The Matildas have been here before. The World Cup. A crunch clash against Canada. A result needed. The nation watching expectantly.
I was playing for the national team the last time Australia faced the Canadians in the World Cup, in China in 2007. It was the final group stage match, and we needed at least a draw to progress to the next round. Canada were a dangerous team, led by captain Christine Sinclair. It is remarkable that Sinclair is still contributing for Canada 16 years later.
I started in the midfield, and I remember the pressure like it was yesterday. Because we only needed a draw, it felt like we were winning from the start. That positivity didn’t last long – Canada scored within a minute. Suddenly it was: ‘Oh no, game on!’
Collette McCallum equalised early in the second half, but Canada again went ahead with only five minutes of regulation time remaining. We had to score, and quickly. I was withdrawn late in the second half, and on the bench I felt so helpless. All I could think was: not another failed World Cup campaign.
But the team kept believing. Into injury time, the ball went to McCallum, who sent it long to Lisa De Vanna. The striker had been a half-time substitute and she was electric. De Vanna evaded the Canadian defence before putting the ball back to Cheryl Salisbury, our best ever player. I’m not sure what Cheryl, a defender, was doing up there, but she calmly slotted it past Canada’s goalkeeper.
Game over. We had done it. The Matildas progressed to the quarter-final and Canada went home early. It only takes a few seconds to score a goal so we kept believing, kept playing until the final whistle.
When the nations meet again on Monday in such a momentous game, I hope the current squad can draw on that experience. I’m praying it doesn’t go down to the wire again, but the team knows that they can overcome adversity when it arises. We have done it before and we can do it again.
This will be the biggest match of the World Cup so far. But I have also been excited to see how Australia and New Zealand have embraced the tournament, with such huge crowds for games not involving the home teams. The World Cup has proven to be about so much more than the Matildas – that is a huge boost for the game in this country.
Having captain Sam Kerr back is important. I don’t think she will need the full 90 to prove her worth – either Tony Gustavsson will start Kerr and she’ll make an impact before half-time, or he can call on her off the bench – but she will make a contribution no matter what. I hope the coach maximises her usage in a tactical way.
The good thing is the Matildas have options. Gustavsson has done so well to grow the depth of the team up to this point, but other than the injuries, he hasn’t really utilised it so far this tournament. I think, so soon after the Nigeria match, they might need a few changes against Canada. Alex Chidiac should start, and maybe Charli Grant might come in for Ellie Carpenter, having proven her worth against England earlier this year. They have the depth – they should use it.
This team thrives on the pressure. I don’t like the Matildas having to rely on the underdog tag, but against Canada it might suit them. Playing the Olympic champions in a must-win match, this is the final come early. That will help the players in their mindset, knowing this is the biggest game of their lives.
The 2007 World Cup epitomised Australia’s never-say-die attitude and a documentary with that title came out the following year. That’s what the Matildas take into every game. If it comes down to the last few minutes, there is something in the team spirit that can lift them. Whenever I watch a tight Matildas game, I always think back to Salisbury’s 92nd-minute equaliser that sent us through to the quarter-finals. In those moments it is never-say-die time.
But it would also be a step forward if we could change that motto. I don’t want the Matildas to always have the underdog tag. We need to be on the front foot, putting teams away early, rather than relying on those last few minutes to win it.
We’ve had never-say-die World Cup clashes before. This home tournament is the perfect opportunity to change that narrative. It’s time to write a new motto for the national team. I hope we can do that on Monday night against Canada.
