Summary
So, full-time in Edmonton. A tense, testy encounter. By no means a classic, but for a side that many were calling defensively fragile pre-tournament, a phenomenal rearguard action at the end there for the Matildas.
Not a weak link across the park. From minutes 20-40 it really looked like Sweden were incrementally asserting their authority, and I’ll confess, at half-time I worried the European powerhouses would find another gear after the break.
But the Matildas have stood tall, they scrambled brilliantly, and outside one moment of magic from Jacobsson were defensively resolute. Great work from Kerr on the flank in the second half. And Alleway too in the heart of defence.
Not to bring this crashing down to earth, but this now sets up a Round of 16 clash with.. *drumroll* Brazil.
FFS.
You would say facing Marta et al was a daunting task, but in fairness, there have been no easy games for the Matildas, and perhaps facing both Sweden and USA in the group stage will give them a game-day steel that Costa Rica and South Korea perhaps don’t offer (no disrespect - hint: some disrespect).
That game will be in four days time - but for now; time to savour, time to celebrate. The Matildas, through to the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup.
Thanks for joining me today, I’m off to soak my fingers in unborn-child-stem-cells to revitalise. Hope your day stays great from here.
Great scenes, the whole squad of 23 and the coaching staff have gathered in a huddle - all smiles and laughter now.
A jubilant De Vanna leads the girls over to wave to the crowd. There’s Melissa ‘Bubs’ Barbieri (now Hudson) a veteran of four world cups just absolutely ecstatic, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Well done, Australia - well done, Matildas. They’ve done what the men couldn’t do at the World Cup and survived the ‘group of death’.
Pfft! Full time! Australia 1 - 1 Sweden
94 min: And there it is!!!! Australia hold the World No. 5 ranked side, and the team that ended their 2011 World Cup dreams in the knockouts.
A draw is enough - Australia finish the group second and avoid some really tricky fixtures down the path!
I’ll be honest, I was really worried pre-tournament, but this team has shown they’re the real deal.
Updated
93 min: Schelin turns and tries a ball, more hopeful than convincing for Jakobsson. Alleway hacks clear. It’s the anywhere-is-good-enough time now!
91 min: Kerr stops Samuelsson - following a dangerous ball from Jakobsson. Swedes with it on halfway. A lot of work probing down the right-hand flank here.
The substitute Asslani is really trying to play the playmaker role here; she’s forced that pass though, and Kerr takes it to the corner. Smart play, Kerr. She’s really done well to win a freekick, and now a corner off the feet of the defender.
Seconds continue to tick away - Australia still in the box seat for automatic qualification out of the group!!
90 min: The boards up - 4 minutes of extra time shown. Matildas really winding down the tempo with throw ins etc. Great scrapping here for every ball. Kellond-Knight is playing out of her socks; all XI in gold still really fighting to sniff out any half-chances.
89 min: Sam Kerr first to it! Great clearance - again Sweden with the curious near-post delivery. Surely it’s lob-to-the-far-and-get-your-tall-timbers-in-there-o’clock?
88 min: Schelin gets it to feet - a good cross in, and here are the Swedes with a corner.
Okay, nervous moments here..
86 min: Sweden attempt to attack down the left - again the final ball is far too direct. They’ve really struggled to find Schelin, and they’ve also struggled to get someone between the lines.
Not to hark back on that 4-4-2, but it’s been too flat, and easy to pick out that final ball at times. Matildas turning it back on the Swedes with a well-organised wall of gold in defence.
84 min: It’s Gorry who makes way - she’s really taking her time in ambling off; the referee physically manhandles her to the sideline! I’ve not seen that before, I warrant.
Australia eat up valuable seconds there. Naturally, if the shoe was on the other foot we’d bemoan that as time-wasting; to be fair though, the Matildas haven’t been milking it. It’s been a game played in pretty good spirit, despite the competitive nature, and the stakes.
