For years, we’ve been told that women’s sport languished behind its male equivalent because there was no public interest. And this alleged apathy meant no sponsors and no prime-time television. Of the many lies that have floated around the sporting ecosystem for years, this is the worst. A crowd of over 86,000 watched the Australia-India final at the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, and the ongoing Women’s World Cup football has further exposed this myth.
After a sellout crowd of 43,217 at Eden Park in Auckland watched Spain clinch their place in the final with victory over Sweden, more than 80,000 are expected at Stadium Australia in Sydney to watch Australia’s Matildas take on England in the second semi-final. And that’s not all. The TV audience for Australia’s penalty shootout win over France in the last eight was the highest in over two decades. In fact, not since Cathy Freeman won her 400m gold at the Sydney Olympics had so many Australians tuned in to watch a sporting event.
Remember too that both Australia and New Zealand, co-hosts for this tournament, are hardly footballing hotbeds. Both Rugby codes, Aussie Rules Football, and cricket all get greater attention in the media, as well as from sponsors. But what this World Cup has shown, and emphatically at that, is that women’s football needs favours from no one. The product is now truly robust enough to stand on its own.
The time has come. ⏳
Who will face Spain in the #FIFAWWC Final? 👀
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 16, 2023
As for the game itself, it could well be a tale of two players, club mates at Chelsea in England. England’s Lauren James, brilliant earlier in the competition until her senseless red card against Nigeria, is still suspended. For Australia, Sam Kerr, considered the world’s best striker alongside Germany’s Alexandra Popp, hasn’t started a match yet. Will the team management finally risk her from the first minute in the biggest game in the Matildas’ history?
In a friendly match in Brentford in April, Kerr was one of the scorers as Australia beat England 2-0. That remains England’s only defeat in 37 games under Sarina Wiegman, the coach who also led her native Netherlands to the 2019 final. Wiegman rightly pointed out that there was more to the Australian threat than just Kerr. But how Millie Bright handles Kerr, her Chelsea teammate, could well decide this game.
Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord have also turned in eye-catching displays for Australia, while Mackenzie Arnold’s goalkeeping was central to them getting past France. England, even with stalwarts like Leah Williamson and Beth Mead missing, can call on vast experience, and Australia will need to be wary of the goal threat posed by Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp. The composure shown by Georgia Stanway at the heart of the midfield could also be crucial.
The unknown factor is the crowd. Will the atmosphere help or hinder Australia? If it gives them wings, England could well find themselves playing against XI plus the fabled 12th spectator.
Prediction: Australia 2 England 1
Also Read: Paralluelo and Carmona Goals Take Spain Into Maiden Women’s World Cup Final