Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Grenoble: Australian head coach Ante Milicic said he hasn’t spent a moment wondering how Italy’s match with Brazil might impact Group C’s final standings, opting instead to devote every ounce of his energy to his side’s clash with Jamaica on Tuesday.
The Matildas’ stunning come-from-behind 3-2 win over Brazil last Thursday means a thumping victory over the Reggae Girlz, coupled with a Brazilian success against Le Azzurre, could yet see the Australians top the group table despite their slow start to the tournament.
Entering the knockout stage as group winners could give his side a more winnable Round of 16 fixture, but Milicic sees little point in agonising over a match he isn’t involved in, calling on his charges to focus on the job at hand against the 53rd-ranked tournament debutants.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Montpellier: It may be less than 24 hours old, but Australia’s FIFA World Cup France 2019 epic against Brazil has already been christened as ‘the Miracle of Montpellier”.
The tagline comes as part of a nationwide celebration of Australia’s win over the South Americans, which has included major press outlets, football icons and political leaders.
The Matildas were down, and potentially on the way out, when facing a 2-0 deficit just prior to half-time, but goals to Caitlin Foord and Chloe Logarzo, and an own goal from Brazilian defender Monica completed a spectacular recovery.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Montpellier: Ante Milicic hailed his team’s stunning 3-2 win over Brazil as one of the best he’s seen from an Australian side, after the Matildas came from two goals down to revive their FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 hopes on Thursday.
In a match which has been dubbed the ‘Miracle of Montpellier’, Australia were staring down the barrel of a shock group stage exit when Cristiane put the South Americans 2-0 up in the 38th minute, but, against all the odds, they emerged with all three points.
Caitlin Foord pulled a goal back just before half time, before Player of the Match Chloe Logarzo levelled the tie in the 58th minute, with a VAR-influenced own goal from Brazilian defender Monica ultimately completing a remarkable recovery.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Montpellier: Australia kept their FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 Round of 16 hopes well and truly alive, producing a memorable, come-from-behind 3-2 win against Brazil on Thursday.
In desperate need of victory following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Italy, the Matildas were 2-0 down just before half-time, but goals to Caitlin Foord and Chloe Logarzo, in addition to a decisive own goal from Brazilian defender Monica secured three vital points for Ante Milicic’s side.
Another win in Australia’s final Group C clash, against Jamaica, is now almost certain to take the world number six side through to the knockout stage for the fourth successive World Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Valenciennes: A 95th minute winner from two-goal hero Barbara Bonansea gave Italy their first FIFA Women’s World Cup win in two decades and dealt a blow to Australia’s hopes in the opening Group C match on Sunday.
Sam Kerr opened the scoring with her first career World Cup goal, but Juventus ace Bonansea scored twice in the second half to punish a listless Australia, who now have a significant challenge ahead if they are to salvage their France 2019 campaign.
The Matildas will look to bounce back against Brazil on Thursday, knowing defeat in that match could deliver a fatal blow to their knockout stage hopes.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Le Havre: China PR head coach Jia Xiuqan was overcome with joy after his side earned the crucial point they needed to advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 knockout stage on Monday.
The Steel Roses survived 23 Spanish shots at goal, with goalkeeper Peng Shimeng turning in a Player of the Match performance to take her side to the Round of 16 with a 0-0 draw against Spain.
With over 40 years of experience in the game, and not having a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve, Jia surprised many - including his star 21-year-old shot-stopper - by showing his emotions after the final whistle.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Reims: Korea Republic produced their best performance of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat, which confirmed their group stage elimination on Monday.
Yoon Duk-yeo’s side conceded penalties at the beginning of each half, overshadowing a spirited overall display which produced 23 shots at goal to eight, with Yeo Min-ji netting her side’s first goal of the tournament.
Norway’s win takes them through to the knockout stage as Group A runners-up, while France’s 1-0 win over Nigeria in their match, held simultaneously in Rennes, confirmed the hosts as group winners.