The craze to watch the Matildas playing the Women’s World Cup on their own soil was building since Australia got the hosting rights alongside New Zealand. Due to record ticket sales and the buzz building around the opening game, the venue was shifted to Stadium Australia which now expects an audience of more than 80,000. All of these add to the pressure on the team looking to add the Women’s World Cup title as the second-ever host team to win it after the USA. If they achieve success in the pinnacle competition, it will be the crowning jewel for coach Tony Gustavsson who has got the team to the next level. Australia have been an established side in the tournament reaching the knockouts in each of the four finals.
There is little doubt they can make it again with the home fans in support amid a tricky group comprising of Olympic gold medalists Canada, African powerhouse Nigeria and debutants Ireland whom they will begin with. Many have touted Group B as the ‘group of death’ but it seems Canada will be Matildas’ sole rival for the top spot.
The challenge will be similar to those faced in 2019 when they were paired with Italy, Brazil and Jamaica. Australia are in excellent form heading into the tournament winning nine of the 10 matches prior including a victory to crush the unbeaten run of Euro winners England. That should help them grab their first win in the tournament opener after losing their last three.
While Australia did not have to go through the turmoil of qualifiers being the hosts, Ireland had to for making their first Women’s World Cup appearance. Vera Pauw’s side beat Scotland in the playoffs after finishing second to Sweden who earned the automatic qualification spot. Now among the new eight faces debuting at the tournament after it was increased to 32 nations, Ireland are wishing for more than just having an experience of their first major tournament of any kind. The group does not automatically guarantee them knockout qualification but they have everything to fight for. In the preparatory friendlies, they showed their vigour by restricting the USA to only 1-0 and 2-0 wins also created scoring chances. Although the 3-0 loss to France and the last match against Colombia was abandoned due to being overly physical, the confidence and spirit have not dampened. In captain Katie McCabe they have an inspiring figure and fighter providing that attitude to the rest of the squad.
The only issue could be scoring goals, none in four of the last five, as they defend robustly against Australia in the curtain-raiser. However, they will take inspiration from the 3-2 victory over Matildas in the last meeting with them in 2021 to get a beneficiary result on Thursday.
