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| FIFAWWC |
The
Marauders or The Matildas?
This is neither the characters from the Harry Porter franchise
nor the magical little girl from that popular children's fantasy movie of the
90's.
Just thought to clear that up!
Sticking to the FIFA Women's World Cup frenzy, our Super
Falcons will have to navigate a group that consists of Sweden, Australia and USA.
Earlier, we took a look at the first team they'll be facing
on the 8th of June in Winnipeg. In the piece http://www.thenff.com/2015/05/fifa-women-world-cup-group-d-in-focus-keeping-up-with-the-challengers/ we chronicled the ''Need for Swede'' which was established to be a tricky
tie.
Nonetheless, the next fixture which will be on the 12th of
June at the Winnipeg Stadium will be what the wise men in Sports call the ''Tiebreaker''.
Our Opposition?
The Matildas of
Australia.
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| Image Credit: The Women's Game |
Formerly known as the Female Socceroos; a name their male
equivalent still bears, this Asian football team has steadily climbed the
football echelon in recent times.
Ranked 1oth both in the world and all time ranking, the
Matildas story to glory started about eight years ago in China. In that
tournament, they qualified for the quarter finals with an experienced squad that
had consistently featured in the WC since 1995.
They were eventually ousted by Brazil (3-2) but for a side
that had bowed out of the '95, '99 and 2003 edition at the group stage, this
was a massive improvement. In Germany 2011,
a youthful Aussie team produced
the unexpected by also qualifying for the quarter finals but suffered a 3-1 loss
to Sweden; ending what was a memorable campaign.
In a nutshell, their WC record from 1995-2011 (5 tourneys) reads
'Group Stage, Group Stage, Group Stage, QF and
QF.' If we factor in 2015 and pleasure ourselves with our mathematical nous
in sequences and series, we would tick an automatic QF berth for the Matildas.
All-S0-Right in Math Kingdom but Not-So-Fast in Real
life.
Their campaign in Canada will start with a cringe worthy
game against the best of the best; USA.
Whatever be the outcome of that game, they'll face Nigeria next; the
first meeting between these two sides. Five days later, they take on familiar
foes and constant nemesis, Sweden.
If we rewind just a little to the game against Nigeria, it'll
be concluded that the previous game against USA and Sweden for both teams will
play a significant role in how this tie tilts.
One can be assured that these
two teams will be looking to capitalize on either the psychological boost
garnered from win(s) or draw(s) or lessen the blow dealt from a defeat or
defeats; making this a make or break game.
Australia's team boasts of the core of the squad that made
it to the QF in 2011; a side with a plethora of vibrant teens and young adults.
This time, those teens have matured into women and the team has evolved from
having an unclear pattern to a team that prides in its reliable attacking
options and of course, veterans.
Key to this point are the gifted quartet of Lisa De Vanna,
Sam Kerr, Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord. In Midfield, Katrina Gorry is the
masterful jigsaw alongside Tameka Butt. For the Falcons, there will be one less
problem with the record goalscorer Kate Gill, being dropped (this sent shock
waves across Australia).
Like most of the women's team, the major Achilles heel will
be in defense as the long time number one goalkeeper, Brianna Davey, was
excluded from the final 23 (that was also met with controversy). She makes way
for the trio of Lydia Williams, Melissa Barbieri and Mackenzie Arnold; with no
one the outright first choice.
With this seemingly beneficial to the Falcons, added with
the scant number of defenders available (just four), they'll be playing with a
swarm of midfielders and wing-backs. The Falcons should be looking to supersede
the overlapping runs of the wingers which could see the Matildas exposed to
waves of counter attacks.
Alen Stajcic has been able to mould a versatile team; one
that boasts of a silver medal at the 2014 AFC Championship. Whether or not this
41-year-old's constant chopping and changing and/or exclusion of key personnel will
come back to haunt, is left to be seen but what is sure is that the Aussies will
play to silence the doubters.
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| The Matildas Team Spirit |
They maybe the outside contenders to finish second or one of
the overall third best teams but that lies majorly in the hands of the Super
Falcons. With no respect shown, the girls should match them pace for pace with
that extra frosting of aggression; one that comes with the team being a far
more experienced side and arguably, the hungrier of the two.
The Matildas bear a strong moniker which can be loosely
translated to ''Mighty Battle maids'' and as history suggests, they aren't that submissive in the group stages.
If they become Marauders and raid the group with the intention
of disrupting the hierarchy and of course the USA-Sweden script, it will be a well
won battle indeed.
But First things first.....they must answer to us!!
More
to Follow...
