‘Just another game’, Australia not focused on England rivalry

SYDNEY, Aug 14 – Matildas Tameka Yallop and Lydia Williams on Monday resisted each try and get them to imbue this week’s Women’s World Cup semi-final with further which means as a result of they’re going through Australia’s fiercest sporting rival, England.

Still coming down from the excessive of Saturday’s dramatic victory over France, the 2 skilled internationals have been fast to scotch the concept going through England on Wednesday for a spot within the last held particular significance.

“I think it’s just another game,” stated goalkeeper Williams.

“At the end of the day we know how to shift focus to representing and performing. It’s a significant game, obviously we are in the semi-finals, but it’s just another opponent for us.”

While Williams watched on as fellow keeper MacKenzie Arnold starred in Saturday’s shootout thriller that triggered ‘Matildas Mania’ throughout Australia, midfielder Yallop got here into the match as an alternative and buried the seventh penalty.

“The feeling in the group is really high at the moment and we definitely enjoyed every second of that match, in front of that crowd, and of course in front of everyone watching in Australia and beyond the borders as well,” she stated.

“But we also want to repeat that feeling, so we are focusing on the next game.”

Yallop, who has performed greater than 100 occasions for her nation, began in midfield when the Matildas beat European champions England 2-0 in London in April however stated she didn’t assume that match would imply a lot on Wednesday.

“That was a friendly game,” she stated. “And yes, we can take something out of it. But at the same time, we’re into the knockout games in a World Cup so it’s a completely different game.”

What the sellout crowd at Stadium Australia can anticipate, Yallop stated, was that the Matildas would combat for each second of nevertheless lengthy the sport lasted to place their nation into a primary world soccer last.

“That’s part of our jersey,” she stated. “When you put it on, you really do sort of emulate that never-say-die attitude and that’s something that’s instilled with us from a young age.

“I believe you have to have that edge earlier than you even put the Matildas jersey on. I believe that is undoubtedly one thing that Australia will get behind, and it is one thing that we take nice satisfaction in.”

—Reuters