Semifinal number two pit the home team Mathildas against England's Lionesses, rated number 3 in the world. This match was in Sydney at the Olympic Stadium and as one might imagine it was a party. By 4:30, Olympic Park was one massive party with dozens of food tents, live music, thousands of ticket holders and thousands more coming to watch the games on the big screen. Since we were doing just a 1-day stint for the game, I booked us a hotel at Olympic Park -- the view from our window (right) was not that different from the view from in front of the stadium (left).
As sun set over the city and stadium, the view from our room was spectacular!
The short walk to the stadium was a dazzling array of people, lights, displays, music, fire, and joy.
As in past games at this stadium, our seats were along the touch line near one goal (Australia's for the first half), but very high up. So, nothing on the field looked big, but we had an outstanding view of the field. Maddie and were properly dressed for the occasion with an Australian practice jersey for me and a home jersey for her -- and of course, green and yellow face paint!
And then it was game time.
From the very beginning, it looked like this night was just not like the other nights -- for Australia. Although Sam Kerr started and fired up the offense in a way only she can do, passes were just not quite as perfectly placed and players weren't quite exactly where they should have been. Kerr looked dangerous fairly frequently, but even her passes seemed a tad off. England didn't look spectacular, but they were, controlling the ball better and putting pressure on Australia's back line which was holding well. And thus the half unfolded with England amassing significantly more possession, but both teams making attacking forays into the final third. By half way through the first period, Englad was controlling the ball with over 70% possession!
And in the 36th minute, the unthinkable happens: Starting with an English throw-in from the left side, the ball ends up with Russo who sends a pass into Toone, who places the ball perfectly into top corner of the far post, and Arnold simply cannot get to it. England: 1-0!
That 1-0 score takes us into halftime. The halftime stats are not pretty for Australia: with 68% possesssion England has made more than twice as many passes as Australia!
Unsurprisingly, Australia comes out after half time fighting for their keepalive goal. They are looking a bit better and making better passes and finding open players. For the first 15 minutes, their efforts are for naught ... and then Sam Kerr single handedly has the play of the game: she receives a pass right around midfield carries it to just outside the box and sends it sailing just under the cross bar. We have a tie game!
The change in the crowd is palpable. The fearful and nervous cheering gives way to unwavering belief and the crowd just knows now that Australia is going to do this! Kerr threatens repeatedly, but can't convert. Sweden regroups and starts threatening on the other end. It's a frenetic up and down the field contest.
And then a mere seven minutes after Kerr's brilliance, something goes terribly wrong. Arnold is out of the goal past the 6 yard box. England's Millie Bright sends a ball her way. Hemp dislodges it from the back line and the next thing we see is the ball in the back of the net. It's England 2-1! That one is going to be giving someone nightmares for weeks.
The next 10 minutes see an all out effort from Australia, but they still seem controlled and patient. But, by the 80th minute, it's become a frenzied, panicky free for all. On top of that, Sweden starts doing all the annoying time-wasting maneuvers that drive me completely crazy. One player picks up the ball for a throw-in, then sets it down while a second meanders over to the side line to pick it up. While the goalie gets a new ball from the ball-kids, another teammate kicks a second ball onto the field (this actually earned her a yellow card, which was well deserved IMHO. The goalie takes her sweet time doing anything. One thing after another and it's becoming infuriating.
And then it's all but over except for the clock: In the 87th minute, England pretty much seals the deal: A speedy counter atack for the corner and Hemp finds Russo, drops the ball at her feet and Russo places it cleanly inside the far post. Even with 6 minutes of stoppage time, a two-goal lead is too much and the final whistle shows: England 3, Australia 1.
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