Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso fire Australia into quarter-finals with accomplished win over Denmark
On Sunday, ahead of Australia’s round of 16 encounter with Denmark in Sydney, Caitlin Foord issued a challenge to Matildas fans.
“We love a big crowd, we love a loud crowd,” said Foord, who grew up just an hour away, on Australia’s south-east coast. “I still think Sydney can be louder.”
When Foord scored midway through the first-half on Monday evening, the first of two goals from the Matildas that saw them past Denmark and into the World Cup quarter-finals, she wheeled away towards the corner flag.
The Arsenal attacker looked up at the green and gold-clad fans, as they had begun a goal-induced moment of collective ecstasy. Foord raised a hand to her ear, as if to say “louder still”.
The crowd erupted and the winger duly leapt into the air in gratitude. It was loud alright.
The moment marked the start of a jubilant night for the Matildas, as they reached the last eight for just the second time in the team’s history.
Midfielder Hayley Raso put the game beyond doubt in the second half, before the team’s talismanic striker Sam Kerr – the face of this home World Cup – made her return to the pitch following the calf injury she suffered on the eve of the tournament.
It was not an easy win, but it was an accomplished win. The sort of win that suggests the Matildas could go deep in this tournament.
Last time these teams met, the Danish scored within the first minute – and in Sydney they again started strongly, testing Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold with several early opportunities.
The Matildas soon regained composure but struggled to break through Denmark’s robust midfield; if their counter-attack against Canada last week had been like a hot knife through butter, this felt like the Australians were running into a brick
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