WWC: Brazil v Australia Preview

Group D runners up Australia take on Group E winners Brazil in the Round of 16 at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

It is a clash of two teams full of attacking intent and talent and contrasting group progression.

For Brazil, their path to the knockout stage has been relatively stress free with the South Americans notching up maximum points (against Korea Republic, Spain and Costa Rica) and along the way scoring four goals and conceding none.

Meanwhile Australia's group path has been well documented with the Matildas proving many pundits wrong by finding their way out of Group D.

[More: Australia beat the odds in Group D]

This is the third FIFA Women's World Cup in a row that Brazil and Australia will face one another. While Brazil holds the advantage with two wins in 2007 and 2011, Australia has been closing the gap and last year the Matildas scored their first win over the Brazilians.

However, this is the knockout stage of a World Cup and the pressure and the stakes are much higher than a friendly in Queensland.

Key Battleground

Australian coach Alen Stajcic has been fond of stating that defence is not about the back four or one unit, it's about the collective and this will be the case again when taking on Brazil.

With defence the key question mark surrounding Australia in the lead up to this tournament, one of the most impressive parts of their play has been the ability to isolate and neutralise key opposition threats.

As a five time FIFA World Player of the Year and Brazilian captain, Marta might be the most recognisable player on the team but the South American champions are more than just about Marta.

More than in any other match in this competition, the midfield will be the key battle ground for Australia.

Playing with a midfield three, Andressa, Thaisa and Formiga, Brazil could possibly ask the Australian midfield plenty of questions with one of the Matildas top performers Elise Kellond-Knight forced to work even harder in her defensive midfield role.

It is something Kellond-Knight is acutely aware of.

"My role will be a little bit different in this game," said Kellond-Knight.

"My role will change but at the same time I am there to protect my backline and that will be my main focus of the game."

That midfield has the ability to supply one of the best front three combinations of the competition; Marta, Cristane and the increasingly impressive Andressa Alves.

A front three is also a new look for the Matildas backline with that Brazil trio possibly keeping Australia's full backs Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord at home and busy.

Organisation, more than ever, will be key, particularly for Alanna Kennedy and Laura Alleway who have demonstrated their growth in the last two matches.

Australia's advantage

As it has been the case throughout the tournament so far, the Matildas will be looking to their formidable pace to unsettle their opposition.

This pace of foot and ball movement has resulted in over 70% of Australia's shots on target coming inside the 18 yard area.

The flank work of Sam Kerr, Lisa De Vanna, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley will be key as well to draw out what could be a compact Brazilian midfield trio, with possibly two defensive midfielders sitting in.

"I think we are a very dynamic team," Kellond-Knight continued.

"I think Brazilians may have a little bit of a weakness in their backline in terms of pace, so we can exploit that, I think we will end up with a really good result."

Personnel wise the three group games on turf has resulted in some battered and bruised bodies with Alen Stajcic still to decide on his starting line up.

While he has made subtle tweaks in the group phase, Stajcic hinted at bigger changes and fresh legs depending on the outcome of the final training session.

History calling

The last time these two nations met in a knockout match was an historic moment for Australian women's football. After getting out of a group for the first time, the Matildas feel to Brazil 3-2 in a thrilling quarter final match at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

It was a coming of age for the women's game in Australia and this match presents another key moment.

No Australian team, men's or women's, has won a knockout match at a World Cup.

"It's a big game for the country," commented Stajcic. "But for us, I truly believe if we play our best football we will be the winners tomorrow."

"I think with the work that this team has done and the preparation that we have done, I feel calm and relaxed because I know we have done everything we could possibly do to be as good as we can."