Tag: football

Brazil Preps Begin: Matildas Welcome Fans to QSAC

The Matildas are inviting fans to Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in Nathan as they prepare for their highly anticipated match against Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on 28 November.

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The national women’s team will hold a free public training session at QSAC’s Main Stadium on Tuesday, 26 November. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with training scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. and run for 90 minutes. Fans will be seated in the Eastern Stand, with a capacity limit of 6,500 spectators on a first-come, first-served basis.

No pre-registration or ticket is required, but early arrival is recommended due to limited space. Visit the Matildas’ official website for more details.

Matildas squad updates

The Matildas’ preparations for the November and December international window have been affected by several player withdrawals. Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler, both midfielders in the Women’s Super League, have been medically withdrawn from the extended squad. Gorry sustained a shoulder injury during West Ham’s match against Brighton, while Wheeler suffered a lower leg injury in Everton’s victory in the Merseyside derby.

World Cup hero Cortnee Vine, who clinched the quarter-final victory against France with a decisive penalty, remains absent from the national team, having taken an indefinite break to prioritise her mental health.

However, the squad welcomes back experienced players Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik, and Chloe Logarzo. Fresh faces include Morgan Aquino, Leah Davidson, Isabel Gomez, Hana Lowry, and Natasha Prior. The 34-player squad maintains a strong domestic presence, featuring 16 players from the A-League Women competition.

Milestone victory over the Germans

The Matildas head into this international window buoyed by their historic 2-1 victory over Germany in October—their first triumph against the European powerhouse in 19 years.

Despite an early goal from Germany’s Selina Cerci, the Matildas showcased resilience and tactical evolution under interim coach Tom Sermanni. Kyra Cooney-Cross delivered a stunning 35-yard strike to equalise before halftime. At the 77th minute, Clare Hunt’s first international goal—a thumping header—secured the historic triumph.

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Upcoming fixtures

Following the training session, the Matildas will face Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on 28 November, before heading to the Gold Coast for a rematch on 1 December. The team will then travel south for two matches against Chinese Taipei in Melbourne and Geelong on 4 and 7 December, respectively.

The opening match will also be a celebration of Matilda’s most-capped player, Brisbane’s very own Clare Polkinghorne. Vice-captain Emily van Egmond is set to earn her 150th cap, becoming just the fourth Australian to achieve this milestone.

Published 21-November-2024

Mount Gravatt Hawks’ Marquez Walters Powers Moreton City Excelsior to the Brink of History

Mount Gravatt Hawks product Marquez Walters’ outstanding form has propelled Moreton City Excelsior to the brink of a historic season as they gear up for their biggest challenge yet: the Australia Cup RO16 clash against giants Perth Glory.

Read: QSAC in Mt Gravatt Risks Embarrassing Australia on World Stage, Warns Olympic Great

The rise of ‘Sharky’ Marquez Walters

‘Sharky’ Marquez Walters, the 22-year-old striker known for his iconic goal celebration, has become the talisman for Moreton City Excelsior, rising from Mount Gravatt Hawks U11s under his father’s tutelage to the verge of national prominence.

“I’m going to make the ‘Sharky’ go national,” Walters boldly declared to his teammates. His signature celebration, with Walters placing his right hand on his forehead like a shark fin, has become a visual staple of his goal-scoring exploits, aptly symbolising his predatory instinct on the field. 

An inside joke turned trademark, his ‘Sharky’ celebration has become synonymous with his goal-scoring prowess. With 19 goals in 20 matches in the current NPL Queensland competition, he’s already surpassed his league-leading tally of 17 goals from the previous season. 

This consistent performance has been crucial in propelling Moreton City to consecutive second-place finishes in the league ladder and a grand final appearance in 2023—with immense hope for a better final series this year.

Walters’ impact was most evident during Moreton City’s Australia Cup Round of 32 triumph against Campbelltown City. His second-half brace, showcasing his ability to finish on his weaker foot, was instrumental in the team’s commanding 5-1 victory.

From childhood training to national stage

Walters’ success on the field is no accident. A childhood training session focused solely on left-foot play, insisted upon by his Jamaican-born father, laid the foundation for his current two-footedness.

“He said only the top-class strikers finish, dribble and pass with both of their feet,” Walters spoke about his father’s advice. “Next thing you know, I’m using my left foot like it’s nothing.”

Beyond his goal-scoring, Walters’ leadership, both on and off the field, has galvanised the team, turning previous close matches into dominant victories.

History lies ahead

As Moreton City Excelsior prepares to host two-time Australia Cup finalists Perth Glory, Walters is poised to lead his team to what could be the most significant victory in the club’s recent history.