82 min: Jacobbson now popping up on the left - I SWEAR SHE’S EVERYWHERE. WON’T SOMEBODY PLEASE WATCH HER!
Sweden trying to play through some tight areas here. The substitute Asslani tries to pick out Schelin, but Williams sweeps up in goal.
Looks like Tameka Butt might be coming on. A real safe, wise old head for the centre of the park. Good thinking, Staj. Let’s do this.
81 min: Foord on the charge here - attempts a shot, but it’s blocked. Has to scramble back now to close up the space she vacated in charging forward.
79 min: Kerr again with a fine run down the right. Sweden’s left back up to the task, but some good work there.
Sweden with some good possession here. A corner won - they’ve found Schelin and her strength sees Kennedy concede the corner.
Oh thank god for that! An awful set piece - still bobbled round the box a bit, but Williams eventually clears.
77 min: Commentators preparing their obituaries for the wonderful Lotte Schelin. “She’s not the player she was four years ago.”
EVEN IF THAT IS THE CASE PLEASE DON’T SAY THAT WITH 13 MINUTES LEFT!!
Call me superstitious, but gosh I hate it when those word-gobblers tempt fate like that.
Updated
75 min: Australia have dropped back a little here. Formation is still aggressive, but the line of their press, how far up they’re attempting to win the ball up the pitch has changed.
Lofted ball from Sweden, harmlessly out for a goalkick. Williams in no hurry.
Swedes make another change. Seemingly right back for right back there. Nothing to see here. Move along, people.
Updated
73 min: Sweden are reverting to more and more long balls ‘ lofted passes’ here. But they’re getting little reward; meat and drink for those in gold at the back.
And Sweden’s gone to the bench - a forward for a midfielder. Here it comes.
Updated
70 min: 7/9ths of the way there! Kerr justling with the Swedish defence. She’s even more vital, with De Vanna off the pitch now.
It’s a Swedish goal kick, pumped all the way up to the box. Alleway and Kennedy, neither of whom are midgets, have been really dominant in the air. Doing a great job on the Swede’s captain Schelin.
Another substitute from Stajcic - it’s Heyman on for Simon; a straight swap here, and also some fresh legs in a dangerous part of the pitch.
68 min: Sweden with a sustained patch of possession here. Working it well across the field, but now it’s Australia’s turn to show a disciplined wall of gold.
Looking up, it’s that woman Jakobsson over the ball - testing, probing Catley, threatening a cross. I don’t know about anyone else, but just quietly, I wouldn’t mind if she kinda just pissed off about now.
66 min: Don’t know about you guys, but this is starting to get really tense. Colleagues around me have dropped to hushed whispers. Close ups of the players on the field are showing some drawn faces. Even you, on twitter are starting to feel it too.
I don’t even want to know what the 88th minute is going to look like.
Who'd have thought that refreshing a live text feed could be so nerve-wracking? Hang on, #AUS! @rrjparkin #AUSSWE #FIFAWWC
— trmash (@trmash) June 17, 2015
64 min: Matildas happy to recycle possession - play back to Williams in goal, and switch the play, passing it round at the back. Sweden still yet to push the pedal to the floor.
A ball into Simon’s feet, but the Swedish defence step in. Great interception by Gorry, otherwise a counter-attack loomed there again.
62 min: No, it’s De Vanna who makes way! Perhaps a cumulative fatigue, injury cloud there? Simon switches to wide-left; it’s a role they’ve trained for previously.
Crikey, Crummer really is a big girl. And cue, a great lofted ball in from the wing. A nice mix-up from the Matildas. A nominally defensive move that offers great offensive properties.
Updated
60 min: The hour is up, but very few clear cut chances in this second half. And, it’s Stajcic who blinks first with the substitutions:
It’s the Matildas’ youngest player, Larissa Crummer, who’s getting ready. Presumably for Simon, to offer more of a target up front. She’s a tall woman, could be a handy go-to.
