Matildas lose FIFA World Cup semi-final to England, Sam Kerr objective video

The Matildas had been courageous however had been outclassed by an English workforce that had an excessive amount of strike energy in assault and was keen to do something to tough up Australia’s midfield.

Not even Kerr’s return to the beginning aspect may get them throughout the road, with the Chelsea star pulling out all of the tips after lacking the group stage due to a calf damage.

The Matildas fired an early warning shot with Kerr forcing a save after six minutes solely to be referred to as again for offside, however that was a uncommon sight on objective for the hosts who survived a number of scares earlier than their defence was breached in gorgeous model.

A neat trade of passes down the left within the thirty sixth minute noticed the ball find yourself at Ella Toone’s toes, with the midfielder smashing her first time shot previous Mackenzie Arnold who had no likelihood of stopping the well-placed shot.

The European champions took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break and will have doubled their benefit early within the second half just for skipper Millie Shiny to go the ball simply broad from a nook.

That may show to be a expensive miss for the guests as Kerr made them pay with a strike so candy that even English followers needed to stand and applaud the clear reduce objective of the event.

With little or no doing, the celebrity striker acquired the ball close to midway, turned Shiny inside out with a blinding array of dribbles after which smashed residence her first objective of the World Cup from properly exterior the field to carry the proverbial roof off Accor Stadium.

However the pleasure of Kerr’s marvel strike lasted solely eight minutes because the Lionesses retook the lead because of Lauren Hemp who took benefit of some confusion on the again as Australia’s defence fell aside with linchpin Alanna Kennedy lacking the match by way of sickness.

These defensive frailties had been uncovered as soon as extra when Alessia Russo ghosted in behind to seal England’s passage by way of to the ultimate within the 86th minute, however solely after Cortnee Vine and Kerr narrowly prevented tying issues up on the different finish.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

They harped on concerning the spirit of the sport throughout the Ashes when Jonny Bairstow was pretty stumped when he left his crease, however it seems that ethos doesn’t carry over to soccer after English gamers bent the foundations in a fiery first half.

The Matildas couldn’t generate any attacking fluency because the Lionesses hunted them at each alternative, signalling their intentions with a powerful problem on Kerr contained in the opening 60 seconds.

England conceded 9 fouls within the first half alone, with Alex Greenwood booked for a crude deal with on Kerr within the tenth minute because the Aussie star was getting ready to launch a counter-attack.

The heavy-handed strategy did the job because the Aussies had been pissed off out of the competition, however somebody ought to train them what Shakespeare really meant when he wrote ‘honest is foul and foul is honest’.

England will now face Spain within the remaining, whereas Australians can rejoice in the truth that we retained the lads’s and ladies’s Ashes, and likewise beat the outdated foe within the current Netball World Cup remaining.

BRING ON SWEDEN

The World Cup dream is over, however a sleeping big is now totally awake with soccer on this nation set to experience an unbelievable wave of success because of the Matildas.

Hardly ever has a workforce introduced the nation collectively fairly like this, with the Matildas proving to be the most popular ticket on the town throughout the nation.

A monster crowd of 75,784 gave the impression of 200,000 at occasions on Wednesday night time, with tens of millions of recent followers coming onboard over the previous few weeks.

The dream is likely to be over, however the World Cup rolls on with the Matildas set to face Sweden on Saturday night time with third spot up for grabs in Brisbane.

90’ TIME TICKS DOWN ON MATILDAS’ CAMPAIGN

Six minutes of damage time for Australia, but it surely doesn’t seem like sufficient to tug off a miracle.

England are closing the sport out just like the skilled outfit they’re.

Australia have drained late, regardless of injecting the likes of Vine and Alex Chidiac to spark one thing from the entrance three.

86’ GOAL! ENGLAND PUT THE GAME TO BED

That will probably be that – England are certainly by way of to the World Cup remaining now.

After rebuffing a number of Australian assaults, England produce a counter assault of their very own to kill off this semi-final.

Lauren Hemp slices the Australian defence to items with a pinpoint through-ball for Russo, who hits onerous into the far nook to interrupt Australia’s hearts.

That was a killer blow from England, and showcased the category of their finest gamers.

83’ KERR PUTS HOT CHANCE WIDE

Was that the possibility for Australia?

A pleasant cross into the field from Mary Fowler finds Sam Kerr, however this time she doesn’t have the magic contact – her header going excessive over the crossbar.

Seconds later, Cortnee Vine crunches an opportunity low and to the appropriate of Mary Earps and forces a unbelievable diving save – that just about falls into the trail of Caitlin Foord, however not earlier than it’s scrambled out of the field by England’s defenders.

Moments later, the ball once more falls into the trail of Kerr – off a nook – however she shins an effort broad of the objective.The possibilities are showing for Australia, however they aren’t capable of get previous England.

80’ TIME RUNNING OUT FOR AUSTRALIA

There’s 10 minutes to play, and the Matildas are working out of time to get again on degree phrases.

