For a few scary moments on Monday night,the decision to send on the Matildas skipper looked like it had backfired – and coach Tony Gustavsson was worried.
Australia needed a breather to reset against a dangerous Denmark side. Cue Steph Catley’s impeccably timed tumble and a pitchside meeting of the minds.
Australia defeated Denmark 2-0 in Sydney after goals from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso,with skipper Sam Kerr getting her first World Cup start in the final 10 minutes of the game. Earlier,England defeated African champions Nigeria in a penalty shootout.
Canada,Brazil and the United States may be gone,and England may have been taken to penalties,but Australia have a toolbox of death-defying tricks.
Sam Kerr climbed off the bench to finally play,Caitlin Foord was the star of the show and Mary Fowler produced a moment for the ages. Here’s how the Matildas rated in Sydney.
Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso scored magnificent goals as Australia brushed past Denmark 2-0 to set up a quarter-final clash with either France or Morocco on Saturday night. Oh,yeah – Sam Kerr’s back,too.
The small matter of Sam Kerr (again),the potential for a penalty shootout and which Denmark star Australia will need to keep their eyes on.
Australia’s next opponents are very familiar foes. Ten months ago,a stirring comeback against Denmark helped Tony Gustavsson’s side rediscover its winning touch.
The Socceroos’ discovery of Denmark’s scrap of paper said plenty about the lengths Arnold’s players were prepared to go to win - and how poorly prepared their opponents were.
The Socceroos are looking to make the round of 16 for only the second time. Follow the action as they take on Denmark in Qatar.
When Tunisia took a shock lead against France,Australia’s World Cup campaign looked over. How they responded created history.