Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Michelle, let's start with a preview of today's match.
00:02 What are we expecting?
00:03 - Well, Monty, this is an age-old sporting rivalry
00:08 that comes to a head tonight here in Sydney.
00:10 England's Lionesses versus Australia's Matildas.
00:14 On paper, England are the stronger, more experienced team.
00:18 They are number four in the FIFA World Rankings.
00:21 They're also the reigning European champions.
00:24 But tonight, they will once again be missing
00:27 their key player and striker, Lauren James,
00:30 who's currently serving a two-match suspension
00:33 due to receiving a red card in the Nigeria game.
00:37 Now, the Matildas, on the other hand,
00:38 they have the home advantage.
00:40 I can tell you that the majority of the 80,000 fans
00:43 in the stadium tonight will be cheering them on.
00:46 We also know that nearly half of Australia's players
00:50 play for English side, so there is that knowledge,
00:53 these two teams knowing each other very well.
00:56 Australia recently beat England at a friendly in April.
01:00 Can they do it again when it counts?
01:02 Well, the whole nation is certainly hoping so.
01:04 The winner of tonight's semifinal clash
01:06 will go on to face off against Spain's La Roja
01:09 in Sunday night's final.
01:12 - Well, Michelle, the possibility of a championship
01:14 for Australia is understandably stirring a frenzy,
01:17 causing a lot of excitement.
01:18 What's the atmosphere like in Sydney,
01:21 and what are you hearing from fans?
01:24 - Yeah, that's right. Football fever.
01:27 Excitement's been building all week.
01:29 Matildas mania has ripped the country.
01:32 The Matildas have already made history, actually.
01:34 No other Australian team, male or female,
01:37 has ever reached this far at a World Cup tournament.
01:42 And of course, there is a wonderful atmosphere
01:46 at the stadium tonight.
01:47 We're seeing plenty of fans starting to stream in.
01:51 Most of those are Matildas fans.
01:54 Lots of people decked out in green and gold,
01:57 chanting and singing already.
02:00 They've got their flags out.
02:01 And I have to say, I've only spotted
02:04 a smattering of England fans,
02:06 and I think that's exactly how many Australian fans like it.
02:11 - Yeah, a lot of excitement.
02:12 We're seeing some of those images.
02:14 People look really fired up.
02:15 Our correspondent in Sydney, Rachelle Harrison,
02:17 plus, Rachelle, thanks so much.