England are a brilliant composed workforce, and so onerous to interrupt down. They love enjoying the possession sport, and that places the onus again on Australia to push the tempo.

“They should begin pushing right here, making use of the strain,” says Channel 7’s Grace Gill.

“At this charge England will very comfortable get their foot on the ball and attempt to gradual issues down.”

71’ GOAL! ENGLAND BACK IN FRONT AFTER HORROR ERROR

It’s catastrophe for Australia, and pleasure for England as Lauren Hemp places the guests again in entrance after a calamitous error on the again by Ellie Carpenter.

Carpenter could have nightmares about that one, as she fails to regulate the long-ball into the field. She doesn’t clear, and Hemp pounces, calmly slotting it previous Mackenzie Arnold.

That’s sucked the life out of the Stadium Australian crowd, and the Australians are speechless.

Sam Kerr appears on in astonishment on the gorgeous blunder by her defence.

63’ KERR THUNDERS HOME SPECTACULAR EQUALISER

Oh. My. God.

Sam Kerr has simply completed the spectacular – levelling the scores in essentially the most extraordinary trend.

Taking the ball simply inside England’s half, Kerr slalomed downfield and drew two England defenders and ignored the assist on her left to unleash a sensational long-range rocket.

It comfortably beats England’s Mary Earps and sends the gang into hysterics.

That’s her first objective of the event, her sixth World Cup objective and the sixty fourth time she’s completed it for Australia.

Australia wanted her to ship, and so they couldn’t have requested for a extra world-class shot to do it with.

58’ DAMNING STAT REVEALS KEY TO ENGLAND LEAD

There’s a stat that tells the story of this sport much more than the 1-0 scoreline.

After yet one more bruising deal with on an Australian, this time recalled defender Clare Polkinghorne, this graphic flashed up on TV protection.

“Fouls in opposition to: England 10, Australia 1.”

It’s been a full-on, aggressive strategy from England – a workforce that has triumphed within the largest tournaments already, as proven by their glory within the Euros final 12 months.

Australia have been unsettled by the tactic, and haven’t been ready to reply to that physicality.

50’ FIRST CHANCE FALLS FOR FOORD

Australia have began positively within the second half, seeking to play extra of a possession sport and it virtually delivers dividends right away.

A magical, curling cross from Mary Fowler floats over England’s defenders and finds Caitlin Foord on the again put up.

Foord will get a header away, however she will’t generate any energy and it falls safely into the arms of Mary Earps.

Promising indicators for the Matildas, however this England defence appears desperately robust to unlock.

46’: SECOND HALF UNDERWAY

It’s 45 minutes for Australia to maintain their magical run going.

Can they overcome the 1-0 halftime deficit? Can Sam Kerr rating her first of the event?

It’s all to play for. And there’s been a way of future about this squad.

8.55PM: AUSSIE GREAT’S PATH TO VICTORY

How do the Matildas flip round this halftime deficit?

Socceroos nice John Aloisi desires to see extra from Australia’s speedy wingers, and a higher workrate typically to place strain on England’s central defenders.

“I feel we’re sitting off an excessive amount of. I feel in the meanwhile, their three centre defenders are outplaying our two strikers and it’s numerous work for them to do,” Aloisi mentioned on Channel 7.

“I would love our wingers to be extra proactive, to provoke that first press greater up the pitch. If we win that ball, then you’re going to get Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr on the ball lots faster.”

HALFTIME: ENGLAND LEAD 1-0 IN SPITEFUL AFFAIR

A feisty half, and one that’s in the end gained by England’s expertise and talent to transform their possibilities.

England have completely negated Australia’s strengths with bodily play in midfield – the likes of Matildas’ star Sam Kerr could have the bruises to indicate for it – and when an opportunity fell for Ella Toone, she didn’t hesitate to blast the guests in entrance.

And it’s a 1-0 lead that the Lionesses take into the dressing rooms at halftime, as they eye a first-ever World Cup remaining.

It’s the primary time this event that Australia have conceded first, and so they’ll want to show issues round rapidly after halftime – beginning with the disjointed mixture of Mary Fowler and Kerr, who’ve struggled to gel in Kerr’s first begin of the event.

42’ KERR, FOWLER STRUGGLE TO UNITE

Individually, they’re excellent – and Australia’s two most dynamic weapons.

However it’s simply not labored for Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr tonight, with the attacking dynamos struggling to attach in a barely disjointed first-half.

“Simply not fairly on the identical web page there, Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr,” says Grace Gill.

“We noticed Fowler put her head down simply as Kerr checked her run. Simply not fairly singing off the identical track sheet.”

The Matildas want them to work issues out, and quick. Going into halftime 1-0 down will suck the air out of Stadium Australia.

36’ GOAL: ENGLAND GO AHEAD WITH FIERCE SHOT

England are forward – and that was an unstoppable burst from Ella Toone.

The ball falls into the trail of the England No.10 and he or she doesn’t hesitate, unleashing with a strong strike that hammers into the highest nook.