57 min: Okay, now is where it gets REALLY interesting. Will Sundhage begin to contemplate offensive changes? Bring on an extra weapon to chase this game? And what will Stajcic do? He’s gone on the record saying the Matildas will push for a win; but at what stage do they stop and just settle for the point?
Sjogram is one of those out there approaching 40; we might see her fade from the game, so expect a sub there. And who can Staj turn to? Captain Claire Polkinghorne is apparently recovered from her injury; will she come on, shore up the defence and push Kennedy into midfield?
Call me crazy, I’d love to see a switch to a 4-2-3-1 with two screens, but I’m just not sure if that’s in Stajcic’s playbook.. Anywho.
54 min: Sam Kerr with a nice run there and half a shot. She’s looking a bit more lively after the break. Australia need both her and De Vanna to be at full-tilt if they’re to stretch this well-organised Swedish defence. Joy at the flanks will be key.
51 min: A sighter of Foord taking on her opposite number. Great ball into Simon, but she’s quickly bundled off it. A good little half-chance there.
And, as per the pattern, straight away the Swedes rush forward in transition. Jakobsson threatening to get round Catley - puts in a fine cross, but Alleway is there to head clear.
Really worried about Jakobsson. Not just because she’s absolutely killing it, but it’s taken me this long to realise she’s wearing No.10. Trick for park footballers - if you know nothing about your opposition side, just double mark whoever is in jersey No.10. That or whoever’s wearing pink boots. And if they’re wearing pink boots AND wearing No.10? Just chop ‘em.
49 min: It’s back to our earlier cut-and-counter thrust dynamics. I wasn’t sure if I was going for boxing terms earlier, but I think fencing is a better analogy. A touch more Europeany and elegant perhaps.
It’s not cagey, but it really has that air of looking and probing for weaknesses, especially from the Swedes.
47 min: Sam Kerr with a nice showing on the right flank. Gorry with a half-effort from distance. Just a sighter there.
Sweden doing really well pressuring either Van Egmond or Gorry when they’re on the ball. Very little time, and almost no chance to turn and play forward. So crucial they find the feet of Simon, otherwise we may well see the 50+ cap striker cut a forlorn figure.
Pfffft! Second half underway
45 min: And we’re back on!
The Swedes caressing round the back, before attempting a long pass. Matildas now with it, seems like both sides are happy to settle here. Sweden maintaining their deep defensive line; allowing the back four a touch of space.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Group D, the USA have taken a 1-0 half-time lead over Nigeria. Abby Wambach with a headed goal (no way.. you exclaim!) - the veteran striker finally notching her first of the tournament. Rapinoe with the cross, so perhaps the Americans on top there.
With forty-five minutes to play, as it currently stands it’s the USA and Australia going through, with Sweden walking a tightrope to secure a third place qualifying spot.
To clarify - the 4 best third placed teams from across the 6 groups will also qualify; but with plenty more permutations from Group E and Group F to come, it’s far from clear whether 3 or 4 points will be enough to guarantee survival.
My gosh, this is a tight thing.
Meanwhile the first of our work-shirkers have self-nominated.
Whil Pithnall* has written in to say:
I admit that I may not be behaving as the respected manager my employees believe I am this morning. They are under the impression I am sat in my office doing “busy work”. The truth is I’m a pool of nervous distraction. I know it’s only a question of time before I’m rumbled, that goal means the time has been severely reduced!
Ahh, pools of nervous distraction. What a wonderful, and disturbing, image. Janitors everywhere (do we have janitors in Aust? Or have I just been watching too much Scrubs..) with be rueing this one - it may be raining in Sydney at the moment, but the puddles will be appearing inside the offices all round the country..
(*Identity protected)
Jakobsson, nominally on the right wing, but switching to either flank, has especially been running riot. Seger also, pulling the strings in midfield, while Ilestedt has just been monstering it at the back.