Lifting the Australia Cup would not only be historic but would also lead to participation in a continental tournament, the AFC Champions League Two.

Before their cup clash, Excelsior will face Rochedale Rovers away at Underwood Park in their final NPLQ game of the league season. Although this match won’t impact seeding, it presents Walters with an opportunity to leap into the top scorer position in the league.

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“What I hope to get out of this is to put the club’s name and my name out there to show that we aren’t a small club at all.”

Published 15-August-2024

Matildas Top Group B, Rout Olympic Champion Canada

The Matildas’ intensive training at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Mount Gravatt seems to have paid off, as they top Group B of the World Cup with two goals in each half, an impressive performance that saw them defeat Canada 4-0 despite dealing with key injuries.

Meanwhile, the Canadians became the first Olympic champions to crash out of the group stage.

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Coming into the match off a poor defeat to Nigeria, the Matildas knew they had to win to have a realistic chance of avoiding a group-stage exit at their own tournament.

Any concerns were allayed when two goals from Hayley Raso put the Matildas 2-0 up at halftime. Mary Fowler and Steph Catley added the finishing touches in a brilliant second-half display.

2023 Women's World Cup Australia vs Canada
Photo Credit: Instagram/CommBank Matildas

Hayley Raso Brace Puts Matildas in Control at Halftime

The hosts knew they needed to start strongly against Canada after their recent attacking struggles. They did just that. At the 9th minute, Catley and Caitlin Foord combined to set up Raso, who brilliantly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

They thought they had a second when Fowler fired home from close range after a flurry of tackles and clearances in the box, but a lengthy VAR review eventually ruled Ellie Carpenter offside in the build-up.

Canada’s reprieve was short-lived, however, as Australia scored from a corner moments later. The visitors failed to deal with a corner and Raso tapped in from close range to deservedly double the Matildas’ lead.

Canada coach Bev Priestman made four changes at halftime in an attempt to turn the tide.

Fowler and Catley Seal Emphatic Win

Australia’s dominance continued in the second half. At the 58th minute, Foord rounded Vanessa Gilles and squared the ball to Fowler, whose shot ricocheted off the post and over the line.

The rout was completed in stoppage time when substitute captain Jessie Fleming fouled Katrina Gorry in the box. After a VAR review and the awarding of a penalty, Steph Catley stepped up to convert her second spot-kick of the tournament to cap a magical night.

The atmosphere was electric as the Matildas put on an attacking masterclass for the home fans. Each goal brought massive cheers and chants from the packed stadium, with the players celebrating passionately together.

Matchday 2: Nigeria Stun Wasteful Matildas in Brisbane

2023 Women's World Cup Australia vs Nigeria
Photo Credit: Instagram/CommBank Matildas

Australia took an early lead against Nigeria in their second group match of the Women’s World Cup. But two goals in eight second-half minutes paved the way to victory for Nigeria, who capitalised on a wasteful and slow Australia attack and lapses in concentration at the back to claim a famous 3-2 victory at Brisbane Stadium.

The Matildas went up 1-0 in the opening minutes through Emily van Egmond. However, Nigeria equalised before halftime off a set piece. The African side then scored two quick goals after the break to go up 3-1.

Despite a late strike by Alanna Kennedy to pull within one, Australia could not find an equaliser.

Matchday 1: Matildas Edge Ireland in Tense World Cup Opener

2023 Women's World Cup Australia vs Ireland
Photo Credit: Instagram/CommBank Matildas

Australia overcame the pre-match injury of superstar captain Sam Kerr to defeat a spirited Ireland side 1-0 in their opening match of the Women’s World Cup.

Stand-in captain Steph Catley scored the only goal of the match with a well-taken penalty in the 52nd minute.

The Matildas held off a late resurgence from the Irish squad to secure a 1-0 win.

Matildas Top Group B Amid Injuries

Many Australian fans would have expected the worst after their shocking loss to Nigeria. The country faced the prospect of becoming the second host nation to be eliminated at the group stage.

But they turned it on when they needed to most, beating a Canada side that defeated them twice in Australia last year.

Read: Margaux Parker Applauds Matildas, Calls on Fans to Support Women’s Sport

Their emphatic 4-0 rout of Canada shows the squad’s potential when firing on all cylinders. The win, combined with Nigeria’s draw with Ireland, means the Matildas top Group B. They will play in the Round of 16 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

While injuries and inconsistent performances raised doubts earlier in the tournament, this dominant display will give Australia confidence as they aim to capture their first World Cup title on home soil.

Published 01 August 2023