‘This is a game to win’: Matildas embrace last chance at history
The Matildas are determined to finish their groundbreaking Women’s World Cup, and send off their wave of new fans, on a high note by claiming bronze at their home tournament.
The value of the third-place play-off is often debated but Australia have made it clear they’re set on victory over Sweden at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr and head coach Tony Gustavsson on Friday. Getty
The Matildas have won over the hearts and minds of the nation with their personalities, performances and team unity throughout a rollercoaster tournament.
The 3-1 loss to England in the semi-final has not dampened that special feeling, with the Matildas to be presented with the keys to the city of Brisbane at a fan event on Sunday morning.
“Of course we want to win the bronze medal but that feeling that ‘we are winners, no matter what’ is down to the fans,” captain Sam Kerr said on Friday.
“They have created that. They have made us feel like we have done something amazing for them. I have just walked down the street with Macca (goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold) and everyone was just saying ‘thank you’.
“Not ‘well done’ like they normally do or ‘great goal’. It was just ‘thank you’. Me and Macca literally got in the cab on the way home and we were laughing.
“We were (saying), ‘that was so awkward’, because everyone was just coming around the Queen Street Mall.
“We were like, ‘wow, that was amazing’, and the fans have created that feeling for what we have done for them. What they have done for us has just been amazing.”
Coach Tony Gustavsson insists he won’t be handing out jerseys for the sake of it and it’s unclear whether he will rest any of his weary starters, though Alanna Kennedy is sidelined with concussion.
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