Matildas prepare for second must-win match in round of 16 against Denmark
Brisbane, Australia (AP) — Australia as soon as once more finds itself in a must-win Women’s World Cup recreation when the Matildas face Denmark on Monday within the spherical of 16.
“This is do or die now,” mentioned Australia goalie Mackenzie Arnold. “Historically, we’ve always really performed well with our backs against the wall.”
Denmark completed second in Group D behind winner England, and solely allowed one purpose over three video games of group play. Australia, in the meantime, hasn’t had the smoothest event to date; a 4-0 win over Canada was in a recreation the Matildas needed to win to keep away from elimination.
Australia was final within the knockout stage of the World Cup in 2019 when the Matildas misplaced to Norway on penalty kicks. Now they face a Denmark group that has used stout protection and has ahead Pernille Harder, who has scored 71 objectives in her worldwide profession. Harder scored on a penalty kick towards Haiti in Tuesday’s closing recreation of group play.
“Denmark have a lot of quality players all over the pitch and world-class in their final third,” Matildas’ defender Clare Polkinghorne mentioned. “It’s definitely going to be a tough job for us to keep them contained, but I think as the games go on, obviously, your defense is going to be key.”
The match is the second time Denmark and Australia will play in a 12 months; the Matildas earned their first win ever over the Danes in a 3-1 pleasant performed Viborg, Denmark, final October.
“We played them last year, and they started really fast,” Polkinghorne mentioned. “They like to attack, to get forward. We’re definitely going to have to be on our game to nullify that.”
Both groups had two shutouts every in group play and the Matildas are getting ready for the potential of one other penalty-kick shootout within the spherical of 16. Australia would rely closely on Arnold, who gained the beginning goalkeeper function earlier this 12 months.
“Maccas is in the form of her career,” Polkinghorne mentioned. “She has belief in herself and confidence in herself, which we all had in her, that she was probably lacking herself. I’m really, really proud of how far she’s come.”
The win over Canada purchased Australia star striker Sam Kerr one other week to recuperate from the calf harm that saved her out of the group stage.
“She has her own individual plan that she’s doing with the doctor,” Arnold mentioned. “She looked like she was quite comfortable doing it. And she was in high spirits after the game, so I assume it all went well.”
Even with Kerr sidelined towards Canada, the Matildas produced their greatest offensive efficiency. Hayley Raso’s double showcased the group has a deep vary of gamers to fill Kerr’s void.
“It just goes to show how our other attacking options have really stepped up and taken their opportunity,” Polkinghorne mentioned. “If they cover one of the strikers, then we’ve got someone else to step up and take the game.”
Polkinghorne mentioned the group embraces the strain and performs its greatest in must-win video games.
“Being Australian athletes, we’ve got that in our DNA,” Polkinghorne mentioned. “As a team, we almost like when our backs’ against the wall and the pressure is on us a little bit.”
