Heather Reid reviews the Matilda's campaign

Capital Football's CEO Heather Reid writes a final note on the WWC campaign and the Matildas –

Bugger about the result last night. I agree with others that the ‘penalty’ awarded against McShea’s tackle should have been a free kick outside the box because that’s where the offence occurred.



And Australia should have been awarded a penalty late in the game when de Vanna was brought down. C’est la vie and the game of football. The fight back by the Aussies was tremendous but we were beaten by a better team on the day. We can be very proud of the Australian’s performances throughout the championship and other records set including:



- Having never one a game in nine previous WWC games, the Matildas secured one win and two draws against teams ranked much higher than us in the preliminary games

- They scored 7 goals and only conceded four prior to the quarter final

- Progressed to the quarter final where they fought back from 2-0 down to finish 3-2

- They are the only team to score against Brazil so far

- Australian players (McCallum, Garriock, Salisbury) were named as ‘Player of the Match’ in all three preliminary games

- Captain Salisbury continued her remarkable achievements in world football

- Lisa de Vanna matured into a new star for Australia

- Live coverage in prime time on SBS television meant the game was beamed into Australian households and women’s football now has greater respect, recognition and status

- Emerging players like Colthorpe, Polkinghorn and McCallum were brilliant to watch.

- And the whole 21-player squad demonstrated confidence in their abilities, fearlessness in their approach to more fancied opposition, and that determination to represent Australia in the most positive ways on the world stage.



Now the world’s leading ranked nations are into the semi final places. My tip for the final – Germany v Brazil and I don’t care who wins that because it will be a cracker of a game!



After the WWC, many of the younger players like Canberra’s Lydia Williams will stay in China for their assault on the Asian qualification tournament for the world youth championships. We wish the Young Matildas all the best in that campaign.



Heather