Welcome to news.com.au’s dwell protection of the Matildas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup match in opposition to Canada from Melbourne.
It’s do-or-die day for the Matildas as they face the Olympic champion Canadians for a spot within the knockout levels of the match.
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If the Matildas win, they’re by to the spherical of 16 though might face England or Denmark until Nigeria draw or lose to the at the moment winless Ireland.
If it’s a draw, the Matildas hopes depend on Ireland profitable by two — or at the least by one, though Australia would additionally want to attain extra objectives in a draw with Canada than Nigeria rating in opposition to Ireland. For instance, if Ireland win 1-0, the Matildas would want a 1-all draw. If Ireland received 2-1, the Matildas would want to attract 2-all and so forth.
A loss, it’s throughout.
8.01pm — Kickoff – and we’re underway
Can Australia do the unthinkable and beat the Olympic champions to maneuver into the knockout levels of the World Cup?
We’ll discover out in 90 minutes.
7.15pm — Worrying picture spells hassle for Australia
The Matildas have named Sam Kerr on the bench for its should win conflict with Canada however the Aussie skipper has not warmed up with the workforce.
While the remainder of the facet warmed up, Kerr stayed in her large parka and didn’t run.
While it was dismissed as “she doesn’t need to run at the start of the game”, it’s an indication Kerr’s involvement will likely be restricted at finest for the star who hasn’t performed any time within the match to date this World Cup.
But CODE Sports and Seven’s Adam Peacock stated: “Sam Kerr not warming up with group. Not unusual, no point warming up given her role at best is off the bench in the second half.”
Others weren’t so certain.
Chelsea assistant coach Tanya Oxtoby instructed Optus Sport: “If you’re not planning to use them in the first half and worried about loading, it’s not unusual, but it’s a concern.”
If it’s only a precaution as a result of Kerr will play very restricted minutes, the commentators have questioned whether or not it wouldn’t be a greater plan to heat Kerr as much as give the group — and all of Australia — a elevate.
7pm — Why will the Matildas be in blue?
If you tune in to look at the Matildas and don’t see the facet’s conventional inexperienced and gold, it’s as a result of the Matildas would be the away workforce for the match.
So as a substitute of gold, we’ll be in gentle blue.
Could the Matildas comply with within the footsteps of the Socceroos and win of their alternate strip?
The Socceroos beat Tunisia in final years’ males’s World Cup to e book its place within the spherical of 16.
Ok, it could be an extended bow however we’ll take something if it sees the Matildas by to the following spherical.
6.30pm – Matildas’ bombshell Sam Kerr name revealed
The Matildas have named Sam Kerr to return off the bench for the facet’s must-win conflict in opposition to Olympic champions Canada.
Kerr declared herself match and accessible for the match in opposition to Canada over the weekend however didn’t say way more.
While the world has been determined to see if and the way Kerr will likely be used, the Matildas have been capable of preserve their playing cards near their chest.
But Mary Fowler will begin for the Matildas on her return from concussion whereas Kerr will come off the bench.
Before the news got here by, former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer stated Fowler could be anticipated to return straight again into the Matildas facet, however he stated the Sam Kerr determination was nonetheless up within the air.
“We don’t know whether she’s going to start, whether she’s going to come off the bench — my gut feeling is she’s going to come off the bench if needed,” Schwarzer stated on Optus Sport.
“I think they’ll also be hoping that they don’t need her off the bench.”
He added that coach Tony Gustavsson wasn’t committal about Kerr’s function however added that Fowler was accessible.
He additionally believed Emily van Egmond would additionally retain her spot within the facet.
Originally printed as Matildas Vs Canada dwell: Sam Kerr named off bench for do-or-die conflict
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
