Everything you need to know about the Matildas and the SheBelieves Cup
The Matildas are loading up for the SheBelieves Cup – their biggest fixtures of the year. But who is playing? What is on the line? And what even is this tournament? Here’s everything you need to know.
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It is billed as a friendly tournament with bragging rights the only thing on the line but with the Asian Cup now just more than a year away the SheBelieves Cup is an important one for the Matildas.
The Matildas ended 2024 on a bit of a downhill slope after bowing out of the Olympics in the group stage.
Coach Tony Gustavsson’s contract was not renewed and the hunt for a new one is dragging on.
Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has used the last couple of windows to find his feet, discover new talent and try to pick the team back up.
But Sermanni has made it clear he is going into this tournament with the intent of winning.
It won’t be an easy feat.
The Matildas are up against the USA, Japan and Colombia. They will play three games in a week – in three different states.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the SheBelieves Cup.
WHAT IS IT?
The SheBelieves Cup is a friendly tournament hosted by the USA. This will be the 10th edition of the friendly competition. The USA have won the last five SheBelieves Cups, and seven titles overall. France claimed victory in 2017 and England in 2019.
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The teams change every year. This year’s tournament will feature the USA, Japan, Colombia and the Matildas. This will be Japan’s third consecutive year playing in the tournament and Australia and Colombia’s first. USA is the top ranked team, ranked No.1 in the world. Japan is ranked eighth, Australia 15th and Colombia 21st.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
With the Asian Cup fast approaching the Matildas are fast running out of time to test themselves against top opposition. Japan is the top ranked Asian women’s football team in the world – how we fare against them will be a good indicator of how much work the Matildas need to do over the next year. The USA is the top ranked side in the world. While missing some key players from their squad a win against them would still be a major confidence booster – especially after they beat the Matildas 2-1 and knocked them out of the Olympics. Colombia are a physical side and also quickly rising up the rankings.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each team will play each other once in a six-game, three matchday format. The winner will be the team with the most points at the end. Three points will be awarded for a win and one for a tie. If there is a tie goal difference will be the first tie-breaker followed by most goals scored and head to head result.
MATILDAS SQUAD
With no full time coach appointed yet the Matildas will be led through the tournament by interim coach Tom Sermanni. Sermanni is a former coach of the USA women’s national team. He has chosen a fairly strong 23-woman squad with the likes of Mary Fowler and Katrina Gorry back in form. Missing will be Sam Kerr (ACL), Cortnee Vine (mental health break), Sharn Freier (ankle), Clare Wheeler (thigh) and Courtney Nevin (not selected).
CHANCE TO SHINE
This tournament can play a big role for individuals as well as the team. The players are essentially auditioning themselves to any prospective coach of the Matildas – no one’s spot is safe. With Kerr expected to be back on the pitch next month this tournament will be especially important for Michelle Heyman – she needs to prove the role she can play when the star striker returns. And rookies Laini Freier and Alana Murphy might only get one chance to show what they can do in a green and gold jersey. Both have been impressive in the A-League’s but can they handle the pressure of an international game?
FAST FACTS
– Colombia advanced out of the group stage at the Paris Olympics in third place with a 3-2 loss to France, 2-0 win over New Zealand and 1-0 loss to Canada. They had a 2-0 lead over Spain in the quarterfinal before the reigning World Cup champions pulled back two quick goals and went on to win the penalty shootout.
– The USA have beaten the Matildas 28 times – losing just once. Their last meeting was the Olympics where the USA won 2-1
– The USA vs. Japan match up at the 2024 She Believes Cup set a record for the largest crowd to watch a domestic friendly match – with 50,644 fans watching USA’s 2-1 come from behind win.
– Matildas last played Japan in 2021 in a friendly – Japan won 1-0.
– The Matildas and Colombia have never gone head to head before
GAME SCHEDULE:
Feb 21 9am: Matildas vs. Japan, Shell Energy Stadium, Texas
Feb 21 noon: USA vs. Colombia, Shell Energy Stadium, Texas
Feb 24 6am: Colombia vs. Japan, State Farm Stadium, Arizona
Feb 24 9am: Matildas vs. USA, State Farm Stadium, Arizona
Feb 27 11.30am: Matildas vs. Colombia, Snapdragon Stadium, California
Feb 27 2.30pm: USA vs. Japan, Snapdragon Stadium, California
HOW TO WATCH IT
The Matildas games will be broadcast on Paramount+.
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Originally published as Everything you need to know about the Matildas and the SheBelieves Cup
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