Everything going on for the Matildas semi-final against England in the NT
The Territory’s oracle croc has had his say on who will win in the Matildas World Cup semi-final match against England. YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WATCHING THE BIG GAME.
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Speckles the oracle crocodile has once again used his psychic powers to determine the winner of Australia’s historic Women’s World Cup semi-final against England.
The saltwater crocodile based at Crocodylus Park is one of the largest in the Northern Territory weighing between 600kg and 800kg.
But like the rest of the country he has a vested interest in the fate of the Matildas in their World Cup semi-final against the old enemy.
The picky crocodile spent a while drifting below the meat playing out the 90-minute, plus extra time, encounter in his head.
But eventually he snapped into action as it seemed the game had reached penalty shootouts much like Australia’s heart-stopping quarterfinal against France.
Four times he went for England getting a taste for the old rivals, and perhaps letting his own emotion for the sporting enemy take hold
However, he missed the third bite, and the fourth also went begging and it was then he remembered his job as the psychic croc.
After that fourth snap at England he drifted over to Australia and this time he stuck true, just as Cortnee Vine had to see the Matildas into this fateful encounter.
Speckles has spoken, it will be a long and tight encounter, but in the end this match will go down to another breath-taking penalty shootout Australia will win.
Or maybe, we’ve just got ourselves an incredibly patriotic crocodile.
It isn’t the first time Speckles’ psychic powers have been put to the test after the crocodile successfully predicted now-Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would win the 2022 federal election.
Where to watch Matildas vs. England in the NT
Matildas hype has gripped the nation with the Top End expected to be a wash of green and gold on Wednesday for the historic World Cup semi-final match against old rivals England.
The Darwin Waterfront will be the principal watching zone in the Top End with crowds of up to 3000 for the big occasion.
People are encouraged to take a picnic along from 6pm for the 7.30pm start, with football fun and games to keep kids entertained throughout.
Meanwhile, the Darwin Festival is adjusting its Wednesday program to feature a free screening of the Matildas’ clash at Festival Park.
The big screen at the INPEX Sunset Stage will be open for audiences until seats are filled, while smaller screens across Festival Park will also be showing the game.
Darwin Festival artistic director Kate Fell said the occasion was too significant to overlook.
“The Matildas making the semi-finals on home soil is a cultural milestone too significant to overlook,” Ms Fell said.
“Darwin Festival celebrates the rich tapestry of our culture, and this includes the iconic moments in sport that bring us together.
“Following the success of our opening week, there’s no better way to kick off the second week than by celebrating this shared moment of national pride.”
There will also be live viewing sites in Central Australia with the Ross Park Soccer Oval in East Side and Scorpions FC Gillen Club on Miller St both opening their gates from 6.30pm.
There will be pre-game entertainment and a barbecue for the Alice Springs community to enjoy ahead of the big match.
Iconic landmarks across the Darwin CBD will light up in green and gold as the city shows its support for the Matildas.
Football NT chief executive Bruce Stalder said he was excited to share the “once-in-a-generation opportunity to inspire our girls to be the next Sam Kerr”.
“We’re seeing a clear shift in Australia to embrace football, and we want the NT to be a part of it, this is a defining moment in Australian football and in Australian sporting culture,” Mr Stalder said.
“We know that grassroots football will grow as a result of the success of the mighty Matildas in what the President of FIFA has called ‘the greatest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup’.”
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said it was wonderful to see how the nation had been completely gripped by Matildas’ fever.
“We know Territorians love their soccer and everyone will be glued to their seats for tomorrow’s semi-final,” Ms Fyles said.
“It is wonderful to see everyone getting swept up in this magical ride the Matildas have given all Australians this FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The Darwin Waterfront is a spectacular location for families to gather as one and celebrate what will no doubt be an exhilarating match against old rivals England.”
Though she kept her cards close to her chest when asked if the NT would join the rest of the country in having a public holiday if the Matildas won the whole thing.
“You can never pre-empt sport and we don’t want to jinx anything, but we will be supporting our brilliant Matildas all the way,” she said.
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