Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019
| The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is the eighth edition of the international women’s championship, which has been held every four years since 1991, when the inaugural tournament , then called the FIFA Women’s World Championship, was held in China. The seven FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments had been won by four national teams up until the 2019 event – United States had woin three times, including the last one in 2015. The other winners were Germany, with two titles, Japan, and Norway, with one title each. Six countries have hosted the Cup – China and the USA have each hosted the tournament twice, while Canada, France [2019], Germany and Sweden have each hosted it once.
In all, 36 nations have played in at least one Women’s World Cup, and of those, the USA is the most successful Women’s World Cup team, and one of seven teams to have competed on each occasion. They have also had the most Top four finishes [7], medals [7] and final appearances [4]. Germany is the only nation to have won consecutive titles – in 2003 and 2007 Summary of past results
Australia has been represented at the FIFA Women’s World Cup on six occasions, viz, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and qualified for the 2019 tournament: our results were: 1991: DNQ; 1995: Group Stage 12th; 1999: Group Stage 11th; 2003: Group Stage 13th; 2007: Quarter finals 6th; 2011: Quarter finals 8th; and 2015: Quarter finals 7th. The 2019 Tournament – the round robin round of games. Here, I look at Australia’s matches, with comments, and indicate the result of other matches played . From the quarter final stage. We will examine each of the respective matches for all teams concerned Round Robin Results
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The Matilda’s games, as above.
Italy defeated Australia 2-1
From: Fox Sports: The Matildas came crashing back to earth in their World Cup opener, slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Italy in Valenciennes. In their first game of France 2019, Australia was exposed defensively while it struggled to make the most of its own chances in attack. We take a look at some of the burning questions to come out of the Matildas’ first-up loss.
Australia came into the World Cup with question marks on its defence — valid concerns, given it had shipped eight goals across its previous two games. There was plenty of discussion regarding the decision to play a high line — with former Matilda Heather Garriock particularly scathing of the tactic— which Ante Milicic conceded didn’t work out at times.
The Matildas got caught out early — and arguably could have been punished more for their turnovers than they were.
“We have been working on that (high) line, and we need to have a better understanding when to drop and when to stay high, and the position of the goalkeeper,” Milicic said post-match.
That said, Italy was frequently caught offside and struggled at times to break that trap. The two goals came from an error in possession, and a failure to close out a late set piece — neither of which directly resulted from the high line. Regardless, composure at key moments remained an issue. One of those occasions was when Clare Polkinghorne received the ball from Alanna Kennedy, and as she attempted to take possession, took a heavy touch, with Barbara Bonansea on hand to steal the ball and go on to score the equaliser.
But Milicic went into bat for his centre-back, emphasising the Matildas would continue to play out from the back.
“Clare is brave to do that. We are not going to change our style because we have conceded a goal,” he said.
“Yes, she had a heavy touch, but I thought our positioning could have been a lot better, you look at the isolated situation where we got caught playing out from the back. “But I will always believe in that style, that’s the style we want to progress up the field, we just need to get better at it and better at it quickly. “Clare has been excellent for us building up from the back, it’s just unfortunately that we got punished on this occasion.”
Meanwhile, Italy’s second goal came off the back of a set piece, with Sam Kerr and Lydia Williams both unable to clear the ball away from Bonansea, who effectively headed home unmarked for the winner. “To concede on a set piece on any sort of the game is frustrating,” Caitlin Foord said post-match. “Especially when you’ve been working on it. “We’ll have a look at it and build off that.”
While there were question marks over Australia’s defence coming into the tournament, the attack — led by Sam Kerr — was one of the World Cup’s most-vaunted. But despite scoring in the 22nd minute, Australia was unable to make the most of its chances from there, looking toothless at times up front despite having plenty of possession — and the likes of Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, midfielder Tameka Yallop and Lisa De Vanna involved at times.
Australia versus Brazil
From http://www.telegraph.com.uk – What a game, what a comeback, what entertainment. Australia against Brazil has long been the go-to fixture of the World Cup. And here in Montpellier it was clear why this was the fourth time the two countries have been pitched together in four World Cups in a row. Because this is what you want to watch. Not least in its eye-watering clash of styles.
