On an incredible night for football in Australia, Ben Gilby reports the post-match reactions of Caitlin Foord and Tameka Yallop as they spoke to the media after the match (12/8/23).
Above: Caitlin Foord reflects on Australia’s dramatic win over France with the media yesterday. Image: CommBank Matildas/Football Australia.
It was one of the most epic and dramatic nights that this World Cup has seen, and for Matildas stars Caitlin Foord and Tameka Yallop, it encapsulated the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit that is the Matildas’ mantra as they clinched their first-ever World Cup semi-final spot.
Speaking to the media after the match, Australia’s Arsenal attacker Caitlin Foord spoke of her overriding emotions and the impact that it has had on the team.
“I’m just so proud. It was an incredible performance. We were unlucky not to put one away during the game, and then to go to pens, and to get it done then, I think that’s huge for this team.
“It boost our confidence even more to get through a hurdle like that. It shows what our team is about and the belief we have. Our ‘Never Say Die’ spirit came through tonight.”
Asked what it felt like stepping up to take a penalty in the shoot-out, rather than feeling all the pressure that comes with such a task, Foord revealed she was positive about being successful.
“It was weird, we were all prepared for it. I didn’t think too much, I knew we had prepared for that moment. I was confident for us to get it done in pens. Just confident!”
After 16 years as a Matilda, Tameka Yallop emphasised with the media the enormity of what her team are achieving in the wider scheme of sport within Australia.
“It’s really hard to put into words. This group are really special. To share this moment with every single player, all our support staff, all our fans. It’s amazing. We just made…history, and I’m so proud to be part of that.
“To see how far the game has come…Back when I first got my debut (in 2007), I was playing among superstars then and no one else saw it, no-one was watching, and now here we are playing with a team of superstars and we have so many people watching now.”
With almost 50,000 in Suncorp Stadium last night, a guaranteed 75,000 for the semi-final against England in Sydney, tens of thousands watching at live screening events around the nation and millions more watching on TV at home, many more people are going to be a part of the last four clash on Wednesday.
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