Mackenzie Arnold may do nothing about that one. And England lead, 1-0, late within the first half.

“Particular strike. Nothing on that event that Mackenzie Arnold may have been capable of do to maintain that one out,” says Grace Gill on Channel 7.

31’ RASO FIRES WIDE IN AUSTRALIA’S FIRST CLEAR CHANCE

Australia’s finest likelihood of the match, with a nook dropping to Hayley Raso on the again put up – and he or she fires off an opportunity that pings off the legs of Lucy Bronze and into the aspect netting.

The Matildas have ridden England’s bodily strategy, however should now begin to make inroads with their counter-attacks.

Mary Fowler, so influential over the previous two victories, has been quieter this night – maybe taking extra of a again seat as Australia’s assault runs extra clearly by way of Sam Kerr.

25’ KERR COPS BOOT TO THE FACE

England is taking the bodily strategy to this sport to new ranges – and Sam Kerr is down once more after one other ‘very questionable problem’.

Contesting a lofted ball in midfield, Kerr goes up for the header and as a substitute tastes the appropriate boot of Jess Carter – who mistimed her kick.

“It’s going to be fascinating the way in which that she skates on skinny ice from that time, and once more a really questionable problem. A excessive boot,” says Channel 7’s David Basheer.

20’ ENGLAND GET PHYSICAL WITH ‘BLATANT’ TACTICS

England are doing something potential to cease Australia’s speedsters – together with ‘blatant’ shoves off the ball as they try counter-attacks.

Already Sam Kerr has been scythed down quite a few occasions, leading to one English yellow card, and Caitlin Foord can be getting the therapy.

As she appeared to launch down the left flank, Foord was shoved within the again and over the sideline.

She appealed to the referee for an additional card, however none is forthcoming.

“Only a actually blatant shove within the again there from Lucy Bronze,” says former Matilda Grace Gill in commentary for Channel 7.

“I think about that might have been a few of their instruction for gamers like Lucy Bronze to be a bit tough, be a bit bodily with the likes of Caitlin Foord who we all know is so efficient for the Matildas.”

17’ LIVELY START IN OPEN SEMI-FINAL

It’s early days, however this has been a really open quarter-hour to begin this semi-final.

England have managed to get in behind the Australian defence on a number of events, exploiting the brand new defensive pairing of Clare Hunt and Clare Polkinghorne, however have had simply the one clear shot on the right track – which was simply handled by Mackenzie Arnold.

Hunt, specifically, has been immense this event and has as soon as once more been assured in restoration defence tonight.

For Australia Kerr, Foord and Raso are utilizing their pace to wreak havoc down the flanks. However it hasn’t translated into possibilities.

9’ KERR GIVES ENGLAND EARLY WARNING SHOT

Sam Kerr and the Matildas have fired an early shot at England, with a deft cross seemingly unleashing a bulldozing run from the Australian celebrity.

Kerr was launched right into a one-on-one battle with England keeper Mary Earps, who made a positive save to disclaim the Australian earlier than the sideline official flagged for offside.

Moments later, England’s Georgia Stanway was additionally by way of on objective – solely to be denied by Mackenzie Arnold.

This time, the flag stayed down however Arnold – Australia’s brick wall – stayed unbroken.

After which the primary yellow card of the sport – Alex Greenwood chops down Kerr in an unsightly deal with to stop the Australian from sparking a counter-attack.That’s an early yellow card. Greenwood must be extraordinarily cautious from right here on in.

5’ KERR FLOORED WITH FIRST TOUCH

Sam Kerr’s first involvement is a contact within the midfield that leads to a clip from England’s Keira Walsh – and sends the Australian sprawling on the midway line.

She will get up, dusts herself off and will get on with enterprise.

It’s been a energetic begin at Stadium Australia, with the gang urging the house aspect on however sounding a contact nervous.

8.05PM: ‘WE WILL WIN THE GAME IN TRANSITION’

Socceroos legend John Aloisi believes England may play into Australia’s arms with their model – so long as the house aspect’s midfield brings the warmth.

Australia has loved their most success this event when going through extra fancied groups who’ve denied them possession – preferring to assault on the counter, with the midfield important to that circulation.

And meaning if the likes of Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross might be Australia’s midfield enforcers, and unleash the dynamic entrance three, it might be curtains for England.

“(England) are a kind of nation that prefer to play their very own sport, they prefer to personal the sport and play the way in which that they like,” Aloisi mentioned on Channel 7.

“I feel that can play into their arms. They’re a possession-based workforce. We is not going to have a lot of the ball, and that may be a truth, and that’s OK, as a result of we play higher after we don’t have the ball.

“If we excessive press them tonight, we would catch them off guard and get a objective. We are going to win the sport in transition. (England’s Millie) Shiny likes to play passing into the midfield, generally straight balls.

“If our midfielders are prepared for that and might win the ball and get their gamers ahead rapidly, with Foord, Raso, Kerr, we are going to damage them.”