For the Matildas, De Vanna’s head-down barrel runs have been a joy to behold. Catley and Foord started brightly out wide, but the Swedish fullbacks appear to have pinned them back a touch. Van Egmond and Gorry need to get their toes on it in midfield. Calm the tempo, get some balls to Simon’s feet. Sam Kerr has also been quiet, we haven’t seen any of the marauding double act from her and Foord that we saw against Nigeria.
Updated
Half-time. Australia 1 - 1 Sweden
45 min: And.. there’s the whistle. An interesting first passage draws to a close. The Matildas starting brightly, but outside one moment of catching the Swedish defence on the hop, it’s the World No.5 side that has slowly pulled it’s way back into this match. We knew it would be tough, we knew it would be tight - but some real headaches for Stajcic to ponder at half-time.
44 min: Some nervy moments just before half-time here. Alleway muscles Schelin and shepherds that out for a goalkick. Great defending. Leave aside two assists and a wonderful near goal against the States, she’s been a mountain at the back for the Matildas.
42 min: Some discussion from the commentary team, as to whether Lotte Schelin is at full-strength. Hasn’t been as lethal thus far as her reputation as ‘the female Zlatan’ suggests.
Sweden with a freekick about 25m out - great ball in by Sjogram, and Williams saves well at the feet of two or three onrushing women in blue. Great work from the keeper!
39 min: Matildas making the running again here. De Vanna goes outside her marker and puts a handy cross in. Swedish defence steps in, danger averted. Now it’s up the other end - Australia really open to the counter-attack, this was a perfect little vignette of the match thus far.
36 min: Newcastle Jets fans will remember his exploits with fondness, bringing silverware to the Hunter in that fabled double-Griffiths era.
If there’s a club-flavour to this Matildas side though it’s very much the Perth mafia on show here, as my twitter correspondence Glory Guerilla points out.
https://twitter.com/TheGloryGuerill/status/610960744981602304
Not sure if that links working to be honest, some gremlins here, and I don’t want to drift from the action too long to fix it.. Bleergh.
34 min: Alen Stajcic is off his bench - Simon is knocked to the ground off the ball, inside the box. She’s not too impressed by replays suggest a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, albeit still a bit rugged.
De Vanna driving forward again on the left wing. She really injects that touch of space, and gives the Aust. women confidence with those little cameos.
Van Egmond with a drive from distance! .. Just drifts wide. Not afraid to back herself, daughter of Gary is.
32 min: Another long ball looking for Sam Kerr, the header falls to Simon, but she’s well-marshalled and it goes for a goalkick.
A touch of that earlier freneticism (sure, that’s a word) has gone out of the game. First spar over, both sides drawing blood, but just flesh wounds. Sweden marginally on top, but a points victory, not a K.O. at this stage.
31 min: A passage of possession for Australia again, settles some nerves after that nervy double chance for Sweden. Kennedy passing it round the back, but again, the Matildas are struggling to break through the lines of this Swedish defence.
29 min: A very elaborate freekick routine comes to nought. Not sure if that was the time for the Harlem Globetrotters routine. A 1-2-3 pass combo flicked up for a Van Egmond volley. End result is disappoint though.
27 min: Okay, the Europeans are very much on the front foot here. Schelin is starting to see some ball time, and that’s danger, always. The Australian midfield getting stretched, Gorry and Van Egmond need to get their feet on it.
Great run here from De Vanna. Wins a pressure-relieving freekick. Turns and sprays the ref with trademark plums. Seger lucky not to be booked there, real shades of professional foul.
Australia with free kick about 35m out.
Updated
24 min: Another corner here for Sweden.. Sjogram finds Schelin, and the girls in gold are stretched a bit.. Another well-worked set piece.. Seger with a shot! Williams tips over.
Australia won the initial header, but it fell to the very dangerous Seger.
A goalmouth scramble from the follow up corner - how did that stay out!! Jakobsson with the ball at her feet but a remarkable double save from Williams and one of the defenders. Very hairy stuff here!
