Matildas ‘fear no one’ as pundits tip deep finish

Marta says the Matildas can make the final and Sam Kerr has a hunch this is their time.

Matildas coach Ante Milicic (left) and Caitlin Foord (right) at Matildas training in February. Picture: AAP

Marta says the Matildas can make the final and Sam Kerr has a hunch this is their time.

But how does the rest of the world rate Australia’s chances in France? Are we a genuine shot at the title or has the hype been slightly overdone?

Kerr and company have been variously described by international media as “an outside bet” (BBC), possessing “the personnel and ambition to go a long way” (Washington Post), and boasting “arguably the best goalscorer in the entire world” but let down by a defence that “just isn’t very good” (SB Nation).

Brazil’s six-time FIFA player of the year Marta went out on a limb to talk up her country’s arch-rivals and Group C opponents.

“Australia can go very far,” Marta said. “But they are in Brazil’s group and we won’t make their lives easy, you can be sure.

“They can reach the final but I hope they won’t and that Brazil can do it.”

Kerr described the sentiment in camp as one of “quiet confidence”.

“We don’t fear anyone,” Kerr told The Australian.

“We think this is our time and it’s our best bet. We have a lot of people playing overseas so we’re the best prepared (as possible).

Sam Kerr holds the key to a successful run for the Matildas. Picture: Getty Images

“But, you know, the women’s game has grown so much in the last few years. There’s countries that have just come out of nowhere in the last year or so.

“For example, Spain have just shot out of the woodwork, Scotland’s really picked up their game lately. Spain are my dark horse if I was to be betting on anyone.”

Betting companies have world No 6 Australia in the second tier of overall odds, ranging from 15-1 to 20-1.

Reigning champions the US and hosts France are at the shortest odds, with Germany and England also in the vicinity.

A step down is Australia, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Norway and the Netherlands, who dismantled the Matildas 3-0 in last weekend’s final friendly.

Minnows Jamaica, Cameroon and Thailand are by far the outsiders of the 24 teams.

Odds only count for so much and, until Alen Stajcic’s controversial recent sacking, much chatter within Australia has been about targeting the trophy itself.

This is the Matildas’ strongest squad, with the long-established core group hitting their prime.

And if new coach Ante Milicic can correct defensive flaws and Kerr is on song, this could be the year they advance past the quarter-finals for the first time.

European nations are on the rise and Arsenal Women’s Australian manager Joe Montemurro has tipped that a team from the continent will bring home the cup this time.

Montemurro did, though, forecast a top-four finish for the Matildas. And the green and gold do have an aptitude for playing up to bigger sides.

It’s the smaller nations that shape as potential banana skins — hark back to last year’s defeats to Chile and Thailand.

“I feel like we still play with the underdog mentality, but we’re no longer an underdog,” defensive stalwart Alanna Kennedy said.

“I think four years ago we were an underdog, and I still think we have that presence on the field that you don’t know what to expect.

“Now we are a fierce competitor and we still have that edge of ‘you can’t take us lightly’, because of the aggressive way we play.”