And identical to that, it’s over.
After a month of fascinating the nation, the Matildas’ World Cup marketing campaign has led to a 2-0 loss to Sweden within the third-place playoff.
But regardless of the loss, Australia has continued to point out the love with followers sticking round to have fun the Matildas as they did a lap of honour round Suncorp Stadium.
While Sweden celebrated with their bronze medals, the Matildas paid respect to the supporters left within the stadium.
“The Matildas are getting one hell of an ovation as they go on a little bit of a lap of honour around Brisbane Stadium,” Adam Peacock mentioned on Channel 7.
“Many of the players in tears, the fans in raptures.”
Although the Matildas owe the followers nothing greater than they’ve given all through their historic World Cup marketing campaign, a number of of the Matildas took off their boots and gave them to followers, with defender Aivi Luik additionally giving up the socks off her ft.
“Aivi Luik is just one of the most beautiful human beings, so that does not surprise me,” Emily Gielnik mentioned.
Peacock added the publish sport scenes “don’t feel like someone’s lost a game of football”.
“Katrina Gorry’s walking around without boots, I think Hayley Raso’s lost her boots to the crowd as well,” he commented.
The Optus Sport cameras caught the second Gorry handed her boots to a teenager within the crowd.
The look on the child’s face says all of it.
Gielnik, who was a part of the Matildas’ provisional squad however was overlooked of the ultimate squad, was emotional concerning the scenes because it confirmed simply how a lot the Matildas’ World Cup run meant to the nation.
“You can clearly see, (even) after a loss tonight, the Matildas have won the hearts of Australia, well and truly,” Gielnik mentioned on Seven.
“The Matildas, it runs deep – the never-say-die attitude. It kills me to see how devastated they are. They wanted this win, they deserved this win. They threw every inch of their being at this game.
“This is showstopping, this is electric. Australia has fallen in love with this team and rightfully so.”
Australian captain Sam Kerr additionally mentioned whereas it was laborious to grasp within the throes of the heartbreaking defeat, upon reflection the Matildas would realise what that they had achieved.
“It’s been a dream come true,” the skipper mentioned.
“The way the fans have got behind us, the way the girls have carried themselves – we’ve proven to the world but also within Australia that we are a footballing nation.
“That’s all down to the fans. We couldn’t get it done, but hopefully we’ve inspired people for many years to come.”
They have been feedback echoed by coach Tony Gustavsson.
Earlier within the match, there have been requires his head after the group stage loss to Nigeria.
But Gustavsson mentioned it was “maybe we won something bigger than a medal this tournament”.
“I said I know we’re hurt. We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for these fans, for family and friends, for the country,” Gustavsson mentioned.
“It’s the second big tournament now that we’ve played for a medal and we’re missing out.
“But I also said maybe we won something bigger than a medal this tournament. It’s a difficult moment now to talk about that but when we distance ourselves from this game and look at the whole tournament, I think maybe we won something bigger than a medal.”
Source: www.news.com.au
