The Matildas take on Great Britain for a spot in the Olympic semi-finals tonight from 7pm AEST at Kashima Stadium.
Australia finished third in Group G while Great Britain – made up of English, Scottish, and Welsh players – topped Group E. It’s the first time Australia has played against Team GB or any of its member nations in a major tournament.
The Matildas enter this game after a mixed bag of results. A 2-1 win over New Zealand set up the path to progression and was followed by a 4-2 loss to Sweden.
A scoreless draw with the reigning World Cup champion US Women’s National Team ensured both sides qualified for the knockout stages.
Sam Kerr has been influential, playing a hand in all four of Australia’s goals (three goals, one assist).
Team GB hasn’t lit up Tokyo 2020 but it’s gotten the job done. A 2-0 win over Chile and a 1-0 victory against host nation Japan set up an important final game against Canada.
The 1-1 draw with Canada only came after Caroline Weir’s shot was deflected in off Nichelle Prince. Ellen White has top-scored with three.
Team GB only exists once every four years. Therefore it relies on the squad being almost exclusively made up of English players from Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea. These pockets of cohesion make up for the lack of time spent together as Great Britain in some way.
Much like the USA game, the Matildas will be very familiar with their opponents with eight of the 22 players spending last season in the FA WSL with or against these British players.
Great Britain has only conceded one goal so far in Tokyo, while the Matildas have created plenty of chances without being as clinical as they could be. Which of these forces reigns supreme will decide the winner.
Awaiting them is the victor of Sweden v Japan and a 75% chance of taking home a medal.
Kick-off: 7pm (AEST)
Venue: Kashima Stadium
TV: Channel Seven
Online: 7plus
Matildas
1. Lydia Williams, 2. Sam Kerr, 3. Kyra Cooney-Cross, 4. Clare Polkinghorne, 5. Aivi Luik, 6, Chloe Logarzo, 7. Steph Catley, 8. Elise Kellond-Knight, 9. Caitlin Foord, 10. Emily van Egmond, 11. Mary Fowler, 12. Ellie Carpenter, 13. Tameka Yallop, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Emily Gielnik, 16, Hayley Raso, 17. Kyah Simon, 18. Teagan Micah, 19. Courtney Nevin, 20. Charlotte Grant, 21. Laura Brock, 22. Mackenzie Arnold
Great Britain
1. Ellie Roebuck 2. Lucy Bronze 3. Demi Stokes 4. Keira Walsh 5. Steph Houghton 6. Sophie Ingle 7. Nikita Parris 8. Kim Little 9. Ellen White 10. Fran Kirby 11. Caroline Weir 12. Rachel Daly 13. Carly Telford 14. Millie Bright 15. Lauren Hemp 16. Leah Williamson 17. Georgia Stanway 18. Jill Scott 19. Niamh Charles 20. Ella Toone 21. Lotte Wubben-Moy 22. Sandy MacIver
Clear as mud
Guest
Yes clear player of the match for mine. Reminded me of Southall in the 95 cup final. No higher praise
Ado Potato
Roar Rookie
The best form of defence is defence.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
It looked to me like GBR had the more tired legs, which further emphasises your point. At times I counted six defending in the line. Sure, it leaves less space to play the ball through, but like you said, it becomes so much easier for the opposition to play the ball up because there aren't enough midfielders left to press. A cross into the box becomes easy because a) there's no pressure; and b) you can launch it from much closer.
Tony Harper
Editor
Yep MONDAY NIGHT 9pm
Tony Harper
Editor
Thanks to Marissa and you guys for helping each other through that! I've tried to write a reaction piece to capture it, but how to sum all that up? https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/30/that-was-for-you-australia-semis-baby-perfect-display-of-why-we-love-the-matildas/
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Great result, edge of the chair stuff... Also I am told massive ratings this team has, I guess why they are on the main channel... seem to have the entire country behind them... For those that don't like Speedie as a commentator ... to me his constant chat about player history is actually good for newbies ...
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. They cannot score without the ball! :football:
Nick Symonds
Guest
The best form of defence is attack!
Loosey
Roar Rookie
The Matildas could have done with some composure toward the end. They stacked the defence and invited GB onto them instead of keeping possession and playing out into GBs half of the pitch. Allowed them to fire cross after cross into the box it was inevitable GB would score. Granted tired legs, but that’s no way to hang on to a lead. Otherwise a great win. Sweden will be a real test.
Ado Potato
Roar Rookie
I don't know that the AFL-W's short season can be described as career certainty. There is greater length of season, history and stability in the W League (15 years now?). The only "traditional" male support offering finances and pathways is cricket, IMHO. I agree with your sentiments, though, and the quotes from Sam and Steph. There are many more sports pathways for girls now, which is brilliant, but possibly a threat to the Matilda's dominance (if top 8 in the world can be described as dominance).
Ado Potato
Roar Rookie
It's one thing to beat the Poms. It's another to beat England, Scotland and Wales. A Matilda highlight. PS, have the Olyroos ever played GB in football?
Nick Symonds
Guest
Other codes: "I think it's one of those things that I was born into. My dad played, my brother played, all my family played and where I'm from in Perth is AFL through and through. Football, soccer, any other sport is second to AFL. I don't even know how to explain it, I can't imagine my life without it because even still now I get up and watch the games here, I still know all the players in the league. In America, people are diehard NFL fans. I'm a diehard AFL fan...but when I played it, there were no girls leagues. So I only played with boys." - Sam Kerr - Caitlin Foord revealed to The Women's Game last year that she still doesn't particularly enjoy watching football but adores NRL, and would have likely played league instead had the NRLW existed. Jenna McCormick and Ellie Brush were so close to being similar stories and only left their AFLW careers when the lure of the Matildas, Olympic and World Cup glory became too great. Who knows how many football stars the Matildas and W-League are losing right now to the superior wages - and given the game's current financial struggles, career certainty - that AFLW provides. - https://thewomensgame.com/news/sam-kerr-i-cant-imagine-my-life-without-afl-553748
Ado Potato
Roar Rookie
How great was that win. I'm still drawing breath. That strike from Mary Fowler gets better each time I watch the reply. That first touch, dropping the ball at her feet, allowed the shot.
Pete
Guest
August 2nd?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Statue !
me too
Roar Rookie
Great win. Goalie was fantastic and Sammy was what Sammy is - a champion. Loved Fowler's ecstasy at that goal. Well done girls. Two to go.
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
SEMI FINAL UPDATE: OUR OPPONENT IS CONFIRMED AND IT'S A REPLAY OF THE GROUP STAGE. Australia will take on Sweden after they defeated Japan 3-1. The game is set for July 2nd.
1974Matty
Roar Rookie
what a great night for football in Australia, up there with oz v japan in the 2006 WC and the qualifier v uruguay :)
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
GB were brilliant, just didn't convert their dominance in first 40min
NoMates
Roar Rookie
BRING ON GOLD!