The Matildas bounced up and down as Advance Australia Fair came to its soaring conclusion. The sun was beaming down warmly on the Pepper Stadium pitch in concert with the beaming faces of the sold-out crowd.
Never before has a Matildas game been so richly attended in Australia, and the occasion, just like the players during the anthem’s crescendo, had a little extra bounce to it.
And it wasn’t just the crowd or the weather spritzing the event. The recent history between these teams is simmering along nicely; the Brazilians were still nursing the wounds the Matildas inflicted in their 6-1 thrashing, a defeat handed out a month or so ago at the Tournament of Nations.
The South Americans fielded a team that differed greatly from the starting XI that was so soundly rogered in the final, and it was arranged in a strikingly attack-minded 4-2-4, with Marta at the heart of the forward line.
The Brazilians rushed up the pitch from the kick-off, winning a free kick within seconds. Australia buckled a little, repelling a number of crosses, before they launched a counter-attack; Brazil’s midfield-light formation looked immediately susceptible to crumbling under the pressure of a fast transition.
Australia flexed, with Lisa De Vanna combining beautifully on the right-hand side of the Brazil box, crossing dangerously. The ball eventually fell to Sam Kerr, whose shot was nearly headed in by Caitlin Foord.
The contest fizzed over the opening 15 minutes, with Kerr beginning to dominate. A sequence that saw Kerr wrestled to the ground left the referee unmoved, much to the chagrin of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic. Kerr was dropping into midfield, taking advantage of the dearth of Brazilian personnel there, finding time to turn and accelerate dangerously.
Brazil’s system was very fluid, with the front four morphing sporadically into a three, and the full backs stepping up high on the wings. As much as it created moments of lovely, unlikely passing, it was not conducive to structural stability; the Matildas were imposing themselves, snapping into tackles and passing with accuracy, and without the ball the Brazilians looked scattered. Kerr was clobbered by Djenifer after 25 minutes, having been allowed to collect a pass and turn completely unchecked. The Brazilian was booked.
(Image: Zak Kaczmarek/Getty Images)
Emily van Egmond, Australia’s tall, athletic midfield presence, was controlling the central corridor, forcing the Brazilian attacks out to the wings. Marta was finding it difficult to affect the game in the final third – the Brazilian, who has scored a scarcely believable 105 goals in 101 national caps, was reportedly struggling with jet-lag, and you could tell.
The Australians were in control. Alanna Kennedy rose majestically to meet a corner but headed it over. Foord harried and hustled a Brazilian defender into conceding another corner, which came to nothing.
Then Lisa de Vanna, taking a flicked lay-off from Tamika Butt first time on her left foot, looped a volley from the edge of the box into the top corner. It was an astonishing moment fusing technique and power and capping off a sequence where the Australian attack pressured the Brazilian defence into conceding a throw deep in their half. It was a goal that sent the crowd into raptures and snatched a deserved lead.
Australia restricted Brazil to a single shot in the first half while taking nine of their own, splitting the possession evenly. For all of their talent in attack, Brazil’s disorganisation in defence – and a midfield that regularly left staggeringly vacant areas open in the middle – was hurting them badly.
Kerr began the second half with a backheel, nearly sending Ellie Carpenter running free into the Brazil box. A flowing Australian counter-attack led to de Vanna sending Foord clear one-on-one with Dani Nehaus, with the Brazilian keeper saving well and copping an accidental kick to the face in the process.
Still, there were no early signs in the second half that Australia would relent or that Brazil were going to tighten their defensive shape.
The Brazilians did, however, compose themselves in attack. A fine few minutes saw them pass through intense Australian pressure, all the way up to the Matildas box. Marta whipped in a vicious free kick from the right flank a few moments later.
Not long after that, a rocket of a shot speared in from 25 metres by Andressinha beat Lydia Williams but crashed against the post.
(Image: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The match lurched from end to end. Kerr had a goal chalked off for offside as Katrina-Lee Gorry’s influence grew. Brazil were reckless in their passing out from the back, and Gorry predated on every bad pass, every heavy touch.
Another goal was coming, but at which end? Kerr answered that question – she nodded a header, with her back to goal, into the far corner. Alanna Kennedy’s cross, clipped at an angle, was met and redirected by Kerr, who could only have sensed where the edges of the goal were when she made headed contact. It was an instinctual finish by a player in rare form. The crowd erupted again.
