The Matildas have done what the Socceroos could not do a year ago: they've qualified for the second round of the World Cup. Their 4-1 victory over Jamaica was dramatic, memorable and significant.
Dramatic because they overcame a second-half wobble to seal a victory, by enough goals, to qualify in second place for the round of 16. Memorable because Samantha Kerrs four goals – something no Australian footballer had ever achieved – might now elevate her into a household name. Has Sam Kerr (Super Sam, Super Sam), overnight, become the new Timmy Cahill?
Super Sam: Kerr scored all four of Austyralia's goals against Jamaica.Credit:AP
In her post-match interview Kerr smiled with modesty, refusing to allow the numbers to distract her from the task ahead. She had moved beyond her “suck on this” reply to the naysayers and was focused on the next game against Norway.
Memorable also for Jamaicas fightback in the second half, and the awesome athleticism of their star player Khadija Shaw, whose power on the ball seemed to reduce the Matildas to slow motion until Kerr silenced the Reggae Girlz with two clinical finishes in the last 20 minutes.
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It was a thrilling second half, with everything youd want in a clutch World Cup match – great running, physical clashes, nerves, mistakes and goals. It was a contest we didnt get to see when the Socceroos folded limply against Peru one year ago.
It was significant because although a World Cup win should always be treasured, the Matildas coach, Ante Milicic, the commentators and pundits all tempered their pleasure with a note to self: must play better in the next round. In the vernacular weve heard for so many years about the men, the transition from defence to attack needed to be faster, the passing more accurate, the decision-making sharper, and so on.
In short, theyre judging themselves by the same tough standards that the mens football pundits live by. The experts, men and women, are showing us what theRead More – Source
The Matildas have done what the Socceroos could not do a year ago: they've qualified for the second round of the World Cup. Their 4-1 victory over Jamaica was dramatic, memorable and significant.
Dramatic because they overcame a second-half wobble to seal a victory, by enough goals, to qualify in second place for the round of 16. Memorable because Samantha Kerrs four goals – something no Australian footballer had ever achieved – might now elevate her into a household name. Has Sam Kerr (Super Sam, Super Sam), overnight, become the new Timmy Cahill?
Super Sam: Kerr scored all four of Austyralia's goals against Jamaica.Credit:AP
In her post-match interview Kerr smiled with modesty, refusing to allow the numbers to distract her from the task ahead. She had moved beyond her “suck on this” reply to the naysayers and was focused on the next game against Norway.
Memorable also for Jamaicas fightback in the second half, and the awesome athleticism of their star player Khadija Shaw, whose power on the ball seemed to reduce the Matildas to slow motion until Kerr silenced the Reggae Girlz with two clinical finishes in the last 20 minutes.
Advertisement
It was a thrilling second half, with everything youd want in a clutch World Cup match – great running, physical clashes, nerves, mistakes and goals. It was a contest we didnt get to see when the Socceroos folded limply against Peru one year ago.
It was significant because although a World Cup win should always be treasured, the Matildas coach, Ante Milicic, the commentators and pundits all tempered their pleasure with a note to self: must play better in the next round. In the vernacular weve heard for so many years about the men, the transition from defence to attack needed to be faster, the passing more accurate, the decision-making sharper, and so on.
In short, theyre judging themselves by the same tough standards that the mens football pundits live by. The experts, men and women, are showing us what theRead More – Source
