2023 Women's World Cup

[Baloo]

It was awesome but for my own experience doesn’t touch the sensation and elation of Richmond victories in those big finals games from 2017 and 2019. Even the 2020 GF which I wasn’t at.

I really enjoy the world game at an elite level but others don’t. Whatever floats your boat. Fiat Multipla sounds like a tosser.

Agree with that though I was there when Aloisi scored the penalty to put us into the men's World Cup. That is a very close second to our 2017 Premiership, difference being I wasn't at the 2017.

But if the Tillie's make it to the final and can win, add in I'll be there for it, it might just top 2017, something I never thought would ever be possible.

 

[Ridley]

Agree with that though I was there when Aloisi scored the penalty to put us into the men's World Cup. That is a very close second to our 2017 Premiership, difference being I wasn't at the 2017.

But if the Tillie's make it to the final and can win, add in I'll be there for it, it might just top 2017, something I never thought would ever be possible.

Fair enough. But nothing will ever top a Richmond premiership for me. 2017 was just an unbelievable day and experience.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Fair enough. But nothing will ever top a Richmond premiership for me. 2017 was just an unbelievable day and experience.

Yep a great win last night but the Matildas didn’t have me crying like a baby.

 

[Ridley]

Yep a great win last night but the Matildas didn’t have me crying like a baby.

Yep when Butler goaled in the last quarter and I finally allowed myself to accept the fact that we would win our first flag in 37 years, I lost it completely.

 

[jb03]

Vine will.be remembered forever but kudos to the two before who kept us in it. (I think Gorry was one, can't remember the other)

 

[Streak]

Vine will.be remembered forever but kudos to the two before who kept us in it. (I think Gorry was one, can't remember the other)

The player who kept us in it was our GK Arnold. No doubt about it.

She was superb, which is kind of easy to say with the saves she made.

But she was in top form. Hardly made a mistake in the shootout. The save she made after the retaken penalty was immense.

 

[waiting]

Fair enough. But nothing will ever top a Richmond premiership for me. 2017 was just an unbelievable day and experience.

Different feelings of emotion I guess.

The Matilda’s is of pride for the country and pride for women’s soccer in this country.

This little country ‘ass end of the world” as we are often referred to.

The premiership of 17 was pure elation and a feeling that only ‘individually’ could you explain. For each of us supporters , we would have felt a varying degree of ‘things”.

I don’t know how to put it in any other way.

 

[DavidSSS]

I have a funny relationship with watching international soccer. Because it is just so international, as opposed to getting really invested and partisan barracking for a side. I’m simply fascinated by all the unique matchups that a tournament like this produces. Just love the contest.

I think it’s because growing up watching world cups Australia was never in the tournament, so I suppose I got wired to watch it in the above context. Don’t get me wrong, I like to see Australia do well (both Socceroos and Matildas), but it’s not the main reason I watch.

Hence, I was sitting there just as tense, really not wanting either side to lose. I couldn’t pick which side was a more deserving winner. Either side could fall into this category. Thus, as you say, I really hate penalty shootouts.

Yeah, I have watched bits and pieces of Soccer World Cups. I studied Third World Development and have always had an interest in Africa so I really want to see an African Country win the World Cup one day. It is a long shot as their talent is distributed amongst so many countries, but Soccer is basically the only sport in most of Africa. I remember when Nigeria were leading Italy in a round if 16 match I think, and then went defensive and lost. One day . . .

We all know the Socceroos making it past the groups stage is pretty much the pinnacle of what is possible, so I am going for other countries.

But today, we are seeing Australia, yes Australia, with a chance in a world cup, wow. It is a big ask and making the semis is magnificent, but how good would it be if they can go further.

DS

 

[caesar]

Vine will.be remembered forever but kudos to the two before who kept us in it. (I think Gorry was one, can't remember the other)

Catley cleared a French crossed ball in the box and close to the line that was on it's way for a tap in goal had she not been there.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Yeah, I have watched bits and pieces of Soccer World Cups. I studied Third World Development and have always had an interest in Africa so I really want to see an African Country win the World Cup one day. It is a long shot as their talent is distributed amongst so many countries, but Soccer is basically the only sport in most of Africa. I remember when Nigeria were leading Italy in a round if 16 match I think, and then went defensive and lost. One day . . .

We all know the Socceroos making it past the groups stage is pretty much the pinnacle of what is possible, so I am going for other countries.

But today, we are seeing Australia, yes Australia, with a chance in a world cup, wow. It is a big ask and making the semis is magnificent, but how good would it be if they can go further.

DS

Likewise, the Balkans has always been a fascination of mine. Did a fair bit of study on the break up of Yugoslavia and have a really good friend who fled from Sarajevo to migrate to Australia. If Yugoslavia was still a country, surely would have won a World Cup by now. Immense talent. And the game in Australia wouldn’t be where it is now without the Yugoslav influence over the years.

I believe Australia went into the to the tournament ranked 10th. Hence, I don’t think it’s quite that big a surprise to see them in quarters or semis. Any teams in the top 10-16 in the world can realistically push into the pointy end of tournaments. That mirrors the history of past world cups.

