Hosting the World Cup along with New Zealand, Australia will wonder if they can take themselves to the pick by lifting the trophy in front of the home support. The Matildas are certainly carrying a squad rich with talent and have every right to believe. They are already sharing a piece of history by having the biggest Women’s World Cup in their backyard after it was extended to 32 teams from 24 from this edition.
History
Barring the inaugural edition, Australia have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup eight times. This is the first one they are co-hosting with New Zealand. After failing to win a single game and ending in group stages in their first three participation, the Matildas got their first three points at a Women’s World Cup in 2007 against Ghana. They qualified for the knockouts for the first time in that edition by reaching the quarterfinals, the theme they maintained for the next three campaigns. In 2019, their journey ended in a defeat to Norway on penalties in the last 16 stage. Quite surprisingly considering Australia were favourites for the tie. Sam Kerr, who became the first Australian to score a hat trick in a senior World Cup with four goals against Jamaica, missed her spot-kick in the shootout. Matildas also faced a tough group stage in which they lost to Italy in another shock result but managed a 3-2 win over Brazil and 4-1 in the final match to move into the knockouts.
Preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Qualified as hosts, Australia got a lot of time to prepare for the tournament. They played five friendlies this year and keeping out the shock defeat to Scotland, registered morale-boosting wins in the rest. None more valuable than a 2-0 victory over Euro holders England at their own patch. Australia will play one last friendly before the tournament starts against France on 14th July 2023.
Australia Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengard), Lydia Williams (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjö GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Häcken), Courtney Nevin (Hammarby IF/Leicester City), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjö GIK)
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjö GIK), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann)
Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Real Madrid), Kyah Simon (Free Agent), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
Head Coach: Tony Gustavsson
Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne will be the first Australian players of either gender to have participated in five World Cups. Whereas seven players will be in line to make their debuts at the greatest stage of all. Sam Kerr will be leading the side after being named captain in her fourth Women’s World Cup participation. The only fitness concern from the squad is Alanna Kennedy who struggled with injury issues in her club season with Manchester City.
Strength
Australia might have the most eye-catching squad for the Women’s World Cup with an excellent blend of youth and experience. On one side there are household names while on the other intriguing prospect of watching the next generation come up. The star players of the team are also in top form and are poised to carry their momentum onto the international stage. Plenty of options are available for Gustavsson to create his first eleven from and also replace with similar quality from the bench. The Matildas are in sensational form and have sublime momentum to carry to the tournament as well.
Weakness
The big challenge for the Matildas will be to tackle the pressure of playing the biggest tournament at home. The support is helpful at every moment but it could easily turn against if the performance is not there. Although the hosts of the previous edition have largely performed well, it will still be a battle. Alongside the required factors on the pitch, the team has to be mentally and psychologically ready to clear all hurdles on the way. Australia will try not to depend on Sam Kerr solely even if she is the difference-maker and not keep the striker isolated. Any predictable play could be punished severely.
Key Player: Sam Kerr
Without a shadow of a doubt, Sam Kerr will be the main player in the tournament for Matildas who will be tucking away their scoring chances. The 29-year-old had another successful period with her club Chelsea winning a fourth consecutive WSL title and also lifted the Women's FA Cup three times in a row. One of the best in the world at her role, Kerr will be aiming for the Golden Boot and adding to her tally of five scored last time in the competition. She is two goals shy of Lisa De Vanna's record of seven goals in Women’s World Cup history. Being the all-time leading goal-scorer for her nation's men or women, the goal-hungry forward will chase every ball and put the opposition defence under constant pressure with her movement. In front of home support, we might see the best version of the incredible player as she looks to overcome her disappointment of missed penalty in the shootout defeat to Norway in the last 16 encounters of the 2019 edition.
How will Australia Lineup at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
Australia FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Groups & Fixtures
Group B
Australia
Canada
Ireland
Nigeria
Fixtures
Thursday, 20 July 2023
Australia vs Ireland - Stadium Australia, Sydney (03:30)
Thursday, 27 July 2023
Australia vs Nigeria - Brisbane Football Stadium, Brisbane (03:30)
Monday, 31 July 2023
Canada vs Australia - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne (03:30)
Australia will play their tournament opener against Ireland on 20th July at Stadium Australia after the venue got switched. A huge 100000 fans is expected to attend the match which will topple all the records not only in women’s game but the sport in general. Gustavsson’s side will not find it difficult to take six points from the first two games before setting up the group decider against Canada, who is also expected to take full points, in a huge tie on 31st July 2023.
Prediction
The Matildas will probably enter the knockouts being group winners and it could land them with a competitive tie with opponents of similar caliber. Denmark will be the likely team to face. Should Australia move into the quarterfinals then they could have the possibility of facing Brazil or France, both will not be easy. However, Australia have shown by beating the likes of England before that the side is capable of reaching the semifinal or even the final with huge backing from the home crowd. Winning the cup might be too much of an expectation but a strong finish will be admirable.
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