- Foord’s Inspiring Challenge and Dynamic Performance Propel Matildas to Quarterfinals
- Matildas Triumph Over Denmark in Dramatic World Cup Match
- Kerr’s Symbolic Return and Matildas’ Path to Quarterfinals
Sunday, before Australia’s quarterfinal match against Denmark in Sydney, Caitlin Foord issued a challenge to Matilda’s supporters. “We love a big crowd, we love a loud crowd,” said Foord, who grew up an hour away on the south-east coast of Australia. I still believe Sydney could be noisier.
Monday evening, midway through the first half, when Foord scored the first of two goals that propelled Australia past Denmark and into the quarterfinals of the World Cup, she wheeled away toward the corner flag. The Arsenal attacker gazed up at the green-and-gold-clad supporters as they entered a state of collective ecstasy following a goal. Foord elevated her hand to her ear as if to say “louder still” The audience erupted, and the winger subsequently leaped into the air in appreciation. It was certainly noisy.
The moment signaled the beginning of a night of jubilation for the Matildas, who had just reached the final eight for the second time. The midfielder Hayley Raso placed the game beyond doubt in the second half, before the team’s talismanic striker Sam Kerr – the face of this home World Cup – returned to the pitch following a pre-tournament calf injury. It was not a simple victory, but it was achieved. The type of victory that suggests the Matildas could advance far in this competition.
The last time these teams met, the Danes scored in the first minute.
In Sydney, they began similarly powerfully, presenting custodian Mackenzie Arnold with multiple early chances. The Matildas quickly regained their composure but struggled to break through Denmark’s solid midfield; if last week’s counterattack against Canada was like a hot scalpel through butter, this time it felt like they were up against a brick wall.
The Matildas, unable to find space through the midfield, resorted to lengthy diagonal passes to the wings with little success. Pernille Harder, Kerr’s former Chelsea teammate, proceeded to demonstrate why she was once the most expensive player in the world. The raucous 75,784 crowd was momentarily quieted by a blow to the captain, Steph Catley, but the noise resumed when the wingback jogged back into position. The attendance record of 75,784 was set in the opening match against Ireland.
As the first half progressed, the game slowed down, with occasional frenetic moments on the flanks enlivening an otherwise chess-like tactical combat. As is the enchantment of football, this beautiful game that captivates so many of us, it only took one of those split-second moments to alter the course of history.
A misplaced Danish attacking pass on the edge of the Matildas’ penalty area found its way to Foord, who was lurking much further back than her left-wing positioning would normally dictate. It reflected the Danish team’s concerted pressure in the first half, but it would prove to be their undoing.
Foord collected the ball and passed it to Mary Fowler, who advanced through the pitch’s center.
Foord did not squander a single second, breaking down the left with such ferocity that it was as if she were competing in a 100-meter dash.
Fowler’s brilliantly placed through pass was waiting for Foord at the 18-yard line for Denmark after a box-to-box attempt. Foord deflected the ball past custodian Lene Christensen in the nick of time after the Matildas’ attacking star outran the pursuing defender Stine Ballisager.
The Matildas learned from their loss to Nigeria in the group stage that the minutes between scoring and the halftime whistle are crucial. Australia’s contest was altered by a sucker-punch from Nigeria just before the half. However, there would be no repetition this time. As the minutes ticked by and Denmark’s urgency intensified, the Matildas maintained their position. It was not beautiful, but it was effective, and Australia entered the break with a 1-0 lead.
In the early stages of the second half, the audience appeared more interested in Kerr warming up on the sidelines than in the tense battles on the main stage. She temporarily vanished down the tunnel before reappearing with a new playing shirt to additional applause.
The diversion lasted only briefly. Fowler drove the ball through the Danish middle before reaching Kyra Cooney-Cross on the wing.
The ball returned to the center for more Fowler sorcery, this time at the top of the Danish penalty area. Emily van Egmond was loitering in the six-yard box when she passed to Raso, who was unmarked. A recent Real Madrid acquisition blasted a shot past Christensen for her third goal of the competition. More elation ensues in the aisles. A spot in the World Cup quarterfinals was within reach for the Matildas.
The crowd, however, reserved their loudest cheer for the 79th minute. At this World Cup, Kerr was prepared to enter the game for the first time. The substitution board showed 20 and the moment a nation had waited three weeks arrived. Kerr’s timepiece became Kerr’s time. Her every contact was applauded, and while she had little impact on the game, the symbolism was nonetheless significant.
Australia will meet the winner of Tuesday’s encounter between France and Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Brisbane.
