Australia faces pressure in Women's World Cup semi-final against Lionesses

Posted : 14 August 2023

Keira Walsh, the England midfielder, has emphasized that the "pressure is on Australia" as they face a home crowd in their Women's World Cup semi-final clash. The Lionesses, who triumphed in Euro 2022 on their home turf last summer, are entering their third consecutive World Cup semi-final appearance.

In contrast, co-hosts Australia have reached the semi-finals for the first time and will enjoy strong support from the 81,500-capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.

Walsh commented on the unique challenge Australia faces, stating, "That is a different thing to cope with." She acknowledged Australia's strength as a team, highlighting their composed style of play even under pressure. She also pointed out Australia's physicality and emphasized the importance of being prepared for that aspect of the game.

The midfielder also discussed the impact of playing in front of a home crowd, mentioning that England experienced a similar situation against Colombia in the quarter-finals. She noted the positive feeling that comes from silencing the crowd and emphasized the need for confidence and an offensive approach.

The Matildas' success has garnered significant attention in Australia, with enthusiastic fans filling the streets of Sydney and fan parks to watch their matches on big screens. The quarter-final victory over France recorded the country's largest television audience for a sporting event in more than two decades.

Despite the media building up the rivalry between Australia and England, Walsh stressed that the team's focus is solely on winning and not on spoiling any party. She emphasized that the desire to win exists regardless of the opponent and rivalry, with the ultimate goal being to reach the World Cup final.

Leah Williamson, the captain of England's Euro 2022 team who was unfortunately sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, traveled to Australia to support the Lionesses in their quarter-final match against Colombia.

Walsh highlighted the significant boost Williamson's presence provided to the team, showcasing her commitment and support despite being on the other side of the world. Walsh praised Williamson's character and acknowledged the challenging nature of watching games from the sidelines.

Australia faces pressure in Women's World Cup semi-final against Lionesses

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