SYDNEY — Australia was already on target for the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup when Sam Kerr entered the sphere to wild celebrations on Monday.
With the star striker again from damage, the Matildas are assured contenders to win the match on dwelling soil after beating Denmark 2-0 within the spherical of 16 at a raucous Stadium Australia.
“It’s a massive boost to have her back,” goal-scorer Caitlin Foord stated. “For teams looking ahead, it’s pretty scary to know she’s back in our team and she’s going to be a part of it with us.”
A crowd of 75,784 cheered as if Australia scored when Kerr was proven on the large display getting ready to come back on. She had been sidelined since injuring her left calf on the eve of the match.
Despite that setback, Australia discovered a technique to get by with out her. But her return means the co-host can name on the most effective strikers on this planet in a match that has seen holder the United States, Germany and Brazil eradicated earlier than the quarterfinals.
Goals from Foord and Hayley Raso underlined the depth of the Matildas even with out Kerr.
“The one thing I think has happened with this team is they were very tight and together when this tournament started,” Australia coach Tony Gustavsson stated. “But the tournament, the experience, the challenges and the adversity they have come through have made them even tighter.”
Australia appears to be getting stronger after trying in peril of exiting within the first spherical from the match it’s co-hosting with New Zealand. Gustavsson’s place was below scrutiny after dropping to Nigeria.
The temper has turn into very totally different with perception spreading by the group and the followers, who created a frightening environment for Denmark.
“It really felt like an away game,” Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard stated.
Australia will face France or Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday when Kerr must be in rivalry to start out for the primary time at a World Cup she was anticipated to star in.
“We don’t need to look at her taking over and having everything on her shoulders,” Gustavsson stated. “It’s a team effort and a team tournament.”
Still, Gustavsson considers Kerr’s return the icing on the cake for his group.
This is barely the second time Australia has superior to a World Cup quarterfinal, having beforehand achieved so in 2015.
Foord fired the Matildas in entrance within the twenty ninth after operating on to a cross from the spectacular Mary Fowler. Then Raso drilled dwelling a second within the seventieth after Emily van Egmond’s lay off within the field.
“The match was decided by Australia’s effectiveness in front of goal and our not-so-efficient play in front of goal,” Sondergaard stated. “We started the game best. Up until 1-0 we were the best team.”
Excitement forward of the sport could possibly be felt round Sydney. Even the Opera House was lit up within the yellow and inexperienced colours of the Matildas.
Back in Stadium Australia the place the group started its marketing campaign on July 20, the Matildas have been nonetheless too robust for Denmark with out Kerr, who was on the bench.
Foord’s opener got here after Fowler’s incisive cross from her personal half. Foord raced ahead and, chopping in from the left, slipped her shot between the legs of Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen to spark wild fan celebrations.
Foord was near scoring a second earlier than halftime when a shot throughout aim looped simply previous the submit with Christensen crushed.
Van Egmond’s backheel from shut vary was then saved within the second half.
With the rating nonetheless at 1-0, Gustavsson informed Kerr to prepared herself, however earlier than she might make her long-awaited entrance, Raso struck.
Again, Fowler was concerned, discovering Van Egmond within the field. She fed Raso, who drilled a low shot by a crowded space into the underside nook.
Kerr changed Raso 10 minutes later to crown an evening of celebrations.
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