Sharing red and white as their national colors, Switzerland and Canada carefully maintain their reputations as polite, peaceful people. Down under, however, the Canadian footballers have done a lot more for their image than the Swiss in the last two days. While the players with the cross on their chests kicked out one co-host of the World Cup with New Zealand, the maple leaves provided the extras for a miraculous Australian resurrection at 0-4.
In eight previous Women’s World Cups, the hosts had never been eliminated in the group stage. The fact that it now hit New Zealand is no sensation, the “Football Ferns” were classified as number 26 in the FIFA rankings behind Norway (12) and Switzerland (20). A failure for Australia, world number 10 and Olympic semi-finalist, would have been a huge disappointment.
Stepped out of Kerr’s shadow
With a rather lucky 1-0 thanks to a penalty goal against World Cup debutants Ireland and a sensational 2-3 defeat against Nigeria, the Australian footballers, known as “Matildas” (after the folk song “Waltzing Matildas”), found themselves in an uncomfortable situation situation. The anxious questions revolved around the availability of the record goalscorer Sam Kerr. The Chelsea striker is suffering from a calf injury and coach Tony Gustavsson has always kept the severity of the injury a secret. In any case, Kerr missed the first two group games, but she at least sat on the bench for the decisive game against Canada.
27,706 filled the AAMI Park right across from the Rod Laver Arena, where Roger Federer won the Australian Open six times, to the last seat. Australians are generally comfortable with their backs to the wall, which is when they often perform at their best. The “Matildas” stayed true to this tradition. Using every trick in the book, the Olympic champions from Canada were almost ridiculed with speed and playfulness. Two-goal scorer Hayley Raso and just 20-year-old Mary Fowler, both more of a reserve role at Manchester City last season, stepped out of Kerr’s long shadow and caused an offensive firework display.
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The relief should be huge, not least among the heads of the Australian association. They want to use the home World Cup to position football in their own, sport-crazy country with huge competition and for women’s issues in general. This is one of the reasons why they had vehemently opposed Saudi Arabia, the tournament sponsor that FIFA was considering. A failure of the figurehead would have been quite a disaster.
After the 4-0 gala, the mood has now completely turned around. “On Sunday someone asked if this would be a defining moment for our legacy,” said Tony Gustavsson. “It was such a moment and we didn’t hide from it.” And veteran and reserve player Chloe Logarzo gushed: “We inspired a nation.”
Now against the motherland?
They may even be able to push the cricket stars, who are currently playing against England for the famous “Ashes” trophy, off the front pages of sports news. All the more so as there could be a particularly emotional duel with the former colonial power in the round of 16 in Sydney.
In addition to England, possible opponents include Denmark and China. Maybe Sam Kerr will be fit again by then – and certainly highly motivated and rested.
2023-07-31 15:35:02
#Australia #strongest #wall
