After a rollercoaster of a group stage, the Matildas have progressed to the knockout stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup following a Sam Kerr-led demolition of Jamaica.
Four goals from the marquee woman saw the Aussies take down the Caribbean country 4-1 and set up a date with Norway on Sunday morning.
But it was far from sunshine and roses in the rest of Australia’s group stage. Horrid defending and blunders aplenty had the critics out in force after a shock 2-1 loss to Italy in their first match.
While the Matildas recovered to knock off Brazil in their next game, exuberant post-match comments from Kerr drew the ire of some analysts.
So where are our girls really at?
Roar football expert Mike Tuckerman jumped on the Game of Codes podcast to discuss the group stage and preview what the knockout stage might have in store for the Matildas.
Listen to the discussion:
After a tumultuous lead-up to the tournament that had the side in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, two straight wins should keep the wolves at bay for now – but can the Matildas keep that form up?
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.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Notifying all that we are playing out from the back, with midfielders not offering good position for the pass, hasn’t helped here and we turn the ball over too easily with decent press. It doesn’t help adding to this that passing accuracy through midfield seems lower than expected. I also think we are falling in to the old trap of just lumping the ball in to a players head as the only tactic. We are too patient (or slow) in attack at times and don’t counter quickly recently - defence has too much time to reset. Still we can harass their defence and can offer different attacking options when we do combos - Carpenter and Raso/Gielnik have worked well but mainly Caprenter’s runs here but she does leave a hole sometimes. 4-5-1 (Jamaica) or 4-3-3 (Brazil) can be similar with Kerr as striker but I expect Norway are better defensively so combos through defence will help.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Without a dedicated CB it’s likely Catley and KK will go back to those positions with EvE as DM. EvE looks low on confidence and making some rash passing decisions which she isn’t the only one btw. Hoping Logarzo is right after getting a knee up the tailbone. I think a similar lineup to Brazil but Raso for Gielnik with Yallop and Logarzo either side of EvE, while Foord starts after resting. If Logarzo is out that would mean Gorry comes in as neither Raso or Gielnik would be suited that far back. Id love to see Fowler start and see what she can do at 16 in a World Cup knockout game. Sadly I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t get on to the field at all this tournament.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
I was glad to hear Milicic in his post match interview focussing on how much the Matildas need to be better against Norway. There are things that are worrying: The hole at centre back - Catley is a fine player but I think she has struggled in the centre with her positioning and her physicality [e.g. Christiane getting in front of Catley for Brazil's second goal]. Unfortunately with Alleway and Polks injured and Ralston at home it's hard to see an alternative [Roestbakken still too inexperienced I would think] Defensive midfield - Emily van Egmond is not a good defensive midfielder. KK is better but is she fit enough? Is she needed at left back? Attacking penetration - too many hurried and inaccurate passing choices; and paradoxically, too many slow and overthought passing choices. There are very few signs of being able to penetrate through the middle leaving the attack predictable and dependent on converting from crosses. And then, there are so many poorly directed crosses. Do we need to look at Mary Foster [if fit] with her excellent close control to give more chance of central penetration? Players who are not in form - I will love her to prove me wrong as I admire her tremendously, but against Jamaica Lisa de Vanna was unable to trouble her fullback when playing on the left wing. I also don't think Lydia Williams is yet playing as well as we know she can. Fortunately there are also things that are encouraging: Kennedy's displays in defence. Carpenter and Raso attacking down the right. [Although one of Milicic's missions must be to manage more effective cover in transition on our right] Sam Kerr. There are others who are as powerful in the air, but her direction of the ball makes her the best header in the women's game. And of course she frightens defenders; the penalty against Italy came because Gama thought it necessary to foul her when a cross came in, and Monica's own goal was also likely to have been be due to concern about Sam. We have to hope that the rest of our attacking play starts to use the spaces made by defenders focussing on Sam. And most of all, the determination within the team that drove them to come back against Brazil, with Logarzo in particular the embodiment of that.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
They have a dilemma at the back. Van Egmond is a liability at DM, has been every game but with Polks injured, and KK (the normal DM) still recovering, Ante has limited options. Let's hope KK is fit and can play at her best first up. I'd much rather Raso start too, she creates chances every time she come on. Up front, Lisa De Vana is a legend and will give everything every time she's on the field, but I don't think she's a starting player any more, at this level. There are a few options, not least Mary Fowler if she's fit.
Torchbearer
Guest
New day, new start. It is knock out time now, and the Norway match will tell us all we need to know.