8.00PM: GAME ON, AS LEGEND PREDICTS BLAZING START

The Matildas’ semi-final with England is UNDERWAY!

Earlier than the anthems, there was a nervy stroll to the center for each groups – with Socceroos nice John Aloisi noting the neves on show, and predicted a blazing begin from the Matildas.

“I can inform you now there have been butterflies within the stomachs of each units of participant, and that’s regular as a result of this is without doubt one of the largest video games they’ve ever performed in,” he mentioned on Channel 7.

“Each groups haven’t been to a World Cup remaining earlier than, so they may really feel it. It’s who comes out the quickest and the perfect.

“We’ve spoken concerning the first objective how necessary it’s – now we have scored the primary objective in all of our video games, besides the final sport, however we gained on penalties.

“I feel we are going to come out fairly fast and quick and attempt to assault them early.”

7.55PM: SHORT TURNAROUND SUITS MATILDAS: RASO

World Cup goalscoring hero Hayley Raso says the Matildas will thrive on a brief turnaround after being pushed all the way in which to penalties by France.

Raso advised Optus Sport earlier than tonight’s semi-final in Sydney in opposition to England that the four-day turnaround from Saturday’s win over France would assist – not hinder – Australia’s hopes.

“We’ve recovered mentally and bodily. The faster the turnaround, the higher for us. We need to hold going after we’re flying the way in which we’re. We’re all prepared for tonight,” she mentioned.

England solely performed regulation time in its 2-1 quarter-final victory over Colombia.

Raso mentioned having so many Matildas in England’s Girls’s Tremendous League would assist Australia’s possibilities of progressing to a maiden remaining.

“Loads of us know these gamers properly but additionally we performed them very just lately. We all know what we have to do tonight to get the job completed and we’ll ensure we do this,” she mentioned.

7.30PM: AUSSIE’S SNEAKY GAME PLAN REVEAL

Has Tony Gustavsson signalled his intentions early with the choice to begin Sam Kerr?

Injured Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight believes so, suggesting it means Australia need to go onerous early and kill off the sport as quickly as potential.

“By Tony beginning Sam he’s exhibiting his intention,” Kellond-Knight advised Channel 7.

“I feel the workforce will go onerous straight from the get-go. We haven’t actually pressed groups by way of this event to date however I anticipate we would press England off their objective kick.

I’ve a sense we’re going to go onerous from the primary minute.”

Gustavsson predicted tonight’s should win conflict with England will probably be “soccer warfare” with either side having the very best deal with rely this World Cup.

“We’ve two attacking groups on the market,” Gustavsson advised Optus Sport previous to kick off.

“ England has proven to have numerous attacking instruments left, proper and central. We should be scientific in our defending and we should be actually quick on the break.”

Gustavsson mentioned there was no denying the offered out crowd would assist the Matildas get an edge over the English.

“Earlier than this event it was all about inspiring and uniting a nation (and) they’ve, however they’re additionally on a mission,” he mentioned.

“We’ve a soccer sport to play now. The followers play an enormous function in that with our excessive octane working soccer sport. We’d like them to be as loud as ever tonight, and I do know they may.”

7.20PM: POLKINGHORNE RETURNS FOR RARE START

By Tilly Werner

Clare Polkinghorne will begin her first match of soccer in over three months, with the central defender final starting a sport in April, only a week after the Matildas defeated the Lionesses 2-0.

Whereas she has been integral in further defensive efforts off the bench to date by way of the World Cup marketing campaign, there have been loads of nervous conversations round Stadium Australia and the nation with Alanna Kennedy’s sickness breaking apart her rock stable pairing with Clare Hunt within the centre of defence.

Hunt and Polkinghorne partnered each other by way of the Matildas’ profitable Cup of Nations marketing campaign in February however the relationship Hunt and Kennedy had been constructing within the defensive third had formed as one of many workforce’s most necessary belongings going into the semi-final.

Happily for Australia, Kennedy’s sickness is just not COVID.

7.10PM: CAN KERR GO THE DISTANCE?

To the aid of 25 million folks round Australia, Sam Kerr will begin for the Matildas tonight

Now what? Will probably be a mixture of nerves and pleasure for these at Stadium Australia and, actually, in every single place else.

The principle query on everybody’s lips is whether or not Kerr is 100% and might she final the space?

Kerr punched out a stable 70-minute effort within the epic quarter-final in opposition to France, and was noticed within the dressing room with ice packs on each calves within the aftermath of that match.

Simply 5 days later she’s being thrown into the gauntlet from the start. Can she final the total 90 minutes? And even 120, ought to the match go to extra-time?

These are the discussions Kerr and coach Tony Gustavsson would’ve had this week with the workforce medical employees, however evidently Australia have prioritised profitable in 90 minutes over wanted an injection of sophistication on the finish of regulation time.

Is it a danger? No query. However this can be a World Cup semi-final. There’s no time to reside with regrets.

