The Matildas, pictured prior to a friendly against South Africa on October 8, will face Nigeria, Ireland and Canada in the group stage of next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

Australian Matildas face robust project after draw for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup revealed

October 23, 2022
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The Matildas will face a troublesome activity at ‘essentially the most aggressive Women’s World Cup in historical past’, drawing a difficult group for subsequent 12 months’s event in Australia and New Zealand.

The swimming pools and draw was finalised throughout a glitzy ceremony in Auckland on Saturday night, with the Matildas set to face Olympic champions Canada, first-timers Ireland and the Forty fifth-ranked Nigeria. 

The event, which is about to happen from July to August subsequent 12 months, options 32 groups for the primary time and has been described by ladies’s football icon Jill Ellis as ‘essentially the most aggressive ladies’s World Cup in historical past’.

Canada (world no. 7) will little question present the Thirteenth-ranked Aussies with the sternest check, however even Ireland (24) not too long ago beat the Matildas, and Nigeria (45) are at all times exhilarating at main tournaments.

The Matildas, pictured previous to a pleasant towards South Africa on October 8, will face Nigeria, Ireland and Canada within the group stage of subsequent 12 months’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

A slick ceremony took place in Auckland on Saturday night to decide the draw and schedule for the tournament

A slick ceremony came about in Auckland on Saturday evening to resolve the draw and schedule for the event

As high seeds, Australia prevented the six top-ranked nations, led by the two-time reigning world champions and world No.1 USA, but when they do not win their group, they may seemingly must face Euro 2022 champions England.

So the latest inconsistency of the Matildas wants to finish – they merely should win this group if they’re any probability of difficult at their house World Cup. 

Under-fire Aussie coach Tony Gustavsson admitted it was a troublesome draw for his aspect.

‘Bring it on,’ he informed AAP in Auckland after the ceremony on Saturday evening.

‘Someone was simply texting me. Hey, Tony, you bought the highest rank team from pot two. You’ve acquired the third ranked team from pot three. You’ve acquired the highest ranked team from pot 4. What is that this?

‘England within the first playoff … after which after that, it should be France and Germany on that aspect of the bracket too. Ranking-wise it is a very, very robust.’

Australia will face Canada (pictured) in the group stage of next year's World Cup. It was the worst possible result, with the reigning Olympic champs the top-ranked team in pot two

Australia will face Canada (pictured) within the group stage of subsequent 12 months’s World Cup. It was the worst doable consequence, with the reigning Olympic champs the top-ranked team in pot two

The most curiosity at Saturday’s draw was in who would come out of pot two to face Australia, with Brazilian legend Gilberto Silva drawing out Canada – the highest-ranked opponent accessible.

The Maple Leafs gained gold on the Tokyo Games and narrowly misplaced their continental championship to the USA 1-0 in July.

They are additionally latest guests to Australia, taking part in two matches final month towards the Matildas and profitable each with relative ease whereas famous person Sam Kerr and her teammates missed a glut of simple alternatives and appeared confused with Gustavsson’s bewildering choice and techniques.

Australia will kick off the event with a gap day match towards Ireland on July 20 in Sydney, earlier than they tackle Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27.

Australian skipper Sam Kerr, pictured travelling to a Champions League match for Chelsea this week, will be critical for the Matildas chances in a tricky group

Australian skipper Sam Kerr, pictured travelling to a Champions League match for Chelsea this week, can be important for the Matildas probabilities in a difficult group

The final group stage recreation for the Matildas would be the mouth-watering match-up towards Canada in what is about to be a buzzing environment at AAMI Park in Melbourne on July 31. 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and a number of football luminaries packed Auckland’s Aotea Centre on Saturday evening for the glitzy draw ceremony.

After speeches, pomp, montages and even dance, USA two-time World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis introduced the trophy to the stage, earlier than the trail to silverware was revealed, with 4 teams to be primarily based in Australia and 4 in New Zealand.

Groups D, F, and H – headed by England, France and Germany – are off to Australia, whereas teams C, E and G, with Spain, the USA and Sweden as high seeds, will play their group-stage matches in New Zealand.

New Zealand football legend Maia Jackman draws Australia in Saturday's glitzy draw ceremony

New Zealand football legend Maia Jackman attracts Australia in Saturday’s glitzy draw ceremony

Earlier on Saturday, Infantino chaired the bi-annual assembly of the FIFA Council, the primary such assembly in Oceania.

In a press convention following the gathering, the livid FIFA chief took intention at broadcasters for his or her below-par bids to display the 2023 event, which he mentioned have been ‘100 occasions much less’ than bids for the male occasion.

When broadcasters – typically public broadcasters, but in addition non-public broadcasters – supply us 100 occasions much less for the Women’s World Cup than the boys’s World Cup, much more than 100 occasions in some events, that isn’t acceptable,’ he mentioned.

