Veteran midfielder Emily van Egmond says the Matildas can’t afford to dwell on their shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria as they put together to struggle for his or her FIFA Women’s World Cup survival in opposition to Canada in Melbourne on Monday evening.
A loss to the Canadians will end result within the Matildas failing to qualify for the event’s knockout levels.
A draw is unlikely to be sufficient both so it’s all however a do-or-die affair for the Australians, who’re determined to maintain alive their desires of World Cup glory on residence soil.
“We stay positive, we stay true to who we are, and we get the job done in Melbourne,” a assured van Egmond stated after her aspect’s sudden loss to the Super Falcons at Suncorp Stadium.
Called into the beginning aspect because the substitute for the concussed Mary Fowler, van Egmond gave the Matildas a deserved lead in first-half stoppage-time, however then it went all pear- formed for the event co-hosts, who wasted a number of probabilities.
“The girls who were out there (on Thursday night) … they fought until the very end. Unfortunately it’s come up short,” she stated.
“There’s no use dwelling on it now. It’s done. All eyes are on Canada.
The Canadians, the reigning Olympic Games gold medallists, were 2-1 winners over Ireland on Wednesday night Perth.
They are on four points with Nigeria, with the Australians a point back in third spot. Only the top two qualify for the round-of-16.
Van Egmond will be hopeful of another start but team success is the priority.
“It’s about the team for me and we’re all on this journey together, no matter who takes the pitch. Everyone’s so important,” she stated.
Including Sam Kerr, who hasn’t performed within the event but because of a calf harm, and isn’t any certainty to return on Monday evening.
“We have an amazing group of girls,” van Egmond stated.
Midfielder Katrina Gorry echoed van Egmond’s sentiments.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but still there are a lot of positives to take out of the game. We need to focus on them,” Gorry stated.
“We created a lot of chances, we kept possession of the ball and we won quite a few second balls in there, so there are some positives we can take into the next game.
“We obviously came out here to win. We never want to lose on our home ground, so for us, it’s disappointing.”
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold stated it was solely “small margins” that price Australia a win on Thursday evening,
“We created a lot of chances, it’s just putting them away in the goal,” Arnold stated.
She stated it was “miscommunication” between her and defender Alanna Kennedy that gifted the Nigerians their third aim, scored by substitute Asisat Oshoala.
“It’s just what happened. It’s football – loud crowd, hard to hear, miscommunication,” Arnold stated.
Source: www.news.com.au
