2015 World Cup Draw: Matildas group at a glance

There is something magical about a FIFA draw.

There is something magical about a FIFA draw. With all the permutations, and ‘this team can’t play this team, so we’ll move them to this group’, it feels like the rubber-balls-under-the-teacup-magic-trick at times.

The adrenalin circles your nervous system, the numbness hits with each big name drawn into your pool, and your own country’s final draw feels like a rugged mountain to climb, compared to the field of daisies that every other country was dished up.

The Matildas woke to the news today that they will face the USA, Sweden and Nigeria at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

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Preparations now begin for the Matildas to kick off their tournament on 8 June 2015 in Winnipeg where they will play their first two matches against the USA and Nigeria, then to Edmonton where they will play Sweden.

The decision to bump Brazil (ranked 6 in the world) ahead of Sweden (ranked 5) for the purpose of the draw so as not to have two European teams head up a group could hurt Australia’s chances of progressing, as usually the top 5 teams plus the host nation would head each group.

Nigeria (ranked 35), the African champions, are no easy beats and the lack of competition with African nations over the past… forever… other than FIFA competitions, will make this one of the toughest matches the Matildas will face.

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The USA are the big fish of course, and therefore pose the biggest threat to the Matildas. While Australia has never beaten the USA, having only one draw in their 23 ‘A’ internationals played (reference: FIFA head to head calculator), the Matildas are closing the gap.

Australia’s best, Katrina Gorry, Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr, have all starred recently in the US National Women’s Soccer League, and are familiar with the style the US will bring.

Certainly, it is USA’s physicality that is their biggest trump card in the women’s game. Their fitness is second to none and they have a dogged belief and confidence in their own ability.

The crowd could also impact the game against the US, more than any other for the Matildas. While there will be a mighty contingent travelling north of the border to support their team, you could be safe to assume the Canadian locals might just adourn the green and gold of Australia for this match.

Nothing can match the noise levels of a US crowd though (my ears are still ringing from the USA v Japan gold medal match in London 2012), and Australia will need to be prepared for that element of this match.

The other element for the Matildas to negotiate will be the media attention that comes with opposing the US women’s national team. The US are adjusted to the hours of interviews before and after training and matches, with over 15 years of high profile attention in their sports media.

The Matildas have their own supporters in the media of course, but will need to manage this aspect of their time and energy in the lead up to their World Cup opener.

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Overcoming the USA in the first match is certainly not impossible. Matildas’ coach Alen Stajcic is unashamedly taking the team to the World Cup to play attacking football, and he has the strike power to do it.

Some pundits have called out the ageing element of the US team, the current squad gathered in Brazil averaging in their late 20s, while Australia have a relatively young team and will pack their fearless mindset on the plane to Canada.

Both USA and Sweden are acutely aware of the threat Lisa de Vanna poses to any defence, and through outstanding performances from many of the Matildas in recent NWSL seasons and the growing profile of the Australian W-League, the US will be wary of their first up opponents.

The only thing that could have made the opening match for the Matildas any more fascinating would have been to have former coach Tom Sermanni still at the helm of the US team.

Winning the group would be a dream of course, as the first knock out round would see Australia up against a third placed team, and a few extra rest days after the group matches.

Finishing second would see Australia play the winner of Group E, possibly Brazil.

Canada 2015 will be the first tournament to host 24 teams which means the best four third placed teams will progress through to the first knock-out round. If Australia was to finish third in Group D, this would likely pit them against either Germany or Canada.

The Matildas’ strengths are their love of the underdog status, their willingness to take on the best, and their no fear attitude to the game.

Certainly the USA are bemoaning being drawn into the Group of Death, with many calling out Sweden as the biggest threat, but acknowledging Australia as a tricky hurdle. And well they might fear a team who has as their mantra “Never Say Die”.