Full of giddily aesthetic touches, Brazil played as if straight off the Copacabana. Australia, like an outback sheep rustler, demonstrated no nonsense, gave no quarter, were relentless in their physicality. And they gave a timely reminder that in the World Cup it is goals that matter. While Brazil may have been well ahead on the nutmeg count, the Aussies put the ball more frequently where it matters: in the net.
“The Australian mentality is to come out swinging when our back is against the wall, we like a fight,” said the woman of the match Chloe Logarzo. And as Brazil succumbed to the Australian body blows, it was, perhaps, inevitable time would catch up on their operation. They have by far the competition’s oldest squad: seven of the starting XI are well over 30, while 41-year-old Formiga is playing in her seventh World Cup.
Though age did not seem to wither them as the match began. They may be oldies, but their touch – Marta in particular – remains golden. In the first half the veteran captain delivered a masterclass of technique. And she was inevitably involved as Brazil took the lead. After turning down an Australian shout for a penalty on VAR (there had been an Aussie hand used in the build up), the referee Esther Staubli did not need it when Elise Kellond-Knight grabbed a handful of Leticia Santos’s shirt and hauled her down in the area. Marta was not going to eschew the opportunity to score her 16th World Cup goal.
The ageing Brazilians seemed to be in total control when Cristiane added a second. It was at the end of a superb team move. Tamires began it on the half-way line, leaving Emily Gielnik in her wash with a delightful nutmeg, before she laid the ball down the line to Debinha. The centre-forward provided Cristiane with the opportunity to head her fourth goal of the tournament. Australia responded as they had done all half, by firing in crosses. This seems the default tactical approach of many teams at this tournament: get it wide and lump it in. Here, finally, the law of averages worked in their favour. In first half added time, Tamara Yallop put the ball on Chloe Logarzo’s head, she flicked on and Caitlin Foord scooped home a goal that offered a hint of hope.
Brazil started the second half without either Marta or Formiga, both succumbing to wear and tear.
Australia started it by firing in the crosses. And as Australia attacked, so Brazilian defensive shape began to wilt. It was no surprise that the equaliser came from – guess what – a cross. The excellent Logarzo sent one in which no one touched, including the bemused Brazilian keeper Barbara.
Sensing their opponents weakening, Australia piled forward. And took the lead. Once more, the ball was chucked into the mixer, this time the venerable defender Monica heading home. VAR was again involved, as Sam Kerr had clearly been offside in the build up. But, despite fury from the Brazilian players and bench alike, the goal stood. “This was one of the finest Australian performances I’ve seen, I’m really proud of the girls,” said the Australian coach Ante Milicic. “We respected them, but none of our girls were afraid of them.”
The truth is, his approach worked: in the end, Brazil had no recourse to relentless Aussie bullying. The victors, meanwhile, celebrated at the end as if they had just won the tournament. They will not. Not least because there are others here who will not be rolled over.
Australia versus Jamaica
| By Pete Smith [FIFA.com] –Tim Cahill has long been the iconic figure around which Australia’s World Cup narrative has been | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| written. But now future generations of Australian fans might use the name Sam Kerr as their World | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cup touchstone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kerr almost single-handedly hauled Australia into second place in 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group C by netting all her team’s goals in a 4-1 win over Jamaica, setting up a Round of 16 match-up | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| against Norway. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The four-goal haul saw Kerr become the first Australian to score a hat-trick in a senior World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and pushes the prolific striker into France 2019 adidas Golden Boot contention. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The first two goals were majestic Cahill-esque headers in which Kerr made the difficult look simple. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Despite a modest build, Kerr has long been a powerful presence in the air. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “I am coming for his heading record,” laughed Kerr when asked about her similarity to Cahill in the air. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “I grew up watching Timmy Cahill. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “Headers are my favourite goals. I think it just comes naturally for me, I know it is one of my strengths | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| so I try and work on it a bit. Maybe it is coming from an AFL (Australian Rules football) background | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and getting up there (in the air).” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Despite the glory of a large-scoring victory it was a tense night for Kerr and her team. The Aussies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| pushed Brazil into third-place on goals-for with the positions not settled until the full-time whistle in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| each match. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Another goal for either Brazil or Jamaica would have shuffled Australia down to third, in theory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| meaning a tougher draw. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The QuarterFinals
