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They’ve made Australian football history and thrust the women’s game into the national spotlight.
But the Cinderellas of the Women’s World Cup will have an entirely different challenge on their hands when they attempt to write another chapter of the fairytale in Canada.
And the Matildas know exactly what to expect in a quarter-final against their fiercest Asian rivals and reigning world champions Japan in Edmonton on Sunday (AEST).
It’ll be Australia’s pace and athleticism versus Japan’s technical clout, as coach Alen Stajcic’s young charges seek to avenge last year’s Asian Cup final loss.
If it wasn’t already shaping as a blistering showdown, a synthetic playing surface that could swell to nearly 50 degrees will ensure it is.
Mercurial skipper Lisa De Vanna and Kyah Simon’s charismatic boot were front and centre in the Matildas’ audacious escape from the group of death and upset dumping of legendary Brazil.
But while they’ll no doubt shine again, the fast-moving and short-passing style of their latest counterparts will render Australia’s burgeoning defensive line more crucial than ever.
And left-back Steph Catley knows it.
“They’re definitely different from the teams we’ve played against here,” Catley said of Japan, who have won eight of the pair’s last 10 meetings.
“We’ve played against Japan a whole lot in the Asian Cup and even before that, so we know how they play, and we know how to match up against them.
“We just have to adjust our game plan a little bit and be really switched on.”
Catley named midfielder Aya Miyama as a particularly menacing threat, especially with the dead ball.
“They’re extremely dangerous on set pieces as well – the goal in the Asian Cup they scored was off a set piece.
“They’re just quality all over the field, so we’ve got to look at the video pretty carefully and make sure we’ve got everyone covered.”
Japan’s tactical fluidity and capacity to change formation in transition will leave Catley and fellow defender Caitlin Foord little room for error.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams admitted the intense pressure has sent both her anxiety and excitement levels steadily creeping up as the game draws nearer.
“We’re playing a possession-based football game now, as well as they are,” she said.
“So I think it’s going to be whoever has the best defence and saves will definitely win the game.”
The Matildas are no doubt a very different team from the 2014 Asian Cup runners-up.
Conceding only one goal in three games since their opening 3-1 loss to the US is proof of that.
And Catley said the recent wave of enthusiasm from back home has only provided further inspiration to topple a fourth top-10 nation this tournament and continue on their giant-killing journey to a first World Cup semi-final.
“We thrive on the support from home and there’s nothing better than knowing that your country is behind you,” she said.
“We’ve always known we have a lot of support at home, but to know that there’s even more now is just a bigger motivation for us to do well.”
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