Both Australia and England eye their first appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final as they renew their rivalry in the semifinal stage of the competition.
AUS-W vs ENG-W Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 16 August 2023
Time: 15:30 (IST), 20:00 (ACT)
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
AUS-W vs ENG-W Match Preview
The whole of Australia and the world witnessed the longest-ever penalty shootout at a World Cup stage with 21-year-old Cortnee Vine converting the decider which helped her nation through to a first-ever World Cup semifinal male or female. They are only the third host nation to make it to this stage after twice done by the USA. The Matildas won the quarterfinal shootout 7-6 over France after 20 spot-kicks and a scoreless 120 minutes. Seeing off a tense affair with nerves of steel shows Tony Gustavsson’s side are unfazed about any challenges coming their way as they look to lift the iconic trophy in their homeland. Firstly, they have to pave their way for a historical final appearance and for that, they have to eliminate England in the semifinals. Having defeated the Euro champions in a preparatory friendly back in April, Australia are wanting to reflect the result again in their first Women’s World Cup meeting. Record scorer Sam Kerr also scored in that victory and will be aiming to do it again now that she is fit to start games. The Matildas are hoping to add to their life-changing tournament and certainly will not pull the brakes just yet.
Like Nigeria, England had to work hard against a gritty Colombia team who even took a shock lead late in the first half. Leicy Santos’ cross-less-shot looped over Mary Earps out of her line to give the South American the lead which lasted for only a few minutes. In the stoppage-time before half-time, Lauren Hemp equalized for the Lionesses following a spill by Catalina Perez now. Alessia Russo bagged her second goal of the tournament in the next period to send England through to their third semifinal of the Women’s World Cup and for consecutive times. Even without Lauren James, also absent for the semi-finals for her two-game ban, the Lionesses manage to create scoring opportunities and produce six shots on target out of 10. The fighting spirit of the team was the main reason to take them through as they eye back-to-back major tournament finals. No coach has ever led two different nations to a World Cup final so Sarina Weigman has the chance to repeat her feat with the Netherlands four years back. On their way stands the team that broke their 30-game unbeaten run under the manager so it will be cherry on the top if they triumph in this fixture.
Recent Form (Women’s World Cup)
AUS-W: DWWLW
ENG-W: WDWWW
AUS-W vs ENG-W Predicted Lineups
AUS-W: Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Foord; Kerr, Fowler
ENG-W: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly; Toone; Russo, Hemp
AUS-W vs ENG-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Arnold (Cr - 8, Pts - 193)
DEF: Carpenter (Cr - 8, Pts - 168), Bronze (Cr - 8, Pts - 196), A Greenwood (Cr - 9, Pts - 297), Catley (Cr - 9, Pts - 293)
MID: Raso (Cr - 9, Pts - 271), Stanway (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 189), Gorry (Cr - 8, Pts - 163),
FW: Fowler (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 145), Russo (Cr - 9, Pts - 210), Foord (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 145)
Vice-captain: Hayley Raso
Captain: Alessia Russo
