canada, Australia, and Nigeria as two of these groups will advance and one will be part of Eire on the surface wanting in.
