- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After emerging from Group D with a 2-1 win over Norway, the Matildas turn their attention to Scandinavian neighbours Sweden as they pursue a maiden World Cup Semi-Final berth. Join us from 8.30pm (AEST) tonight for all the action with our live scores and blog.
Tom Sermanni’s brigade of young starlets have won over an increasingly-engaged Australian football public with not only their results, but the way they have gone about acheiving them during the group phase of Women’s World Cup 2011.
The debut performances of the likes of Kyah Simon, Emily van Egmond and Caitlin Foord, who at 16 is the youngest player in the tournament, have complemented established stars such as Collette McCallum and Lisa De Vanna in helping Australia progress to the last eight for only the second time at a Women’s World Cup.
They meet Sweden, whose 1-0 win over two-time winner USA on Wednesday meant they would finish atop of Group C with a perfect record.
The Matildas could be excused for breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding a US outfit who are one of the tournament favourites, but Sweden are an equally formidable opponent.
Scandinavian teams have often been powerhouses of the Women’s World Cup since the tournmanent began in 1991 and Sweden, runners-up in 2003, are no exception, having competed in all five World Cups.
The stylish van Egmond will return to the midfield at the expense of Clare Polkinghorne, while Elyse Perry comes into the starting XI at right fullback, pushing Foord further up the pitch into midfield.
Australia and Sweden have met only once previously in a Women’s World Cup, with the Swedes winning 3-1 in 1999.
The match will be played in the Bavarian city of Augsberg, at 1pm local time, and while the early start boosts television exposure in Australia, forecasted temperatures in the high 20s in the middle of the day will present another hurdle for the Matildas to overcome.
While the Australians have been lauded for their aesthetically-pleasing football, the key to the quarter-final might very well be the young side’s ability to compete for 90 minutes against a physical Swedish unit.
It will be crucial for experienced campaigners such as McCallum, De Vanna and Heather Garriock to set the standard early for their younger teammates.
While the Matildas’ crisp passing and movement has laid the foundation for their success, repeated defensive lapses have meant the Australians have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of the three group games.
Tom Sermanni has been critical of his defence and will need improved performances from defender Servet Uzunlar and goalkeeper and captain Melissa Barbieri.
Sweden are strong favourites for the match, but the tantalising prospect of a semi-final clash with AFC rivals Japan will be more than enough to motivate a fearless young Matildas side.
Like any well-loved Australian underdog, they can dare to dream.
The match will be shown live on free-to-air SBS at 8.30pm (AEST), and with a solid audience watching them on the biggest stage, the Matildas have a very real opportunity to take a giant leap forward for women’s football in Australia.
What better way to wind-up your weekend? Join us from 8.30pm for live updates and blog, and witness history unfold.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.