This article is a part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between one of the most absolute best media organizations from the 32 international locations who certified. theguardian.com is working previews from two international locations every day within the run-up to the match kicking off on 20 July.
Overview
Never sooner than has there been extra pre-tournament pleasure surrounding an Australian nationwide soccer crew. A World Cup on house soil, a squad boasting a golden era of gamers and an encouraging run of sustained just right shape have piqued passion and heightened anticipation in a rustic the place soccer normally struggles for relevance.
Led through their talismanic captain, Sam Kerr, the crew have despatched expectancies hovering, nevertheless it hasn’t at all times been so with Tony Gustavsson on the helm. Defensive frailties blighted the trainer’s early tenure and, in spite of a fourth-place end on the Tokyo Olympics, a disastrous go out on the quarter-final level of the 2022 Asian Cup raised questions in regards to the Swede’s talent to mount a reputable World Cup problem.
Gustavsson has sought to transport past a “just give it to Kerr” mentality and attempted to steer clear of an overreliance on his big name striker through giving recreation time to squad gamers anyplace imaginable — no longer at all times to nice good fortune. A 7-0 defeat to Spain in June final 12 months proved one thing of a nadir after he despatched out an green crew to the slaughter in Huelva. But some great benefits of that coverage might in the end be coming to fruition, and the Matildas have since compiled a run of 8 wins out in their final 9, together with victories over top-10 groups Sweden, Spain and England – no longer at all times with a full-strength aspect.
“Sometimes you’re not as bad as people say you are when you lose, but you’re not as good as people say you are when you win, either,” Gustavsson stated after fielding an aspect closely weakened through harm within the 2- 0 wins over England in April. “We know on any given day, we might not have the best team, but we can beat the best teams.” And with combined outcomes giving method to a forged run of shape, the advice is that Australia might simply be timing their run to perfection.