FIFA World Cup 2023: Matildas return for recovery and rest in Sydney before semi-final
The victorious Matildas arrived to a stunning reception in Sydney, where they will rest and recover for their World Cup semi-final against England.
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The Matildas are ready to focus on their next challenge, after setting down in Sydney ahead of their semi-finals clash with England on Wednesday.
The team arrived in Sydney Airport to fans cheering them on after their incredible win against France on Saturday night.
Crowds gathered outside a Brisbane hotel on Sunday morning to cheer on the team, with some waiting to sing happy birthday to Matildas star Katrina Gorry who celebrated her birthday the day after defeating France in the quarterfinals.
Gorry, who turned 31 on Sunday, walked out of the hotel carrying a balloon, as the team travelled to Sydney where they will spend the next few days preparing for the semi-finals against England.
The Matildas arrived to hectic scenes in Sydney Airport at about 1.30pm, where fans lined up either side to high five their favourite players.
The team will play England in the semi-finals in Sydney at 8pm AEST on Wednesday.
The semi-finals are tipped to break more records for TV streams, with the Saturday night quarterfinals bringing in more than 4 million views from people watching at home.
Other fans ventured out to watch the game at public viewing points and pubs across the country.
4PM: GORRY RINGS IN BIRTHDAY WITH VICTORY AND SORROW
Matildas’ supermum Katrina Gorry spent her 31st birthday being serenaded by Australian fans as the team left their Queensland base this morning.
The players, donning party hats and holding balloons left their QSAS base this morning to travel to Sydney ahead of Wednesday’s historic semi-final against England.
Gorry, who has been one of the team’s most consistent players through the tournament has had an emotional week, revealing that she lost her father-in-law (to be) a few days before Australia’s quarterfinal win.
Gorry has made know how important family is to her football since returning from maternity leave after giving birth to daughter Harper, in 2021.
But it was more evident than ever last night, when Gorry paid tribute to both Harper and her fiance Clara Markstedt’s father in her goal celebrations after slotting the Matildas’ sixth penalty.
Gorry kissed her wrists before gesturing rocking her arms, a tribute to her daughter which became her goal celebration after returning to the team.
2PM: UPROAR AS FAN EJECTED FROM MATILDAS’ TRIUMPH
In a bizarre postscript to Australia’s historic quarter-final victory over France, footage has emerged of a fan being booted from the stadium seemingly for displaying the national flag of Iran.
Veteran journalist Mark Gottlieb posted a video on Twitter last night in which the man, who is draped in an Australian scarf, being dragged from his seat inside Suncorp Stadium by two police officers.
It is unclear the cause of his ejection, but Gottlieb notes that the fan had ‘displayed an Iranian flag’ in the lead-up to the incident.
According to FIFA regulations, fans are allowed to bring ‘small flags, banners and posters’ as long as they are made of a nonflammable material.
However ‘items of a political, offensive, sexual, discriminatory or commercial nature are strictly prohibited and may result in expulsion from the stadium”.
Tonight at Suncorp Stadium a fan was kicked out for displaying an Iranian flag during the #fifawwc quarter-final between France and Australia. No idea why. pic.twitter.com/zbDNjr13wu
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 12, 2023
11.30AM: BEATEN FRANCE ALREADY PLOTTING REVENGE
France coach Herve Renard will have “revenge” on his mind at next year’s Paris Olympics after his side’s heartbreaking FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final exit in a penalty shootout against Australia.
For the second World Cup in succession, Les Bleues’ have fallen a game short of reaching the last four after a quarter-final loss to eventual champions USA in 2019 when France hosted the tournament.
Hosting pressure will again be on the French at next year’s Olympic Games, but Renard is set to embrace that expectation as he contemplates another potential encounter against the Matildas.
“Now we have to look forward,” Renard said after his side’s 7-6 penalty shootout loss at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
“We are organising next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, so we are waiting for you.
“We’ll have our revenge.”
Renard said it was a “shame” France’s World Cup run had come to an end, but said “destiny” chose Australia in a “50-50” match.
