The Matildas will have the distinction of kicking off the 2021 Olympics for Australia when they take on arch rivals New Zealand on Wednesday night.
It will be the latest chapter in what has been a storied rivalry between the 2023 World Cup co-hosts. Channel Seven will show the game live at 9:30pm (AEST).
The Matildas’ first ever female coach Trixie Tagg admits she is looking forward to watching the Matildas and the Olympics as a whole.
“I hope it will lift our spirits, it should be a fantastic few weeks of football,” said Tagg, who this year celebrates 40 years since she took Australia on a tour of New Zealand.
“I love watching all the sports the Aussies are participating in, I may even get excited about golf and tennis!”
With COVID lockdowns and restrictions sweeping the nation, seeing one of our favourite sporting teams in action will do wonders for the mood of the country.
While many have questioned whether the Olympics should have gone ahead considering the large number of COVID cases in Tokyo, the reality is it will provide a welcome distraction to billions around the world as the pandemic impacts the world.
Wednesday night provides a golden opportunity for women’s football to take the spotlight even if for one night.
(Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
“It’s great our Matildas get a chance to be seen by the whole nation, hopefully they get some due recognition,” said Tagg.
“We have come so far in the last 40 years and I’m excited about women’s football getting so much support.”
While preparations for Tony Gustavsson’s team have not been ideal, the Matildas are slowly finding their feet and a strong Olympic campaign will give the team confidence as they begin planning for the 2023 World Cup.
New Zealand have been Australia’s greatest rival in women’s football, dating back to the 1975 Women’s Asian Cup semi-final when the Football Ferns won 3-2. Isobel Richardson scored a double that day as the New Zealanders progressed to the final where they beat Thailand to claim the first Women’s Asian Cup.
Tagg actually scored one of Australia’s goals in that semi-final, and admits beating New Zealand on Wednesday night would be sweet.
“I still love beating the Kiwis in any sport when they play the Aussies,” she said with a laugh. “It should be a great contest on Wednesday night.”
Four years after that Asian Cup encounter, New Zealand had the honour of being Australia’s first official international opponent. The 1975 Australian team have never been officially recognised by Australian footballing authorities.
In the three-match series in 1979, the teams drew 2-2 at Seymour Shaw Park in the opener on 6 October, while the Football Ferns won 1-0 a few days later at the same venue, with the third game being a 1-0 result to Australia at Perry Park in Brisbane.
Sandra Brentnall scored the Matildas’ first official goal in the 2-2 draw. Sharon Loveless scored Australia’s first ever winner in the win.
Australia have dominated the head-to-head between the two countries, winning 30 of the 47 clashes between them with eight draws.
The last time they played each other was in 2019 at the Cup of Nations, with the Matildas winning 2-0 in Sydney.
Tagg hopes the dominance continues on Wednesday.
“Beating them on Wednesday could be the catalyst for a special run in Tokyo, it’s going to be tough but let’s see what happens.”
The Matildas take on Sweden in their second game on Saturday 24 July at 6:30pm, then the USA on Tuesday 27 July at 6pm.
Bongo
Guest
Remember Matildas What the Great Socceroo Robbie Slater once said " The difference between greatness and desolation is a matter of a millimetre!" It is the difference between a ball going in off the post and a ball rebounding - it is that difference in holding back on a tackle for a second or not- Determination and tenacity counts for much more than psychology! Carve your destiny in granite forevermore! GO STRAYA!!! We love you each and every one of you Matildas!!
Republican
Guest
Watch NZ cause another boil over v us. It happens ad nauseam across any sport you care to mention and while not wishing to take anything away from the Kiwis, a large part of it is Australia's intrenched hubris v NZ's sporting prowess.
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
Olyroos will play on 7Mate
Brian
Guest
The Olyroos will do well to get a win. Spain have the best squad in the tournament, whih would frankly easily account for the Socceroos and would be my favourites for the Gold. Argentina are well Argentina. Egypt are probably the only realistic victory perhaps. Playing against Argentina first up I just hope they don't get thrashed. The Matildas have every opportunity to get past Sweden and sneak into the Quarters although getting beyond that will be difficult. The main thing is that both show progress. The Matildas towards hosting in 2023 and the Olyroos in general. We are kidding ourselves if we think the current Socceroos generation could get through a group stage at a World Cup so I want the next generation rebuild to start ASAP.
Brian
Guest
Nice are they also showing the Olyroos v Argentina in prime time on Thursday night?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The coach is a joke, New Zealand would have had no chance against the top level Matildas from a few years back. Now they have a chance. If you look at the top level in England womens league you have three teams at the top scoring about 60 goals a game and conceeding about 1 goal every two games 10-15. If you look at Van Egmonds team they are in the bottom range apart from the wooden spooners conceeding 40 or about 2 goals per game and scoring only about 1 goal per games or 20. The bottom team concedes 70 goals about 3 and half . Look at the nWSL its so much more competive no team scores more than about 1.5 per games or concedes more than 1.5 per game. The better W-league teams are better than the bottom bracket teams in England because players from the NWSL can play in the W-league season in the off season. This is not the mens the team its full of bottom of the barrel players from Europe .
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Thanks for the article ... would not have known.... not showing on Sevens program guide ... a mistake I guess ... Good to see us against NZ ... will be a tough game but the easiest game me thinks we have
Micko
Roar Rookie
The problem is these microscopic things evolve rapidly. So what are people being "vaccinated" against? :shocked:
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Ancient rival. That's a funny headline.
Max power
Guest
Ancient ?
NoMates
Roar Rookie
2-0 NZ, Australia haven't won a game in ages and the Kiwis are ready to ponce on the has-beens.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Interesting to see how Gustavsson starts this game given the harder games ahead. Will want to start strong and have a confidence-boosting first win. Has he settled on a starting 11 yet? I'm not sure some players are comfortable in less favoured positions but no matter, bring on Wednesday night! A little less 'going for the jugular' right now so here's my attempt at smacking the Kiwis in the first game: A 4-2-3-1 with marauding wingbacks Williams Carpenter Kennedy Polkinghorn Catley Cooney-Cross Logarzo Raso van Egmond Foord Kerr
Waz
Roar Rookie
Holland did the same a few months back with even more people vaccinated than England …. and had a 500% increase week on week after restrictions ended. Hard to see anything but similar in England from tomorrow.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Apparently it's spread like wildfire in England since the Euros
Grem
Roar Rookie
Agree, it will be interesting to see what happens in England from Monday. It may give us an idea of how our A League will fare next season and whether The Matildas and Socceroos can start playing at home.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
it'll be a new normal for a while at least Grem, and not until we catch up with vaccinations
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
NZ always play above themselves against Australia. It's the first words a baby kiwi speaks, 'beat Ausy'. All good for them. We've got a good squad, recent results aside, but have a tough group. Good luck to our girls, we can do this. Already hearing plans of people in Europe to head our way in 2023, we're paving the path to our future here girls. Make it solid.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Hopefully they’ve sorted themselves out after a period of adjustment. We seem to have fallen well off the pace compared to other world powers.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to watching Aussies playing football again. No game is ever a 'given and this starting game falls into that category. Hopefully a good win and confidence to carry on. I can now sit back and watch The Matildas and Olyroos on 7 before enjoying the FFA cup on 10 / Paramount along with The Socceroos in September. Hopefully this Covid19 can be quashed so business, lives and football can return to normal.