Sam Kerr keeps a lid on excitement as Australia prepare to take on Ireland in World Cup opener

The biggest month in Australian football history starts tomorrow, but as ADAM PEACOCK writes, Sam Kerr and Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson are playing it cool and calm.

Sam Kerr was taking the hype in her stride ahead of the World Cup opener. Picture: FRANCK FIFE / AFP

It’s hard to put a lid on what could be, will be and might be.

The biggest month in Australian football starts on Thursday.

But a tick over 24 hours before the first whistle, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson and star striker Sam Kerr did a damn good job of emotional containment in the 15 minutes of press-conference-talking before the opener against Ireland.

Kerr was downright laconic when describing what playing in front of 80,000 expectants will be like.

“It’s nice to, one, be able to feel the love but also we’re really proud to bring this World Cup home and let Australia experience what we do all around the world,” Kerr says.

“Every time we play at home we play really well so hopefully that’s how this tournament is too.”

For the coach, plans are fixed. Starting elevens are set. Even the ‘game changers’, as Gustavsson calls the artists formerly known as substitutes, are locked in, to be introduced at preordained moments.

Gustavsson deals in facts, and details, and every detail has been covered. The only thing off kilter on Wednesday was the team arriving 20 minutes early, thanks to light Sydney traffic (!) for a casual look at the pitch, where they all posed for the ‘Gram.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson and star Sam Kerr looked relaxed ahead of the World Cup opener against Ireland. Picture: FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Gustavsson himself even took pictures for his players, then unfurled as much as he needed to when asked which ones will actually play.

“Not only do we know the starting eleven but thoughts on the game changers and plan for a finishing eleven,” Gustavsson says, before a snippet about tomorrow’s opponent.

“(Ireland) have really strong starts to the first and second halves, but it’s also no coincidence they concede goals late in halves.”

And, another key fact was raised. Tomorrow means a lot and his reputation will be the first to be torched if it takes a bad turn.

“After tomorrow I’ll either be a phenomenal coach or the worst coach that ever coached the Matildas.,” Gustavsson says with acceptance.

A few hours earlier, Ireland manager Vera Pauw smiled her way through their 15 minutes of scene setting.

Whether it was a nervous smile, or the smile of a woman who knows her plan to upset Australia will work, won’t be known until 15 minutes past kick-off tomorrow.

Ireland captain Katie McCabe and coach Vera Pauw are grappling with stopping Sam Kerr. Picture: DAVID GRAY / AFP

How do you stop Sam Kerr, she was asked.

“Ask Sam Kerr”, smiled Pauw.

Kate McCabe sat next to Pauw and spoke without as many smiles but the conviction of a woman who missed out on the ability to be intimidated. McCabe, an Arsenal star, is already a big game player, and needs ten others in green to be the same.

Finding anyone already taken by the impending occasion was difficult. But not impossible.

Outside the ground, an elderly Irish couple wandered around in wonder.

Violet Elliott and her husband Liam had a sign in their hands. On it, a photo of two squads. The 2023 team, and the 1973 team. Ireland’s first ever.

Part of Ireland’s first women’s football team in 1973, Violet Elliott was at Stadium Australia with her husband Liam.

In the middle of the 1973 squad is a smiling Violet, who 50 years ago was running around in midfield for Ireland, proving that girls and women deserved a go at what was until then a blokes‘ world.

Violet’s life has been devoted to football, and with husband Liam witnessed all the big games in Ireland’s first ever World Cup qualification. The pair talk with boundless enthusiasm about being in Australia, the progress of women’s football, even how they met on a football pitch over 40 years ago, in a practice match.

“She kicked the sh*t out of me,” Liam laughs, with Violet nodding in agreement.

They got married soon after and tomorrow will be as good as any anniversary.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Violet says enthusiastically.

She’s not alone.