Ben Gilby reports on the Australia defender Ellie Carpenter‘s chat with the media today plus, a photo gallery of the Matildas departing Sydney (21/7/23).
Above: Ellie Carpenter speaking earlier today. Image: CommBank Matildas.
It was the morning after the night before, and Australia right back Ellie Carpenter outlined the mixture of emotions that resulted from playing in front of a record crowd for a women’s football match in the country – and how the team were focussing on getting the win for absent captain Sam Kerr.
“We’re feeling really good,” Carpenter smiled. “We were all very excited to get the three points, that was what we prepared for over the last five weeks. We knew it was going to be physical, but I’m really proud of the girls, and we also kept a clean sheet.
“We know it wasn’t the prettiest game of football. We knew Ireland are pretty physical and very end to end, and we knew it was all about one moment. Steph stepping up (to take the match winning penalty) was very brave, and I knew she’d do it. You just have to win, it doesn’t have to be pretty.”
That opening encounter in Sydney was the culmination of long-term preparation about its importance and symbolism. With the additional emotion that came with a record-breaking match now gone, the Olympique Lyonnais star believes the Matildas are ready to show themselves at their best.
“We’ve been talking for the past three years how the first game would really dictate our tournament, and now that we’ve checked that first game off and got rid of all the nerves, we’ll really get firing the next game.”
On top of having to deal with the nerves and emotion of the opening game, The Matildas also had to overcome a late injury to talismanic captain and all-time record scorer Sam Kerr. Carpenter believes that additional challenge just brought out the team’s famed Never Say Die spirit.
“It was heartbreaking for Sam, and also for us, but we know she was with us for the whole 90 minutes. We played for her and won for her, and we know she’ll be back for us soon. We’re all there for her, and she’s always there for us. We know she’ll get herself good to come help us for the final stages.”
“It was a game, but also an occasion. Walking out there and singing the national anthem in front of so many people, definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you think 10 years ago, no one really knew who the Matildas were, but yesterday we had 80,000 people screaming for us and millions watching on TV – it’s a pinch yourself moment.”
Photo gallery of The Matildas departing Sydney provided to Impetus by CommBank Matildas
WORLD CUP COVERAGE ON IMPETUS:
TODAY:
TikTok and Instagram Reels (both can be found @ImpetusFootball):
- Morganna King reports on Nigeria v Canada.
- Aimee Reynolds reports on Philippines v Switzerland.
- Rachel Cohen reports on Spain v Costa Rica.
TOMORROW:
- Analysis on England’s opener against Haiti from Kris Goman and Genevieve Henry from Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
- Jonathan Tay considers the influence of the Matildas WSL based players in their opening game with the Republic of Ireland.
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