This is it – the crème de la crème. The Matildas are in the quarter-final. I’m still pinching myself.
Topping the group meant we had a marginally easier opponent in the round of 16 – Denmark rather than England. But now we’re back on even terms for the quarter-final: you’re facing a big gun no matter what. By this stage all the teams have momentum on their side.
For France, I feel like their turning point was when Wendie Renard scored her header against Brazil in the group stage. It felt like old France – the confidence that they could dominate a game was back. It was missing early in the tournament, now they are looking dangerous. That pressure will test the Matildas – how will we respond?
It’s a different type of pressure to what we experienced at the hands of Nigeria, or in the first 20 minutes against Denmark. But there is something about this home ground advantage. We need Brisbane on Saturday to create a State of Origin feeling – a cauldron, a sense of intimidation. Even though France may think that they are used to the big stage, I hope this will be next level.
It’s what I have loved so much about this tournament – the crowd has learned how to help the team win. Caitlin Foord said recently the fans needed to be louder – and on Monday they responded. I was at the Denmark game and everyone was cheering, chanting, making noise. When Foord scored and held her hand to her ear and more than 75,000 people roared back: that was a fairytale come true, something earlier generations of Matildas (including myself) could only have dreamed about.
I feel it in my bones: it’s not over yet, it’s not meant to end. This is the moment Matildas alumni have been waiting for and I know the current Matildas will feel the same. They have had a decade together, an incredible generation, and for some of them it will be their last chance to go further then we have ever before: to a World Cup semi-final.
Sam Kerr is back, Caitlin Foord is in the form of her life. The team are gelling together, they have incredible camaraderie. This is as good a chance as we may ever get to go further at the World Cup. The stars are aligning for that to happen. As much as France will be the hardest opponent yet, I feel the Matildas can do it.
We do not necessarily have to control the ball on Saturday – I don’t think possession will be where the match is won or lost. But we have to limit the opportunities, especially down the wings where France have been so threatening. We have sometimes struggled to make decisive clearances in recent games – instead the team have found themselves under pressure again. We have to minimise those second-ball moments against France.
If we do give them the ball, our counterattacking play has been the go-to this tournament. So we won’t be overawed. When we can win it and break, that will be our moment. That’s when the Matildas capitalise.
Foord will be critical. She has always been a hard-working player, tracking back and putting in the defensive work. But on Saturday, I think the team need to ease that burden for her – she won’t be able to sparkle against France if she’s constantly tiring herself off the ball. Does she move to a more central role? Or can they provide her with more cover on the wing? That may well be key – we want her taking the game to France rather than defending for her life.
Tony Gustavsson has a big question ahead of him about whether to start Kerr. If it was me, I would keep her on the bench and see how the game plays out. The Matildas have proved they can win against big teams without her. I’m obviously not privy to her medical information, but she must be recovering quickly from that calf injury, otherwise they would not have brought her on as a substitute. That is a good sign for the team – she could be lethal off the bench in the second half, particularly if the match goes to extra-time. But on balance I think keeping the current starting XI is the best approach.
The Matildas have made the quarter-finals in the past. But we have never reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. This team are ready for it – ready to go all the way. Destiny is calling.
Joey Peters is a former Australian footballer who made 110 appearances for the Matildas
