Matildas wary of Jamaica’s Women’s World Cup counter-attacking threat

They may be minnows who’ve already had eight goals put past them, but the Matildas have good reason to respect the Reggae Girlz.

Hayley Raso is wary of the attacking threat from Jamaica. Picture: AFP

• Coach Milicic’s blunt message to Matildas
• Kerr’s golden sacrifice for World Cup glory

They may be minnows who’ve already copped eight goals, but Hayley Raso has good reason to respect the Reggae Girlz.

And the Matildas winger’s experience training and playing alongside some of Jamaica’s national team has her alert to their counter-attacking threats.

Raso crossed paths with Cheyna Matthews (nee Williams), one of several American-born Jamaican players, during her time with National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit.

“I used to play with Cheyna Williams and I think there's a couple of other NWSL girls,” Raso said.

BELOW: EMMA KEMP’S MATILDAS-JAMAICA MEGA PREVIEW

“Williams is very quick, very fast and she can finish, but I think they all have that in them.

“They are all quite agile, quick and strong, so we are looking that they don't get us on the counter-attack.”

Raso has been a standout at her second World Cup, having gone to Canada 2015 as a squad member but seeing out the tournament with no minutes.

“I had a goal to come here and I really wanted to play,” she said.

“Coming in and starting the first game was overwhelming for me. I was so excited.

Hayley Raso is wary of the attacking threat from Jamaica. Picture: AFP

“It was so great to be out there and it’s great to have an involvement in the second game too.

“Looking forward I’m hoping I can contribute as much as I can.”

Momentum is the buzz word as the Matildas attempt to use last week’s stunning comeback job on Brazil as a springboard for a deep run in France.

But the Portland Thorns forward was equally cautious of letting the emotion of their Group C rollercoaster influence their form.

“We know we still have a job to do, so we are looking forward and looking to our next game now,” Raso said.

“You get excited and celebrate it for the rest of the day and the next morning comes around and you move on and you start focusing on the next game.”

AUSTRALIA

World ranking: 6

Coach: Ante Milicic

Star player: Sam Kerr

Previous appearances: Six

Best finish: Quarter-finals 2007, 2011, 2015

Last appearance: Quarter-finals — 2015

JAMAICA

World ranking: 53

Coach: Hue Menzies

Star player: Khadija Shaw

Previous appearances: Zero

Best finish: N/A

Last appearance: N/A

KEY MATCH-UPS

Khadija Shaw v Steph Catley

Jamaica’s star player has power and pace to burn and ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who’s just signed with French club Girondins de Bordeaux, will test Catley’s sharpness.

Sydney Schneider v everyone

The American-born goalkeeper’s World Cup baptism of fire continues against a Matildas attack out to score for fun. Schneider, 19, has already been putting on a show, saving penalties against both Brazil and Italy, though the latter was chalked off by VAR.

Jamaica forward Khadija Shaw in action again Italy. Picture: AFP

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SAM KERR

Australia’s superstar striker has yet to really make her mark on this tournament, offering only hints of the capabilities that shot her into the stratosphere. A maiden World Cup goal against Italy seemed certain to get the ball rolling, literally and figuratively. But the Western Knights junior struggled to get enough of it against Brazil. The 25-year-old still has a full tank so watch her hit a hat-trick against the Reggae Girlz then tell everyone to ‘suck on that’.

LISA DE VANNA

Whether it’s from the start or off the bench, this veteran is a good chance to rack up her 150th cap at the foot of the French Alps. And even at 34, Australia’s all-time leading scorer still has plenty to offer at her fourth World Cup, with lightning speed over short distances and an eye for the back of the net just as accurate as the kid who started playing for Spearwood United on the outskirts of Fremantle.

ALLYSON SWABY

The older sister of Chantelle Swaby is one of several American and English-born players in Jamaica’s squad. The 22-year-old Connecticut product represented the Boston College Eagles at collegiate level before moving to Europe to play for Icelandic club Knattspyrnufélag Fjarðabyggðar. Last year she signed for AS Roma, a shift that helped cement her spot in Jamaica’s central defence. Alongside skipper Konya Plummer, she’ll be crucial to keeping out Kerr and company.

QUICK QUOTES

“I really don’t know, I’m hoping for Brazil. Oh wait, who do we need to win? Whoever needs to win I’m hoping they win. I think Italy. It’s Italy, isn’t it?” Emily Gielnik really isn’t sure who will win the Brazil v Italy game

“I have an obsession with set pieces … you can never work enough on that part of the game.” Ante Milicic knows where his team have been conceding.

MATCHDAY THREE:

Australia v Jamaica, 5am AEST Stade des Alpes, Grenoble

Brazil v Italy, 5am AEST Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes

Lisa De Vanna could rack up her 150th international cap. Picture: AFP

PERMUTATIONS:

1. Australia wins; Brazil wins

Italy, Aus, Brazil equal on six points — tie-breaker, goal difference

2. Australia wins; Italy wins

Italy top the group on nine points, Australia second on six points, Brazil third on three points

3. Australia wins; Italy and Brazil draw

Italy top the group on seven points, Australia second on six points, Brazil third on four points

4. Australia draws; Brazil wins

Brazil and Italy equal on six points — tie-breaker, goal difference; Australia third on four points

5. Australia draws; Italy wins

Italy top the group on nine points; Australia second on four points, Brazil third on three points

6. Australia draws; Italy and Brazil draw

Italy top the group on seven points, Australia and Brazil equal on four points — tie-breaker, goal difference

7. Australia loses; Brazil wins

Brazil and Italy equal on six points — tie-breaker, goal difference; Australia and Jamaica equal on three points — tie-breaker, goal difference

8. Australia loses, Italy wins

Italy top the group on nine points; Brazil, Australia and Jamaica equal on three points — tie-breaker, goal difference

9. Australia loses, Italy and Brazil draw

Italy top the group on seven points; Brazil second on four points; Australia and Jamaica equal on three points — tie-breaker, goal difference

Likely Opponents — Round of 16

1st — 3rd (A, B, F) (China, Nigeria, Chile) — Montpellier, 25 June (6pm)

2nd — 2nd Group A (Norway or Nigeria) — Nice, 22 June (9pm)

3rd (C, D, E) — 1st Group A (France) — Le Havre, 23 June (9pm)

3rd (A, C, D) — 1st Group B (Germany) — Grenoble, 22 June (530pm)

Likely Opponents — Quarter-Finals

1st — 1st Group E v 2nd Group D (Netherlands, Japan) — Valenciennes, 29 June (3pm)

2nd — 1st Group D v 3rd (B, E, F) (England) — Le Havre, 27 June (9pm)

3rd — too hard to calculate