Press Conference: Matildas Friday

Goalscorers Cheryl Salisbury, Collette McCallum talk from Tianjin.

Good news is there are no injury concerns other than Thea Slatyer's hip injury. A decision will be made on her tomorrow.

Cheryl Salisbury said,"For me four World Cup's and we've finally made it through to the next stage. I'm delighted to have made it with this group of girls.

"Hopefully, it will have a big impact on the girls watching or playing back home, just like the Socceroos did."

With five minutes to go The Matildas were 2-1 down.

"I said to the girls it only takes a few seconds and passes to score a goal. We held our nerve and we did it," said Salisbury

"As the ball came to me, it all happened in slow motion. All the Canadian players were going one way, and I thought I'd just hit it to the other side. And it went in.

"For me, to create history and put the team through is a great achievement, but it's the whole team that got us here.

"Brazil can score goals,so we need to not concede. But we have some great weapons. Lisa didn't score last night, but came close, Sarah came close, Caitlin came close, and Collette scored. So we have players who can hurt teams.

"We'll see which team Tommy selects, we have faith in him and he in us."

"This team has heart, it was an emotional roller coaster. But you have to dig deep in these tournaments.

"In 1995 at my first World Cup, I don't think we were called the Matildas, or that the public even knew we had a women's team or that there was a World Cup. Now it's great that the young players can see that there is a team and they have somewhere to aim for."

Collette McCallum doesn't usually take the free kicks, but last night she did when it mattered.

McCallum, "I practiced the free-kicks at training, and I felt confident so I gave it ago. Shunsuke Nakamura, and John Collins from Celtic were my influences. I love watching Nakamura.

"Lydia Williams showed me the dance celebration and I thought we'd just give it ago. It's a little dance thing where you touch feet. It wasn't planned, I just did it.

"I'm feeling okay, I'm happy about the rest day tomorrow so we'll be rested for the big game on Sunday.

"Brazil play similarly to the men's side, and we'll probably have to play similar to the Socceroos, but we have some great players.

"We deserve to be here and hopefully we can keep going further. Hopefully we won't concede early.

Collette was born in Scotland, but came to Australia when she was four.

"I learnt all my football in Australia. That's what I did when I was younger, just kicked a ball around all the time."

And hasn't it paid off.