By Leigh O’Connor.
Time to get your Tilly on people! This Saturday is the biggest match so far in Matilda’s World Cup history with our girls taking on France in the FIFA 2023 quarterfinals at Brisbane Stadium.
With the return of super striker and captain Sam Kerr, the pressure and expectation is on Australia to deliver on home soil and secure a place in the final four – we know you can go all the way!
Fox Sports power rankings as of this week have Australia at number five and on a roll, while France is just one place behind in sixth.
After defeating Denmark 2-0 on Monday night to set up the quarterfinal clash, Matilda’s coach Tony Gustavsson expressed his pride at the players’ maturity in the big game and explained how they have been adopting a ‘one day better’ ethos to counter injuries and setbacks.
The ball from Mary Fowler to goal-scorer Caitlin Foord has the whole football world in a frenzy as Australia opened the scoring against Denmark.
Australian retired soccer legend Craig ‘Fozzy the Foz’ Foster expressed everyone’s awe when he said that was as good a feed as you will get anywhere in the world at any level from any team; coach Gustavsson agreed saying it was ‘world-class’.
While Sam only played a little more than 10 minutes on Monday night, expect her to start and to lead the Matildas to what we hope will be a place in the semifinals.
For those in Melbourne looking for a hangout to join the Aussie, Aussie, Aussie brigade, here are three venues that won’t disappoint:
For gastro pub fare bringing the best of traditional British classics to Belgrave, local foodies head to Micawber Tavern on Monbulk Road. Recently renovated and nestled within the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, this is not your average country pub; think a beer garden surrounded by ferns with a creek running through it, a log fire indoors for chilly months and live sport on TV in the bar.
Join the gang to cheer on the Matildas on Saturday for buffalo chicken wings, blue cheese and celery to start, followed by pub classics like pork ribs, chips, slaw and whisky BBQ sauce, or char-grilled Wagyu rump, duck fat potatoes, mushroom sauce and a side salad.
Cold beer, fine wine and quality food are what Melbourne foodies find at dining destination the Wayside Inn on City Road. Nestled between Southbank and South Melbourne, the Wayside offers a relaxed, informal bar to enjoy a counter lunch and icy ale; dine in the spacious restaurant area, or take to a leafy courtyard, ideal for lapping up the afternoon sun.
Join the loyal Matildas fan base on Saturday and graze on crispy Tiger prawns and mint chutney, or sesame fried chicken with bourbon glaze; nothing says go girls more than a main of ola amigos Mexican-style parma, with chips and salad.
Welcome to a slice of the Emerald Isle in the heart of Melbourne at The Irish Times on Little Collins Street. Exuding a warm, relaxed and friendly vibe, the ambience is genuinely Irish with wrap-around bars, traditional dark wood, fireplaces, stained-glass windows and rugby memorabilia reminiscent of classic homeland pubs.
A great spot for a pint of Guinness and a game of footy, settle in for a session with mates over plates of famous beef and Guinness pie, or pork and leek bangers and creamy mash, with rosemary onion gravy.
Waltzing Matildas, waltzing Matildas, we’ll come a waltzing Matildas with you!