‘We aren’t going to just accept this.

‘We know that the viewing figures for these broadcasters in some large footballing nations for the boys’s World Cup or for the Women’s World Cup are literally very comparable, particularly within the latest previous.

‘We have viewing figures within the US Women’s World Cup, 1.2 billion folks all over the world … the final 263 million, which is greater than twice the Super Bowl,’ mentioned the livid Infantino.

FIFA president Giovanni Infantino was ropeable at broadcasters for their paltry bids - but confident that the Women's World Cup would be an incredible spectacle

FIFA president Giovanni Infantino was ropeable at broadcasters for his or her paltry bids – however assured that the Women’s World Cup can be an unimaginable spectacle

The Matildas, who’re one in every of Australia’s most beloved nationwide team of any sport or both gender, have had a rollercoaster few years below Gustavsson – nevertheless two Friendly wins within the UK not too long ago have boosted the boldness ranges considerably.

After embarrassingly crashing out within the Asian Cup far too early to begin the 12 months, a string of diabolical losses adopted as followers continued to scratch their heads over the frequently altering choice from Gustavsson – and a taking part in model that did not seem to go well with the unimaginable expertise on the team’s disposal.

The aspect have gained simply 4 of their final eight video games, with simply two of their opponents ranked increased than them.

But the team is stacked with absolute world-class expertise like Chelsea famous person and skipper Sam Kerr, Arsenal weapons Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley in addition to the at the moment injured Paris Saint-Germain Champions League winner Ellie Carpenter. 

Catley mentioned the aspect was absolutely ready for a possible showdown towards England within the group of 16 – and is assured the team have turned their fortunes round of late.

Catley has over 100 caps for Australia, and recently stood in as captain for a friendly against South Africa

Catley plies her trade overseas for Arsenal in the women's version of the English Premier League

Steph Catley can be a vital piece for the Matildas defence in subsequent 12 months’s World Cup

‘That’s good and near house for lots of us that play over right here (England). It can be a fully unimaginable recreation if we did come up towards them,’ she informed the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘If we get them good and early, I do not suppose that is essentially a nasty factor … if you wish to win, you have to beat everybody.

‘Now we all know who we’ve acquired, we will begin to determine what kind of recreation plans we’d like.

‘We additionally have to get everybody wholesome, we have to get everybody on the identical web page and begin to play some constant football. 

‘We’ve only recently had some good outcomes and acquired again to profitable methods, in order that’s been a pleasant little enhance for everybody. But actually, the actual preparation begins now,’ mentioned Catley, a silky-skilled left-footed defender who has 100 caps for Australia.

Sam Kerr celebrates a goal at the Tokyo Olympics last year with her Matildas teammates

Sam Kerr celebrates a purpose on the Tokyo Olympics final 12 months along with her Matildas teammates

FIFA Women’s Chief Sarai Bareman informed Daily Mail Australia earlier this month that Australia was now starting to reap the rewards of investing within the ladies’s recreation.  

‘The Matildas are the shining instance of that (investing cash and assets will get a greater product on the sector),’ she mentioned.

‘They’re one of many marquee groups of this nation throughout all sporting codes and genders.

‘Sam Kerr is an absolute famous person and you have got males and boys following her simply as a lot as the ladies and women.’

Sam Kerr, pictured playing for Chelsea in their Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on October 20, will create a whole new generation of young Aussie superstars after the World Cup

Sam Kerr, pictured taking part in for Chelsea of their Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on October 20, will create a complete new era of younger Aussie superstars after the World Cup

So what and who precisely will the Matildas be dealing with in the course of the group stage? 

Ireland 

Ranking: 24. Coach: Vera Pauw. Captain: Katie McCabe.

Last assembly: Ireland 3-2 Australia, Dublin, September 2021.

Players to look at: Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn, Heather Payne and Amber Barrett. 

There have been jubilant scenes when Ireland certified for his or her first-ever World Cup earlier this month, with an excellent 1-nil win over arch rivals, Scotland.

Women’s football has loved considerably of a renaissance in Ireland over the past decade, with the nation pouring assets into the sport with a view to compete with the normal sports activities of Gaelic football and hurling. 

The Matildas have solely confronted Ireland as soon as (final 12 months) – and it didn’t go nicely. Not solely did the team go down 3-2 in Dublin, however Aussie striker Chloe Logarzo suffered an ACL and Gustavsson’s weird alternative to select a team of untried kids kickstarted a rollercoaster 12 months.

Ireland captain Katie McCabe celebrates after the side qualified for the World Cup with a win over Scotland on October 11

Ireland captain Katie McCabe celebrates after the aspect certified for the World Cup with a win over Scotland on October 11

Ireland Coach Vera Pauw sees a symmetry of their opening-night conflict with Australia. The Irish have misplaced simply twice since that well-known victory over Australia simply over 12 months in the past.

