The Australian women’s football team has long won the hearts of its legions of fans.
Key points:
- The 2019 World Cup group stage draw will take place in Paris on Sunday December 9 (AEST)
- Ranked sixth in the world, Australia is seeded for the competition.
- The United States, Germany and world No. 1 France are the favorites to win the title.
But for coach Alen Stajcic, in France this weekend for next year’s World Cup draw, it is the spirit of his players that concerns him most.
“They are the best prepared team (Australia has ever been to a World Cup final), technically and tactically,” he said.
“But I also think it’s the best prepared mentally. And that’s almost the most important factor.
“Mentality has always been the biggest obstacle for Australian teams (in the past), and it’s one that I think this team has overcome.
“There is a real belief in this team that we can win.”
Matildas star Sam Kerr came fifth in the voting for the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or. (PAA: Darren Pateman)
Australia as world champion, in a sport played by more nations than the UN and fighting for space in a crowded domestic market? Previously, this seemed like a fanciful notion. Not anymore.
Ranked sixth in the world, the Matildas are expected to be seeded when the groups are decided early Sunday morning (AEST).
“We don’t often reflect and pat ourselves on the back,” Stajcic said.
“But I think being in the top 10, in the upper echelons of the sport, is already a huge achievement for Australian football.”
The United States, the team to beat
Other nations will head to France with their own ambitions for world domination, of course.
Host country France and European heavyweight Germany are two of the three favorites. The imperious Americans pose the biggest obstacle to all other contenders.
“The Americans seem to have a winning mentality,” said Melbourne Victory England forward Natasha Dowie.
“They know they’ve been there and done that.
“The Matildas have never won a World Cup, the Americans have. This is a huge advantage for them.“
Matildas midfielder Alanna Kennedy believes any country in the current top 10 can mount a challenge, with “the gap between 10 and 20 constantly narrowing”.
Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has overseen the team’s development over almost two decades in women’s football. (PAA: Brendan Esposito)
“It’s obviously going to be difficult. We have to take a lot of little steps along the way to get there,” she said.
“(But) if we put everything together in the process along the way, then we’ll be there in the end.”
Take a seat at the head table
Australia has undoubtedly earned its place in the conversation.
A very first decisive victory against the Americans, on their own soil, in 2017, prompted the world to take interest.
Stajcic, however, traces the confidence he identifies in his players further back, to an Olympic Games qualifier against Japan in 2016.
How we came to victory over the then world and Olympic finalists, he said, was “a major turning point for our team in terms of belief and optimism about how good we could be.”
This kicked off a series of eye-catching performances. This victory against the United States was part of a Tournament of Nations competition in which heavyweights Japan and Brazil were also dominated.
The momentum was further built with two friendlies in Penrith and Newcastle, played in front of packed stands, against Brazil. Both matches were won.
In 2018, results were less spectacular, although performance remained strong. The Matildas were one of only two teams to manage a draw against an American team that has won 15 of its 17 matches this calendar year.
Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy believes the team has a real chance of winning a first world title in France in 2019. (USA TODAY Sports: David Butler II)
“We went from a position where maybe we weren’t sure we could beat these big teams to now knowing we can,” Kennedy said.
“Then, sometimes it’s the opponent’s lower level that we need to focus on just as much.
“It’s just part of our maturity as a team. Something we’re going to work on.”
Assemble the puzzle
This is an unambiguous reference to a recent error-strewn 3-2 home defeat against a Chilean team ranked 39th in the world.
Despite a 5-0 win against the same opposition a few days later, it was a wake-up call. A reminder that no opponent should be taken lightly.
Stajcic has failed to field his “best” 11 in recent times due to a list of crippling injuries, although fringe players have been given opportunities in difficult environments as a result.
“I know our depth is increasing, I know our quality is increasing, I know the level of professionalism and maturity has increased,”
» said Stajcic.
“It’s about us putting all these pieces of the puzzle together and making sure everyone is healthy, fit, motivated and confident for the World Cup.”
Be fit for purpose
Much will depend on the Matildas arriving injury-free in Europe next June. Important actors like Kennedy, Hayley Raso and Kyah Simon are either recovered or followed long after on the sidelines.
Hayley Raso is one of many players getting back into shape with the aim of competing at the World Cup. (AP: Annie Rice)
Workloads will need to be managed in a group that regularly backs up seasons in North America with commitments in the W-League.
“In their day, the Matildas can beat anyone,” says Dowie, the W-League’s current top scorer.
“If you have your pick of the top 11, I don’t think there are many teams they couldn’t compete with and beat.”
Although they still lag behind the men, improved pay deals negotiated by the PFA have allowed Australian players to devote more time to their craft. According to Dowie, something has made Australia’s national product more respected internationally.
“I think maybe four years ago most internationals looked at (coming to the W-League) as a sort of holiday, a nice summer in Australia, getting paid to have fun for a few months,” she said.
“Whereas now, you can’t afford to come in with that mindset. This league is really at a very high level now.”
Fight for respect
With the improved profile, expectations have increased. For Kennedy, it is a positive force rather than a burden.
“When you have support behind you, it motivates you to want to make (fans) proud,” she said, noting the growing number of young girls – and boys – greeting them at matches.
“That’s the most important thing to us, knowing that we’re inspiring the next generation.“
Stajcic is also fully aware of the wider importance of his team’s success.
Sam Kerr celebrates his goal in the win over Brazil at Penrith with Caitlin Foord. (PAA: Dean Lewins)
The rise of the Matildas was one of many positive factors in bringing greater prominence to female athletes, particularly in team sports.
The issue of respect for women’s football came to the forefront this week when the first ever female Ballon D’Or winner, Norwegian Ava Hegerberg, was invited to “twerk” on stage during the award ceremony.
The response to this has been encouragingly strong. But it nevertheless highlights the work that remains to be done.
“We are more than just our team,” Stajcic said.
“The players really appreciate the fact that they represent women’s sport and the evolution of gender equality in our society.
“There are so many bigger pieces at play – I think it’s ingrained in the mentality of our team, to really be mindful of all those different pieces when we go out on the field.”
They will continue to do so with optimism and conviction six months from now, when the world will be watching.
