The Matildas take on North Korea in the AFC 2010 Asian Cup final tonight. It’s Australia’s second major football final since our arrival in Asia in 2006.
In the previous final, also involving the Matildas in 2006, Australia lost on penalties to China. This is the first in which the Australian’s in my view are favourites. Sign of the times for our increasing numbers of female players and our improved W-League our national league maybe?
With all the Aussie sports writers across the nation focusing on the World Cup, coverage for one of the most popular female sports in the media remains sparse. Even dear old SBS seem to have neglected any major coverage of the Matildas. One wonders why?
However, ABC have done themselves proud with their TV coverage although having former Socceroos expertly analysing each game in the studio has left me puzzled. Have Matt Thompson and Ante Milicic ever watched the women’s game? And even if they have aren’t their two articulate ex-Matildas able to splutter their way through the games a la the lads? For another day perhaps.
Anyway, it’s the final tonight, an Asian Cup Final against those pesky, unsporting North Koreans. Why so unfair? Well they walked off in their last game against the Aussies in Brisbane in March, a game we won 3-2.
With a penalty awarded to Australia just before half-time the whole team walked off. Under FIFA rules no player is allowed to leave the pitch without permission. They did, for over five minutes, before being persuaded back on.
They’ve done it before as well. A yellow card or two might have helped but Referees and the AFC seem not to enforce the rules they apply to their other 45 mations.
Anyway; I think we’ll win! Our defence is getting stronger every game. We’re confident, very relaxed after qualifying for the World Cup next year as a result of the semi final win against China. Historically that was and is no mean feat.
There is no love lost between the Koreans and ourselves. So expect grit and fireworks all around the pitch; indeed the Australians will need to remain composed.
And if you don’t like cheating, diving and all round bad sportsmanship, then I suggest you don’t watch.
I expect the same team as the semi-final and these players, Sally Shipard and Heather Garriock aside, haven’t played more than two games. They should be as fresh as you ever are at the end of a tournament and the game is being played at a later, cooler time.
No pressure now we’ve qualified, so let’s hope we see an improved performance with the ball and in the attacking third.
I’d like to see Collette McCallum, Clare Polkinghorne and Sally Shipard supporting our defenders when they have the ball much much more, or else the football which has been character building rather than controlling may continue.
Hopefully we can boss this game with the ball a little more, as we did in Brisbane.
I see no reason why this can’t be our best footballing show of the tournament, and with Sam Kerr to explode in the final thirty we might just have our icing on the cake.
The new De Vanna? At 16 you wouldn’t bet against her. I’ll watch her with interest come Germany next year.
Elise Kellond-Knight at left-back has been a revelation and she can only get better. She controls the ball so well, is confident in her own ability and gets the team moving sweetly. With Elise in full flow, Heather Garriock up ahead we must have as good a left-side as any in the World. We need to use it now.
Anyhow, enjoy the game and if the North Koreans walk off I’ll be looking at the AFC final ref to hold them to the professional football standards immediately. It’s about time someone in the Asia Football Confederation held them to the rules.
Go the Matildas! Let’s bring home our first Asian title.
AA
Guest
Did well girls. well done!
dasilva
Guest
Woo Hoo, we are the Matildas are the champions of Asia. Awesome match. Just finish watching it (delayed coverage in Adelaide) End to end stuff and the tension was unbearable throughout the second half and extra time when north Korea were dominating the possession. We showed great fighting spirit.
David V.
Guest
I think it's fair to say that countries like Australia, China, USA and the Nordic countries have a very progressive attitude to women in sport, compared to countries with such an old and entrenched dominating football culture like England, Italy, Spain or Argentina. But we've seen Germany become a world player, and even England and Italy are getting better. The US won the first Women's World Cup in '91. That initial success helped in a big way.
Mr
Guest
The Matildas are the Champions of Asia. We're all so proud of you guys! Awesome!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Prior to the Europeans taking it seriously it was a very small world they were dominating. I'm basing it on the now though and in responce to what I think is unfair critique of the Aussie girls.
nevyn
Guest
Firstly I have seen what Kerr, DeVanna and MCallum bring to the table, I'm a Glory member and have watched them play every home game this season. I'm well aware of their talents. The US, England and Scandinavian teams are physical but they match it with a high level of technical ability. Unfortunately we aren;'t even close to the level of those teams. We are technically inept even in comparison to the asian teams so we resort to being more physical which is great because we win and we qualify for the world cup but then when we get there we will struggle to beat the top teams.
David V.
Guest
And how have China able to be a force in the international women's game then?
Alders
Guest
It is good. I think the increased coverage of womens football is part of a broader effort, with the ABC leading the way, to increase coverage of womens sport. Having not lived in Australia for several years I was surprised to find billboards in Sydney promoting the netball and improved coverage of matches on the ABC. A great step forward for all sports involved.
Alders
Guest
Um, it is a non-contact sport.
Dave Childs
Guest
I have been following the Matildas during theis campaign and they deserve the greatest accolades and respect. I also think the ABC have done an awesome job without fanfare. Why oh why do you harp on the negatives? The quality and enthusasism of Peter Wilkins is refreshing and he DOES know what he is talking about including the Rules!. Many may not remember Peter calling football games many years ago when there was on one else having a go Give him and the ABC a break. It's so good for the game to have another station take an interest in the "World's Number One Foodball Game" Dave Childs
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I don't think think the Aussie girls are any more physical than the US, England or any scandanavian team.... it's Japan and Nth korea that will get a shock when they go to the world cup with referees who aren't whistle happy and learn that physicality is part of the game.
David V.
Guest
And I take it you haven't seen what Kerr, De Vanna (though she's out with a broken leg) and McCallum bring to the table?
mintox
Guest
Why not comment on the ABC's coverage? Surely they could find some ex matilda's rather than digging up ex Socceroos and A-League players. It is great to see Amy Taylor hosting and appearances by Tal Carp on the panel but please get rid of Peter Wilkins he's an awful commentator. As for the Matildas, they make win but I think they've played some awful football. It's very much a case of strength and size conquering skill and technique. It's all well and good to make use of our comparative advantage over the smaller Asian players but it's not going to work on the World Cup stage.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
MVDave, not sure about Melbourne, but in Sydney its live from 9:30PM on ABC2.
MV Dave
Guest
Would be a fantastic result if they can do it...they really have nothing to lose now having achieved their main goal of qualifying for the 2011 WC. Anyone know when the game is on tonight?