7.05PM: MATILDAS ROCKED, KERR TO START

Tony Gustavsson has dropped a monster choice shock, with celebrity Sam Kerr handed a beginning function for the primary time this event.

After days of hypothesis and pictures of Kerr together with her calf on ice, Gustavsson has opted to begin his key striker and captain over Emily van Egmond within the semi-final in opposition to England.

Kerr’s event has been rocked from the very begin when she suffered a calf damage on the eve of Australia’s opening conflict in opposition to Eire – earlier than returning for a short-stint within the quarter-final win over Denmark, and a 70-minute shift in opposition to France.

Now Kerr has probably been entrusted with 120 minutes, ought to the match go to extra-time.

It’s a enormous win for the Matildas attacking arsenal however up the opposite finish of the pitch, Alanna Kennedy will miss the match by way of sickness, switched out for Clare Polkinghorne in central defence.

7.00PM: ENGLAND FUME AT ‘CHEATING AUSSIES’

It appears we’ve gotten underneath the pores and skin of a whole nation, as soon as once more.

England’s newspapers and journalists have reacted as one in response to The Each day Telegraph’s helicopter stunt – which captured unique footage of England’s remaining coaching session.

As anticipated, our outdated foes fired up the ‘cheat’ headlines and went into meltdown about ‘underhanded strategies’.

“The dishonest Aussies had been as much as their outdated tips when a helicopter was caught spying on England,” The Solar wrote.

“Supervisor Sarina Weigman was working her Lionesses by way of their remaining coaching session earlier than at this time’s massive match when it was noticed.”

In the meantime the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards wrote: “The underhand strategies deployed by a distinguished Australian newspaper will anger gamers and supporters alike”.

Reactions had been extra measured elsewhere however there was a way of anticipation on the streets of Sydney hours earlier than kickoff and loads of folks sporting the Australian workforce’s yellow jerseys.

6.40PM: ILLNESS HITS MATILDAS, KERR CALL CONFIRMED

Tony Gustavsson has dropped a monster choice shock, with celebrity Sam Kerr handed a beginning function for the primary time this event.

After days of hypothesis and pictures of Kerr together with her calf on ice, Gustavsson has opted to begin his key striker and captain over Emily van Egmond within the semi-final in opposition to England.

Kerr’s event has been rocked from the very begin when she suffered a calf damage on the eve of Australia’s opening conflict in opposition to Eire – earlier than returning for a short-stint within the quarter-final win over Denmark, and a 70-minute shift in opposition to France.

Now Kerr has probably been entrusted with 120 minutes, ought to the match go to extra-time.

It’s a enormous win for the Matildas attacking arsenal however up the opposite finish of the pitch, Alanna Kennedy will miss the match by way of sickness, switched out for Clare Polkinghorne in central defence.

6.35PM: NO CHANGES FOR ENGLAND

Consistency is the secret for England, who are available in unchanged after enjoying a structured match in opposition to Colombia, working for possession and managed passages to objective, with simply 10 pictures on the right track for the match.

Australia has a big pace benefit over the Lioness’ defenders however England will hope Millie Shiny could have Sam Kerr’s measure, given they play their soccer collectively for Chelsea within the WSL.

Famous person Lauren James stays suspended following her ugly stamp throughout the spherical of 16 win over Nigeria.

6.30PM: CAN MATILDAS DETHRONE CATHY IN RATINGS SHOWDOWN?

The Matildas have already created a lot historical past on the World Cup, however can they run down the good Cathy Freeman?

When Freeman gained gold within the 400m on the Sydney 2000 Olympics, it was the most-watched occasion in Australian tv historical past with 8.8 million tuning in.

Can the Matildas do the unthinkable and break that all-time mark in Wednesday night time’s semi-final in opposition to England in what could be yet one more watershed second for ladies’s sport?

TAB is working a market with the Matildas at $4.50 to create historical past and break the ozTAM report and shatter Freeman’s 23-year reign on the prime.

“It’s tough to recollect the final time Australians had been this excited for a sporting occasion, it has been actually mind-blowing,” TAB spokesperson Nick Sensible mentioned.

“There have been 4.17 million folks watching Australia’s dramatic quarter-final win over France, and that didn’t embrace all of the folks watching at pubs, bars and public areas on a Saturday night time.

“The curiosity has spiked even additional off the again of it, and the large query is whether or not they can break the all-time report that has stood for 23 years.”

TAB can be providing a novelty marketplace for the general TV ranking, with $1.60 on supply for over 5.5 million viewers and $2.20 to be underneath that.

Ash Barty’s epic Australian Open win in 2022 attracted an viewers of 4.2 million.

6PM: MELBOURNE STREET TURNS GREEN AND GOLD

Bayside Melbourne residents have thrown their assist behind the Matildas, with Fowler Road in Chelsea renamed “Mary Fowler Road” in a nod to the speedy attacker.