23 min: Gorry with a jinking run, it’s so tight around the Swedish penalty box; we saw this against the US, they’re just so strong and disciplined defensively. Simon seeing very little of the ball; Matildas will need to get the two-goal hero against Nigeria more involved.
21 min: Jakobsson is suddenly everywhere, just winning a tackle in midfield there. A lofted ball for Schelin up front, but she’s well-marshalled by the strong, tall duo of Alleway and Kennedy. Key battle there, and I’ll tentatively offer one where the Swedes may struggle today.
20 min: Sweden so strong from set pieces and dead balls, Aussies will need to watch out conceding any unnecessary fouls. The momentum has swung towards the Europeans here. They’re generally content to defend deep, allowing the Matildas a bit of space, but then in transition, they’re very dangerous.
18 min: Oooh! Just wide. We mentioned an earlier warning shot - that’s the second header by Ilestedt - an absolute peach of a header, effectively completely unmarked and it’s almost licked the outside of the post, with Williams scrambling. Tighten up, Matildas!
Updated
16 min: I was wondering whether this one would be Sweden v Nigeria (all action) or Sweden v USA (defences on top); this might be our answer.
It’s not end-to-end, but there are certainly opportunities out there. Sweden have won another corner, Matildas need to be careful here.
Goal! Australia 1 - 1 Sweden (Jakobsson)
14 min: And the Swedes have pegged straight back!
Jakobsson with a run in from right wing, led Catley on a merry dance before curling a lovely shot just inside Lydia Williams’ near post. Keeper perhaps unsighted - not a ‘must save’ but perhaps saw it late. Take nothing away from the strike though; game on!
Updated
12 min: Australia seeing great joy down either flank - Catley and Foord are such tremendous engines; can get up and back all day. The Swedish fullbacks are no slouches though, so some interesting battles to ensue out wide.
10 min: Some nice passing in midfield for the Matildas. Kellond-Knight, Gorry and Van Egmond will be key here today.
Some nice comments from former-Matildas Jo Peters pre-game on the difference of the two formations. Australia with the 4-3-3 they’ve worked on for over five months; the Swedes opting for the England-of-the-early-90s look with a 4-4-2.
Defensively, this looks solid for the Swedes (two banks of well-disciplined four), but going forward, it feels a bit static and one-dimensional at times.
Updated
8 min: And all of a sudden there’s an extra hint of vitality to the Swede’s play.
A rampaging run from right back and they’ve won a corner here..
But it’s headed wide. Ilestedt really got up high there - an early warning shot.
6 min: Didn’t appear to be much on there, but a really well weighted ball - keeper stranded, really had no chance, De Vanna with so much goal to aim at, shifts her hips and just caresses it home. World Cup goal number.. 6 perhaps (?) for De Vanna? Don’t quote me. But it’s a few.
Updated
Goal! Australia 1 - 0 Sweden (Lisa De Vanna)
5 min: Would you believe it! Who else - captain De Vanna has found the net!!
A long targetted ball from Alleway at the back, and De Vanna has peeled away from her marker and slotted it home, with aplomb.
Get in!!
Updated
3 min: All eyes on Sweden’s captain and striker Lotta Schelin, but also Caroline Seger in midfield. She was the standout against the Americans, these two could hold the key.
Australia with the early possession though - Catley with a lofted cross attempt or two; nothing quite falling to Kerr or Simon, but it’s very much Australia probing in these early stages.
Pfffft! Kick off!
1 min: And.. we’re under way. Australia in customary green and gold, Sweden in away strip blue. Australia with early possession from the kick off. Sweden happy to sit in disciplined banks of four and press at any sign of opportunity.
Updated
Okay - back to the action! The dulcet tones of David “Thanks Bash” Basheer are on, and suddenly my stomach just dropped. We are MINUTES away from Australia’s do-or-die (or-possibly-survive-depending-on-results-elsewhere) encounter. And its suddenly dry mouth time.
As always - it will be brilliant to have you along for the ride; feel free to shoot me an email, or fire off a tweet - join the conversation. Keen to hear from anyone plumbing new depths of deception to avoid their bosses, generally shirk work and follow this on the sly, either on TV or through this liveblog.
