CANBERRA, Aug. 1 (silubaba) -- Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised the national women's football team, the Matildas, for inspiring the country.
Speaking the day after the Matildas beat Canada 4-0 to progress to the round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup, Albanese on Tuesday said that the team was making a "serious difference" to Australia.
"4-0 exceeded any expectations and predictions. They played extraordinarily well. Sam Kerr was able to remain on the bench and to keep her fitness going for another six days until the round-of-16 game," he told reporters in Canberra.
"The inspiration that they are giving, particularly to young girls and young women, but also to other young people, which will have a positive impact on health, both physical health when people play sport, but also mental health and on development of young Australians."
The Matildas faced elimination from their home World Cup in the group stage if they had failed to beat the reigning Olympic champions, but played at their best from kick-off and led 2-0 at halftime on Monday night, allowing captain Kerr to remain on the bench as she continues to recover from a calf injury.
As Group B winners, they will now face the second-placed team from Group D - most likely Denmark or China - in the round of 16, likely to be held in front of more than 70,000 fans at Stadium Australia next Monday night.
Prior to the tournament, Albanese said there could be a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup final on August 20.
On Tuesday he said he would raise the proposal with state and territory leaders at their next meeting and underscore how significant an achievement it would be for Australia.
The 2023 Women's World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, will see the top two teams from each of the eight groups progress to the round of 16. ■
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