Full with inexperienced and gold balloons, a lot of kids clad in Matildas gear had been noticed having a snap with the brand new avenue moniker as they anxiously rely down the hours to the sport.

5.40PM: ‘GOING TO BE SPECIAL’: MATILDA MUM’S PLEDGE TO B’DAY GIRL

As in the event that they wanted any further motivation, the Matildas will discover it within the type of the workforce’s unofficial mascot: Harper Gorry.

The younger daughter of mid-field powerhouse Katrina Gorry, at this time is Harper’s 2nd birthday. And mum has promised ‘one thing particular’ to have fun.

May or not it’s one other dominant lockdown of the center of the sphere, as Gorry has produced all through the event?

5PM: GAME RESPECTS GAME: BOOMERS CLASSY ACT

All people is aware of the Matildas are the most important ticket on the town tonight – even considered one of Australia’s different favorite sporting outfits.

The Boomers are of their remaining preparations for the lads’s basketball World Cup, enjoying a warm-up sport in opposition to Brazil in Melbourne, however they gave a stable hat tip to Tony Gustavsson’s workforce as they arrived for his or her conflict.

Having already moved the Brazil sport ahead to five.30pm, from its unique 7.30pm tip-off, to keep away from a conflict with the Matildas’ showdown with England, Patty Mills and teammates rocked up for his or her sport in reproduction kits to indicate respect to the Aussie ladies.

Mills sported a Cortnee Vine jersey, in honour of the Sydney FC striker who buried the match-winning penalty final Saturday, whereas teammates had a wholesome unfold of assist for the remainder of the workforce.

4.30PM: ‘I QUIT’: MATILDA’S HEROICS FORCES MINISTER OUT

Australia’s Minister of Defence Richard Marles has resigned from his put up and named Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has his substitute.

In a video posted to social media forward of Australia’s World Cup semi-final in opposition to England at Stadium Australia tonight, Marles explains that the keeper is the one individual match for the function.

On Saturday night time, Arnold stopped three penalties in a shootout in opposition to France to safe the Matilda’s a semi-final berth. She was instantly hailed because the nation’s hero and renamed our new minister of defence.

Yielding to public opinion, Marles was all for the function change – albeit as a tongue in cheek and short-term determination.

“Since Saturday night time I’ve been inundated with texts and emails there have been calls from the media,” he mentioned.

“I wished the nation to know I’ve heard Australia’s message. Tonight our nation faces a grave menace and it comes from the outdated enemy.

“I do know I’m unable to fulfill the second so this afternoon it’s my solemn obligation to resign as Australia’s Minister of Defence. I’ve handed my fee to Mackenzie Arnold.

“As Australia expects, I do know that on this hour, she is going to do me proud. However tomorrow morning please give me again the keys.

“Go Matildas.”

3:30PM MATILDAS STAR FINALLY REVEALS WHY SHE WEARS GLOVES

A Matildas thriller has lastly been solved.

For weeks now, curiosity over Mary Fowler’s gloves has been on the up.

Google searches got here to nothing, there’s nothing in her Manchester Metropolis bio about it and

Fowler solely added to the intrigue when she refused to disclose the reasoning when requested early on within the event.

Why is considered one of Australia’s finest soccer skills carrying gloves each time she takes to the sphere – even in hotter climates?

Many simply assumed it was a behavior due to the chilly English climate she performs her membership soccer in.

However no and he or she’s lastly cracked and admitted “it only a bit foolish actually”.

“The gloves….I truthfully simply put on gloves as a result of I get fidgety,” she advised Mark Schwarzer, who instructed maybe the gloves had been an indication that she actually wished to be a goalkeeper.

“I haven’t advised anybody but.

“Often I prepare with a hoop on but when its chilly I put on gloves and you may’t put on a hoop in a match so I put on gloves, it cease me shifting round a lot.”

1:45PM COACH RAID: MATILDAS MAY LOSE BOSS AFTER WORLD CUP

The Matildas might battle to retain head coach Tony Gustavsson with one of the crucial profitable coaches in ladies’s soccer urging the US Girls’s Nationwide Workforce to think about poaching the Swede after Australia’s gorgeous run on the World Cup.

Jill Ellis, who led the USWNT to back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2015 and 2019, says Gustavsson has not been given sufficient credit score for what he has achieved with Australia this event and should be within the dialog for the US if they give the impression of being to make a managerial change after their shock spherical of 16 exit – the worst end in US historical past.

Gustavsson labored underneath Ellis throughout her two profitable World Cup campaigns and mentioned she will see outstanding similarities between these US journeys and the trail the Matildas have chartered underneath the Swedish coach’s tenure.

He was by no means thought of to succeed Ellis for the US job in 2019 as the main target rapidly turned to in style membership coach Vlatko Andonoski, however Ellis says Gustavsson should be on the radar for the US after his efficiency with Australia.

Gustavsson is contracted with Soccer Australia till September 2024, locking him in for this World Cup and subsequent 12 months’s Paris Olympic Video games.

