Matildas v Brazil: Aussies bracing for backlash
TEEN footballer Ellie Carpenter says the Matildas are bracing for a Brazilian side out to avenge a recent humiliation when they clash with Australia in a two-match international series next month.
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TEEN footballer Ellie Carpenter says the Matildas are bracing for a retribution-seeking Brazil out to avenge a recent humiliation when they clash with Australia in a two-match international series next month.
The young football star says she and her Australian teammates are expecting Brazil to come out hard and fast as they seek to avenge the 6-1 flogging inflicted by the Matildas at the recent Tournament of Nations in the US.
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“They won’t be very happy,’’ said the 17-year-old who was the youngest player in the Matildas line at last year’s Rio Olympics.
“They will be pretty fired up to meet us for sure.
“And what happened the last time we met will just make it even more intense.’’
While the Brazilians are playing for pride in Australia, the Matildas also have a point to prove after being booted out of the Rio Olympic by the hosts last year.
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But the Matildas will go into the two-match series against Brazil, which doubles as preparation for next April’s Asian Cup in Jordan, on a high after their recent Tournament of Nations win.
The Brazil trouncing came after the Matildas racked up a historic 1-0 victory over the US at the tournament, a team they had never previously beaten.
“It gave us a lot of confidence,’’ Carpenter said.
The first match of the upcoming series will see the Matildas take on Brazil at Pepper Stadium, Penrith, on September 16.
The second match will be at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, on September 19.
Both matches will be live on Fox Sports 505.
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