After decades of work, the Matildas are ready

Just ten days remain until the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Australia has been grouped with Italy, Brazil and Jamaica. The Italians sit 15th in current world rankings. Brazil are 10th and Jamaica 53rd.

Ante Milicic’s Matildas are sixth and know that navigating the group stage is an expectation rather than a hope.

Round of 16 and quarter-final action against the heavy hitters of women’s football; USA, Germany, England, France and Canada, appears likely and never before has Australia been more equipped or prepared to go so deep in World Cup competition.

It has been a long journey for the Matilda’s, with their origins lying in the founding of the Australian Women’s Soccer Association (AWSA) in 1974.

Participation in the Asian Women’s Championships would follow a year later yet it was not until 1979 that Australia hosted its first international women’s match.

The Female Socceroos, as they were known at the time, faced New Zealand at Seymour Shaw Park in Miranda, Sydney.

There was to be no instant success or, quite frankly, much interest at all. The women’s team was to fly well and truly under the Australian football radar for decades.

Along the way, the steps were small yet significant. In 1995, the team was officially given their Matilda moniker and the squad qualified for their first World Cup in Sweden.

The Australian defence was breached 13 times in its three group matches and an inglorious exit followed. Similar disappoints would continue on the biggest stage.

A 1-1 draw with Ghana in another first round exit in 1999, stood as the Matilda’s most significant international achievement as they entered the 2003 tournament.

Another single point resulted, this time against China and Australia continued its role of merely making up the numbers in World Cup group play.

2006 saw Australia move into the Asian Confederation and after losing to the Chinese in the final of their first Asian Cup appearance on home soil, the team began to build momentum.

The 2007 World Cup saw Australia’s women progress beyond the group stage for the first time and the performance has been replicated in both 2011 and 2015; with the latter providing the nations’ first ever victory outside the group stage, a 1-0 win against Brazil.

Alen Stajcic was placed at the managerial helm in 2014 and the 2015 World Cup performance reflected a new era.

Alen Stajcic Head Coach of Australia (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The 2010 Asian Cup victory had hinted at potential success and when the Matildas moved into the top ten and climbed to an official world ranking of #4 in December 2017, years of struggle were finally put to bed.

The pioneers of the Australian women’s game should never be forgotten and are celebrated in the recent publication; Encyclopaedia of Matildas, compiled by Andrew Howe and Greg Werner.

It is a stunning, glossy and well researched book that provides an all-encompassing view of the long and proud history of the team, as well as the magnificent women who pioneered it in Australia.

As things currently stand, Australia heads to France with a chance to add some further history to the narrative. It is a powerful squad, blessed with experience, youth and talent; capable of ruffling the feathers of the best teams in the world.

A final warm up match with the Netherlands on June 1 will complete the squad’s preparations.

The Matildas made their intentions clear in 2018 with victories over Japan, Brazil and Chile. Draws with the USA and England strengthened their reputation and put the world on notice. 2019 brought a Cup of Nations victory on home soil with dominant wins against South Korea, Argentina and New Zealand.

Caitlin Foord of the Matildas celebrates after scoring. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

The Americans always provide the sternest test in women’s football and a 5-3 loss to them in a recent friendly reminded Milicic and his squad just how enormous the challenge before them actually is.

The World will be noting Sam Kerr; knowing full well that it may be watching the best female player on the planet. Lisa De Vanna will be attempting to add to her 147 Matilda caps and 47 goals.

Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and Ellie Carpenter will lead the defensive unit and young star Mary Fowler, at 16 years of age, will be playing in what should be her first of many World Cups.

The fairy tale comeback of Hayley Raso should never be undersold and Caitlin Foord looms as the potential game breaker, should Kerr be as closely marked as she has been in recent times.

The women’s game has come so far and France 2019 presents a wonderful opportunity for the Matildas to write another chapter.

From origins of inequality, stereotype and disinterest, the Matilda’s will now inspire a fervent Australian involvement in this campaign.

Perhaps in four years’ time we might even be able to drop the word ‘women’s’ from the name of the event and just call it the World Cup?