England defeated Norway 3-0 From the BBC: England reached their second consecutive Women’s World Cup semi-final as they produced an excellent performance to beat Norway in Le Havre. Lucy Bronze’s brilliant second-half strike capped a fine night that saw the Lionesses become the first senior England team to reach the last four at three consecutive major tournaments. Two slick team moves had given them a deserved 2-0 half-time lead, as Jill Scott and Ellen White found the net from close range either side of White hitting the post. Nikita Parris saw a late penalty, awarded for Maria Thorisdottir’s foul on England captain Steph Houghton, well saved by Ingrid Hjelmseth. But that did not dampen England’s jubilant mood at full-time, as they celebrated with sheer joy after moving within one win of their first major final USA defeated France 2-1 From news.com: A Women’s World Cup plagued by refereeing blunders plunged further into controversy after host France was denied what would have been a game-tying penalty in the 85th minute of its 2-1 quarterfinal defeat against the USA. Down 2-0 with 10 minutes to play, the local’s hopes were revived when Wendie Renard pulled back a goal to set up a tense finish.The French poured on the pressure — and appeared to strike gold when US defender Kelley O’Hara blocked a cross with her arm. There was clear space between her right hand and her body when the ball struck, but the referee waved of France’s penalty claims and the VAR chose not to intervene. “It wasn’t like I was making my body big or anything,” O’Hara said. “You never know, though, because it’s a little sketchy sometimes but thankfully they called it the right way.” Jill Ellis’s [USA] team held on and they go through to a semi-final showdown with England in Lyon next Tuesday as they seek to retain their crown and win a fourth World Cup in eight editions. “We’d have loved to play nicer, but we now have England and we move on,” said Rapinoe. “This is so special to beat the host nation in the Parc des Princes. You can’t ask for any more than this.” They certainly couldn’t have asked for more from the referees — with even US fans conceding they’d made a lucky escape. Netherlands defeated Italy 2-0 From the World Game: Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie van der Gragt headed the Netherlands to a 2-0 win over Italy and into the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time on Sunday morning (AEST). Arsenal forward Miedema and defender Van der Gragt nodded in a pair of Sherida Spitse free-kicks in the space of 10 second-half minutes to break the stubborn Azzurre resistance. The second strike extended Netherlands’ tournament-high haul of headed goals to five and confirmed their passage into the final four, where they will face either Germany or Sweden. Clear-cut chances had been rare throughout a match played in stifling heat in Valenciennes but Sarina Wiegman’s side established control after half-time and were worthy winners in the end. The first cooling break brought little disruption to the nature of proceedings, Valentina Giacinti firing wide off her left foot in the moments that followed. Lieke Martens, who overcame a foot problem to start for the Oranje, tested Laura Giuliani with a well-taken volley in the 50th minute. That effort marked the start of a better period for Netherlands that saw Danielle van de Donk hit the crossbar with a classy curling effort from beyond the box, before Spitse arrowed a low free-kick against the outside of the left post. The latter instead turned provider as the breakthrough eventually came 20 minutes from full-time. Spitse delivered an inviting free-kick from the left and Miedema guided a glancing header beyond the outstretched Giuliani, with the sealer from Van der Gragt following in similar circumstances 10 minutes later as Italy’s impressive run came to an end. Sweden defeated Germany 2-1 From the World Game: Sweden have produced a 2-1 comeback win to stun Germany to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals on Sunday After enjoying an early spell of possession, midfielder Lina Magull put the Germans in front in the 16th minute with an acrobatic volley through the legs of Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl. Sweden equalised six minutes later when winger Jakobsson latched onto a long ball straight down the middle from Linda Sembrant, and slotted home past goalkeeper Almuth Schult. German coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg threw on midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan, who had not played since breaking a toe in their tournament opener against China, at the start of the second half but it was Sweden who took a shock lead. Schult did well to turn away a powerful header by Fridolina Rolfo but the rebound fell kindly for striker Blackstenius, who fired home from point blank range to get her second goal in as many matches. Marozsan missed a glorious chance to force the game into extra time when she headed wide with the goal gaping in the 80th minute but Sweden held their nerve to reach the semi-finals |
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| THE SEMI FINALS