By turning into the primary supervisor in soccer historical past to take Australia to the semi-finals of a World Cup, Gustavsson has earned the appropriate to jot down his personal cheque with Soccer Australia however even that is probably not sufficient if the world’s largest superpower comes knocking.

“He ought to positively be a powerful candidate for the job,” Ellis advised ESPN.

“I don’t assume persons are giving him and his employees sufficient credit score for having navigated most of this event with out arguably among the best gamers on the planet (Sam Kerr).

“Most of us as coaches wouldn’t have mentioned Australia was even near being a contender with out Kerr, in order that’s fairly outstanding what they’ve been capable of navigate as a employees.”

Ellis mentioned she may inform from Australia’s warm-up win over France in Melbourne final month that the Matildas had been going to be a severe contender within the World Cup.

Gustavsson endured a rocky construct as much as the event as he constructed depth with a younger roster and even tailored the Matildas sport model all through the event by discovering a approach to objective with out tremendous striker Kerr.

“I watched them play in opposition to France within the warm-up sport, and I bear in mind going, ‘This can be a well-oiled machine. They’re going to make a deep run on this event,’” Ellis mentioned.

“You might simply see it — the way in which they stepped collectively and moved collectively. It simply jogged my memory numerous our workforce in 2019. We had been a really well-oiled machine, ready for any scenario.”

1:20PM MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM AUSSIE HEROES

IAN THORPE – OLYMPIAN AND OPTUS AMBASSADOR

“To our Australian Golden Ladies, wishing you the best of hope and energy for the semi-finals. Above every thing you might have already gained the hearts of the nation, impressed the subsequent technology, and are leaving an enduring legacy for many years to return. I can already see Aussie children kick-starting their aspirations for Brisbane 2032 after witnessing the best sportsmanship this nation has seen in a very long time. I’ve not skilled an environment of assist, affection and pleasure like this in a very long time. It jogs my memory of the Sydney Olympics.”

PAT CUMMINS – AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TEST CRICKET CAPTAIN

“It’s actually particular. Simply go on the market and revel in it. It’s going to be a packed home. Hundreds of thousands of individuals watching. That’s why you begin enjoying any sport as a child, you need these massive moments and I’m certain the Matildas will go on the market and kill it.”

ALYSSA HEALY – AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S CRICKET CAPTAIN

“Embrace it. Embrace each second of it and revel in it. I feel simply watching on from a far it looks as if the Matildas have completed simply that. You look in the meanwhile the opposite night time the place Sam Kerr rips off her shirt and provides it to a younger lady. I feel generally you get caught up in profitable a trophy and what all of it means but it surely looks as if the Matildas have stayed at a degree the place they perceive what that is doing for the sport as an entire and I feel in the event you perceive that and revel in each second it brings some good performances on the park. They’ll simply go on the market and play with smiles on their faces and revel in what they’ve created. Hopefully it is going to be a very good consequence for them. However what they’ve completed for the nation as an entire they need to be actually pleased with.”

12:20PM MATILDAS STAR’S BRUTAL SHUT DOWN OF POMMY REPORTER

Mackenzie Arnold was the hero for Australia on the weekend and the keeper was at it once more in her pre-semi-final press convention shutting down an English journalist’s questioning.

Arnold stopped three penalties after lacking her personal within the quarter-final in opposition to France on Saturday night time with followers renaming her Australia’s new “minister of defence.”

Speaking to the world’s media forward of tonight’s semi-final conflict with outdated foes England Arnold was, as soon as once more, a wall.

Imaginative and prescient from the media gathering went viral for tall the appropriate causes as Arnold shut down an English reporter’s try and fire up the rivalry between the 2 nations.

“Mackenzie these two international locations have a standard and lengthy rivalry,” he mentioned. “I’m certain there are numerous England followers again residence that might l’ve to see them knock you out of your property event. Is the thought of being knocked out by England virtually unthinkable to you?”

Stone confronted, Arnold replied: “Being knocked out by anybody is unthinkable, I feel there’s numerous English those who wish to see them knock us out however I feel there’s extra Australians that might like to see England knocked out by us.

“We’ve so many rivalries with so many various international locations, that is simply one other sport for us.”

The remainder of the room couldn’t assist however chuckle.

11:45AM EQUAL PAY? DEBATE RAGES ON

An all-female Sydney sports activities administration company has demanded Matildas and Socceroos gamers be paid equally whereas urging nationwide and international manufacturers to indicate extra respect to Australia’s feminine gamers.

Moore Park-based ESE The Company manages six Matildas, together with Cortnee Vine, Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry, and needs each sporting genders to be handled with equality following the Matilda’s extraordinary World Cup success.

Vine, Raso and Gorry will play the World Cup semi-final in opposition to England at a sold-out Stadium Australia on Wednesday night time.

ESE’s two managing administrators – Leon Spellson and Alexandra Williamson – have gotten more and more fed-up with worldwide and Australian firms who fail to indicate feminine athletes the identical respect as male counterparts.