Like I said in an earlier post. I can foresee a time coming soon that the depth of competition starts to increase rapidly, where the FIFA women’s rankings start to correlate with the men’s (albeit with some small differences). And this will cause some of the affluent Anglosphere countries that got the first mover jump to come back to the pack. I was joking to some English colleagues that’s when true equality will be achieved - that time that the English women overpromise and underdeliver and are overrated as much as their men.

 

[jb03]

Catley cleared a French crossed ball in the box and close to the line that was on it's way for a tap in goal had she not been there.

I was thinking of the penalry shootout. Carpenter was the other I think. Hunt was the other who had the chance to win it earlier.

 

[Baloo]

Met up with some friends this morning. Their 7yo daughter was a mad Auskick fan. Nothing she loved more than Saturday mornings taking on the boys at footy. Asked her this morning how her Auskick is going. Without much thought she said she wants stop Auskick and start playing soccer now. She wants to be a Mathilda.

Reckon there's a lot of girls like her in Aus at the moment. Womens soccer has had a massive shot in the arm with last nights win.

 

[waiting]

For mine Kerr has to start from the outset.

Waiting’s view.
———————-

 

[Baloo]

All 20 Penalties for anyone who missed it. Really thought it would be over in 5 when France missed their first

 

[Tigers of Old]

Met up with some friends this morning. Their 7yo daughter was a mad Auskick fan. Nothing she loved more than Saturday mornings taking on the boys at footy. Asked her this morning how her Auskick is going. Without much thought she said she wants stop Auskick and start playing soccer now. She wants to be a Mathilda.

Reckon there's a lot of girls like her in Aus at the moment. Womens soccer has had a massive shot in the arm with last nights win.

Yes I would think AFLW copped the biggest hit last night.

 

[Brodders17]

Met up with some friends this morning. Their 7yo daughter was a mad Auskick fan. Nothing she loved more than Saturday mornings taking on the boys at footy. Asked her this morning how her Auskick is going. Without much thought she said she wants stop Auskick and start playing soccer now. She wants to be a Mathilda.

Reckon there's a lot of girls like her in Aus at the moment. Womens soccer has had a massive shot in the arm with last nights win.

One big challenge is the season is coming to a close, so Football needs ways to capture those kids now and keep them interested for next season.

And for those already playing to transfer that interest into something meaningful, unfortunately a lot in interest will dissipate once the season is over and the players spread back over Europe. Hopefully the interest returns for the Asian Cup qualifiers coming up in Perth.
There is a big different in the interest in men's football v womens (at least in Australia). In the mens context, a lot of Australian football fans would prefer, or be just as happy, to watch their Premier league team play as they are the Socceroos. But for Australia, the Matilda's are the pinnacle. Most watching the Matilda's arent going to watch Sam Kerr play for Chelsea, or Foord and Catley at Arsenal.
We really need to find a way to keep the Matildas playing regular, meaningful, interesting games in Australia to keep people engaged.

 

[ToraToraTora]

No idiot hooligans. No racist trash being screamed out. Families. Kids utterly invested in their heroes. Winning. What's not to like.

 

[artball]

For mine Kerr has to start from the outset.

Waiting’s view.
———————-

dunno Waiting... thought the idea of her coming on when she did last night was smart coaching.
the energy lifted hugely and that next 20mins we were all over them.. but didn't get the goal..

that said, I reckon she might start the Semi..
the English have plenty of intel on her (Chelsea) so it'll be interesting

 

[ToraToraTora]

By the way, the build up and Wed night is going to be absolutely monumental. Soak it up we may never see it's like here again. And if they get through.....hooooleeeeee *smile*.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Yes I would think AFLW copped the biggest hit last night.

Met up with some friends this morning. Their 7yo daughter was a mad Auskick fan. Nothing she loved more than Saturday mornings taking on the boys at footy. Asked her this morning how her Auskick is going. Without much thought she said she wants stop Auskick and start playing soccer now. She wants to be a Mathilda.

Reckon there's a lot of girls like her in Aus at the moment. Womens soccer has had a massive shot in the arm with last nights win.

It’s an interesting dynamic. I was saying the other day. Sam Kerr was by some accounts, far keener a junior Aussie Rules footballer than anything else as a kid. Only switched to soccer due to the dead end pathways for females in footy at the time. Similar to Erin Philips with basketball.

Had the AFLW existed back then, would soccer and basketball have been treated to their talent? I’d say likely not.

That leads us to the present day, where we’re at now. Due to the late start the AFL made to correcting this, I think it’s still far more culturally ingrained (at least where I am) for girls to play soccer from those really young age groups. There’s never been a shortage of girls playing those age groups for decades. The drop off in participation throughout childhood is faster in girls than boys (which is common also in sports that have long been dual gender), but the little age groups in soccer have always had plenty of girls while I’ve been watching (not 50/50 and perhaps never will be, but still good healthy numbers).

The AFL had been making some tentative inroads into wrestling some of that away. But I’d say you are right, probably gets reversed now.

You can see why FFA was so keen to get the 2022 World Cup that ended up going to Qatar in a process more corrupt than the mafia. Had they been successful, the AFL would rightly be quite concerned.