USA defeated England 2-1 From news.com.au – The USA made it through to the women’s World Cup final after hanging on to a 2-1 lead in a nail-biting finish. Coach Jill Ellis’ side will face either Sweden or the Netherlands on Monday morning (AEST) in the final. The US went through thanks to goals from Christen Press — who dramatically replaced superstar Megan Rapinoe in the starting line-up — and Alex Morgan. England answered with the tying tally at the 19th minute, when Ellen White got a foot on a crossed ball that ricocheted off the post and behind the goal line. It was the second time this tournament that the US allowed a goal in the first half. Morgan and White now lead the race for the Golden Boot with six goals each. England commentators were venting their frustration at the video review system after Ellen White was denied a goal with just over 20 minutes to play when the VAR showed she was a toenail offside as a ball was put in behind the American defence. Jill Scott had been able to flick a ball into the path of White, who went on a solo run into the area and then beat the keeper one-on-one. American coach Ellis was spotted screaming for a VAR review on the sidelines as soon as the goal was scored — and she got her wish. There was just enough in it for the decision to be overturned. Netherlands defeated Sweden 1-0 The Netherlands will play USA in Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Final after Jackie Groenen emerged as their extra-time heroine. The midfielder, identified by our Team Reporter as the Oranjeleeuwinnen’s key player, scored a 99th-minute winner to sink Sweden and settle the first Women’s World Cup semi-final ever to go beyond the regulation 90. Dramatic as the conclusion was, this was a very different last-four encounter to USA’s breathless 2-1 victory over England last night. The first half was tight, tense and lacking in chances while the second was dominated by superb saves by Sari van Veenendaal and Hedvig Lindahl: the teams’ respective keepers. But the Dutch – who are playing in just their second edition of this tournament – secured a historic Final spot by producing the game’s one moment of real attacking quality. It came, of course, from Groenen, who charged through on to a clever lay-off from Vivianne Miedema and drilled a 20-yard shot beyond the previously unbeatable Lindahl. 7th July: Match for 3rd Place: England vs Sweden Sweden: 2 defeated England: 1 From FIFA Women’s World Cup site: Sweden have finished third at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ after beating England 2-1 in Nice. All three goals came in an open, incident-packed and error-strewn first half, with early efforts from Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson putting the Swedes in control before Fran Kirby struck back. The quality of the Jakobsson and Kirby goals in particular thrilled the sun-drenched supporters in the Stade de Nice, with less to cheer in a subdued second period. England dominated the closing stages but were unable to break through, with Nilla Fischer securing victory – and bronze medals – for the Swedes with a dramatic goal-line clearance as the clock ticked down. England finish their World Cup adventure with back-to-back defeats, and that will sting for some time. But the Lionesses could not be accused of a lack of effort, having ploughed deep into Sweden’s half in the second half and pressed until the very end. It just wasn’t to be their day, and Nilla Fischer’s amazing goal-line clearance from Lucy Bronze’s thunderbolt seemed to sum that up. Desperation eventually got the better of Phil Neville’s side, this after three earlier minutes of wonder saw England hit the net twice – until VAR intervened, ultimately killing off Ellen White’s dream of the Golden Boot. Karen Carney’s final appearance as a second-half substitute gave England added impetus, but they just couldn’t find a way through. 8th July – The FINAL: USA vs Netherlands USA defeated Netherlands 2-0 From CCN: It has been impossible to ignore the US Women’s National Team in this World Cup, but so too impossible not to admire them. When many teams would have soaked up the adulation and reveled in winning the biggest prize in women’s football the USWNT regarded the aftermath of victory as the perfect platform to drive their fight for equality further forward. Almost immediately after beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the Women’s World Cup final in Lyon, the players issued a statement which brought their battle for equal pay with the US Soccer Federation to the forefront of the conversation once again. “At this moment of tremendous pride for America, the sad equation remains all too clear, and Americans won’t stand for it anymore. These athletes generate more revenue and garner higher TV ratings but get paid less simply because they are women,” said Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for the USWNT players in their equal pay lawsuit. “It is time for the Federation to correct this disparity once and for all.” And from the ABC News: The question before the World Cup even kicked off was who would be able to stop the USA. The answer was nobody. The US women’s national soccer team was the heavy favourite leading into the tournament and it lived up to its world championship billing, with a near-faultless, 2-0 performance against the Netherlands to claim a second consecutive title and its fourth overall. The first team since Germany to win consecutive world titles, this US side is making a case to be named the best women’s football team of all time. Perhaps more astoundingly, despite the apparent ease of its progression through the tournament, it took the hardest route to the final. Having beaten the hosts, third-ranked England and the European champions in consecutive matches, there can be no argument that the US does not deserve to place a fourth World Cup-winning star above its crest. After being gifted a less-than-challenging pool — featuring an under-gunned Thailand side, 39th-ranked side Chile and Sweden — the US lined up the competition favourites one by one before dismissively casting them aside.