The pay disparity is obviously apparent for this ladies’s World Cup when you think about that if the Matildas win your complete event, they may share in $6.59m in prize cash and obtain about $286,500 every.

However the Socceroos, who solely reached the spherical of 16 the place Australia gained $19.9m final 12 months in Qatar, every took residence about $316,000 every underneath the Soccer Australia pay deal.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

STOP IT

11:15AM MASSIVE BLOW TO SEVEN

Everyone knows the Matildas have re-written the historical past books in terms of TV rankings this World Cup however at what price?

Seven West Media managing director and chief govt officer, James Warburton says that whereas the corporate has been completely blown away by the viewers scale for the Matildas, they’ve missed out on tens of millions in income owing to promoting limitations.

“The factor with the Girls’s World Cup, is that you simply acquired to recollect, the viewers has been completely unbelievable and we’ve cherished telling the narrative of this excellent workforce – and go Matildas tonight and hopefully all the way in which on Sunday – however there’s no advertisements throughout … play, throughout further time, throughout penalty shootout, so it’s fairly restricted by way of its commerciality,” he mentioned.

Seven spent $5 million on the World Cup rights

“It’s exceeded all of our wildest goals, but it surely drives our schedule and drives our dominance shifting ahead as a result of our total schedule is constructed round it.”

10:15AM WHO WINS?

All bar considered one of our consultants are backing the Matildas to get the job completed tonight. So can England win it?

Right here’s what Marco Monteverde reckons.

Prediction: England 2-1. The Lionesses’ are set to spoil Australia’s occasion by beating the Matildas, who face the robust activity of backing up from an exhausting and tension-filled Saturday night time in Brisbane. The champions of Europe will even have learnt from their loss to the Aussies in April.

Australia’s key participant: The tenacious Katrina Gorry must dominate the midfield and be first-class together with her distribution if the Matildas are to win.

England’s Key menace: If Gorry is important to Australia’s hopes, then Barcelona’s Keira Walsh is the important thing for the Lionesses in an general midfield battle that would resolve the sport.

9:45AM IMAGE MATILDAS FANS DON’T WANT TO SEE

It’s the picture Australia followers gained’t need to see on the morning of the Matildas do-or-die semi-final conflict with England.

Sam Kerr with an ice pack on the calf that has cruelled nearly all of her World Cup marketing campaign.

The ahead sustained the damage on the eve of Australia’s first group sport in opposition to the Republic of Eire and has solely performed a sub function within the final two matches.

Kerr’s calf concern compelled her to overlook your complete group stage earlier than she featured for the ultimate ten minutes of her aspect’s 2-0 win over Denmark within the spherical of 16.

She then got here on within the fifty fifth minute of Australia’s quarter-final penalties overcome France, scoring within the dramatic shootout.

After coaching on Tuesday, Kerr was noticed strolling to the workforce lodge with an ice pack wrapped round her calf.

Coach Tony Gustavsson was optimistic when requested if Kerr would begin in opposition to the reigning European champions.

“She [Kerr] pushed by way of extra minutes than we hoped for to be trustworthy,” he mentioned.

“One of many the reason why we stored her on the bench was that we had been unsure what number of minutes she had getting back from that calf damage but additionally the restricted coaching minutes she had.

“The best way she pushed by way of was unbelievable and spectacular each from a psychological and bodily facet.

“She recovered properly, she educated at this time so she’s accessible.”

After victory over France Kerr mentioned she would have been snug beginning the match.

She mentioned: “After I damage my calf, the plan was to all the time to [try to] be prepared for a semi-final, the ultimate.

“So I may have [started vs France], however who is aware of what may have occurred?

“The ladies have been smashing it and completely dominating.

“I used to be able to go, however we’ve had a plan this complete event and we simply needed to keep on with it.

“That was a part of the plan, to get 20 minutes in opposition to Denmark to make me really feel higher for this sport and now with one other, what, 65 minutes, I really feel higher for it and I’ll have extra coaching underneath my belt.

“So I really feel able to go. I feel with every thing that’s been occurring, the perfect factor for [the France game] was the plan we did and the plan we adopted.”

A NEWSPAPER TAKEOVER

9AM MATILDAS EBAY TAKEOVER

The Matildas have basically damaged any report put in entrance of them this World Cup.

A TV smash, merch has mainly run out and the stadium attendance numbers communicate for themselves.

Now they’re taking over e-commerce and after defeating France on penalties final weekend, gross sales of Matildas scarves skyrocketed 2,650% on eBay, versus the two-days prior, with followers throughout the nation celebrating the historic quarter-final conflict.

As Aussies proceed to don the inexperienced and gold in assist of their residence workforce, knowledge from eBay Australia additionally reveals that within the final two weeks alone:

The variety of gross sales of Matildas jerseys have elevated +450%

The variety of gross sales of Matildas beanies have elevated 225%

The variety of gross sales of Matildas soccer balls have elevated +50%