It’s been a tumultuous year for the Matildas, with the scars of Alen Stajcic’s controversial sacking only just starting to heal.
But our women’s football team has the chance to put that all behind them with a strong showing at the World Cup – which begins this week.
That said, their form approaching the tournament has been iffy – what can we really expect from them on the big stage?
We got Roar football expert Mike Tuckerman on our Game of Codes podcast to run over the Matildas chances. What’s the pass mark? How far will they go?
Listen to the debate:
Australia are currently ranked sixth in the world on the official FIFA Women’s rankings, slightly down from their all-time high of No.4 in 2017.
While they’ve easily been Australia’s most successful international football side, it’s been a rough streak of falling just short for success for our girls of late.
The Matildas have reached the quarter-finals in each of the last three Women’s World Cups – as well as the 2016 Olympics – but no further.
More recently, they finished runners-up in the 2018 Women’s Asian Cup – their second straight grand-final loss.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I'm looking forward to the day China, with its population of 1.5 billion, defeats Nauru, with its population of 15,000. That will be a momentous occasion for Chinese sport.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It's all about the quality, not quantity.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Football has 211 countries competing Rugby has 76 countries competing Cricket has 12 countries AFL has 1 country
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
There was a point?
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Missing the point. England have competition. Despite the claims of an AFL WC, no one else plays the game at any sort of level
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Better to be Kings of your own game than not. Just ask England. They've sucked at cricket, football, and rugby for a majority of their existence.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Kings of your own game. So impressive.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Actually, the AFL World Cup (known as the Australian Football International Cup) has many countries competing for this prestigious trophy. Of course, Australia is not allowed to enter because we’re too awesome.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
You realise they aren't playing for the AFL World Cup, where only one country enters?
Fadida
Roar Rookie
The cricket WC has about 4-5 serious contenders at best. Pointing out the difficulty the Matildas will have isn't being negative, just realistic
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Champions. Nothing less.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
There are more strong teams than ever , the round of sixteen is the only certainty. On the flipside the Matildas have more chance of beating the top teams than in the past. If you look at the Asia cup they went to penalties against Thailand, so they can lose to most of the teams there as well.
anon
Roar Pro
Let's back ourselves to win it all like our men's cricketers. No need for negativity.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Overall it would be justification for some fine performances in this past four-year world cup cycle to at least play in the semi final game but it should be a little tougher this time round. Agree with others defence is a bit of a concern right now plus who to play if KK misses one or two games with a calf injury. A pass to equal previous performances. There is some work to do to play form players in effective positions while not leaving the defensive line exposed.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Quarters would be a very good achievement based on the defensive deficiencies I have seen; a lack of athleticism right across the back, slow defensive transition.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Last eight, we're on par with our ranking, that's a pass. Anything less would be a failure. If we go beyond the eight to the semi-finals we will have tasted success, don't doubt it. And the Matildas will have captivated us all, and a few more to boot.
Torchbearer
Guest
Quarter finals- it would equal our best result and is where we are ranked ...so that's a PASS. A bit like Barty making the final 8 in the French Open, ranked 8/ made the top 8. PASS. Anything more is a credit or distinction.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Add in “it’s a game of two halves” and you can change your name to Mr. Cliché
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Let's focus on getting out of the group. There are no easy games. Thereafter, it's one game at a time.
Nemesis
Guest
Let's get past the opening game before worrying about what's a pass mark for a tournament. A win in the opening match is the pass mark for me right now. If anyone is focused beyond that we're naive about tournament football and we don't understand the quality of the other teams we are playing. There are people who were surprised by the result against the Dutch. I wasn't. The Dutch are Champions of Europe. Australia struggled in the Asian Cup. In fact, the past Asian Cup was probably the weakest Women's Asian tournament in recent episodes. Europe has gone past Asia, but many casual sports fans in Australia don't seem to be paying attention.