England out to play spoilers as ‘Matildas Mania’ sweeps Australia

SYDNEY, Aug 15 – Australia and England re-engage one of many oldest and fiercest rivalries in sport once they meet with a spot within the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last on the road at a bought out Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

While England boast the pedigree as twice World Cup semi-finalists and winners of the European title final yr, Australia’s plucky Matildas have captured the hearts of a nation normally invested in different sports activities.

Australian guidelines and rugby league followers could also be sketchy on the finer particulars of the round-ball recreation however they know ‘Aussie grit’ once they see it, and final Saturday’s dramatic penalty shootout win over France actually match the invoice.

Sports followers across the nation celebrated goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s saves and Cortnee Vine’s successful penalty as if the match was gained, and there has since been blanket media protection of a sport usually disparaged Down Under.

Sydney’s subsequent two largest stadiums will open their doorways to permit ticketless followers to observe Wednesday’s match on large screens and the prime minister has all however promised a public vacation if the co-hosts elevate the trophy after Sunday’s last.

Before they begin occupied with taking up Spain, nonetheless, they have to get previous an England facet who know all concerning the stress of acting on house soil after equally being embraced by their compatriots throughout final yr’s Euros triumph.

In Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman, they’ve probably the greatest coaches within the recreation and most of their gamers play for prime golf equipment in extremely aggressive European leagues.

Their run to the European title cast a bond among the many gamers that has helped them come by a number of setbacks, not least the lack of key gamers to harm and suspension earlier than and throughout the match.

Centre half Millie Bright has been excellent within the three-strong backline, Keira Walsh has settled again into her holding function after harm, and the tempo of Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp on the flanks would take a look at any facet.

England got here by their very own penalty shootout drama to get previous Nigeria within the spherical of 16 and will have some assist within the 75,000 crowd from travelling followers and Sydney’s massive colony of expatriate English.

Before Saturday’s win, a lot of the narrative round Australia on the match targeted on the injured calf of the one Matildas participant everybody within the nation is aware of, striker Sam Kerr.

Kerr has but to start out a recreation on the match, and isn’t assured to be on the pitch at kickoff on Wednesday, however forwards like Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord have stepped up in her absence.

Australia’s excessive profile sporting contests in opposition to its former colonial masters extra normally happen on cricket or rugby pitches and, regardless of taking a crash course within the rivalry, Wiegman stated it remained fairly simple.

“They want to beat us, and we want to beat them,” she stated.

—Reuters