Australian fans prepare to cheer on Matildas in FIFA World Cup semi-final

Australia’s Defence Minister has “handed over the keys” to the Matildas goalkeeper in a bid to keep England at bay.

2 min read

August 16, 2023 - 9:10PM

NCA NewsWire

‘Big clash’: Matildas closer than ever to WWC Championship

Australia is throwing everything it has at beating England in the FIFA World Cup semi final, including naming a new “Minister for Defence” ahead of the do-or-die game.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has handed over his portfolio as defence minister to Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold for one night only in an effort to get Australia into the final.

Mackenzie Arnold has been named Australia’s new ‘defence minister’ ahead of the semi-final. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Mr Marles said he’d heard the calls from Aussies across the country to allow the Matildas goalkeeper take over his role as defence minister.

“Tonight our country faces a grave threat and it comes from the old enemy and I know I’m unable to meet the moment,” Mr Marles jokingly said on Wednesday.

“This afternoon it’s my solemn duty to resign as Australia’s Minister for Defence and I’ve handed my commission to Mackenzie Arnold.

“As Australia expects, I know in this hour she will do us proud.”

A message from the Minister for Defence.

And for the record, this is a joke. #TillItsDone pic.twitter.com/xdxLHDeb84
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) August 16, 2023

Mr Marles said he was happy to do it on the condition that Arnold “promises to hand back the keys” to him on Thursday.

The critical decision to hand over the reigns comes after he 29-year-old guarded Australia’s goal during a 10-round penalty shootout in Saturday night’s quarter-final match against France.

Arnold’s defence, which has been likened to a brick wall, allowed the Matildas to earn their place in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Sam Kerr and Mackenzie Arnold oarrive at Stadium Australia for the semi-final. Picture: Elsa - FIFA via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the rest of the country begins to prepare ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against England.

While only 80,000 lucky fans were able to secure tickets to the 8pm match on Wednesday at Sydney Stadium, the rest will be cheering on at home, in pubs or at one of the live sites across the country.

ans at the Sydney FIFA Fan Festival gather to watch the Matildas FIFA World Cup Semi Final match against England. Picture: Jenny Evans / Getty Images)

Matildas fans Pat Lugowski and Justin Sunderland are getting their spots early at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

They will be soon be joined by thousands of fans to cheer on the Matildas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Matildas fans Pat Lugowski and Justin Sunderland decided to get their spots early at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour in Sydney ahead of the game tonight.

Fans making their way to the game are being told to allow for extra time to the ground as public transport remains busy.

Sydney Trains and NSW TransLink warned there will be more than 100,000 people expected around Olympic Park.

“Extra trains will be running from Central, the North Shore, Strathfield, Macarthur, Liverpool, Schofields and Penrith,” Sydney Trains said.

There is a line that extends all the way to the entrance of platform 11 just to get on the train to Stadium Australia #Matildas pic.twitter.com/rpE6SlyZwT
— Timmy Hutton (@TimmyHutton) August 16, 2023

Thousands of fans have flocked to other live sites around the country, with Federation Square filled to capacity, while plenty were on hand at Festival Plaza and Memorial Park in Adelaide.

Fans Natalia 8, Zeke 5 and Lillian 10 getting ready for the Matildas vs England Semi Final at Memorial drive. Picture: NCANewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Finnick Bollenhagen at eight months is one of the youngest fans in Adelaide, cheering on the Matildas with parents Daniel and Krupa. Picture: NCANewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Meanwhile, as millions of viewers prepare to tune into Channel 7 and Optus to watch the Matildas take on England, other networks have opted to change their Wednesday night programming to accommodate the loss of viewership.

Channel 10’s return of Thank God Your Here has moved its third episode back a week, while Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth fans of The Block on Channel 9 will have to also miss out on watching their favourite show.

However, Sydney and Brisbane viewers will be able to still watch The Block airing at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9 Now.

ABC has also chosen to keep its regular Wednesday night programming, with Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson cheekily reminding viewers to tune in and ignore the World Cup.