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Matildas give FFA yet another edge over competitors

28th June, 2015
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Katrina Gorry scored a clutch goal as the Matildas defeated Japan 3-1 in their bid to qualify for the Olympics.
Expert
28th June, 2015
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A late scrappy goal may have ended the Matildas’ World Cup dreams in the early hours of Sunday morning, yet their memorable campaign has given women’s football its biggest push yet in the rush for column inches and relevancy in Australia.

The Matildas’ sixth campaign at the highest level has brought unprecedented interest back home. More people than ever have been waking up early to watch their exploits in Canada and discuss their merits on social media.

The team’s attacking and possession-based football in the group stages impressed a lot of neutrals, surely converting some naysayers to a side of the game they had never before contemplated.

Coach Alen Stajcic has installed belief in this young group, which has an average age of about 23, similar to what Ange Postecoglou has done with the Socceroos. Stajcic has also implemented a style of football that has provided fans with a team to be proud of.

The performance against the USA surprised many, while the game plan did not change against Nigeria, or even Sweden, where the Socceroos knew a draw would be enough for second place.

The build-up to the tournament was fantastic, from the players quitting their day jobs to embark on a four-month preparation, the groundbreaking coverage on SBS, to the attention afforded the players from mainstream media.

Never has there been so many features on Matildas stars, never has there been as much small talk initiated about their performances. Even the page views on The Roar‘s excellent live blog coverage reached levels normally seen for men’s football matches.

Among my social and work circles, at least, the Women’s World Cup has generated much more interest than the Cricket World Cup held earlier in the year. The only downside in the upsurge of coverage has been the baffling widespread use of the word ‘Matilda’s’.

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On the field, escaping the group of death in Canada was a remarkable achievement in itself, though one those more informed than the general football fan had assured was more than just a possibility.

Against Brazil the Matildas were forced to play a more defensive game, but came away with a hard-fought 1-0 victory, thanks to a late opportunistic strike from Kyah Simon.

The loss to Japan, although disappointing given the scrappy and late nature of the goal, was a just outcome based on the 90 minutes. The Matildas can feel disappointed, but they should feel no shame. Japan are an exceptional side with some of the best technical players in the competition.

The Matildas’ attacking play was abandoned, however, and there is a feeling that with the Australians holding the game scoreless in the first half there was an opportunity to come out in the second period firing.

It was the first time in the tournament that a team had kept Japan quiet, with five of the defending champions’ six goals arriving prior to the 30th minute mark. It was a job well done in the first half, though the second 45 required change.

However, the Matildas could not shake off the lack of composure evident in the opening half, despite a promising 20-minute period. Too many aimless long balls were punted forward, while the midfield struggled to gain control of the football and turned over possession too cheaply. The time and the space was there, yet too often the play was rushed.

Japan’s high pressing game in the first half did not help the Matildas settle, and the defensive work enforced on the front trio of Lisa De Vanna, Simon and Samantha Kerr reduced their effectiveness as the game progressed.

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It was a battling performance yet it all came undone when substitute Mana Iwabuchi poked home from close range after a scramble ensued from a late, half-cleared corner.

The highlight of the tournament was definitely Elise Kellond-Knight, the number six showcasing an impressive passing range, off-the-ball movement, composure and awareness for a 24-year-old. Her screening of the back four and her tracking back into defence saved the Matildas on numerous occasions.

It is comforting to know that Kellond-Knight, and many of her teammates, will be reaching peak levels come the next World Cup in 2019. This is an exciting time for the Matildas.

Pay discrepancies are still rife between the Matildas and Socceroos, which can only be expected given the superior marketing value of men’s football. However, the FFA will hopefully be forced into action regarding bumping up investment in the women’s game after media and public pressure.

The Matildas are a commodity to Australian football that has to be utilised. No other women’s sport has the potential to match the Matildas when it comes to international competition, and it provides another point of difference from other football codes.

Commercial interest and support should increase following the impressive displays at the 2015 World Cup and with it more opportunities for our brightest stars. It is the least they deserve. The next step is to get the W-League broadcast on television.

It is a bright future for such a young team, the potential is huge and the 2015 World Cup, where the Matildas matched some of the world’s best teams, will give them a strong platform for the next tournament in 2019. Silverware should be the minimum target.

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Women’s football now truly feels like a significant player in Australian sport, and even though men’s competitions will continue to dominate the Matildas can only increase their hold over the public over the next four years. The next challenge is the Olympics campaign in 2016.

Now, where is that pay rise, FFA?

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