The Brazilians hit the post for a second time in response. The urgency of the visitors rose as the game ticked past the 75th minute. An Australian counter-attack was broken up, and the ball was worked into the centre for a counter-counter-attack. A neat flick sent substitute Debinha racing through, and she curled it past Williams. It was 2-1 with 12 minutes to go.
To say the game then opened up with the scent of parity in the air would be redundant seeing as it had been played so openly from the start. Promising moves at both ends were scuppered by last-ditch tackles or tired passes. It was during this period that the composure of van Egmond was most visible; her decision-making on the ball and positioning when off it was faultless, a stellar captain leading by stellar example.
The match entered added time. Kerr was given a standing ovation when she was substituted. The Matildas saw out the win, with the sun beaming down. They play Brazil again on Tuesday.
The Australian public came out in full force to support the Matildas, a team with genuine ambitions to win the World Cup, playing a prestigious opponent they had recently beaten.
It was a response the Matildas are more than entitled to, and they offered up a potent performance that made sure the crowd went home singing and smiling. It was a grand day out, and here’s hoping it’s the first of many to come in this country.
Whiskeymac
Guest
Was at the game. On the hill. Great game. Very physical but also great skill on display. Wonderful atmosphere- my daughter was inspired. Nothing but a good day out even if the turnstiles were slow going. Well played all round. Seems to be the only national team winning regularly...
punter
Guest
It's all in the Herald Sun.
Tommo
Guest
Paul If you are going to make statements we need evidence to support such claims.
pacman
Guest
Simoc, if you were watching ABC TV, there was female commentary as well. Former Matilda I think, but she was as one-eyed as, who was it, Brenton Speed? One of his great and regular inputs "...can't be off-side at a throw in..." Correct, but why harp on? Talking of harp, where is he these days?
valhalla
Guest
given your defense of indefensible comments about womens aflw earlier in the year, you are in no position to lecture people on respect ......
pacman
Guest
Nemesis, I am not going to indulge you any further. If you are unable to make meaningful contributions to discussions, why bother? This latest effort of your displays an astounding lack of comprehension of basic English language. You are simply over extending yourself. Learn to read and interpret simple English language sentences. Your call. You can rant and rave all you wish. You can make an absolute fool of yourself if you so desire. I say this, because I have decided I have far better things to do with my time than respond to your nonsensical communications. So that's it Nem, goodnight.
pacman
Guest
Win it or not Ken, the hosting of a Womens World Cup would be far more beneficial to us as a country, both culturally and economically, than an alternative, locally based, womens hybrid competition. Just make sure, if we are successful bidders, that not too much stress is placed on any Queensland involvement. It would great to see, but the Queensland Government is obsessed with NRL and SoO. So much so, that they wouldn't think twice of presenting a "cow paddock" for the players. It would pass "safety tests", so who cares what it looks like to tens or hundreds of millions of overseas TV viewers?
Nemesis
Guest
@pacman If you find my comments out of order, I find your comments about the women footballers out of order. Those 11 women who represented AUS yesterday are daughters, too. Their parents would be brimming with pride. Next time you want to sneer at the achievements of someone else's daughters, maybe, you'll realise how you feel when someone turns the tables & does the same to you.
Ken Spacey
Guest
So what more evidence do the powers that be need to really push for the Women's World Cup. Got the stadia, got the fans and got a fair quota of the girls who will be still under 30 by 2019. Let's hope the AFL CEO's call for action doesn't include more white-anting of another event very much in the national interest. We can host it, we can make it the best ever AND we can win it!!!
pacman
Guest
Nemesis, I expected better of you. Or did I? You have taken my comments completely out of context, similarly to Waz. I have acknowledged that there will always be a gap between male and female athletic performances. I simply would like to see the gap between male and female football players become narrower, say, similar to male & female golfers. That may be a far stretch, considering the football is usually moving when struck, as opposed to a stationary golf ball. As for my daughters, two of them were excellent swimmers, and far better than my two sons. My oldest daughter was very competitive, but couldn't quite make it. My second youngest daughter was a better swimmer, but didn't enjoy competition. Swam whilst she enjoyed it, but quit when asked to compete. Not quite right! Convinced by her classmates to swim at the school championships after not training for a year. Cruised in to second place - could have won if she wanted to - didn't want to. Not important. So your inferences about how I may have related with my children are out of order, and quite frankly, inexcusable! I have observed, over time, how you incur the wrath of fellow posters. I have kept an open mind. But really Nem, you need to stand up to attention, take a deep breath, and look yourself in the eyes in front of a clean mirror! Cheers to you too!