As an aside - great to see Sam Kerr back in the XI after that nasty off-the-ball elbowed ‘challenge’ against Nigeria.
An update on that:
Ugo Njoku has been suspended for 3 matches and fined for her behind the ball elbow on @samkerr1. #FIFAWWC #Matildas pic.twitter.com/8orl0ZKhGO
— The Women's Game (@TheWomensGame) June 15, 2015
Really was a sickening moment, so good work by the officials there, moving swiftly to deal with this.
The players are walking out on the pitch now - a smallist crowd in attendance in Edmonton, but to be honest, none of the players will be needing additional motivation for this one.
First news is this - no changes for either side.
Alen Stajcic has shown faith in his chargers - the XI that delivered Australia’s first ever clean sheet at a World Cup against Nigeria.
The Matildas are as follows:
ICYMI | #AUS XI: Williams, Alleway, Catley, Kellond-Knight, Foord, Van Egmond, De Vanna (C), Kennedy, Simon, Gorry, Kerr #AUSSWE #ThisIsIt
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 16, 2015
And, Sweden are also unchanged:
#SWE XI: Lindahl, Fischer, Dahlkvist, Schelin (C), Jakobsson, Ilestedt, Sjogran, Nilsson, Seger, Samuelsson, Rubensson #AUSSWE
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 16, 2015
This is the side that pushed Team USA to within a whisker - only Klingerberg’s fringe kept the US goal intact with a goalline clearance onto the crossbar from the diminuitive LB saving the home continent favourites’ blushes.
Hello there!
Kick off just fifteen minutes away - and customary nerves are starting to set in. Richard Parkin here to take you through 90 minutes of drama, tears, unbridled joy etc.
If you’re in one of those big spacious offices grab your coworkers and peel off to a frosted corner office for a ‘strategic planning meeting’ for the next two hours, because this is massive.
Sweden - perennial European powerhouses, home to one of the strongest domestic women’s leagues in the world, and with one the most experienced coaches, Pia Sundhage, going around. They effectively have to win here to ensure their passage to the next round, which means we. have. got. a. game. on. our. hands.
Preamble
It’s being billed as a revenge clash - Australia vs Sweden - two sides that squared off in the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals, with the Swedes prevailing 3-1. All three of the goalscorers for Sweden that day - Sjögram, Dahlkvist and Schelin - are expected to start here; but Australia’s scorer? Well a combination of poor form and excellent form has seen Ellyse Perry and football almost strangers these days. Her struggles with Sydney FC this season (injured or non-selected for most of it) have been inversely proportionate to her glittering success with the Australian cricket team, The Southern Stars. Ahh, the curse of freakish talent..
With the table as it currently stands in Group D, anything but a lose should see the Matildas through to the knockout stages. With the tournament being extended to 24 teams, we have the unique circumstance where four out of six third places teams still have a chance of progressing. With a draw enough therefore to secure at least third, both players and coach however have been talking boisterously pre-game of playing to win.
Alen Stajcic has been displaying tremendous confidence in his side, but knows full well the size of the obstacle awaiting the Matildas. “Anyone who gets out of this group”, said Stajcic pre-game, “I’m certain will end up in the top two or four in this tournament”. Fighting words, and I’m sure something Germany, Brazil and Japan will be keen to naysay later in the tournament.
Richard Parkin will be in the chair soon to take us through the team lineups and any last minute injury news; in the interim, put the kettle on, get the champagne on ice, and feel free to check out how the various groups currently stand, with this fancy interactive tournament wallchart.
And if that’s cool, wait til you see these - a full set of digital ‘trading cards’ - like you used to fight over in the schoolyard (post-conkers but pre-tazos); all the Matildas, all the stats - check it out here.
Richard will be here shortly, just keep your Alt-Tab (or Command-Tab) fingers ready for when the boss walks past.
