- Updates from the crunch Group G game in Kashima
- Kick-off time is 5pm local, 6pm AEST, 4am ADT, 9am BST
- Any thoughts? Email or tweet @emmavkemp
So, let’s get started. How will Gustavsson’s back three 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 replaces Aivi Luik in central defence and Chloe Logarzo comes in at the expense of Hayley Raso. Steph Catley has again been deployed further up the pitch.
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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#TokyoTogether | #Football | #USAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MD9lzwplQd
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.
