It’s hard to remember the last time there was so much expectation around an Aussie team, with the Women’s World Cup set to lift football out of the doldrums.
We’re about to find out if Ante Milicic is a miracle worker.
The former Socceroo has long been regarded as an astute tactician but this is his first test as the head coach of a full international team.
And even if Milicic can produce a better World Cup result than the Matildas’ run to the quarter-finals in Canada four years ago, it’s not like he’s solely responsible.
This is a team with Alen Stajcic’s input all over it, and even then it’s up to the players on the pitch to actually carry out the plans.
How will the Matildas fare? (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
To that end it will be interesting to see how the Matildas perform under pressure in France, particularly against sides they’re expected to beat.
Players like Sam Kerr and Chloe Logarzo have enjoyed increasingly high profiles in recent years, but now it’s time to actually shine under the spotlight.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
A World Cup by its very nature should test players on the biggest stage, and this sort of sink or swim environment tends to separate the best from the rest.
Outstanding players should be professional enough to rise to the occasion.
Speaking of professionalism, it was interesting to see the Professional Footballers Australia association launch a bid for prize money equity on the eve of the tournament.
There’s no doubt that the women’s game deserves a far greater share of football’s riches. But how much? And how should it be calculated?
And if professionalism is now an issue in the women’s game – and when fans buy tickets to watch players earning money from the game, it should be – how do we square it with a couple of prickly issues still hanging over this Matildas squad?
Such as the PFA’s role in Stajcic’s dismissal?
And the rumours that it was Stajcic himself who was trying to create a more professional environment – an adjustment some players and their supporters are alleged to have found difficult to deal with?
Bonita Mersiades was bang on when she wrote for Football Today that three things should happen in the wake of Stajcic’s dismissal and the formal apology offered by Football Federation Australia board member Heather Reid last week.
Firstly, Reid’s position is now untenable.
Secondly, if the FFA’s new board is worried about being branded incompetent, they’ve now had more than 200 days to try and fix their image.
Thirdly – and most importantly – how about revealing who’s actually heading to France to attend the World Cup on football’s coin?
Because the lack of transparency has cast a pall over the Matildas right when they should be preparing for the biggest tournament of their lives.
Here’s hoping they can put all the off-field nonsense behind them and live up to their undoubted potential.
They’re talented enough to make a run to the semis, but can they hold their nerve?
That’s something Murray Shaw spent the better part of 14 years doing as the executive producer and all-round Mr Fix It at the helm of Fox Sports’ football coverage.
It’s not for nothing he’s known as one of the best in the business, but he also happens to be one of the nicest blokes around.
Shaw was let go by Fox Sports this week and I’m sure he won’t be the only big name to depart.
Ray Gatt at least went out on his own terms after almost 50 years on the beat as a dedicated sports reporter, most of which was spent writing about football.
He was one journo who inspired me to start rattling away at the keyboard and it would be remiss of me not to wish both Shaw and Gatt well going forward.
And the same goes for the Matildas, who kick off their World Cup campaign against Italy in Valenciennes at 9pm on Sunday night.
They’ve got a nation behind them. No pressure then.
Stin
Roar Rookie
So - my reticence was well founded. The girls are good but why play a high line like that? Coach is to blame. Still not out of it though I guess so fingers xd.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
You have no clue if you think Gorry is purely technical, she is the opposite more of a hack. she has got the biggest engine in the Matildas decent athlete and is not afraid to put herself about. Milicic biggest mistake is not to play her. Being an athlete doesn;t mean speed, also endurance and Ronaldo is a poor performer there, one of the worst at the world cup along with Messi. Mbappe is more a speed athlete not as technically good as those others, Mbappe would burn off every AFL, NRL and rugby player in this country with his speed.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
https://sports.theonion.com/u-s-women-s-soccer-team-handing-out-flyers-to-advertis-1835333319
oldpsyco
Guest
You mean the Socceroos THIRD eleven! Still badly in need of a decent National Coach! This just devalues the Shirt!
oldpsyco
Guest
The Matildas can help us forget all of football's nonsense. That is Exactly what Gallop and his co-horts want! Anything to take our minds of the Stajcic affair! Don't let them off, Keep it on all the forum's, Heather Reid MUST go and Gallop should be carrying her bags!
jupiter53
Roar Pro
The whole story is much more interesting than Dr [?] Rick's comments would have it. The South Americans are in the doldrums because although there is a great football tradition there, women's place in society has not included playing football. Witness the struggles of the Brazilian team to be taken seriously, and the Argentinean team to play at all. There is not yet a big pathway out of poverty for women playing football, so that driver is not yet there for African women. Everywhere plays men's football to some degree of seriousness, but in countries where women are oppressed, it is hard for them to play, and where they are most oppressed, women don't get to play at all - there is a Saudi men's team but no women's team. So there are many more limits on the number of competitive teams than in the men's game. Nonetheless I expect this to be the most tightly contested Women's World Cup so far. The idea that the USA and Australia are the only teams "holding the cup" is farcical and the comment of someone with not even a superficial understanding of the game. The bookies have France and USA as equal favourites, then Germany, England, Netherlands and Japan. Australia is grouped at 18/1 with Brazil, Sweden and Spain. I think the Matildas are a reasonable bet at those odds.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Football in the doldrums???? Another dozy of a comment by Mr Rick.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
More negative comments. No wonder football is in the doldrums.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Come on, I deflected one brilliantly to fine leg earlier today. Anyone who knows cricket will tell you that’s at least 1 run, if not, an easy 4.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Truly, truly stupid set of comments. I would question the standards of the institution that awarded your doctorate.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Bad news; let's hope that Kennedy and Polkinghorne stay fit and in form. Putting Catley in the centre weakens the centre, and the left. I thought Liz Ralston should have been in the squad from the start.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Bowl em, Rick out for a duck, quack quack,quack.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
been watching for a while - come on Nemesis, you didn't follow the women's game until Victory recruited Emily Gielnik from Roar and started to win a few games. Be honest.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
There is little credence in those dodgy FIFA world rankings. True Believers understand this.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Its in every article, and furthermore in every article about Patty Mills it used to be mentioned he only made the AIS squad as a replacement for someone the AFL recruited. Then they try to imply a certain player would have played for Man U because he trialed for them as a youth. You can play 10 sports as a youth but the Australian media only takes notice of AFL, and mentions it every single time if you become famous.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Ranked 6 in the world and we should "smash" everyone but the USA? So, so ignorant. But again what can we expect. In your sports world you haven't got 6 countries, let alone having Australia ranked 6
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Cornered? Unless you are the size of Jabba the Hutt, I'm not sure how you have cornered me.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Look, I understand your disappointment with the Bulgarian women's national football team not making the cut, but you have to get over it. It's tough for new immigrants like you. However, can you please stop dragging our national team down to your level. Our girls are amazing.
Onside
Guest
......plus there is the South Korea v Australia friendly on tonight at 8.30 . It'll be interesting to see how we go.
Nemesis
Guest
"The reality is simple: The Matildas should smash most teams. The USA is our only concern." That's not reality. It's pure ignorance. Ignorance about football. Ignorance about tournament football. Ignorance about the other national teams - how many of the other 23 nations have you watched even once?