Five things to know as England take on Australia in World Cup semi-final
Sarina Weigman's Lionesses are on the cusp of making history if they can secure a victory over the Matildas in Sydney.
Wednesday 16 August 2023 02:33, UK
England go up against Australia this morning in the semi-final of the Women's World Cup.
Here are five things to know before the Lionesses roar into action against the Matildas on their own turf.
Coaches collide
Coaches from the 2019 final are colliding again at a World Cup - with different teams.
Tony Gustavsson was assistant to Jill Ellis as the United States lifted the trophy in Lyon and the Swede has stepped up to Australia's top job.
Sarina Wiegman was the losing Netherlands coach but she is a double European Championship winner with her homeland and masterminded England's first major women's title last year at the Euros.
She is leading the way for female coaches.
When this World Cup began, only 12 of the 32 managers were women - and she was the last standing by the quarterfinals.
"What we hope is to get more female football coaches at the top level and the balance gets better than it is right now," Wiegman said. "Of course males are welcome too. There are lots of males who have done a very good job in the women's game, but if the balance is better that will also inspire other women to start coaching."
England goals search
England have been coping without key attacking threats.
Beth Mead, top scorer at the Euros last year, was ruled out of the England squad after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.
And Lauren James, who led the way with three goals and three assists for England at this World Cup, is completing a two-game ban for a stamp during the Nigeria last-16 clash.
After England drew a blank against Nigeria - winning only penalties - the goals did flow again in the 2-1 quarterfinal win against Colombia from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
Sam Kerr's fitness
What is more surprising?
Australia reaching the semifinals? Or progressing mostly without Sam Kerr?
The star striker was nursing a calf injury at the start of the tournament - missing the entire group stage before managing 65 minutes across the last two matches as a substitute.
Australia manager Tony Gustavsson said: "The way she pushed through was fantastic and impressive, both from a mental and physical aspect. She recovered well, she trained today so she's available."
Kerr has already scored against England once this year - netting in the 2-0 win that ended their 30-game unbeaten start under Wiegman in April. But England haven't been beaten since then -- with five successive wins at the World Cup.
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England's investment
England is the destination of choice for Matildas to play.
It's a sign of the strength of English football that 10 members of Wednesday's opposing squad are signed up to Women's Super League clubs - including Kerr at Chelsea and fellow forward Caitlin Foord at Arsenal.
The professionalism of the WSL is what attracted Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to West Ham.
And Matildas boss Gustavsson believes the FA's investment in women's football - outweighing theirs - gives the Lionesses the edge in their semifinal showdown.
Stadium history
Stadium Australia in Sydney brings back fond memories of one of England's greatest sporting achievements.
But Lionesses captain Millie Bright was too young to remember Jonny Wilkinson securing Rugby World Cup glory in 2003 at the expense of Australia.
The venue's iconic moment for Australians on the world stage came in 2000 during the Sydney Olympics.
Carrying the weight of the nation on her shoulders, Cathy Freeman was the first Olympian to light the cauldron and win gold at the same Games.
Never before had an Aboriginal person from Australia won individual gold
It was an iconic moment - surging to victory in the 400 metres in front of more than 112,000 spectators before displaying the red, yellow and black Aboriginal flag and the Australian flag on the victory lap.