Matildas face Brazilian unpredictability
The Matildas know they’ve got the mettle to crack Brazil in the Women’s World Cup – they’ve just got to stay one step ahead of their foe’s rampant unpredictability.
The world-class South American side is all that stands in between Australia and another shot at the quarter-finals, the stage from which Sweden mercilessly knocked them out in 2011.
But star midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight admits she and her teammates will need to grow eyes in the backs of their heads to anticipate every move of the heavyweight world No.7 outfit that features the world’s best player Marta, Cristiane and the remarkable 37-year-old Formiga.
“They’ve got that sort of potential to just pull something left field where they can create an opportunity when you least expect it,” Kellond-Knight told AAP hours after her typically industrious display against Sweden earned her player-of-the-match honours.
“We may be dominating a game, but a player like Marta or Formiga might get half a sniff at the goal and they may even score from it.
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“So I guess it’s just that unpredictable nature the Brazilians have that’s just very skilful, very individualistic.
“It can just come down to one player having a good game, and that could be very dangerous against us.”
The Matildas are riding high after sealing their progression to the knockout stages following a gritty 1-1 draw with world No.5 Sweden.
But just as they’re buoyed by an unlikely escape from this World Cup’s “group of death” also featuring the US and Nigeria, the equally daunting test of sudden death looms in the small Canadian city of Moncton on Monday morning (AEST).
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It’s not an impossible task for a constantly improving Australian squad, especially given Brazil have suffered two emphatic defeats at the hands of world No.1 Germany in the last three months.
With any luck co-captain Lisa De Vanna will continue to defy the odds in a fashion that’s seen her play through a persistent ankle injury to net two goals already this tournament.
Kellond-Knight is backing her teammates’ youthful audaciousness as the biggest weapon in their on-field arsenal, as they vow not to sacrifice their fluid attacking brand of football for a safer defensive approach.
“We’ve got a very young side but I think it works in our favour – there’s sort of that element of fearlessness,” she said.
“I remember playing in my first World Cup in 2011, and I’d never experienced playing against some of these top-level players so I didn’t really know what I was up against.
“And just having that element of fearlessness, I think it’s a benefit I think it’s really good we have it in all of our young players.”
– AAP
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