Australia play their last group match against The United States tonight, with a positive result all but assuring a quarter-final spot
Let's analyse our upcoming opponents.
Tournament of Extremes:
Ranked number 1 in the world, the reigning World Champions and a team wanting retribution after giving up their Olympic gold medal to the Germans back in 2016, all signs pointed for the United States to fire at the Tokyo games. However, the Americans have seen a tough group take its toll, with both Australia and USA requiring a good performance, if they hope to progress through to the next round.
Favourites in their opening match against Sweden, the high press of the Scandinavians saw the Americans struggle to play out of their own area and build attacks. Australia knew of the clinical nature of the Swedish attack, after seeing them put three past a usually resolute American backline. Yet, both Australia and the US fell victim to their European counterparts, with both looking to improve their defensive record before the knockouts commence.
In their second match however, the added space provided by the New Zealanders was adequately punished, with six goals scored by the USA in a 6-1 victory. Importantly, the large win allowed the Americans to overtake the Australians on goal difference, with that stat potentially being pivotal.
What you need to know about their squad:
Football fans and Australian supporters are well traversed with the American players that starred in 2019 as they regained their crown as World Cup winners. Fortunately for the USA, many of that squad remained for the Tokyo Olympics, now either hitting the peak of their careers or starting the latter half.
To put in perspective what Australia have to face on Tuesday night, nine of USA's starting 11 from the 2019 World Cup Final against the Netherlands, started in their opening Olympics group match against Sweden, with the other two starters coming off the bench in the second half. It's that culture of cohesion and loyalty that has allowed the American team to achieve such success, with the Matildas hoping to match that experience and culture.
The USA will most likely set up in a 4-3-3 formation under coach Vlatko Andonovski, with a star front three being the focal point, regardless of the four superstars that get picked (Morgan, Heath, Rapinoe, Lloyd). However, sitting just behind the star-studded forward line is potentially the largest threat for Tony Gustavsson's team. Manchester City's Sam Mewis topped the ESPN's list of 50 Best Female Footballers list, with her defensive dominance in the middle of the park, showing why she is regarded so highly. Australia will need to neutralise her passing and play around the midfielder if they're to get any joy.
Tony Gustavsson will be aware of the threats that his former side possesses, a two-time World Cup winner with the Americans, the 47-year-old has overseen the development of a core group of world-class talent that now occupies the USA starting side. The task for him is to find a way around his previous employers, a tough job at the best of times, yet the world champions are coming off a six-goal rout and determined for another medal.
What you need to know about our history:
Throughout almost all the sports at the Olympics, there is a feeling of friendly rivalry between Australian and American competitors, with football being no different. In recent times, the nations have gotten closer in overall quality, however, the USA still have the dominant record with 30 matches played between the two with only a single Australian victory recorded.
That win came at the opening match at the 2017 Tournament of Nations as current Olympian Tameka Yallop fired home midway through the second half as Australia hung on to win 1-0 in Seattle.
Another clash of note was the opening group game at the 2015 Women's World Cup, with Lisa De Vanna latching onto a pass by Michelle Heyman and tucking the ball into the bottom right corner, giving Australia a precious equaliser right before half-time.
Despite this, the USA were able to eventually finish victorious, 3-1 including a double from star winger Megan Rapinoe.
How to watch
Match 3: USA v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Venue: Kashima Stadium, Kashima, Japan
Kick-off: 5pm local; 6pm AEST
Broadcast: 7, 7mate and the 7plus app