- Updates from the crunch Group G game in Kashima
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14 mins Catley swings in a free kick that’s heading in the right direction but is easily dealt with by Naeher. Hearing Foord and Raso were both ruled out with injury concerns. Bit of a worry going forward but Australia are making a good account of themselves so far. Logarzo looks to be winded.
11 mins That was risky business from Australia. Carpenter has chased down Rapinoe with success but the ball is out of play and the latter gets the throw-in. Kyah Simon attempts to lay it off for van Egmond but there’s an opponent ready and waiting. Yallop is on the ground now rubbing her right shin thanks to a foul from Crystal Dunn.
8 mins Logarzo takes a free-kick that loops up and over and does less than Julie Ertz, who is down after a head clash with Emily van Egmond. Not long before she’s back on her feet, though. Carpenter has a throw-in in the US third but the Americans are soon back in possession and before you can blink Morgan has run off the shoulder of Tameka Yallop and is hurtling towards Australia’s goal. Logarzo does well to track back and offer support to Micah, who collects.
5 mins Many players on the pitch right now know and are friends with their opponents, having played against and with each other in America’s NWSL before the recent exodus to Europe.. Morgan is with possession again but can’t find space to supply Rapinoe.
2 mins The US team have taken a knee as Australia link arms. The US are on the front foot from the get-go but the flag has gone up against Alex Morgan. Kerr tries her luck. No dice.
There’s been a very late change for the Matildas, with Caitlin Foord exiting during the warm-up. She’s been replaced by Mary Fowler.
So, let’s get started. How will Australia’s defence deal with the US attack. How will the US deal with Sam Kerr, who scored twice against Sweden? The anthems have been played and we are about to kick off.
There are a few changes in both teams. Vlatko Andonovski in particular has made five changes to his starting XI. In attack, Alex Morgan and Christen Press get the nod aheda of Carli Lloyd and Heath Tobin, with Rapinoe still on the other wing. Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Sonnett get starts at centre-back and right-back respectively and Lindsay Horan gets a slot in midfield.
For Australia, Alanna Kennedy comes into central defence and Chloe Logarzo plays her first minutes at this tournament at the expense of Hayley Raso.
The teams are in.
STARTING XI for
It’s the final @TheMatildas Group G match against the United States!
Kick off in 50 minutes.
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Your #USWNT Starting XI to close out the Group Stage! vs. coming up at 4am ET.
Lineup notes ≫ https://t.co/ympfSDQFfJ pic.twitter.com/ETSfJgP886
Last week, when the United States opened their Olympic campaign with a shock 3-0 loss to Sweden, Donald Trump claimed the defeat was the result of the national team’s “wokeism”. It was a reference to the squad’s – in particular outspoken midfielder Megan Rapinoe – widely applauded stance on racial prejudice and discrimination which, he believed, causes one to become “warped” and “demented”. The former president may have still been busy working on his fundamental misunderstanding of English grammar when Vlatko Andonovski’s side took their “wokeism” and turned it into six goals against New Zealand.
The 6-1 result has lifted the world No 1 Americans to second in Group G, which makes this match against Australia very interesting indeed. The Matildas, after an opening 2-1 win over New Zealand and 4-2 loss to leaders Sweden, are third. Both have three points with only this one match to play, which means a lot is riding on the next 90 minutes. The US have a superior goal difference of +2 to Australia’s -1, which could well come into account in the case of a draw. It must be said, though, that if one of these teams miss out on a top-two spot and automatic progression they are very likely to go through anyway as one of the two best third-ranked teams across the three groups. Of course, New Zealand technically still have a shot but, with zero points, a -6 goal difference and a final game against a Swedish side that is frankly on fire, I am not putting my eggs in the Football Ferns’ basket.
