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Matildas set their sights on World Cup glory as next opponents revealed

Matthew Hart
Aug 02, 2023
If the Matildas triumph, they will secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Source: Getty Images.

Following their incredible victory over Olympic champions Canada, the Matildas will next face off against Denmark on their path to World Cup glory.

Denmark advanced to Round 16 in second place following an impressive 2-0 victory over Haiti. The highly-anticipated clash with Australia is scheduled for Monday, August 7, at Stadium Australia.

Ranked just three places behind Australia at 13th in the world, Denmark will undoubtedly give their all to secure a victory in Round 16. If the Matildas triumph, they will secure a spot in the quarter-finals, set to be held on August 12 in Brisbane, where they could face formidable opponents such as France, Brazil, Germany, or Colombia.

Former Australian soccer player and coach Heather Garriock told Channel 7 that she believes “we’ve got Denmark covered”.

“However, if they try to frustrate the Matildas – and that’s something that I would do – then it’s going to be a different story,” Garriock added.

With an impressive win against Canada under their belt, the Matildas are poised to approach the upcoming match against Denmark with a surge of confidence and determination.

The Matildas dominated the Olympic champions with an outstanding 4-0 triumph in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Monday, July 31st.

The remarkable victory not only propelled them to Round 16 but also etched their name in history as they secured the top spot in their group for the first time in the World Cup.

The win follows their recent defeat at the hands of Nigeria and without captain Sam Kerr, who remained on the bench after being given an extra week to recover from a calf injury. 

From the very start of the match, it was clear that the Matildas meant business with Hayley Raso notching an impressive first-half brace, while Mary Fowler added her name to the scoresheet in the 58th minute.

The atmosphere inside the stadium reached a fever pitch when Steph Catley calmly converted a penalty in the second half, putting the finishing touch on a sensational victory that sent the crowd into a wild frenzy of celebration.

Following the victory, Cately told reporters that the team “was out there to do everything they could to win at all costs”.

“It was a mature performance, to be honest. They had a lot of the ball. They’re an incredible team. They defend well, they keep the ball, they create chances,” she said.

“So the way we defended together and the way that we countered that was mature.

“At times in the past, we’ve let moments like that get the better of us and I think it shows we’ve come a long way and we’re ready for a tournament like this.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said he “never, ever doubted the players in terms of stepping up and performing well”.

 

 

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