Australia vs Nigeria Women's Soccer

I've been so excited for months, I managed to get tickets to the Womens World Cup Soccer match, the Matildas vs Super Falcons! I'm a huge fan of the Matildas and have managed to see them live a few times before, travelling hundreds and even thousands of kilometers to see a soccer match. 

                                                        photo from game in the past

I've obviously been following the World Cup matches even more closely considering that they are hosted for the first time in Australia this year. Magpie has been laughing at me a little I think as I've been enthusiastically cheering while watching on my phone or trying to explain to her what it means for Australia's chances that Canada and Nigeria drew in their match. Magpie has joined me on the road trips to watch the matches, however she doesn't have the same amount of love for soccer and the Matildas as I do.

When the day for the match dawned, we set off for Brisbane and arrived there before lunch, even with the game not starting 'til 8pm. We looked for things to do, to while away the time and found in the centre of the city a free service of what Brisbane calls city hoppers. It's a few ferries that go up and down the part of river in the centre, stopping somewhat frequently, zigzagging across the river to the different banks. Thinking it looked like great fun we hopped on and were soon coasting along in a small river boat that was at times standing room only as passengers boarded at each stop. There were quite a few other passengers decked out in green and gold enjoying the fresh breeze and sights with us, it seems multiple other people in the city for the game had had the same idea.

In the afternoon we headed for Carindale where they have direct bus access to the Brisbane Stadium where the game was to be played. We met with Galah there who had come up, driving several hours to join us. Although she has joined with me, travelling to a few of the Matildas games, like Magpie she doesn't tend to follow soccer. I appreciate that they are both happy to come with me enjoying and joining in my interest.

When we lined up for the bus stop it was a large, long line filled with other fans decked in the green and gold while happily conversing. I think however that the line was longer than the organisers had factored in as an empty bus with a different destination displayed pulled up to pick up passengers and after talking with an organiser at the front of the line suddenly changed the destination to Brisbane Stadium and started taking passengers on board after being parked in place for multiple minutes. We packed that bus full! Every seat was taken as was every handhold. I was sandwiched between two people and whenever we came to a sudden stop, I often bumped into the arm in front of me until I managed to get a hang of surfing with the bus movements. I realised after a while that whenever I turned my head to get a look at Galah or Magpie who were nearby, my ponytail was brushing the person behind me. The atmosphere however was buzzing as everyone was excited to see the game and enjoy the night.

I loved the Welcome to Country performed by an Indigenous elder before the game. The traditional pre-match routine was somewhat educational as he explained the origins and asked us all to join in calling the aboriginal name for Brisbane Meeanjin. He then led a cheer of Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi! The call taken up by thousands of voices echoed around the stadium, in an enthusiastic cheer. After the national anthems of both countries, Nigeria and Australia, the game kicked off. We watched from the top of the stands, near the roof of the stadium, from our viewpoint we could see the whole field below us.

The first half was fast paced and action packed. I felt Australia had the advantage with more possession of the ball and time in the Nigerian half. However, after numerous corners and shots at goals it was still scoreless as the first 45 minutes (the time in a half) ticked over. However, an additional 5 extra minutes was added on due to time stopped for injuries. It was in just those 5 minutes that the game took a sudden turn. Australia scored! Caitlin Foord (one of my favourite players) crossed the ball to Emily van Egmond who was in the middle of the box. With just a small tap of her foot she sent it into the goal under the opposing goal keeper's arms. The crowd went wild!!! we were all on our feet cheering, shouting, whistling, screaming, the majority of the crowd of 49, 156 people were Australian supporters and we cheered! 

However all too soon it changed, in just a few minutes, still in the extra 5 minutes of stoppage time the Nigerian team made a counterattack and scored a goal. In just 5 minutes of time, we'd had two goals 1-1 the teams were drawn once again. Moments after the ball resumed play the referee blew the whistle. Half time only seconds after the Matildas had conceded a goal.

The second half went in many ways the same as the first with Australia holding the most possession and taking the most corners however when Nigeria had the ball, they made it count. With many less shots at goal than Australia, Nigeria had managed to score twice more in eight minutes making the score 1-3 their way. 

The crowd were still enthusiastic and prepared to cheer Australia to victory or even a draw. When there was an injury on the pitch while everyone waited for her to be checked by the paramedics a Mexican Wave was started by the crowd. It went fully around the stadium three times before it died off as the game got more tense. Cries of Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi! shouted through the stadium. Cheers when Australia were making a run for goal. Groans at a near miss. There is nothing like watching a game with thousands of other people having similar reactions to you and vocalising similar emotions as you get all excited, heart pounding ready for this to be the moment only to sigh at the near miss with everyone around you having the same reaction. I imagine it is something like at a cinema everyone watching a comedy, the punchline is said and suddenly everyone bursts out laughing.

The game wasn't over yet though, the score was 1-3 at the 90th minute. We'd had several injuries in the second half however and it was announced that there would be an additional 11 minutes stoppage time. These minutes were action packed as the Matildas gave it their all. The crowd cheered and groaned as shots went wide or over the top, the keeper made amazing saves that I'm sure more than one of us wished that the Nigerian goalkeeper had fumbled, and in the 10th minute of added time Alanna Kennedy headed the ball into the goal from a corner. It was however, not enough to change the outcome. Australia had lost 2-3.

All of Australia's hopes to get further in the World Cup Tournament now rest upon the outcome of their next game, Australia vs Canada, the Olympic Gold Medalists, a team I've seen them loose twice against before. I'll be cheering as I watch the game on the TV tonight hoping for a different outcome as we meet again. A win for Australia guarantees them into the next round, a draw depends upon the results of the other groups games, a loss means that the Matildas dream of winning is over for this world cup. I'll be cheering for a win along with thousands of other Aussies as we all watch with anticipation at the match on Monday 31st July at 8pm.

P.S. Now posting this a day late, I have watched the match. We won against Canada 0-4! A resounding win that means we will be through to the next stage in the Women's World Cup!