“This competition was fantastic for us. Beautiful cities, beautiful stadiums, the atmosphere was fantastic … (but) all the best to (the Matildas). I’m sure you can win this World Cup.
“(Australia) is a physical team, waiting most of the time for its opponent. They like the transition, the counter-attack because they are very fast.”
The Matildas will meet England on Wednesday night in Sydney for a place in next Sunday’s final.
8.30AM: THE IMAGE THAT SUMS UP AUSTRALIA’S MOOD
It’s the image which captures the emotion of 25 million Australians.
Matildas superstar Ellie Carpenter, in the middle of the joyous huddle after the culmination of Australia’s extraordinary penalty shootout win over France, spotted the hero of the moment – goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold – and her face said it all.
Arnold had been Australia’s saviour, coming up with crucial stops as the Matildas’ prevailed 7-6 to book their spot in the World Cup semi-finals – against England, on Wednesday – for the first time.
And Carpenter knew who deserved the plaudits, immediately singling Arnold out as she sprinted to join the celebrating pack.
This face says everything there is to say. #Matildas#elliecarpenter#WWC2023#Mackenziearnoldpic.twitter.com/rHTttnHzNU
— Marcus Moore (@MJM6978) August 12, 2023
Carpenter had herself thundered home a crucial penalty to keep the shootout, and Australia’s dreams, alive.
8AM: GUSTAVSSON NAILS ‘BIGGEST DECISION’ IN MATILDAS MASTERSTROKE
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was adamant he got it right with his “biggest decision” of Australia’s marathon FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final triumph – when to call on captain Sam Kerr.
The Matildas beat France 7-6 in an epic Suncorp Stadium showdown that went the two-hour playing distance – including extra-time – on Saturday night after neither side could find the back of the net.
Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold won player-of-the match honours after saving three penalties and also shining during the game proper with a string of saves to deny France.
Arnold also missed a kick in the shootout, but Kerr, who came on the 55th minute, didn’t.
Gustavsson had toyed with the idea of starting his star striker, but went with the medical advice, which suggested she couldn’t last the distance because of a calf injury that limited her tournament match-time to less than 20 minutes before the epic quarter-final battle.
“The biggest decision was when to bring Sam on,” Gustavsson said.
“It was a massive decision even before the game to leave her on the bench.
“Then it’s the timing. You want the timing right. I was informed that she had limited minutes for today, and then we had to put extra-time into consideration … because maybe it was another 30 minutes, so what’s the risk that she pulls the calf and how many minutes does she have.
“That was a massive decision to get that right. I think we got it right.”
Kerr had an immediate impact after replacing Emily van Egmond 10 minutes into the second half, with her impact helping the Matildas create two chances in quick succession.
“We had them, and then when Sam came in we really had them on the hook. We really got the momentum and from the fans as well, and we were very close to scoring two goals in that period,” Gustavsson said.
“You really want to go in and impact the game, which she did, but also you could see a little bit of fatigue throughout the game, which is natural.
“She hasn’t been able to train continually with intensity for a while, but just the fact that she could push through and then step up as a captain, especially after the vice-captain (Steph Catley) missed that (penalty) before as well, and bury it – It’s just a classic Sam Kerr moment, how she carries the team on her shoulders.”
As did Arnold, whose rollercoaster shootout included three saves, another save that was wiped out because she moved too early, and the penalty she took – which would have ended the shootout sooner has she scored it – that hit the post.
“From ‘Macca’ missing the (penalty) and being able to stay in the game to be that player that wins the game for us, it’s unheard of that mental strength of hers,” Gustavsson said.
“I’m really happy about that.
“The amount of heart and soul and passion that this team showed … there are different ways of defining success but for me success is when you leave it all out there, no matter the result.
“I’m probably one of the proudest and happiest coaches every right now because I’m so happy for so many other people.”
France coach Herve Renard described Arnold as a “Goliath” and tipped the Matildas to go all the way on home soil.
“This evening it was 50-50 but destiny chose Australia … I think they can win the World Cup,” Renard said. – MARCO MONTEVERDE
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