The Matildas will head into Sunday morning’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final riding on a massive high after knocking off Brazil, but standing in their way are reigning world and continental champions Japan.
The clash will reignite what is fast becoming Asian football’s fiercest rivalry, with the two countries battling it out across the men’s and women’s games, at senior and youth levels.
The tactical and technical nous of Japan and the athleticism and speed of the Matildas will make for a great showdown. Where Australia need to be wary, though, is in assuming they have the momentum.
After an upset win it is so easy for a team – or individual in other sports – to play as though the ascendency will naturally continue. But it is no given that the Matildas will start the quarter-final with fluidity, this they must earn against a highly organised Japan side.
Vine videos of Japan’s faultless formation were rife following their defeat of the Netherlands midweek, and stretching this shape early on – even for brief periods – will be key for Alen Stajcic’s charges. Once Australia begin switching the point of the attack with sharpness, they can begin to look for holes, as they did when Kyah Simon ultimately bulged the back of the net against Brazil.
In short, the Matildas need to be at their counter-attacking best to bring an impressive Japan side undone. Once they have played themselves into the contest, the belief that Australia will have picked up from their group stage and round of 16 efforts may start to show.
And it will need to, with the Matildas likely carrying some doubts after drawing 2-2 with Japan in the Women’s Asian Cup last year before going down in the final 1-0 to their rivals.
In this encounter, Aya Miyama and Yuki Ogimi will need to be kept quiet, with the former doing a number on the Dutch in the round of 16. This will heap yet more defensive pressure on Caitlin Foord and Stephanie Catley for Australia.
On the Matildas’ side is an extra day of rest, which can prove crucial during world or continental cups. And, if that’s not enough time to prepare, there’s always the hope that Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori will generously throw in another howler, as she did last start.
Sometimes, when the stakes are at their highest, it is a brief moment of luck which decides the outcome of a match. And such moments only add to the depth of the enmity between the two squads.
Certainly there are more political battles that could be played between Asian nations – Korea Republic versus Democratic People’s Republic of Korea springs immediately to mind – but for the football purist, there is no greater confrontation than Australia and Japan right now. In truth, that rivalry could be the catalyst that one day sees Asian football rise to the levels many have been predicting in recent years.
After surviving against two of the world’s top 10 nations in the group stage, and felling the might of Brazil in the knockout phase, there is no telling what the Matildas can do.
For the sake of the game in Australia, and the bourgeoning rivalry with continental giants Japan, let’s hope they can write another memorable chapter in women’s football this weekend.
Bondy
Guest
These Gridiron Stadiums in Canada are quite impressive (once full), the spectator is not that far from the action either .
Bondy
Guest
We're off to Ipswich ... (http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-a-league-prepare-dual-expansion-bid-based-in-ipswich/story-fndujljl-1227418637667) ...
Midfielder
Guest
agree
Midfielder
Guest
sorry double post
Midfielder
Guest
Agree
Josh
Guest
It's the feel good story of the year. The amount of heart they play with makes me proud to be Australian, hopefully young girls all over Australia are idolising De Vanna and Simon instead of paying attention to the constant garbage news articles about what the Kardashians are up to today.
Barca4life
Guest
They might not have the same technical quality of the Japanese but to say that the Matildas only rely on their athleticism and speed is a bit naive. In this tournament they have shown impressingly with their tactical level, largely credited to Alen Stajcic and his backroom staff, whether to stop an opponent from playing i.e Brazil or to take the game to their opponent i.e Sweden Contrast this team to the last 4 years ago and this team is tactically a lot more astute, with match winning players all over the pitch. So the author needs to acknowledge this more.
Bob
Guest
I'll be up to and so will my kids. They've already planned breakfast :)
Bob
Guest
Agreed. We can't be complacent, Japan are probably favourites for this one
Bob
Guest
You know this is a successful competition when even the good folk at the AFL are talking about it lol
Waz
Guest
Great observation Ben
Kaks
Roar Guru
Junior, I have Iranian ancestry and i can tell you that some of my Iranian relatives love AND hate vsing South Korea because of the rivalry I remember watching this game with family and friends recently; http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=257777/match=300191836/report.html it was extremely tense and i remember hearing the crowd during the game, it was electric I think it is something you need to be attached to in order to understand the rivalry as it does not seem like a 'traditional' rivalry in a geographical/cultural/political sense
AZ_RBB
Guest
The geo-political issues have had a greater impact on the Saudi-Iran rivalry. Check out Persepolis v Al-Nassr from April and Persepolis v Al-Hilal from May.
Uncle Junior
Guest
Fair enough. I've got lots to learn in Asian football. Glad to have all the education resources available. Thanks.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Their matchups haven't just started being like this. Here is a quote from a recent FIFA article " Over the past half century, the two sides have developed one of Asia's greatest rivalries, having locked horns in 26 meetings, including six FIFA World Cup qualifiers." Like you, I've only been following Asian football for a few years. So I'm going to trust FIFA on this one. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2013/m=6/news=asia-finale-sees-three-spots-for-grabs-2111172.html
Uncle Junior
Guest
Yes, these are the natural rivalries I'd expect in Asian Football. I don't see South Korea vs Iran being a football rivalry. Given the current geopolitical issues, I would assume the next time we have Yemen vs Saudi Arabia it could get a bit heated.
Uncle Junior
Guest
I remember those Qualifiers. Does it become a strong rivalry every time players have a brawl on the pitch? I think there's got to be more than that to create a true rivalry in international football. Otherwise it means Uruguay must have a strong rivalry with every opponent they play. If any Korean or Iranian fans were to confirm this intense football rivalry at international level, I'd be quickly convinced.
AZ_RBB
Guest
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/11/19/uk-soccer-asian-korea-idUKKCN0J309L20141119 Full match should be up on youtube somewhere. Worth watching.
Uncle Junior
Guest
Which matches in particular from the 1960s & 70s should I review for to experience the intense rivalry between Iran and Korea? As I said, in the past 10 years I've closely followed Asian football I've not seen any evidence of an intense rivalry between Iran and Korea. Perhaps I missed something. Which matches from the past 10 years should I review to experience the intense rivbalry between Iran and Korea. I'm always eager to learn more about Asian football so your assistance would be appreciated.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Two of the most successful sides in Asia. Both were the strongest Asian nation in the 60's & 70's and they would always slug it out with each other. They have had plenty of close games in the knockout stages in tournaments (one would knock the other out etc.) and always seem to be in the same group to qualify for the World Cup. They have also had plenty of fiery encounters which creates that divide. I recommend you watch a Iran vs South Korea game next time it is on, it is always a fierce game