FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Latest news, previews, Graham Arnold backs Matildas

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold hopes the Matildas’ run to the World Cup quarter-finals will win over the sport’s sceptics and lead to greater funding from the Federal Government.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold claims the colossal support from frenzied fans he calls the 12th player can pilot the Matildas to a famous and historic World Cup triumph.

And Arnold said the Matildas’ flawless defence – coupled with a timely return from superstar Sam Kerr – bounces Australia’s women’s team one step closer to pulling off a world football miracle.

The Matildas advanced with a 2-0 win over Denmark in Sydney and will now play a quarterfinal at Brisbane’s Lang Park on Saturday afternoon.

A sellout crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia for the Denmark win – coupled with 3.63 million viewers nationally – has the country buzzing and pumped for Kerr’s conquerors.

Stadium Australia has been at full capacity for each of the two Matildas’ matches played there so far. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

And Arnold said that gold-plated support might be enough to lift the Matildas – and the supporters he labels the 12th player – to ultimate glory.

“With the 12th player being our fans, I think the Matildas can go the whole way,” Arnold said. “With Sam Kerr coming back, and the more and more they believe it, I think we can win it.

“The fantastic support, hype and crowds around the Matildas from our fans, they have become our 12th player. The defensive performances, the effort and the old Aussie DNA, is out in full force.

“They certainly have the capabilities, skills and belief but the biggest thing is that they are really set up well defensively. Denmark made it two clean sheets in a row. And in World Cups, clean sheets are crucial.

“Our defensive performance from front to back has been very good. Look at Denmark, they really only had one or two shots. Canada hardly had a shot as well.

Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy have been defiant in Australia’s defence. Picture: David Gray/AFP

“Sam has shown her qualities and no doubt her return as captain, and as an experienced player, will give us even more energy and belief.

“Australian women have genetic bodies that can play elite sport. They have that hand-eye coordination with athletic bodies.

“They will now have to step up in the quarterfinals but overall it is a real buzz for the nation and it just shows what a World Cup does when it comes here to Australia.

“They will take it one game at a time and won’t look too far ahead.

“It’s great to see and fantastic for the sport. The women’s game is only young compared to men and it’s only going to get better and better and grow and grow.

“All the crowds and fan sites, it shows you how popular our sport is in Australia. We don’t just need football fans once every four years. We need them weekly.”

Arnold hopes the Matildas’ success might also pressure the Government to help fund a Socceroos’ centre of excellence in Sydney.

This masthead revealed in May that Arnold was lobbying for his nomadic side to have a much-needed high performance centre.

“What the Matildas have achieved is good for the sport and you just trust now football can get something out of it from the Government,” Arnold said.

“Let’s trust after this World Cup that the Government can help give us a home of football and that everyone respects our game. We need one for the Socceroos. We’ll see.

“You see everyone walking around in Australian football shirts, and that’s men’s and women’s.”

Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Latest news, previews, Graham Arnold backs Matildas