Critics say it’s just a cynical money-grab at the end of a long tournament but for those involved there is plenty at stake The third-place play-off is one of the more divisive concepts in world football. What’s the point? Many fans and commentators have asked the same question over the years. The men’s European championship dropped the bronze medal clash in 1980, while the women’s European championship followed suit from the 1995 edition onwards. More recently, the third-place match has dropped off the schedule at the latest editions of the women’s and men’s Asian Cup.But at every men’s World Cup since the second edition in 1934, and at every women’s World Cup, the losers of the semi-finals meet ahead of...
The Matildas have played their part in raising the profile of football but for everyone else the hard work starts nowNot the end, but the beginning. That was the dominant theme from the weary Matildas as they reflected on a remarkable run to the World Cup semi-finals and sought to put into words what this tournament has meant to a captivated nation. The reflections were tinged with sadness, of course, after a heartbreaking loss. “It sucks,” midfield veteran Katrina Gorry said. But above all there was hope for a better future for the game in Australia.“It’s been incredible,” vice-captain Steph Catley said. “Gamechanging for women’s sport, women’s football, women in general. It’s been very special.” Alex Chidiac, among the next...
Sarina Wiegman’s new system suits both players and they could help decide the World Cup final against SpainIn the 86th minute in Sydney, with the game finely balanced, Lauren Hemp galloped up the pitch. Shrugging off a defender, a trademark burst of pace enabled her to maraud from one half to the other before producing the deftest of no-look passes to send Alessia Russo through to score. In 10 seconds flat, the player of the match had changed the course of the game, with her strike partner putting it beyond the reach of a heartbroken Australia.It was a goal that lifted the lid on the pressure cooker inside Stadium Australia. Hemp herself had restored England’s lead with dogged determination after...
In the culmination of the best month of football the country has ever seen, the Matildas’ biggest star blazed a trail into historySam Kerr’s hands were on her knees. At the other end of the pitch she had just witnessed Alessia Russo score England’s third goal to end Australia’s dream of winning the Women’s World Cup. The feeling of responsibility was obvious. Just 72 seconds earlier, she had missed a chance from close range that would have levelled the match.For Kerr, it looked like torture. The worst thing that could happen to a striker, a captain, the leader of a footballing nation. The kind of pain that never leaves. The story written entirely the wrong way. Continue reading...
The trio have appeared at three previous World Cups together and ‘know each other’s game inside out’. Now at their fourth they are preparing for a semi-final Not long after the Matildas’ historic victory over France on Saturday night, after she had helped take Australian sport to a place it had never been, Sam Kerr went back to her roots. To her 1.4 million Instagram followers, the Western Knights junior posted a photo in quadruplicate. It depicted herself arm-in-arm with teammates Caitlin Foord and Emily van Egmond at each of the previous four World Cups.This trio, shining treasures of the Matildas’ golden generation, have been rightly recognised as the fuel for Australia’s attack. The whole squad is tight, but the...