Waz
Guest
Given an infinite amount of time and money it would.
Waz
Guest
Pacman - I think you need the context of the original post, given that it's been deleted you get the idea of what was being said, otherwise you're taking my post out of context as well. From memory of what I responded to you as well I'm not sure you're not getting my comments confused with someone else's?
Nemesis
Guest
Come on pacman. It's a simple fact of anatomy & physiology that the best male athletes will be stronger & faster than the best female athletes for the same physical exercise. Check out the times for best swimmers, runners; best measurements for best jumpers, weightlifters, etc etc. So, it's pointless & quite mischievous to compare male physical achievements to women. Judge the women based on their own merits. You say you have 4 daughters & 2 sons. Did you sneer at your daughters for not being as strong, or as fast, as your sons? Or, did you encourage your daughters & were you proud of their achievements, even though they're sporting achievements were never as good as the best males in their age group? The Women's National Team has now tested itself against the world's best in their field. And, they're getting results. That's the only measurement for how good someone is at sport. Undefeated in past 7 games (6 wins), all against top-15 FIFA-ranked teams NED 3-2 CHN 2-1 DEN 1-1 USA 1-0 JPN 4-2 BRA 6-1 BRA 2-1
pacman
Guest
Oh, and as a post script Waz, the "gap" will never disappear. Don't expect it to, I simply want the gap to be smaller.
pacman
Guest
Sorry Waz, didn't see that post, and it would appear it has disappeared. The only offensive post I have seen on this thread was your ill considered response to my comments, which you obviously took out of context. We can leave it at that if you wish. If not, your call. Cheers.
Waz
Guest
pacman - the original post (not yours) was actually quite offensive so hopefully it's been taken down to be honest. As I said in my reply to your original post I don't think there is anything wrong with critiquing performance or even contrasting that with their male counterparts; but, but, there is something wrong in drawing the wrong conclusion as to why there is a difference. Put the same amount of money, time, coaches, competition, etc into the women's game and the gap will disappear ...
Sydneysider
Guest
Yep, agreed Middy.
pacman
Guest
Waz, I am replying here to your response regarding my comments on the Matildas' standard of play. For some reason, only the first 30 posts are on display. Strange. eh? Now, now, Waz, it is inappropriate for you to lecture me for commenting on the wider gulf between the Matildas and the Socceroos, compared with the much narrower gap between golfers and tennis players of both sexes. Hopefully your post was an ill considered one made in haste. Female golfers and tennis players strike the ball with intent, compared with the loose ankle attempts by the two ladies teams we observed at Penrith. For your information, I am in my 50th year of marriage, have four lovely daughters, none of whom have played football. I also have two sons, one of whom finished second to Mark Battistin in the XXXX League golden boot many years ago. A few years after this, I was recruited half way through the season to take over coaching the local BWPL reserve grade, and managed to get them to the final four despite being in a state of turmoil when I took over, and at that time outside the top four. Hopefully you will give me some credit for my opinions in view of my involvement in the game. Your call if you don't, I am frankly being honest. The standard of play was disappointing. Not expecting them to be at the same level as the Socceroos, simply a little closer.
Simoc
Guest
Paul. Utter crap you write. Kerrs brother Daniel was an AFL star so even to a lightweight like yourself, it is an obvious question. The rest of your obsession is mindless. I only watched the second half and Brazil looked to be creating as many chances as Australia. Great skills on display and an excellent crowd. It's a pity the commentator feels the need to barrack for Australia. Maybe TV coverage needs a female commentator.
Midfielder
Guest
RK Offsiders was interesting today, Richard hinds said a CEO of an AFL club said women's soccer is killing us we need to react urgently... Also loved the fact the Great Waste of Space final drew a smaller crowd than a girls soccer friendly ... As an aside it also drew a bigger crowd the the union test and out rated the union test on FTA ... like like like like thats almost unbelievable...