And yet, for all its dominance, this US team has polarised opinion, with accusations of arrogance overshadowing the competition. The US team ruffled feathers by, in no particular order, over-celebrating, under-celebrating, and “disrespectfully” celebrating, and put President Donald Trump’s nose out of joint by refusing a hypothetical invitation to the White House. As the sport’s pre-eminent side, the US was always going to score plenty of goals in this tournament, but it has been the way it has celebrated its goals that has courted controversy on the pitch. The backlash to Alex Morgan’s tea-sipping celebration against England was met with surprise by the US star, who felt there was more than a hint of sexism in the criticism. “I feel that there is some sort of double standard for females in sports,” Morgan said. “[We need] to feel like we have to be humble in our successes and have to celebrate but not too much, or do something but always in a limited fashion. “You see men celebrating all around the world in big tournaments, grabbing their sack or whatever.” The celebrations Morgan was referring to — most recently utilised by Diego Simeone and Cristiano Ronaldo on separate occasions in the Champions League — were hardly met with universal acclaim, but her point stands. The storm generated from within that imaginary teacup barely registered after the criticism the team faced for over-celebrating against Thailand — a team so far behind the US in terms of financial clout and facilities that their opening-game slaughter was as inevitable as it was cruel. That the glaring disparity between the two nations did not stop the US from deploying their full range of pre-choreographed celebrations in the 13-0 thrashing lead to a barrage of criticism against the US team. The confidence that comes from a sustained period of dominance enjoyed by this side has been perceived as arrogance, with some suggesting that the brash demeanour so prevalent in domestic US sports does not marry with accepted sporting customs in the rest of the world. And yet, as former England star Alex Scott said on the BBC, the US had earned its right to be brash by virtue of its extended period of dominance, and it was up to other nations to adopt that winning mentality. “The USA do not apologise for wanting to be the best and they have that winning mentality that everyone else needs to get,” Scott said.
Among the litany of records the US broke at this World Cup, including the most number of goals scored in a single tournament (26), the US has now won twice as many World Cups as anyone else (four). Despite the European nations making up ground in this World Cup, the Americans are still the benchmark on the world stage. Megan Rapinoe bristled at any suggestion that the US were doing anything wrong by their opposition. “Wah, wah, wah. We’re at the World Cup,” said Rapinoe, who was awarded the golden ball trophy as the tournament’s best player, before the final. “I don’t think anyone truly believes that we disrespect the game, or disrespect our opponents. “We have the utmost respect for … every team that we’ve faced and every team that we will face, forever and ever.”
This World Cup has been ground-breaking in so many ways, not least in how many people watched the competition. In the UK, 11.7 million fans watched the semi-final against the US. The record audience in the UK for a women’s football match before the tournament was 4 million. Close to 59 million people watched the France-Brazil match from the last 16, making it the most watched women’s football game of all time. Despite the unfavourable time difference, 270,000 people tuned in to see the Matildas lose in extra time to Norway. Although Australia’s tournament ended in disappointment, the interest garnered by the tournament means that the FFA’s push to host the 2023 edition takes on added importance. For Rapinoe, the latest win means the US is ideally placed to continue its period of dominance. “This increases the visibility but it takes it up another notch for sure,” Rapinoe said after the match. For the meantime at least, the US will be at the forefront of the further development of the game. If the rest of the world doesn’t like it, the only way to stop it is to stop the US celebrating, which for now at least looks like a tough ask.
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