Women’s World Cup 2023: Why Robbie Slater is backing the Matildas to go all the way
Robbie Slater hasn’t been quick to call the Matildas contenders for the World Cup title. Their recent run of form isn’t the only thing that’s changed his mind.
The Matildas can win the World Cup.
For the first time since the appointment of Tony Gustavsson as Matildas coach in September 2020, I genuinely believe that Australia can secure the biggest prize in the world of women’s football on home soil.
After a rocky couple of years under the guidance of Swedish mentor Gustavsson, including heavy losses to Germany (5-2), the Netherlands (5-0) and Spain (7-0) and an Asian Cup flop, the Matildas have finally turned the corner.
The embarrassing defeats have been replaced by gritty defensive efforts as well as recent wins over England (2-0) and France (1-0).
Credit must go to the often-maligned Gustavsson, whose long-term plans seem to have the Matildas peaking when it matters most.
The plans have included building great depth in Australia’s squad.
Giving several fringe players and those inexperienced at international level plenty of opportunities in the past couple of years has led to some pain, but the overall gain has been worth it.
While star captain Sam Kerr remains the team’s focal point, there doesn’t seem to be the same reliance on her as there was in the past.
An example of this came as recently as last Friday night, when with Kerr off the field after being substituted with half an hour remaining in the Matildas’ friendly against France, the Australians scored the only goal of the game through replacement Mary Fowler.
Fowler’s class and match-winning ability, most likely off the bench during the tournament, are two more reasons why the Matildas can win the World Cup.
At just 20, Fowler has the football world at her feet.
Hardened by some selection woes at Manchester City, the Cairns-born attacker is showing maturity beyond her years, and is more than ready to deliver on her potential.
THE BREAKTHROUGH 🔥
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 14, 2023
Mary Fowler blows the roof off Marvel Stadium with the game's opening goal!
🎥: @10FootballAU
#AUSvFRA#Matildaspic.twitter.com/hPLeDls3cx
At the other end of the park, the Matildas’ defence looks much more assured and composed.
Alanna Kennedy’s return from injury has further strengthened Australia’s defensive options, while goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold is finally believing in herself after more than 10 years of not knowing whether she was worthy of a spot in the team because of a lack of faith shown in her.
The Aussies also have speed to burn, as well as brilliant passing game of holding midfielder Katrina Gorry, whose return to the team after giving birth to her daughter Harper has given the Matildas some much-needed composure and class in the middle of the park.
And then of course, there is Australia’s “X-factor” – the support they will receive on home soil.
Don’t underestimate how important that is going to be in Australia’s bid to be crowned world champions.
Host nations often play above themselves, provided they can handle the pressure and expectation of winning at home.
There is enough experience in the Matildas’ squad to not only cope with the pressure, but also embrace it and use it to their advantage in what will hopefully be a memorable run through the tournament.
THE MAIN OBSTACLES STANDING IN WAY OF MATILDAS
By Robbie Slater
As the USA prepares for a historic attempt to win a third straight FIFA Women’s World Cup, Socceroos great Robbie Slater casts his eye over the world’s top five ranked nations to see who really has a shot at winning the trophy in Australia.
USA
The USA are going to be the team to beat. They’ve won more World Cups than anyone else and now they’re going for the historic hattrick.
I think it was their coach that said he’s got a stacked deck. That’s a pretty good way of putting it when you look at the talent he has in the squad.
They’re in pretty good form and they’ve got world class players all over the park.
Obviously the focus is on the big stars like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, they’ve been around for quite some time and have a lot of experience at this level.
But then they’ve got young Sophia Smith, she’s their 22-year-old next superstar and is the youngest MVP in league history in the US which is a fair achievement.
This is a side to be reckoned with and it would not be beyond them to go three in a row.
The great thing for Australia is if the Matildas do what they need to do and top their group, they will stay away from the USA until the final.
GERMANY
They’re ranked No.2 in the world for a reason - they’re a seriously good side.
And you just know revenge is something that will be on their minds after dominating the Euros in 2022 only to lose to England in the final.
Germany has Lena Oberdorf who I think is the best midfielder in the world.
She is a defensive midfielder but a lot of the attack from Germany starts with her.
Obviously Alexandra Popp is the captain and star of the team. She is a good physical player who will be motivated for success given she missed the Euro final three years ago with a late injury which was a key reason why they lost to England.
Germany are very well coached by Martina Voss-Tcklenburg, they will play a 4-3-3 formation and for mine they are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
ENGLAND
I would have rated England the best team out of Europe, but they’ve lost Beth Mead to injury and she is one of the best players in the world plus they’ve had a couple of others retire since that memorable Euro final.
Captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby, Ellen White and Mead were all starting players from 2022 that are not here at this World Cup.
So now that England are down four of their best players, not just squad members but starting XI players, it’s going to be much tougher for them.
But this is England, they are still the reigning Euro champions, they’ve still got a very good side and they will be wanting to do something special themselves.
I just think they’ve got too many players missing that winning the World Cup will be too tough for them.
SWEDEN
Losing 4-0 to England in the Euro semi-finals has many saying Sweden is dropping off the radar in world football, but I think it’s too soon to say that.
Their best performance usually gets Sweden deep in any tournament and they were still on the podium at the last World Cup in 2019 and silver medallists at the Tokyo Olympics.
They’ve got some talented players so you wouldn’t be overconfident playing them at any stage, but I don’t see them winning a World Cup in Australia.
FRANCE
There are massive question marks over France after last week’s loss to the Matildas.
To be fair the Matildas made it tough for them and the French performance was perhaps more about how Australia pressed them and their inability to handle that pressure.
Herve Renard would have learnt a lot from that performance, they had a lot of possession but they did not really do a lot with it and they never looked like scoring.
France have got class players so you’d expect them to bounce back quickly, but if Australia top their group stage it could set them on a path to meeting France in the quarter-finals and psychologically that win in Melbourne last week will bode well for the Matildas.
It doesn’t make it a sure thing, but it’s given France a lot to think about and they will have to improve if they’re going to go deep into the tournament.
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