Australia’s Matildas will take on Germany in a match that is enormously important for Australia’s hopes of progressing beyond the groups stage. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 7am (AEST).
Germany will look to bounce back from a disappointing 4th place at the World Cup last year, while Australia will want to build on an impressive World cup showing where they were beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Japan.
The previous history between these two sides has not been kind to Australia however neither side has faced one another in recent years. Going on recent form however, Germany will be a tough side to beat for the Australian squad.
Germany will be led by all-time leading goal scorer in Women’s UEFA Champions league Anja Mittag, who despite all of her talents last helped Germany to a world title in 2007. Australia will hope goal keeper Lydia Williams can show some of her form in that we say the qualifiers, conceding just two goals in four games.
The Matildas badly need a win after losing their opening match to Canada 0-2. That has left them in doubt of progressing beyond the groups stage, but a win here over the favoured German side would immediately put them back into finals calculations.
Should they lose however the task of making it into the quarter-finals will become all the harder. Even a draw would give them something of a fighting chance.
Can Australia bounce back from their devastating loss to Canada? Or will the Germans put an end to Australia’s Olympics campaign at the group stages?
Prediction
Unfortunately for the Matildas, the strong German side look to be the likely winners.
Germany 2-1
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 7am (AEST).
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me Stevo, bit of a disappointing result for the Aussie squad but they took it to Germany which is great for this side.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Heart break for the Matilda's Australia have drawn with Germany 2-2. In what was an entertaining Group F game Australia has walked away with a draw after a heart breaking own goal from Clare Polkinghorne in the dying stages of the 2nd half. Australia led from the 6th minute after a wonder goal from Samantha Kerr, The first half was dominated by German possession but Australia used their chances well. Caitlin Foord was able to double the lead to 2 in the 45th minute, but a lapse from Australia led to a German goal right on the strike of half time Sara Däbritz scoring. The Australian side opened the 2nd half attacking and were unlucky not to increase their lead on a number of occasions. Michelle Heyman was brought in for Australian captain Lisa De Vanna and had an immediate impact. Heyman was instrumental in getting a number of good looks for the Australian strikers but they were unable to capitalise. Looking the stronger side for most of the half the Australians appeared to be on the cusp of a great win against the world number 2 team, however a corner to Germany led to an own goal from Clare Polkinghorne at the 88th minute. Australia had another couple of chances to get the lead back but were denied by German keeper Almuth Schult. With the draw Australia now sits third in Group F with Germany a game clear of them on 4 points and Canada 6 points. Australia will need to beat Zimbabwe to have a chance at the quarter finals. Goal scorers. Samantha Kerr 6′ Aus Caitlin Foord 45′ Aus Sara Däbritz 45+2 Ger Own Goal Clare Polkinghorne 88′ Ger Cards. Alexandra Popp 30′ Ger Josephine Henning 56′ Ger Cards. Alexandra Popp 30′ Ger Josephine Henning 56′ Ger Stephanie Cately, Caitlin Foord, Lydia Williams, Lisa De Vanna and Michelle Heyman were the best for Australia Alexandra Popp, Leonie Maier, Almuth Schult, Were the German standouts. Thank you for joining me during what was a heart breaker for the Matilda's.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
A red hot game where both teams had plenty of chances and a draw is a fair result. Thanks for the call Sam.
jamesb
Guest
No. They can still finish third in their group and qualify to the quarter finals.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
They are not out yet. Top 2 from each group and the 2 top 3 teams go through to the next round. If we beat Zimbabwe we will have 4 points so it gives us a good shot. We may still be able to jump Germany if they lose to Canada but we would need a big win over Zimbabwe.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Full time. Australia 2 Germany 2. Goal scorers. Samantha Kerr 6' Aus Caitlin Foord 45' Aus Sara Däbritz 45+2 Ger Own Goal Clare Polkinghorne 88' Ger Cards. Alexandra Popp 30' Ger Josephine Henning 56' Ger
Heart-breaking! Does that mean the Matildas are now out of the running?
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Australia is unable to score from the corner 2 minutes of Extra time has been played.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Another poor clearance by the German keeper, Australia rebounds it and it goes out for a corner.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Australia with another chance but it is kicked straight to the keeper.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
3 minutes of extra time to be played.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Ouch!
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Corner Australia Polkinghorne is unable to do anything with the possession.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Disappointing for Australia to concede that so late in the game,
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Free kick Germany Goal Germany Saskia Bartusiak is the goal scorer and it is all evened up. 2-2 87'
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Corner to Germany is again cleared by Australia.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Corner Germany. Australia just gets it clear. Germany had a few chances. Another Corner.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Australia is looking to chew up the time. 85'
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Substitution Australia, Samantha Kerr off for Chloe Lagarzo. 82'
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Germany Corner. Cleared by Australia. 81'