‘It’s thrilling. We do not concern something. Home and away, there isn’t any distinction, whether or not it is a full stadium, whether or not there’s no person round, it does not make a distinction for this team,’ she mentioned.

‘We are simply going to live it to the total, we’ll embrace it, and the extra strain the higher.’

There were jubilant scenes as Ireland qualified for their first World Cup earlier this month

There have been jubilant scenes as Ireland certified for his or her first World Cup earlier this month

Pauw credit that win over the Matildas because the catalyst for the aspect lastly qualifying for his or her first World Cup. 

‘Australia have been the higher team after all, however we someway managed to win,’ she mentioned.

‘It was a incredible recreation and that was a turning level, (bringing) actual perception that we will do one thing, that we will develop.’

Nigeria 

Ranking: 45. Coach: Randy Waldrum. Captain: Onome Ebi.

Last assembly: Nigeria 0-2 Australia, Winnipeg, June 2015.

Key participant: Asisat Oshoala.

Nigeria are clearly the simplest match-up on paper for Australia, however though the nine-time African champions may solely handle fourth on this 12 months’s event, they’ve sufficient expertise to make sure Australia can’t be complacent.

Asisat Oshala, thought-about by many to be the nation’s best-ever participant, and one in every of Africa’s best too, heads up the assault of European powerhouse Barcelona – and she’s going to show herself a nightmare for the Matildas defenders.  

While Nigeria are the lowest-ranked aspect within the group, former participant Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu – standing in for coach Randy Waldrum in Auckland – mentioned the Super Falcons have been assured.

‘When I noticed the draw, I used to be hopeful. I used to be completely happy that it’s not a really tough group,’ she informed AAP.

Asisat Oshala celebrates a goal for Barcelona in the club's Champions League victory over Benfica on October 19

Asisat Oshala celebrates a purpose for Barcelona within the club’s Champions League victory over Benfica on October 19

One factor is for positive, it doesn’t matter what occurs on the sector there can be lots of pleasure off it for the estimated 20,000 Nigerians who live in Australia. 

‘Fans can sit up for see the way in which Africans rejoice after they rating targets. And I can inform you that we’ll play stunning football,’ mentioned Tobe-Chukwu.

‘We have the best-organised supporters group on the earth, with trumpets and drums … it overwhelms and drowns drowns lots of chants. They will discover a technique to Australia.’

Canada 

Ranking: 7. Coach: Bev Priestman. Captain: Christine Sinclair.

Last assembly: Australia 1-2 Canada, Sydney, September 2022.

Key gamers: Jessie Fleming, Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence and Christine Sinclair.

Adriana Leon celebrates a goal for Canada in their win over the Matildas in Brisbane last month

Adriana Leon celebrates a purpose for Canada of their win over the Matildas in Brisbane final month

The Australians know Canada nicely, however they will not have completely happy recollections. The Maple Leafs beat the Matildas on the 2016 Olympics and once more final month in two friendlies, and they’re one of many high groups on the earth. 

After being bundled out by a robust Sweden aspect within the Round of 16 on the final Wolrd Cup, Canada have been good on the Tokyo Olympics final 12 months, holding on for gorgeous penalty shootout wins over Brazil and Sweden.

The aspect is led by Christine Sinclair, who has kicked an astonishing 190 targets from 317 caps over the past 22 years, whereas the defence is extremely stout due to Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, who each ply their commerce within the sturdy French league.

Jessie Fleming may also be an thrilling teen for the Matildas to be careful for. The dynamic midfielder continues to develop and ship on her undoubted potential alongside Kerr at Chelsea.  

Canada captain Christine Sinclair is undoubtedly her country's greatest ever, and the Matildas brains trust will no doubt be putting lots of energy into how to stop her

Canada captain Christine Sinclair is undoubtedly her nation’s best ever, and the Matildas brains belief will little question be placing a lot of power into how one can cease her

‘Our group, it could possibly be worse but it surely could possibly be higher. I’m feeling good,’ mentioned Canada coach Bev Priestman, who oversaw two pleasant victories over Australia final month.

‘That expertise will certainly be invaluable.’

Crucially for either side their encounter additionally the final match, setting the stage for a showdown to resolve high spot – or a tough-as-nails battle to remain alive within the event. 

2023 Women’s World Cup teams 

A – New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland

B – Australia, Ireland, Nigeria, Canada

C – Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan

D – England, Playoff B, Denmark, China

E – USA, Vietnam, Netherlands, Playoff A

F – France, Jamaica, Brazil, Playoff C

G – Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina

H – Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea

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