France will look to benefit from the strain on Women’s World Cup co-host Australia as house expectations soar earlier than Saturday’s quarter-final showdown in Brisbane, whereas European champion England takes on Colombia in Sydney.
Apart from the United States, which received the 1999 event and reached the semifinals 4 years afterward house soil, no different host nation has lifted the trophy and even made it previous the quarter-finals.
The Matildas, bidding to succeed in the final 4 for the primary time, beat France 1-0 in a pleasant every week earlier than the event started, in entrance of a crowd of over 50,000 in Melbourne.
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France coach Herve Renard is anticipating one other packed and partisan crowd on the 52,500-capacity Lang Park however mentioned the event would convey out the very best in his group as they resume their hunt for a primary main title.
“We have been one of the best teams in the world for a long time, but we have still not won anything, not a single medal,” mentioned Eugenie Le Sommer, France’s all-time document scorer with 92 targets.
“We want to take something back to our country, do great things … We have already been in the last four, but this is definitely one of the most important matches in our history.”
Australia, which welcomed again captain Sam Kerr in its 2-0 win over Denmark within the final spherical, has embraced the additional consideration, with defender Ellie Carpenter saying the nation’s help was a motivation.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson mentioned Kerr, who sat out three group matches with a calf harm, would begin towards France if she is cleared by the medical group.
In the opposite quarter-final, England will intention to benefit from a large open event, which can crown a brand new champion after the exits of all former winners and several other challengers.
Colombia, having seen off higher-ranked Germany and South Korea, are plotting one other upset however England goalkeeper Mary Earps mentioned “the best is yet to come” from the Lionesses.
“I don’t think we’ve been bad by any means,” Earps mentioned. “But I think you’ve seen glimpses of what we’re capable of.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com