Australia's World Cup exploits will leave legacy, coach says
Co-hosts Australia are "on a mission" to inspire and unite the nation as they head into a Women's World Cup semifinal against England on Wednesday, coach Tony Gustavsson said.
The Matildas came through a penalty shootout crammed with twists and turns to beat France 7-6 on Saturday in Brisbane and set up a clash with the Lionesses.
It propelled Australia into the first semifinal in their history and followed 120 minutes of seesawing football that ended deadlocked at 0-0.
National broadcaster ABC called it the game that "stopped the nation" with fans enthralled by Australia's exploits and packing out the stadium, as well as pubs around the country.
Big screens were also erected in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
"I genuinely really believe that this team can create history in so many ways, not just winning football games," said Gustavsson, who was assistant to USA coach Jill Ellis when they won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019.
"The way that they can inspire the nation, how they can unite the nation, how they can leave a legacy that is much bigger than 90 minutes of football.
"That is also why I believe in them so much.
"When that drives you, that is a powerful tool that is very difficult to stop, and I have sensed that from day one working with this team, the inner drive is what gets them to where they are today."
Kerr to start?
Australia have been a tight unit under the Swede and he fielded the same XI for the third game in a row against France in their quarterfinal.
That could change in Sydney when they meet European champions England, who battled from behind to edge Colombia 2-1.
Australia skipper Sam Kerr played 65 minutes against France on her return from a calf injury, making an immediate impact, and the prolific striker
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